United Kingdom
Krommya

Discover travel destinations of travelers writing a travel journal on FindPenguins.
Travelers at this place
    • Day 3

      Ausgrabungsstätte Kourion

      November 7, 2022 in the United Kingdom ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

      Nach dem Besuch von Limassol fuhren wir noch 15 km Richtung Süden, zur archäologischen Ausgrabungsstätte Kourion. Zum Glück hat der Regen aufgehört, so daß der Besuch trockenen Fußes möglich war.

      Die Überreste von Kourion, einst eines der wichtigsten Stadtkönigreiche des antiken Zyperns, zählen zu den beeindruckendsten archäologischen Fundstücken der Insel. Ausgrabungen haben zahlreiche bedeutsame Funde zutage gebracht, die von etwa 310 v. Chr. bis ins 7 Jahrhundert n. Chr. datiert sind. Das Herzstück der Ausgrabungsstätte ist das prächtige griechisch-römische Theater, das im 2. Jahrhundert v. Chr. erbaut und im 2. Jahrhundert n. Chr. erweitert wurde. Die Überreste der römischen Bäder, sowie zahlreiche erhaltene Mosaik Fußböden sind ebenfalls beeindruckend.

      Nach dem Besuch von Kourion lockte es uns noch an den Strand mit toller Steilküste, Geplant als mal eben schnell runter ans Meer, hat Google uns über eine matschige Schotterpiste geführt. 5 Caches später hatten wir wieder Asphalt und den Rädern, das Auto ist etwas dreckig geworden 🙄🤷 War aber sehr unterhaltsam.
      Read more

    • Day 108

      Am Strand von Großbritannien

      July 27, 2023 in the United Kingdom ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

      Völlig verrückt aber wahr: Auf Zypern gibt es zwei Stückchen Land mit wenigen Dörfern und jeweils einer Militärbasis, die zu Großbritannien gehören. Nachdem die Insel Jahrzehnte lang britische Kolonie war, erlangte Zypern 1960 die Unabhängigkeit unter der Bedingung, dass die ehemalige Kolonialmacht zwei Militärbasen behalten durfte. Die für uns offensichtlichsten Relikte auf Zypern aus der britischen Zeit sind der Linksverkehr und die vielen englischen Telefonzellen und Briefkästen.

      Unser erster Tagesausflug von Limassol aus bringt uns ins "britische" Kourion. Hier besichtigen wir eine tolle Ausgrabungsstätte mit Ruinen aus der griechischen, römischen und früh-christichen Zeit. Danach genießen wir die Wellen des Mittelmeers. Wirkliche Abkühlung ist das aber nicht, denn das Wasser hat ca. 28 °C.
      Read more

    • Day 28

      Ancient Theater in Cyprus

      January 17, 2023 in the United Kingdom ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

      Do you know the difference between a theater and an amphitheater? A theater is a half circle, and an amphitheater is a full circle.

      This particular theater was built near the end of the 2nd century BC. It’s been renovated several times due to earthquake damage.

      In its heyday, this theater could seat up to 3000 people.

      The acoustics are really amazing. To demonstrate, our guide turned off her mic and spoke. We could hear her perfectly all the way up in the back row!
      Read more

    • Day 28

      House of Eustolius

      January 17, 2023 in the United Kingdom ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

      We visited the ruins of an ancient mansion on the Island of Cyprus at the archaeological site of Kourion.

      This grand edifice, now called “the house of Eustolius,” was built during the early Roman period and renovated in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.

      The floor tiles welcome visitors with the following inscription:
      “Enter to thy good fortune and may thy coming bless this house.”

      My favorite aspect of this grand house is the detailed mosaics. Aren’t they wonderful?

      The one with the woman features the word, “creativity,” and shows her holding a device to measure a Roman foot. According to our guide, this is a reminder that the best creativity comes as a result of carefully measuring your thoughts, plans, and actions.

      Sounds like good advice to me!
      Read more

    • Day 22

      Kourion the Ancient City

      January 30, 2019 in the United Kingdom ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

      After my location miss in getting to Kolossi Castle but not Kourion (I think the city sightseeing bus stops here normally...but not sure) and seeming a bit too far to walk, I was fortunate to find a last minute tour yesterday for Paphos & Kourion. Paphos was my original plan for the day so it worked out quite well.

      Our first stop of the day was the ancient city of Kourion, located west of Limassol You might wonder why this footprint notes the UK as a location, but the map shows Cyprus. Kourion is situated in the British territory here in Cyprus. En route, we would pass through naval bases like Episkopi. there's quite a level of difference between the homes of differently ranked officers.

      Our guide/driver for the day gave us a brief overview, and we had a local guide on site. We started at the house of Eustolios overlooking the Mediterannean. He was a wealthy man with a huge house, with some of the mosaics still remaining. Next stop, the Roman Theatre, which was actually reconstructed due to earthquakes in the area. It's not large by any means, but suited the city.

      A short walk away was the Episcopal Precinct & Cathedral of Kourion, also overlooking the Mediterranean. From here we had a about a half hour of free time to explore it, the Stadium, the forum, the baths, and the house of the gladiators. It felt a bit rushed as we likely could have enjoyed another 30 minutes here just to wander and explore.

      Near Kourion is the Sanctuary of Apollo. Sadly it wasn't on our itinerary, but our guide did drive in so we could take a few photos. Unfortunately the sanctuary itself is further back, it would've been nice to have gone, though probably adding 30 minutes to the tour if the company would consider it.
      Read more

    • Day 5

      Kourion

      May 6, 2018 in the United Kingdom ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

      Another day another set of remains. An earlier breakfast and off along the motorway to Kourion which is near Akrotiri. We were going to go to another site, Choirokoitia, which is almost back at Larnaca. But there was some concern that it would take too long to get there, based on our previous experiences. However in the event the motorway was almost empty and enabled us to cover the distance quickly.

      Kourion is principally a Roman site with a few other remains. It is high up on the hilside overlooking the sea. This was a well tended site with the best remains protected by screening and again there were some beautiful mosaics. The weather was slightly less scorching but still walking around a pale limestone site was a hot glaring experience. Margaret and I were keeping an eye out for broken ceramic remains and as usual found some pot sherds left in the path rubble.

      Afterwards we headed back into Episkopi to find the Kourion Museum... We did but it was closed. We're then decided to to find lunch by the beach but after spending rather along time driving around the Akrotiri peninsula past the RAF base and the saltlake without ever getting near the coast we gave up and headed back to Paphos. On the drive back to the motorway we realised that the roads to the coast were all MOD property and prohibited... Thats why we couldn't get to the coast.

      Back in Paphos we headed to a cafe /bar by the hotel for lunch Cyprus dips for me; tatziki, tahini, hummus, taramasalta... 😀.
      After our late lunch we had some downtime before meeting for dinner. For dinner we went to the trip advisor recommended For... Margaret, Libby, Paddy and I decided to have the meze. It started well, more Cyprus dips but with the addition of spiced feta. Then the onslaught started, lemon chicken, pork skewers, the most gorgeous kofta, chicken skewers, marinated pork medallions, and then we were stuffed and the food stopped arriving.... For a moment, then beef sifado appeared and a huge plate of chips. We groaned but politely made an attempt... Then we had a delivery of pork souvlaki and moussaka. The moussaka was lovely but we were stuffed and slightly hysterical (we'd had a similar food avalanche in Kyrinia a couple of years ago). Fabulous food but so much of it.
      Back to the hotel for a quick quiz provided by Margaret... Which tested our current affairs knowledge and our knowledge of the sites we've visited this week. Moira, Libby and I just squeaked it at 19 (compared with 18 for Beth, Paddy and Danny)
      Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Krommya

    Join us:

    FindPenguins for iOSFindPenguins for Android