Wildlife

Birds on the spring and autumn north-south migration use Cyprus as a stopping point and the two Salt lakes (Larnaca and Akrotiri) offer a winter home to large flocks of greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber). Nightingales, golden orioles, hoopoes, rollers and bee-eaters are among the visitors and residents include several endemic species, such as the Cyprus Warbler and the Cyprus Wheatear.

The endemic mouflon (Ovis orientalis ophion), a type of wild sheep, is considered by many to be Cyprus’ national animal. At one time, these beautiful yet shy animals were hunted almost to extinction. Following a captive-breeding programme the species has been saved and today is located in and around the Pafos Forest.    They are best seen in a reserve at the Stavros tis Psokas Forest Station, in the Troodos range.

Cyprus is also one of the few remaining nesting grounds for the endangered Green Turtle (Chelonia mydias) and the Loggerhead Turtle(Caretta Caretta).

Although not a wild animal in danger of extinction, the Cyprus donkey has always been an important feature of rural life as both a form of transport and a beast of burden. Villagers from the remoter areas can still be seen riding and working with donkeys, and a Donkey Sanctuary   is found at the village of Vouni.

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Training-Agia Napa

Agia Napa’s warm sunshine and year round temperate climate- the best in Cyprus- combined with its excellent sports  infrastructure with football grounds, provides the essential basis ingredients for one of the most successful sports training locations in the Mediterranean.

Already a popular European tourist destination for many years now, Agia Napa is continually recognised as a viable training centre for sports teams, especially during the mild winter months of November through March when the natural greenery of Cyprus is at its  very lushest.

During this period , hundreds of European soccer teams from Scandinavia, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Ukraine, etc, regularly utilise the sixteen fully equipped playing fields with changing rooms and modern facilities in Agia Napa. Every detail is considered as an important element of an entire package including special menus, individual training programmes, night lighting and any other specific team requirements.

As a tempting incentive to coincide with these facilities, luxurious hotels in the immediate vicinities of the playing fields make special offers which include usage of their gym, sauna, and general health club facilities in addition to organised, well promoted sponsored tournaments and enjoyable theme nights events.

All sports grounds in Agia Napa are the property of the Agia Napa municipality.

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Water park

Innovative and exciting-water entertainment has been successfully attracting all ages in Agia Napa where tourists and island residents are enjoying  tons of fun in the splashing waters under the sun. Water park boasts a whole range of water park slides, pools and adventure. There is a high-speed slide, a free fall or “Kamikaze” slide, two giant serpentine inflatable  tube slides, a serpentine body slide and a four-track multislide. The multislide is ridden headfirst on a mat. This ride is the newest and most popular  ride at Disney’s latest water park. There is a “lazy river” ride where guests float along the river in an inflatable tube, a swimming “beach”, an activity pool with “rolling logs”, “lily pad walk”, a sand volleyball court and a children’s pool with “mini” waterslides.

Water-park offers a full day’s entertainment for the price of admission. Once inside, guests can ride the slides as often as little as they like.

Slide, float, swing, relax sunbathe, grab a quick bite at the fast food cafeteria or enjoy a sit down meal in the Mediterranean style cafe. There  is also an ice cream parlour, soft drink carts and retail shop which sells a range of swimwear, towels, Water Park souvenirs, sun care products and water activity toys. Water-Park is located on Agia Thekla Street at the gateway to Agia Napa. You can’t miss it.

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Paralimni-Protaras

Paralimni is the largest town in the free Famagusta district and is situated in the southeast of Cyprus. The word Paralimni means “settlement by the lake ”. Historically, Paralimni was built on the shores of a shallow lake, which filled with water only in the wintertime.

In the beginning of the 20^th century, as a result of reclamation work, the whole of the lakebad was reclaimed for agricultural purposes. Paralimni has not always been where it is now. Originally it was built on a hill , which was situated between Dherinia and its present location.

However, in the 15^th century, it was moved inland to avoid detection by the sea pirates. It is said that the first people to settle at Paralimni arrived just after bthe capture of the near town of Famagusta by the Ottoman in !571. the first settlement was called Saint Demetrius and this place still bears his name today.

Not far from Paralimni, at a location known today as Protaras, stood the old city-state of Leukolla. The city possessed a small safe harbour where the Athenian Demetrius Poliorketes in the year 306 B.C. sought refuge, lying in wait for Ptolemeos, one of the successors of Alexander the Great. In the ensuing battle Ptolemeos was defeated and fled to Egypt, leaving Cyprus for a while in the hands of Demetrius.   The first inhabitants of Paralimni were farmers. The location of Paralimni is favoured by      a very mild climate which is conducive to the early-in-the year produce of vegetables and potatoes. Paralimni has lovely beaches and the most well known in the area is Fig Tree Bay in Protaras area.

Protaras is part of Paralimni which is more familiarly referred to as “the land of windmills” maintaining  the nostalgic quality of the past. Picturesque but geared for tourism, Protaras has lovely sandy white beaches, and many restaurants, pubs and clubs.

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Leisure Activities

Agia Napa is the first and foremost in Cyprus when it comes to entertainment and events.

Summer entertainment has always been more than rich in variety because of the exciting beach life and all the trimmings of outdoor sport and adventure.

Many hotels offer live nightly entertainment and there are restaurants, pubs, bars and clubs where people mix, meet and mingle. Agia Napa is renowned for its beaches, entertainment and friendship.

Horseback riding , mini golf, go carts, and bowling are some of the other delightful pastimes that tourists can enjoy, even during the winter.

There is a special ambience in Agia Napa that attracts people and offers a unique kind of holiday experience. Informal, friendly and always welcoming people look forward to returning back, time and time again.

Agia Napa Amusement Park

The Agia Napa Amusement Park is one of the most impressive in the Mediterranean. A large playground where exciting rides and colourful adventure are guaranteed for children, teenagers and adults. Seen from miles throughout Agia Napa, the huge Ferris Wheel is a popular attraction. Located in the centre of Agia Napa this spacious adventure park offers safe rides for small children as well as more daring rides and games for the older and more adventuresome.

A cafe serves drink and refreshments in the centre of all the action.

Enjoy an afternoon or evening and bring your friends!

Don’t be shy. Adventure is not for the faint-hearted! Dare to have fun!

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