Best Travel Tips to Ayia Napa

Since the last few years, Ayia Napa has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Cyprus and the Mediterranean vacation. It is often referred to as the "other Ibiza" since it is a paradise for those who enjoy the sea, water sports, and active nightlife. There are many restaurants, bars, discos, trendy clubs that are open almost constantly.

Sand beaches make it famous. Recently, it has become more than just a family vacation spot. It has become a 'party capital' for tourists.

Cyprus, in the Mediterranean Sea, is home to one of the most popular resorts in the world, Ayia Napa. The perfect setting for a resort aimed at 18-30-year-olds eager for a fun-filled holiday where they can go clubbing, enjoy some of the top DJs in the world, and have a good time.

Angelina was named Ayia Napa after a monastery of the same name located next to the square in the town's centre from the Venetian era. 'Ayia' is Greek for 'Saint'. In ancient times, the area surrounding the town was covered with thick forests. The word 'Napa' means 'wooded valley.' Ayia Napa was not inhabited before 1790, according to local tradition. Ayia Napa was founded by twenty men from Salonica, Greece, and developed into a grand resort after that.

Local legend states that a famous icon was accidentally discovered by a hunter while chasing prey. As soon as the icon was discovered, it was dubbed the Virgin Mary of Ayia Napa. Built-in honour of the Virgin Mary of Ayia Napa in 1500, the monastery was built around the cave.

Thanks to its golden sandy beaches, Ayia Napa's coastline attracts many tourists. Scuba diving, waterskiing, windsurfing, canoeing, and speed boating are among the water sports available. As a result of the climate, beaches, and unique character of the scene in the region, Ayia Napa has recently become synonymous with holidays and partying on the island.

As far as geography is concerned, Ayia Napa is located just south of Famagusta at the eastern tip of Cyprus near Cape Greco, which is part of a larger area known as Kokkinochoria (a name derived from its red soil). There is a town in Famagusta District, in the remaining southern part of the district that was not occupied by Turkish forces in 1974.

Cyprus Tourism Organization supervises the beaches and ensures that all tourists' interests are protected. Ayia Napa's beaches have earned the EU blue flag for their cleanliness and comprehensive facilities that meet the standards set by the European Union.

Also, there are other perfect beaches such as the popular Nissi beach, which is a sandy exotic beach with crystal clear water. A family-friendly, relaxing beach is Harbour Beach or Limanaki or Pantahou Beach. Cypriots and visitors alike enjoy this long beach in Ayia Napa. One more is the Golden Bay, or Lanta Beach as it is known locally. There is much to do at this beach for the whole family.

Ayia Napa's nightlife revolves around the Square, which hosts restaurants, nightclubs, and shops.

One of the most beautiful places on the island, Cape Greco is only 10 minutes away from the centre of the island. Cape Greco is reputed to be home to the Ayia Napa Sea Monster, which resembles a cross between a porpoise and a dragon. A dozen or so photographs have been taken of it and it is believed to be a direct descendant of prehistoric times.

It has the charm and charisma of a sleepy fishing village. Anciently, the area where the monastery and the village are located today was covered with a thick forest, which was only visited by hunters from neighbouring villages.

Places to Visit

At the lower level of the Town Hall is Tornaritis - Pierides Museum of Marine Life, which was founded in June 1992. Scientifically classified marine life is on display here. Besides displaying to Cypriots and foreign visitors the marine fauna of Cyprus and the Mediterranean, it also showcases the importance and necessity of conserving the marine environment.

The Thalassa, or Municipal Museum of the Sea, is dedicated to enhancing, promoting, and preserving Cyprus's marine heritage from prehistoric to modern times. This museum is located in the centre of Ayia Napa, where it displays marine artifacts, conducts educational programmes and cultural events for the community, as well as promotes interest in Cyprus' rich sea history. There are sculptures, engravings, ceramics, and paintings of seascapes in the Museum created by some of the greatest Greeks and Cypriots of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Cyprus Car Rental can also help you find the Makronissos Tombs that are located west of Ayia Napa village in Makronissos. A rectangular entrance leads down to the ancient burial site, which is located at the foot of a stepped road. Originally, the entrances were sealed with one large or two smaller calcarine slabs.

Since 1992, the Ayia Napa Festival has become an annual event that attracts many visitors. Ayia Napa Monastery is located in Seferis Square. Ayia Napa and Cyprus as a whole are known for their agricultural and cultural traditions. Theatre performances, operas, concerts, and Cypriot and foreign folk dances are included in the program.

If you are visiting Cyprus, be sure to see Ayia Napa.

Ratargul: Swamp Forest in Bangladesh

The Ratargul Swamp Forest is a freshwater swamp forest located in Fatehpur Union, Gowainghat, Sylhet, Bangladesh. Bangladesh has only one swamp forest. The government of Bangladesh, the Department of Forestry, is responsible for the natural preservation of the forest.

Three thousand three hundred and twenty-five acres of land cover it. In 2015, 504 acres were declared the animal sanctuary. Swamp forest is located 26 kilometres (16 miles) away from Sylhet, Bangladesh. The name of the forest is derived from the word 'Rata' or 'Pati' tree, used by the locals of Sylhet.

The evergreen forest lies on the banks of the river Goain and is linked with the Chengir Khal channel. When it rains, the forest is submerged under 20–30 feet of water. The water level in Ratargul is about 10 feet deep during the rest of the year. In fact, Ratargul is known as "Sundarban of Sylhet.

Sylhet is about 26 kilometres from Ratargul. Ratargul swamp forest is located in Sylhet range-2 on an area of 504 acres of wetlands and is under the management of the forest department. The site is in Gowainghat. There are two haors in the south of the forest, Shimul Bil Haor and Neoa Bil Haor after tourists arrive at Gowainghat.

The Ratargul Way:

Some bus services from Gabtali and Sayedabad depart from Dhaka to Sylhet. You can find the Green Line, Saudia, S. Alam, Ena Paribahan, and Shyamoli bus stations in Fakirapul, Sayedabad, and Mohakhali. With AC buses, it will cost you between BDT 800 and 1100. With non-AC buses, it will cost you between BDT 400 and 450.

If you wish to travel from Dhaka to Sylhet by train, you will need to take the Upabon, Jayantika, Parabat or Kalni Express trains from Kamalapur or Airport Railway Station.

A train also runs between Chittagong and Sylhet. There are two trains that run six days a week, including Pahari and Udayan Express.

By plane, you can travel easily and quickly. There are a number of airlines that leave Dhaka for Sylhet daily, including Biman Bangladesh, Regent Air, United Airways, Novo Air and US Airplane Air Biman.

A Sylhet to Ratargul journey:

You can travel to Ratargul from Sylhet in two ways. First of all, you can reach the inner roads of Khadim Tea Gardens within a short time. Take a CNG auto-rickshaw or Jeep to Shringi Bridge.

The travel time from Sylhet to Ratargul is about three hours. The cost for a CNG or autorickshaw for the whole day will be about 1200 to 1500 Tk.

The cost of riding a local CNG from Amberkhana in Sylhet to the Shringi Bridge is BDT 100 per person. Shringi Bridge introduces you to Ratargul through fishermen's small boats. Boats can accommodate 4 to 6 people. A boat costs between 400 and 800 BDT.

The second way to reach Ratargul from Sylhet is via Sharighat and Jaflong. It will cost between BDT 40 and 50 to get from Sylhet to Sharighat. From Sharighat, take a baby taxi to Gowainghat. Then you must take a boat to Ratargul. A boat will cost around BDT 800 to 1200 for 10-12 people. This route is more time-consuming and more expensive.

Besides that, you can also take the CNG from Sylhet's Bandar Bazar point to Motorghat, where you will get the Dingi Boat for Ratargul.

To enter the forest, you have to take one of the fishermen's small boats no matter which route you take for going to Ratargul.

Where are you staying:

Ratargul is not a good place to stay. You must stay in Sylhet. In Lala Bazar and Darga Road, there are many standard and affordable guesthouses. There are different types of rooms at BDT 400 to 1000. 

What will you eat:

Several local foods are available at affordable costs in Sylhet Zindabazar, such as Pansi, Pach Vai, and Palki Restaurant. These restaurants offer about 30 different types of Varta.