Journey Through Cyprus - Europe Travel Documentary

Cyprus has been at the crossroads of civilizations for millennia and is among the most diverse and fascinating places in the Mediterranean Sea. Located on the edge of Europe, the island has been influenced by traditions, religions, and cultures from three different continents.
Due to its complicated recent history, the country is divided into two parts, that are inherently different yet surprisingly similar. For the traveler, Cyprus offers an abundance of ancient sites, spectacular natural scenery, vibrant cities, tasty food, and friendly, welcoming people.
In this travel documentary, I’m traversing Cyprus, visiting some of the most beautiful and interesting places, in both the Southern and Northern part. The video was made in November 2022, when I had the chance to travel around Cyprus for 2 weeks.
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Copyright of all footage: Hoffer Media
Here’s a brief overview of the content in this video:
We start this journey in Nicosia, the vibrant capital city of Cyprus, also known as the ‘last divided capital in the world’, symbolizing the island’s complicated political situation. We explore both the South and North, and witness some of the contrasts and similarities. While the narrow streets of the old city offer some incredible historic monuments, we also visit some newer parts of Nicosia.
After renting a car, we drive through the Troodos mountains, a spectacular region with picturesque villages, rugged mountain landscape, and hidden monasteries that contain colorful frescoes. Some of the highlights include Mount Olympus, Agros and Kykkos Monastery.
Our next destination is Paphos, a friendly tourist center that boasts the mesmerizing ‘Pafos Archaeological Site’. Following the coastline, we briefly stop at Aphrodite’s Rock (or Petra tou Romio), a mythical landmark surrounded by pretty beaches.
We visit the ancient city-state of Kourion with its striking location on the Mediterranean, before catching a break on the coastal promenade of Limassol (or Lemesos), a cosmopolitan city and important business and entertainment hub.
Driving back inland, we come across one of the oldest and best-preserved pre-historic sites in the region, Choirokoitia, before arriving in Lefkara. Surrounded by steep valleys, this photogenic village is famous for its historic embroidery, lace, and silverware production. Although the industry has diminished over the years, you can still witness artisans at work in the narrow cobble-stone alleys.
Larnaca is a laidback city and gateway to the island, providing a good introduction to Cypriot daily life and culture. It’s our last stop before arriving in Cape Greco peninsula and national park, the Easternmost point in the European Union. It’s a beautiful place with rugged scenery, full of walking trails.
We return to the North of Cyprus, visiting the intriguing walled city of Famagusta. The historic center provides a great insight into this former stronghold, with narrow alleyways, crumbling churches, and the massive Lala Mustafa Mosque. Just outside central Famagusta is Varosha, where we are tragically reminded of Cyprus’ complex political situation. This abandoned neighborhood used to be a thriving beach resort but has now turned into a ghost town.
Traveling further North, we visit Bellapais, with its imposing Abbey, and arrive in Kyrenia, the most visited city in Northern Cyprus, partly due to its connection with Turkey. The skyline is dominated by the massive castle, but the city also offers a pretty old town and lively harbor with restaurants and cafes.
Not far from Kyrenia is our final destination, St Hilarion Castle. Built on a craggy mountainside, it’s a captivating place to explore, with crumbling towers, tunnels, hidden courtyards, and sweeping vistas of the surrounding landscape.
Timestamps / video chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:21 Nicosia
11:36 Troodos Mountains
17:22 Paphos
20:31 Aphrodite’s Rock
21:09 Kourion
22:27 Limassol (Lemesos)
24:15 Choirokoitia
25:28 Lefkara
28:11 Larnaca
30:31 Cape Greco
31:30 Famagusta
35:17 Varosha
38:52 Bellapais
40:21 Kyrenia
43:34 St Hilarion Castle
45:18 End

[@HP84963]

Gotta love Stef's style. No unnecessary upbeat tunes or fast clipping, and best of all, no selfpromoting nonsense. Keep 'em coming Good Sir.

[@LittleTut]

I totally agree! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@stefhoffer]

Thanks a lot for that, I appreciate it. And I will try to keep uploading.

[@davidwonder3631]

​@@stefhofferI really love what you do sir

[@victoriaromanenko9733]

Thank you for the beautiful film about this large island in Mediterranean Sea. You showed very well typical Cypriots architecture, cuisine and dominant cultural traditions.

[@stefhoffer]

Thanks for your kind words, I'm glad to read that you enjoyed the film.

[@earthpeoplechurchforhumani9456]

You are among the world's finest drone photogrphers. Thank you!

[@chietbrink3977]

A couple of years ago I went to Cyprus and it is really a great joy to watch this beautiful video. A really handy guide also !!!!

[@stefhoffer]

I'm very happy to read that! I'm sure you enjoyed that trip :)

[@beyondtheshadow1224]

Deeply THANK YOU from 💕🇧🇷💕

[@stefhoffer]

Thank you too :)

[@juliantaylor4568]

One of the best travel documentary productions I have seen! Great work Stef.

[@rajeshkcrajesh9431]

wow beautiful explanation cyprus,real traveling feel cyprus thank you so much

[@bodnica]

Beautiful!

[@brunopappacoda5577]

Splendido lavoro! Complimenti Stef Hoffer!

[@jibansadhanarpathe]

Thank you❤❤

[@johnellis414]

Really enjoyed this intro into Cyprus ❤

[@Rose-zz2rw]

it's a very clean city.

[@lauracolonello]

Grazie😊

[@LittleTut]

Stef, what a journey! You're always giving the best tours of some of the most beautiful countries in the world. 😊👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@stefhoffer]

Happy to hear that, and thanks again for your kind words!

[@Explorerdhk]

Thank you for this wonderful video ❤

[@stefhoffer]

Thank you for watching :)

[@larnacacity]

The best country great content ♥

[@senraXD]

Amazing video!

[@lazyllevlogs8627]

My first travel/ documentary video i watched, love this🎉🎉🎉

[@stefhoffer]

Glad you did!

[@pinterest9302]

Though of not great size the church is magnificient and soo lovely tosee and appreciate .

[@shohagali1082]

Spectacular video & explanation.. love from Bangladesh

[@stefhoffer]

Thank you, glad that you enjoyed it.

[@freddyblanco5408]

Thank you Stef for this excellent video about the island of Cyprus. I did it know the country being dividing this is sad I though thi island was a part of Greece. Any way, the island has a beautiful landscapes and history. Hello from USA.

[@ingriddurden3929]

beautiful place, food looks delicious. what a pity of the divide ! thanks for sharing.

[@mehmetakifakgul8666]

Why what a pity for the divide! Do two very different People have to live together?

[@ingriddurden3929]

@@mehmetakifakgul8666 I find it sad, that whole city blocks are standing there empty, falling apart. I find it sad, that horses, donkeys, cows, goats, sheep, deer, badgers.... can share the same space, but people of the same species cannot. I find it sad, that when moving to another country, they can live together with the others, but in their own, they obviously cannot. I am a foreigner in this country, came here 20 years ago, living among people from different countries, and we all get along...

[@mehmetakifakgul8666]

I sympathise with your feelings but you are telling these feelings to the wrong person. You should address your thoughts to those that created the situation Just before the Turkish intervention to save Cypriot Turks from ethnic cleansing. I can elaborate more but you could do more research yourself!

[@a.d.y8499]

Such a great documentary. I love your style, both the editing and filming!

[@Mark723]

Always insightful and entertaining - a master at his craft. Thank you, Stef, for all that you do for the travel community.

[@stefhoffer]

Thanks a lot, I'm happy to read that!

[@TechRevTravel]

Cyprus!

[@RamizAhmed-ky8sw]

Cute Cyprus 💌 Marvel

[@petr-podrouzek]

Very nice, great job ! 🙂

[@stefhoffer]

Thanks Petr!

[@beyondtheshadow1224]

Valeu!

[@stefhoffer]

That's very generous, thanks a lot!

[@gamingbrother9545]

Bro do you want promotion

[@benvenuti_Moscow_walks]

Nice and interesting country 😊

[@stefhoffer]

Absolutely agree.

[@thatkanpuriaguy8177]

Beautiful documentary. Love the style, the slow pace, the soothing unhurried narration and the natural sounds peppered with mellifluous background score. Love from India🇮🇳

[@Dirsanat]

Wow, the videos you make are amazing, I really like them. I see something in you that I would like to work with in the future. You have an amazing talent. I just said this, I have no words for you

[@stefhoffer]

Thanks for that, I appreciate your kind words.

[@adamosadamou8513]

Hi Steff. This is a wonderful video. It captures all elements of Cyprus! Is it okay if we use this wonderful video to showcase the tradition of Cyprus in our Tavern? We will give credit to this KZbin channel. We would be really grateful!

[@didemgursoysavim1349]

I wish you will visit Lefke, Gemikonağı Vuni Place and Soli Ruins, Yeşilırmak, Apostolos Andreas Monastery, Kantara Castle, Bufavento Castle, St. Hilarion Castle and many more historical places ....... Many greetings, Didem

[@stefhoffer]

Thanks for your input, and I wish so too! St Hilarion castle is right at the end of the video.

[@kkraja977]

🙏🙏

[@PhilipDjaferis]

Chirokitia is from 6000 BC and not 7C BC... excellent video! 🙂

[@vasanthanruban6601]

Any major reason avoid visits of srilanka?

[@milneros2203]

So good video, can I ask you how did you learn making this types of video? I want to start making similar videos like these, but I am a complete beginner.

[@stefhoffer]

Thanks for your kind words. I learned most things by the years, from friends and online.

[@milneros2203]

@@stefhoffer Thanks and one more question is it possible to make living out of it?

[@stefhoffer]

@@milneros2203 You mean KZbin alone? There are people who make a living out of it, but for me it's supplemental. I do all kinds of other video work too.

[@beyondtheshadow1224]

✨✨🙌🙌🙌🙏🙏🙏✨✨

[@martinkoitmae6655]

Can you do a travel video about Estonia🇪🇪?

[@stefhoffer]

Would love to do that :)

[@martinkoitmae6655]

@@stefhofferThere is one quite excellent one by Lucas T Jahn but we haven’t had anything that good for years now sadly.

[@stefhoffer]

@@martinkoitmae6655 I've seen that one, love his work.

[@martinkoitmae6655]

@@stefhoffer Agree, his videos are so good! But your videos are very good as well!

[@stefhoffer]

@@martinkoitmae6655 Thank you Martin!

[@danielahenze8094]

The Life ( english language ) - das Leben ( deutsche Sprache ) - Livet ( svenska språk )

[@johnrobertson8441]

Nice video! However, Cyprus is actually in Asia and not Europe. Nevertheless, great video!

[@sbpoultryfarms951]

Hi

[@user-fp3gy8yy6y]

المتحدث من أين ؟

[@stefhoffer]

The Netherlands :)

[@issith7340]

The island hasn’t changed any cultures, only influenced by them. It had remained a Greek island, non stop until today. Thought it was invaded by turkey, recently, and turk are still occupying 40%, of it. When invading the Turkish population in Cyprus was 18%.

[@stefhoffer]

Thanks for that information, and I do think many parts felt very Greek.

[@issith7340]

@@stefhoffer part of what felt greek? Your body parts?

[@Shameofoccupiers]

Also 3% OF CYPRUS IS TAKEN BY THE BRITISH AS MILITARY BASES ILLEGALLY OF COURSE AS THE TURKS.

[@MENSA.lady2]

I sold my flat in Ayia Napa back in 1991. Why ? because I saw the writing on the wall. Russian money. I would not be surprised to hear that Vladimir Putin has a bolt-hole on the island.

[@Kurdedunaysiri]

Cyprus is occupied by both Britain and Turkey. and the Cypriotic is the best Hellenic language after the Tsakonian :)

[@deadscenedotcom]

Superb video. Thank you!

[@stefhoffer]

Glad you liked it!