10 THINGS TO TRY IN CYPRUS

When it comes to travel, I’m not one of those people who says stuff like, “You can’t visit Cyprus without trying [fill in the blank].” I know that everyone’s “must-try” lists are going to be a little different depending on their personal preferences, and trying to impose my idea of what they should try is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole." Which is why it’s hard for me to sit down and write a list of the 10 things that everybody will enjoy, so this is not a must try list because I said so, if something on this list doesn’t appeal to you, please don’t try it. Same goes with any list.

1. Meze - which means lots of small dishes.One of the best ways to try most of the Cypriot cuisine. You can order fish, meat or mixed meze and comes with all the salads and trimmings. Normally is minimum for 2 persons or more and it comes in 25 different dishes, to enjoy this you will need a couple of hours and is advisable to skip breakfast and lunch. Price wise in a nice local restaurant is 15euros to 20 per person. In the tourist area you may pay a lot more. I am not trying to scare you or keep you away from the tourist areas but i just want to make you aware that it maybe a difference in prices and maybe sometimes quality.

Some of the Cyprus meze dishes below:

Pita Bread : soft bread for dips

Afelia: A Cyprus specialty made from pork, red wine, mushrooms, potatoes and coriander seeds.

Calamari - Fried squid. Calamari in Cyprus is tender and especially tasty with fresh lemon juice.

Halloumi -A Cypriot cheese made from sheep or goat milk. It has a high melting point and is usually fried or grilled.

Horiatiki Salata - A Greek or country salad. It is made of tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, feta cheese, olives, olive oil, and vinegar - but no lettuce.

Hummus - A dip made from chickpeas and tahini. This is nearly always served as part of a meze

Sheftalia - A grilled Cypriot sausage made of pork, lamb, onions & parsley.

Souvlaki - Literally, little skewers of meat. It is can be served either as a sandwich in a pita or on the skewers. In Cyprus, the souvlaki is usually pork, but could be also be chicken or lamb.

Stifado - A beef stew with onions, tomatoes, and herbs.

Tzatziki - A dip made from Greek yoghurt, cucumbers, and either dill or peppermint.

Yemista – all kinds of stuffed vegetables such as: peppers, tomatoes, onions, courgettes, aubergines or stuffed courgette petals.

Koupepia - The famous stuffed grape leaves.

2. Zivania is a Cypriot alcoholic beverage and is produced from a mixture of grape pomace and local dry wines .It contains no sugars and has no acidity. (No hangovers and a good diet alcoholic drink). It is colorless with a light aroma of raisins. Its alcohol content varies around 45% . Serve cold as a shot. Best way to drink it is to accompany it with nibbles of food and to drink it very slow. The first shot will fill strong after that you will be ok. After the 10th shot maybe a “baby on the way.”

3. Commandaria is an amber-coloured sweet dessert wine made in Cyprus on the foothills of the Troödos mountains. Is made from sun-dried grapes. While often a fortified wine, through its production method it often reaches high alcohol levels, around 15%, already before fortification. It represents an ancient wine style documented in Cyprus back to 800 BC and has the distinction of being the world's oldest named wine still in production, with the name Commandaria dating back to the crusades in the 12th century. Opportunity not to be missed.

4. Keo is a Cypriot beer. It is a light straw-colored lager with a thick head, and is sometimes compared to a pilsner in taste. Currently, its ingredients include malted barley, maize, and hops, but maize is a new addition.The beer won the 1987 brewing industry world bottled lager competition Gold Medal.The beer is brewed in Limassol, in Cyprus and the owners of the brewery is the wait for this … (Greek Orthodox church )

5. Brandy sour is a Cyprus cocktail normally served in the summer as is very refreshing and the deal is after drinking two, they say you fall in love.

6. Avgolemeno is a egg lemon soup normally eaten at easter , i will assure you it taste better that it sounds.

7. Soutzokkos is made of nuts mostly almonds or walnuts, dipped in palouze a form of Cyprus grape jelly.You can buy this normally at the villages fete.

8. Loukmades otherwise called honeyballs, is a traditional Cypriot recipe for classic snack of yeasted dough doughnuts. They are soaked in cold syrup before serving and dusted with cinnamon. You can buy this on the side of the roads normally or in the villages.

9. Fresh Fruit - fruit is often served as a dessert. Local fruits are watermelon, oranges, strawberries, grapefruit, tangerines, melons, apples, pears, prickly pears, cherries, apricots, figs, pomegranates, bananas, plums, grapes and dates. These are generally served fresh, in season and possibly straight off of the restaurants owners own trees! Can't get any better!

10. Sitaropoula otherwise call corn on the cob, you will find this in any tourist area with people selling it on the side of the road, its cooked on the charcoal and lightly seasoned with butter and salt. My english wife thought we are crazy cooking in it this way but now she cant get enough of it.




LINK (Finding a good Restaurant in Cyprus)http://ifoundcyprus.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/finding-good-restaurant-in-cyprus.html

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How to find the best beaches in Cyprus

Visiting an island always means you have the potential for lots of great beaches. In Cyprus, some of the beaches are spectacular – and others are, well, not so much.

There are sandy beaches, rocky beaches, and beaches that are essentially cliffs with a tiny bit of sand at the bottom. Many of Cyprus’ best beaches are owned by hotels or the town that they’re located in, meaning you’ll have to rent a chair to stay on the beach. However, this is a small price to pay when you are soaking up sun on some of Europe’s best beaches!

Staying near coastal areas in Cyprus

Many of the most well-liked beaches in Cyprus, such as Ayia napa and Akamas, are in the south of the islands. These tend to be beach resort areas which are popular with Cypriots and vacationing Europeans, but rarely visited by tourists from further afield. However, this doesn’t mean they’re quiet in summer – they’re absolutely packed, especially during July-August. Cypriots love their beach holidays, so if the weather is right they’ll head to the nearest seaside whenever possible.

We recommend booking your hotels in Cyprus early if you want to stay on or near the beach, especially if your trip is anywhere close to the high season.

Blue Flag Beaches in Cyprus

Looking for officially approved beaches? BlueFlag.org rates beaches around the world on their cleanliness and water quality, along with other important criteria. Beaches that make the cut are considered ‘blue flag beaches’. You can see this year’s list of Blue Flag Beaches in Cyprus on the official website. Cyprus blue flag beaches

The best beaches in Cyprus

Deciding on the best beaches in Cyprus is difficult – in some cases, especially for holiday-makers, the best beach is the one that’s nearest on a sunny day. Still, if your mission is to relax on the best-loved beaches in Cyprus, here are some options to consider when booking hotels and villas in Cyprus.

• Cape Greco (1)
• Coral Bay (1)
• Larnaka beach (1)
• Nissi Beach

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Cyprus Festivals

Cypriots like to celebrate, and while it can be argued that they celebrate the little things in every day life, they know how to party big when the occasion calls for it.

In addition to Cyprus national holidays which are recognised throughout the country, there are also Cyprus festivals which are local to certain regions or even towns – all of which can be great fun or a huge headache, depending on whether you’ve planned to be caught in the midst of a festival in Cyprus.

The list below is a combination of national public holidays in Cyprus and well-known local festivals – and it’s by no means a comprehensive list. With all the saints days and local food festivals in Cyprus, it’s not a stretch to say that something is being celebrated somewhere in Cyprus almost on every day of the year.

 Limassol carnival (February - March) 

The festival begins two weeks before the start of lent. The festival opens with the parade of the Carnival King entering the town, signalling the start of masquerades, feasting and partying.

During this festival you will see minstrels wandering the streets with guitars and mandolins, masquerading, children’s parades and fancy dress. There are balls held in many of the hotels nightly. The Festival culminates in the Grand Carnival Parade which takes place on the last Sunday of the festival before Green Monday (the first day of lent).

 Limassol Wine Festival :

The annual Cyprus Wine Festival is held annually in Limassol, Southern Cyprus. It celebrates wine and winemaking, and is attended by about 100,000 from all over the world. The event is considered a revival of ancient festivals which were held to worship Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love, and Dionysus, the god of wine.

The festival is held at the Limassol Municipal Gardens, which are easy to get to by public transport from Limassol city.

What to do at the Limassol Wine Festival

The wine festival is fun for people of all ages; adults, teens and children are all permitted entry. The festival lasts for two weeks, and involves music, comedy, theatre, parades, and Greek dancing.

Wine is of course heavily involved in the festivities, and adults will receive a bottle of wine when they pay their entrance fee. You will also get the chance to enjoy free samples of wine from the local wineries, and there will be plenty of nice food on offer.

The wine festival is all about forgetting your troubles, having a good time and celebrating life. I would recommend it to anybody visiting Cyprus during late August or early September.

Cyprus flower festival :

Kataklysmos, "Beginning of summer festival "

Street Life Festival :

If you’re visiting Cyprus in April, don’t miss the Street Life Festival in Limassol for a feast of graffiti artists, skateboarders and beat boys. In fact everyone is encouraged to take part; daubing the walls or chalking the pavements as well as body or face painting. All will be accompanied by DJs, music and dancing too.

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Unesco sides in Cyprus

UNESCO sites in Cyprus 

If you’re booking holidays in Cyprus, you’re probably aware that our beloved island has many historical wonders to offer visitors. What you may not know is that UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has deemed three locations in Cyprus to be World Heritage sites.

This means that the sites are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity, due to their cultural and historical significance. We’re very proud of these sites, and we hope you’ll visit them during your Cyprus holidays. 

Choirokoitia 

Located in the south of Cyprus, this archaeological site in Choirokoita was occupied by humans from the 7th to the 5th millennium BC. It is thought to represent the success of the first farmers who came to settle in Cyprus, who played a key role in the transmission of culture from the near East to the European world.
Despite its age, this Neolithic settlement is in excellent condition, and visitors can see a well-preserved courtyard containing houses, wells and more. This fascinating reserve offers a genuine insight into human evolution in this area of the world. 

Paphos 

Pahpos is a city in the Southwest of Cyprus that hosts a number of amazing archaeological finds. It was the centre of the cult of Aphrodite, and contains remains that date back as far as 12th Century BC. Visiting Paphos, you will see the remains of villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs.
Some of the most famous highlights from this area are the Temple of Aphrodite, and the Tombs of the Kings. Also noteable is Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s rock), which was once a place of pilgrimage for the entire Hellenic world. Nearby is the stone pillar where St.Paul was beaten for teaching Christianity, according to tradition.

No visit to Paphos is complete without seeing the mosaics of Nea Paphos, which are among the most beautiful and rare in the world. Should you wish to spend some real time exploring the area, villas in Paphos and tours of Paphos are available. 

Painted Churches in Troodos Region 

The mountain region of Troodos, located in the centre of the island, contains one of the largest collections of churches and monasteries from the Byzantine Empire. There are ten sites to visit, the most famous being the Kykkos monastery. All of the sites are richly decorated with murals, and the paintings combined with the well-preserved architecture of the buildings will give you a fascinating look at several periods of history.
As well as the historical sites, the Troodos region has many picturesque mountains and valleys, which will give you a chance to absorb some of the true beauty of Cyprus.
Sites awaiting UNESCO approval
Cyprus has a number of additional sites which are likely to be added to the UNESCO list, and they are equally worthy of your attention. I won’t go into detail now, as you will be reading all day, but look out for a post about these sites in the near future.

· Church of Ayios Sozomenos, Galata (extension to "Painted Churches in the Troodos Region") (2002)
· Church of Ayios Mamas, Louvaras (extension to "Painted Churches in the Troodos") (2002)
· Church of Panayia Chrysokourdaliotissa, Kourdali (extension to "Painted Churches in the Troodos Region") (2002)
· The rural settlement of Fikardou (2002)
· Mathiatis South (2002)
· Kionia (2002)
· Khandria (2002)
· Troodos, Mt. Olympus (2002)
· Malounta Bridge (2002)
· Klirou Bridge (2002)
· Agioi Varnavas and Ilarion at Peristerona (Five-domed churches) (2004)
· Agia Paraskevi at Geroskipou (Five-domed churches) (2004)

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When is the best time to Visit Cyprus?

It's The Little Things In Life That Matter [Like a sunbed] 

There is thousands of brochures and websites to read about Cyprus so I assume by now you already read that this island is an all year destination with 340 days of sunshine and low fares off the main season.You also probably learned that Troodos Mountains is the highest peak. Excellent till now,"Cyprus got your attention".

So why with so much information available most of the people always come up and ask me the same question !!! "When is the best time to visit Cyprus?"

My short answer is June the 4th At 7 pm.. which of course is wrong apart if my magic ball work for once and gave me the correct day.

Anyway, the truth is the question and my answer is really irrelevant for the simple reason what I think is the best time to visit Cyprus is not necessary going to be yours as well.   

So to clear the air I am not here to bully you to come to Cyprus at the time I think is best or to sell you a ticket. On my blog i am purely concentrating to provide you information and some pointers to help you make that decision your selfs.
Knowing what to expect with out spoiling the surprise you will always have a better chance to have a great holiday than just a good one. My name is Paraskevas Michailidis but most of the people call me Paris.

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Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa is a resort in the South-East corner of Cyprus. This area is famous for its nightclub scene and attracts a lot of tourists. Although young people may love the area, it is not well suited for people seeking family holidays or a less commercial experience of Cyprus. However, there are still some historical and cultural places of interest to be seen here.

Getting there

The easiest way to get to Ayia Napa is to fly into Lanarca airport. From there you can get a taxi, which will cost you 40 to 55 Euros depending on your negotiation skills. You can also get a bus from Lanarca airport to Ayia Napa, which will cost you only 4 Euros.

Things to do in Ayia Napa

Beaches

There are several blue flag (certified clean) beaches to choose from if you wish to sunbathe or go swimming in our beautiful sea. You will be able to do watersports and activities like jet-skiing here.

· Nissi beach – a beautiful and clean beach, but it gets very busy and you will need to get here early during peak times.

· Makronisos Beach – another beautiful beach which is very popular, it’s slightly further away so sometimes less packed than Nissi beach.

· Grecian Bay – not as popular as the two previous two beaches, but equally nice to visit. This is the closest beach to the town centre.

· Sandy Bay – this sheltered beach is better for families, and it’s still easy to get to. There are fine white sands, clear sea, and some nice eateries here.

Ayia Napa also has a waterpark, which is suitable for families and open 7 days a week.

Clubs

You can’t mention Ayia Napa without talking about clubs. The DJs here play a mixture of dance, urban and party music, with lots of popular floor fillers and summer tunes. Ayia Napa clubs generally run from 12am-5am, with some staying open later. The most popular clubs here are Club Aqua, Castle Club, and Chameleon Club, but there’s a lot to choose from so have fun checking them out.

Clubs here aren’t cheap, particularly in high season. However, you can get deals from promo people offering cheap tickets, and some venues do cheap drinks deals.

History and Culture

If you’re looking for something a bit more relaxed, it’s worth checking out the Ayia Napa monastery, which dates back to 1500. This place will take you back to the time when Ayia Napa was a sleepy fishing village.

You can also visit Cape Greco which is only 10 minutes’ drive away, and considered one of the most beautiful places on the island.

The Tornaritis-Pierides Museum of Marine Life is located in the lower level of Tower hall. It has exhibitions of past and present sea life from the Mediterranean, and is focused on study and preservation of marine animals.

Nature lovers will also enjoy Thalassa, the Municipal Museum of the Sea. This museum holds some fascinating artefacts and sea-related art, and it regularly hosts cultural events and educational programmes.

Also notable are the Makronissos Tombs in the west Ayia Napa village. These 19 rock-cut tombs, dating back to Roman times, are definitely worth a visit.

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Wreck of Zenobia

The Wreck of Zenobia is a ferry which sank to the bottom of the sea in June 1980, just outside of Larnaca harbour. It has been named as one of the top 10 wreck dive sites in the world, and if you fly into Larnaca airport at night, you can see its shadow as you fly over the ocean.

Getting there

Getting to the wreck from Larnaca is easy, but it’s best to do it with one of the local diving companies. You’ll meet them at Larnaca marina, after which there is a 15 minute boat ride to get to the wreck.

Diving at the wreck site

If you are a qualified scuba diver, this is an absolute must-see when visiting Cyprus. Lying on its side at a depth of 42 metres, this 178m long ferry will give you a lot to look it. You can still see the cargo of vehicles that the ferry was carrying, and it is possible to sit in the cabs of trucks. Additionally, you can still see the bones of some animals that the ferry was transporting. However, it is unsafe to enter the wreck or dive on the underside of the vehicles, as internal partitions and harnesses have collapsed.

Zenobia sank in 1980, along with £200m in cargo, after a computer malfunction caused water to be pumped into its ballast tanks. The crew was evacuated in time, and nobody was hurt.

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