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The Eastern Mediterranean is a hotbed of human history. From Troy and her famous citizens to the vast Roman Empire that conquered the region with such panache, many thousands of years of human drama have unfolded in this small corner of the world.

The island of Cyprus is no exception. Great temples, ancient cities and magnificent residences merge to provide a collage of life on Cyprus that stretches back more than 10,000 years.

At Choirokoitia, near present-day Larnaca, a village of stone dwellings stands as evidence of the beginnings of life on Cyprus. Archaeologists have dated activity at Choirokoitia to 7500BC. The Neolithic Cypriots who inhabited the village would have spent their days farming the surrounding lands and hunting with tools fashioned from stone.

A visit to Choirokoitia really is a humbling experienceand one that is unforgettable.

The Ancient Greeks and Romans
Fast forward a few thousand years and we find ourselves admiring the legacies of the ancient Greeks who came to Cyprus. The ancient city-kingdoms of Amathus and Kourion, both now sprawling archaeological sites near the Limassol coastline, offer us a glimpse into a world dominated by lust, war and veneration of the Gods.

By the early years of Christianity the Romans arrived on the shores of Cyprus. In typical Roman style the Empire set about embellishing the older Grecian structures, placing their own architectural stamp-mark on Cyprus. Amphitheatres like the magnificent example at Kourion and the smaller but still very impressive Paphos Odeon near Paphos, are Roman creations that are ‘must see’ attractions on a tour of ancient Cyprus.

No trip around the ancient Roman Empire in Cyprus though is complete without a visit to the Paphos Mosaics. Situated in Kato Paphos, close to the modern-day harbour in the town, are three Roman villas sporting some of the finest examples of Roman floor mosaics in the entire Eastern Mediterranean.

The mosaics at the House of Dionysus show Dionysus - the Greek God of Wine - with Ikarios, the King of Athens. The House of Aion, which was the second Roman villa to have been uncovered on the site, depicts the birth of Dionysus. The third and arguably most impressive villa on the site describes Theseus and his mythological battle with the Minotaur in the Labyrinth.

Getting around Ancient Cyprus
The easiest way to tour Ancient Cyprus is to hire a car. Car hire can be booked in advance for pick up at the international airports of Larnaca and Paphos.

Most of the ancient archaeological sites are signposted from the main highways in Cyprus, so are easy to find. An entry fee is normally charged at each site, but is equivalent to no more than 1 or 2 euros / dollars per adult.

Seb Jay is a freelance writer. For Cyprus hire cars visit http://www.your-carhire.com

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Although I was always attracted to the mysterious North, it took a while before I first visited Sweden. Actually, it was my editor who asked me to go there. In 1990 I attended a conference near Stockholm, and fell in love with both the country and its capital.

Since then the city has become a dear friend of mine. Maybe even a relative, as every new visit feels like a sort of homecoming. Stockholm never lets me down.

Nevertheless, my love for the Swedish capital does raise an eyebrow when I mention it to others. Most people simply don’t know anything about Stockholm, except that it’s the capital of Sweden.

So let’s clear things up. Here is a Top-10 of reasons why I love Stockholm - listed in no particular order.

• Stockholm is blue. If there is one thing that makes Stockholm stand out, then it is its relationship with water. The city was built on 14 islands, all connected with bridges for cars AND pedestrians, and you never have to walk far to get a stunning view over the water.
• Stockholm is like Swedish design: it’s functional and almost defines the latest trends, yet it looks great and shows respect for history. The city is very easy to navigate, has everything a big city should offer - excellent shopping facilities, a vibrant nightlife, great business opportunities - but never loses its beauty.
• The city has an atmosphere that is so calm and relaxed compared to other capitals. I don’t know why, really. Maybe it’s the mentality of the people. Most Swedes are friendly, patient, quiet - and helpful. Maybe it’s because there are so many open spaces, water and parks. Or because the houses are so colorful. Maybe it’s all of this together.
• Stockholm has great tourist attractions, but never feels touristy. Even in the most popular part of town - the historical Old Town or Gamla Stan - there are enough quiet streets to make a relaxing stroll.
• Stockholm is green. About one third of Stockholm consists of parks. One third! It is the first city in the world to have a national park within the city borders. Yes, a nature reserve right in the heart of a capital with 1.5 million people. And all of these parks are accessible.
• With around 90 museums to choose from, visiting Stockholm is a cultural feast. And there’s a museum for every one. The city has some of Europe’s best art museums, but also the world’s first open-air museum (Skansen), several museums that display all aspects of Nordic history, an old warship on display (Vasa Museum) and even special places for kids (Junibacken, toy museum). The state-run museums have free admission.
• Stockholm is safe. OK, crime rates have gone up in recent decades, like everywhere in the Western world. Still it’s one of the world’s safest capitals. There are no neighborhoods you should avoid and it’s usually no problem to walk outside at nights.
• Art is an integrated part of Stockholm city life. On the pavement along Berzelli Park a worker pops out of the ground, lifting a manhole cover. From a distance you won’t notice it, but it’s a statue (’Humor‘ by KG Bejemark). There are sculptures and statues all over Stockholm, often at unexpected places. Many stations of the Stockholm underground (tunnelbana) are decorated with paintings, sculptures, mosaics, installations and engravings. And architecture is incredibly eclectic. Italian, German, Dutch, French style - it’s all there, and often in one design.
• Which city has 24,000 islands and rocks in its backyard? Stockholm. A huge archipelago connects the city with the Baltic Sea and you can visit it by boat. Spend a day or so on one of these attractive islands - you won’t regret it.
• Stockholm is so clean … If you’ve been to Paris, London, Amsterdam and then visit Stockholm, you wonder: Where do these Swedes leave their garbage?

Every modern city has negative aspects. Too much traffic, pollution, drunks, criminals … I don’t believe a city built by humans will ever become perfect. But compared to other capitals, Stockholm comes very close.

The author Marc A. de Jong is a Dutch journalist currently living in Antwerp, Belgium. He is the owner and editor of http://www.stockholm-sweden-travel-guide.com - a unique online travel guide based on personal experience.

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Located in Southeastern Europe, Albania is a country off of the beaten travel road. Of course, this makes Albania a great place to visit.

Albania - History

Albania is a Mediterranean country sitting on the coast of the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The country is bordered to the north by Serbia and Montenegro, Greece to the south and Macedonia to the east. Involved in the massive strife arising in the former Yugoslavia, the country was previously a Soviet-Bloc country. These days, Albania is a democracy fighting to find its economic feet.

Tirana

Tirana is the capital of Albania and has a population of a little over 300,000. The city is an eclectic mix of traditional European structures, soviet style five story buildings and mid-east influenced architecture. Relatively small, Tirana is a city with a small town feel.

Korca - Rugs, Rugs, Rugs

Korca is a city located in the east of Albania close to the border of Greece. Built high up on a plateau, Korca is a must see if you love Turkish style rugs and carpets. The entire city seems to be devoted to the manufacture and sale of every size, color and type of rug. If you’re staying overnight, Hotel Iliria is your best option.

Petrela Castle

Dating back to 500 AD, Petrela Castle is an ancient structure, which is in relatively good shape considering the history attached to it. At one time or another, Petrela was the primary defense of the city of Durres. It has been held, used and conquered by Romans, Greeks, Turks and other. Seriously off the beaten path, getting to Petrela requires a sturdy Jeep or Landcruiser. It is a very bumpy road, but the view is more than worth it.

While Albania is struggling to recovery from a communist pass, it is a fairly safe place to visit. The people are nice and it is definitely an opportunity to visit a country off the beaten path.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of travel journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about Albania and Adventure Travel.

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