Things to Do in Europe

Set high on a cliff top overlooking Cyprus’ south coast, the ancient city-kingdom of Kourion was once one of the island’s most prominent cities, with its roots dating back to as early as 1200 B.C. Although the ancient city was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century AD, the site was later used as a Christian settlement, before being abandoned in the 7th century. Today, the extensive Roman and Byzantine ruins discovered at the Kourion archaeological site continue to impress, making it one of Cyprus’ most visited historic attractions.

The still-ongoing excavations have unveiled a startling array of Roman ruins including a Forum, a series of public baths, an elegant Nymphaeum and the stately House of Achilles and House of the Gladiators. Most remarkable is the Greek Roman amphitheater, which is now fully restored and even hosts occasional classical concerts and Shakespearean plays. Other fascinating discoveries include the Villa of Eustolios, with its exquisite mosaic floors that date back to the 5th century AD; an early Christian Basilica dating from the same period and the nearby ruins of a Roman stadium.

Built in the 13th century, the Konopiště Chateau was originally built in the Early Gothic era on the model of a French castellum near Prague. Renaissance and Baroque reconstruction changed the castle into a grand stately home. At the end of the 19th century Konopiště Chateau was refurbished in the Romantic style for Franz Ferdinand d'Este, successor to the Habsburg throne, and famous for his death in 1914 which acted as a pretext for the start of WWI.

The chateau offers a fine display of furniture, drape tapestries, sculptures, paintings and a cornucopia of hunting trophies. There is also a baroque rose garden and a greenhouse. 

The Kon-Tiki Museum is home to a variety of boats and other artifacts from the famous Thor Heyerdahl’s expeditions. Thor Heyerdahl is a Norwegian expeditionary and ethnographer who famously sailed by raft from South America to the Tuamotu Islands. The museum includes the very raft used during that expedition.

The museum also houses permanent exhibits on Ra, Tigris, Kon-Tiki, Fatu-Hiva, and Easter Island and even has a cave tour (that is 100 feet/30 meters in length) and an underwater exhibition with a life-size whale shark. For those who are not well acquainted with Norway’s topographical landscape, there is a recommended widescreen film that takes the viewer on an aerial tour of the country’s coastline and settlements.

Once you’ve soaked in all the exhibits the museum has to offer, the restaurant offers a lunch menu which includes authentic Norwegian cuisine, including the highly recommend Kon-Tiki Fish Casserole and Tapas buffet.

Situated at the end of the Heraklion’s inner harbor near the Old Harbor jetty is the Koules Fortress. Koules is the Turkish name for the fortress but the Venetians dubbed it the Rocco al Mare and the Castello del Molo in the 16th Century. It was a defensive mechanism, which stopped the Turks for 22 years and then became a Turkish prison for Cretan rebels. The harbor is now a drop off point for commercial and passenger ferries; the inner harbor is a concrete maze of apartments that now forms modern Heraklion.

The exterior is impressive, decorated with three stone lions of St. Mark (a symbol of Venetian imperialism), as well as embankments and cannonballs that will transport you to another century. Inside, you can find art exhibitions. Music and theatrical events are held on the upper level. Make sure to make your way to top for impressive views of the harbor. A thorough visit should take about an hour.