In the heart of Paphos, just a short walk from the seafront and the famous Tombs of the Kings, stands Kings Avenue Mall — one of the largest and most modern shopping and entertainment centres in Cyprus. Opened in 2013, it quickly became a landmark destination, drawing both locals and visitors with its bright architecture, spacious layout, and welcoming atmosphere. The mall offers a wide variety of international and local brands, from fashion and accessories to electronics and home goods. Its food court and cafés provide plenty of options for every taste, whether you’re after a quick coffee, a family meal, or a relaxed dinner with sea views from the terraces. More than just shopping, Kings Avenue Mall is designed as a space for leisure. A multiplex cinema, seasonal events, and children’s play areas ensure that the centre remains lively all year round. Even its interior reflects a thoughtful design — airy, flowing spaces filled with natural light that make every visit enjoyable. Today, Kings Avenue Mall is not only the commercial heart of Paphos but also a social hub, a place where people come together to shop, eat, relax, and spend time in a vibrant setting by the Mediterranean.

High on the slopes of the Machairas Mountains, nestled among pine‐covered hills approximately 40 km southwest of Nicosia, stands the serene Monastery of the Virgin Mary of Machairas. Founded in the late 12th century on the spot where a miraculous icon—said to have been painted by the Evangelist Luke—was found in a hidden cave, the monastery inherits its name from the Greek word for knife (machairi), symbolizing the divine tool that revealed the sacred image. Over the centuries, Machairas evolved into a revered royal and stavropegic monastery, enjoying imperial patronage and autonomy. Its charming Byzantine‐style architecture—marked by red‐tiled roofs, a domed central church, monks’ cells, arcades, and a gentle courtyard—radiates a timeless spiritual serenity. Despite fires and rebuildings, its resplendent iconostasis and the deeply venerated icon remain at its heart. Today, this remote haven remains home to a devoted brotherhood of monks whose ascetic life reflects the austere traditions of Mount Athos. It also welcomes pilgrims and visitors drawn by its tranquil beauty, the hush of the forested slopes, and the silent testimony of the centuries.

On the eastern coast of Cyprus lies Famagusta, a city steeped in history and legend. Once a thriving Byzantine settlement, it rose to prominence in the Middle Ages as one of the Mediterranean’s most important ports. Merchants from across Europe and the East filled its bustling markets, while wealthy citizens left behind an extraordinary legacy of churches and fortifications, earning it the name “City of Churches.” During the Venetian and later Ottoman periods, Famagusta became a melting pot of cultures, reflected in its architecture — from Gothic cathedrals transformed into mosques to mighty Venetian walls that still encircle the old town. The city flourished again under British rule, expanding into a modern hub with its famous Varosha resort district. The events of 1974 changed its course, leaving Varosha abandoned and frozen in time, yet the historic walled city remains a vibrant reminder of Cyprus’s layered past. Walking through its gates today, visitors encounter the grandeur of medieval towers, the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, and the legendary Othello’s Castle — monuments to centuries of triumph, struggle, and survival. Famagusta continues to embody both resilience and hope. It is a city where history whispers at every corner, and where the promise of renewal lingers alongside memories of the past.