C is for culture, Gill's bucket list
- Gillian Griffiths
- 22 hours ago
- 5 min read
‘C is for culture, Gill’s bucket list’ is a look at the next 4 places on my bucket list.
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Cyprus - West Asia, but in the Mediterranean Sea
Cyprus is the 3rd largest and third most populated island in the Med. It is east of Greece, north of Egypt, south of Türkiye and west of Lebanon and Syria.
The island is split between the Turkish north and Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus. You can travel between the north and south, but you will have to show your passport or ID. Many hire companies in the south don’t allow you to take their cars into the north. Flights to and from the north pass-through Türkiye first.
It is considered safe to travel to Cyprus. But, like anywhere in the world these days, it’s always best to check the latest travel info first.
Respect local customs
Dress and behave modestly when visiting religious sites
Now that a couple of the formalities have been covered, we can continue…
Cyprus enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers and mild, wet winters. With being so close to West Asia, the region is one of the warmest parts of the Med. It has beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes and mountains, and a combination of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Cuisine.
Southern Cyprus is more developed in terms of infrastructure, tourism and the economy. Northern Cyprus is more affordable and laid back.
I’d like to think I’d be brave enough to create our own adventure through Cyprus. Spending maybe a week to10 days, in the summer months. I’d hire a car and stop in places off the beaten track. But would have to include Limassol and Paphos:
Limassol – it has the nightlife, the coastline, the beaches, the marina and the mountains. A great place for walking and hiking. There’s also an amphitheatre, a castle and many historical buildings in the Old Town
Paphos – European capital of culture in 2017. Tomb of the kings, ancient UNESCO world heritage site, Blue Lagoon, and boat trips.
Corfu - One of the Ionian Islands, off Greece’s north-west coast
Picture rugged mountains, a resort studded shoreline, scenic beaches and a lively atmosphere.
It’s the cultural heritage that fascinates me about Corfu – Venetian, French and British. Corfu Town, with its medieval lanes, cobblestone streets and Venetian Fortresses.
The Old Town and its 2 Forts are listed among UNESCOs World Heritage Monuments. It is the only large area in Greece to have retained “almost intact” its historical urban network, with buildings dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Its roots go back to the 8th Century BC and then to the Byzantine period. It has therefore been subject to various influences over time.
Corfu is 36 miles long and 17 miles wide. When I compare its size to other islands we have visited, it’s somewhere in the middle.
Porto Santo, just off the island of Madeira (which is positively diddy) is 6 miles long and 3.7 miles wide.
Sal, in Cape Verde, is 18 miles long and 7 miles wide.
Whereas Fuerteventura, in the Canaries, and its elongated shape, is 62 miles long and 15.5 miles wide.
Like the islands mentioned above, Corfu has beautiful beaches, hidden coves, rocky inlets, coastal stretches, and imposing cliffs. Inland however, it is quite different. Corfu has green hills, dense forests, and majestic peaks. There are 2 distinct mountain ranges, one in the north and one in the south, which are known for their hiking trails and views.
Having recently completed a 10-mile walk in Wales with Luke and Lewis, I reckon we’re ready for some hiking here!
Cambodia - Sometimes referred to as the "Kingdom of Wonder"
Officially, the Kingdom of Cambodia. Cambodia promises to offer a unique and enriching travel experience.
To be honest, Cambodia hasn’t been on my bucket list for long. Having recently holidayed in Thailand; I now have a real affection for this part of the World.
Cambodia is a south-east Asian nation whose landscape includes low-lying plains, the Mekong Delta, mountains and the Gulf of Thailand coastline. Known for its ancient temples, stunning landscapes, and rich culture. Famous for weaving and producing high-quality textiles, especially silk. Cambodia also has delicious cuisine, including rice, cassava, corn, sugarcane, soybeans, and coconuts.
Phnom Penh, its Capital, is home to the art deco Central Market, a Royal Palace and the National Museum's historical and archaeological exhibits. In the country's north-west are the ruins of Angkor Wat (a UNESCO World Heritage Site): the iconic stone temple complex built during the Khmer Empire.
Cambodia has many beaches (Long Beach: https://www.visitkohrong.com/) and is also home to Tonle Sap: the largest freshwater lake in south-east Asia, with floating villages and a productive fishery. I’d like to continue with my diving. Apparently, Koh Sdach Islands: islands in Koh Kong, are good for snorkelling and diving.
The best time to visit Cambodia's is between November and April when the weather is dry and hot. We visited Thailand in February – so I would definitely consider this time of year for a long-haul holiday. Post Christmas – something to REALLY look forward to.
Croatia - Another Republic… The Republic of Croatia
In the Balkans. A country in central and south-east Europe; on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
There’s plenty of ways to spend a week or 2 in Croatia.
It wasn’t until I was pulling together this bucket list of destinations beginning with the letter C, that I realised how much there really is! I thought maybe we could “do Croatia” in an extended long weekend – but no; I think I’d feel miffed to miss out on ALL of the things to do listed below:
Dubrovnik – a walled old town and a 4-minute cable car to 778 meters above the Old Town
Split – a coastal City built on Roman Palace ruins
Zagreb – Croatia’s capital City and cultural hub
Plitvice Lakes National Park – 16 emerald terraced lakes, linked by spectacular waterfalls
Krka National Park – host to a wild range of wildlife, you can join a boat trip to the falls
Diocletian’s Palace – forms half of Split Old Town. A residence fit for a Roman Emperor
Golden Horn Beach (Zlatni Rat) – a pebble beach with crystal clear water, located on Brac Island
Sea Organ – a large experimental musical instrument mounted beneath a staircase and played by the waves on the sea
Pula Arena – a Roman amphitheatre in Pula. It is the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers entirely preserved
Marjan Park – a green forest oasis, where you can hike, cycle, swim and rock-climb (maybe, just maybe, Luke will convince me to try this one day)
I would LOVE to spend 10-days to 2 weeks here (or more!) We would hire a car to travel around. With all the cultural sites to see, I’d prefer to see them out of season when there are fewer people there (no offence) – so I’d probably say to visit in late Spring, or early Autumn.
The above includes research from the internet in no particular order:
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