back to the phoenicians its the moorish influences like the alcazaba and gibralfaro citadels in mlaga that truly stand out spanish roots are strong too as evidenced by the bullfighting arena and flamenco shows to the quirky tapas and picasso museum the artist was born here by splitting time between the areas capital city and a seaside town like marbella or estepona youll get to see it all you would never guess that it only became a tourist hub as recently as the 1950s cyprus elias beach hotel in cyprus oystercom average december highs 63 to 68 degrees f average december lows 49 to 53 degrees f average hours of sunshine 954 in 2013 cyprus was nearing financial collapse now its enjoying a renaissance let a warm december vacation be your excuse to visit this island nation at the crossroads of three continents europe asia africa somewhere between west and east greek and turkish beach and mountain the island has many reasons for you to stay cyprus is steeped in myth and home to multiple archaeological sites palatial ruins and tombs with traces to the cult of aphrodite tourism centers around the neolithic dwellings venetian fortresses roman mosaics and islamic mosques of paphos but be sure to make time for the vineyards villages and monasteries scattered throughout the country as well just be sure to come hungry cypriots dine mezestyle with a spread of small dishes like hummus kebab and their staple product halloumi