Pros and cons of holidays in Cyprus. Pros of holidays in Cyprus

October 2016

We will talk about the most important, in my opinion, advantages and at the same time disadvantages of staying on a wonderful island.

I would like to immediately point out that everything described below is relevant for that area of ​​​​Cyprus, which is called Konnos Bay, or in Russian Konnos Bay. This is a fairly popular resort area, especially among Russian-speaking tourists. We stayed at the Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments 3 stars, 150 meters from the sea.

Panorama of Konnos bay // Pawel Kazmierczak, shutterstock.com

I will not say unequivocally that my assessment concerns the entire state as a whole, however, perhaps the picture of recreation is repeated in other regions. I'll start with the positives.

Pros of holidays in Cyprus

1. Starting to get acquainted with Cyprus by preparing documents for entry - the absence of a visa as such. Unlike other EU countries, Cyprus has simplified, at least for Russians, the regime for entering the country, offering its own visa as an alternative to the Schengen visa, which takes almost 1 day and costs nothing - a completely FREE visa! You only need to print out a preliminary version of the visa (done either by your travel agency or yourself after filling out a basic electronic form), present it and you are in Cyprus. The most interesting thing is that we only had to present this pro-visa when leaving! from Russia, in Cyprus itself they showed only the foreign passport, in which they gave us a stamp without any further questions.

2. What pleased me was the Russian-speaking staff. And we are talking not only about the hotel, but also about almost all establishments, including restaurants and supermarkets. It’s nice to hear yourself speak when you are understood and communication takes place without much stress. You definitely won't get lost here!

3. A perfect beach holiday. If your holiday involves waking up in the morning, going to the beach to sunbathe, swimming in the sea, returning to bed, then Cyprus is the perfect place for you. Moreover, Konnos Bay, where a large number of hotels are located near the sea. The beaches are mostly sandy, which is important. The water is the purest, at a depth of 170 cm the bottom is visible to the naked eye, but I have big problems with my eyesight . By the way, for children and those who are afraid of depth, the entrance to the water in this place is gradual and, admittedly, quite long, so you still have to manage to drown.

4. As we noticed from the first day, day and night in Cyprus are two completely different worlds. During the day you can see everything, at night - nothing, pitch darkness. Moreover, we found the moon somewhere at the transition between day and night, from midnight until the morning - you are unlikely to see the moon. Moonless nights. In addition, Cyprus is not illuminated in the same way as Moscow; there are not so many lights. Which gives birth to a beautiful and rare highlight for a Muscovite - stars. They can be seen very clearly in Cyprus, the picture is pleasing to the eye, and it’s also romantic!

5. We rested on Konnos, and this is an area between two cities - Ayia Napa and Protaras, that is, one might say, in the countryside. Low-rise housing construction. However, having visited both Protaras and Ayia Napa, I can say with a certain degree of responsibility that this type of buildings is apparently typical for the entire island. I consider this feature to be a plus, because when you are constantly in a metropolis, you often get tired of skyscrapers and want to at least on vacation take a break from the noisy and bustling high-rise buildings that obscure the sun, and savor the “village” life.

6. Clean sea air.

7. Friendliness of the local population. Cypriots are very responsive and friendly people, carefree by nature, and for this reason they are extremely willing and selfless towards visitors. Theft and greed are alien words for Cyprus, to be general. Trust is one of the important values ​​of this region. Hotel rooms can be left with open balconies, even on the ground floor; money and valuables will be completely safe, even if you put them in the most visible place. Checked!

8. You won’t leave a cafe/restaurant/tavern hungry: the portions are VERY large. We met similar portions in Greece, well, in fact, Cypriots are the same Greeks. You can safely order one dish and eat it together. Generosity in food is another pleasant feature of Cypriots.

9. Unlike Tunisia, there is a complete absence of dangerous flora and fauna. On the island you will not find unexpectedly poisonous animals or plants either on the shore or in the sea. Of the fauna, I can say that the most common animal is cats. There are actually a lot of them here. Even too much. Especially within the food zone. In restaurants and taverns they will pounce on you from all sides, asking for a piece! How can you resist here?!

10. Stable comfortable air temperature. I will talk about October, because... except in October, I have never been to Cyprus again. This season the temperature there is heavenly - 26 degrees during the day, 22 at night, water - 25. Beautiful cloudless days with impeccable windless weather. If you feel a breeze, it is extremely soft and warm. We wore T-shirts and shorts. You don't need to get used to the water. In general, there are no complaints about the weather.

Disadvantages of holidays in Cyprus

1. Lack of nightlife. As I said, my statement is relevant in relation to Konnos Bay, the situation is partly similar in Ayia Napa and Protaras. After 10 pm life on the Bay stops. People who walked around the city disappear with the onset of darkness, the town plunges into darkness. For me, as a night owl who loves to walk at night (I can’t say that I’m a party animal, but I have a certain interest in night walks), this is a disaster. My friend and I noticed with horror that all the tourists and all the staff were hiding in the corners, not coming out into the streets until sunrise. Not a single 24-hour restaurant, not a single store close to the hotel (at night there is only one supermarket open, located 3 km from the hotel) - nothing. Considering that we arrived very late on the first day, we checked into the hotel at 9 pm, while we figured out the room and local rules, we became very hungry and went out in search of evening food. To our terrible surprise, by 10 all establishments were already closed. We were left without a ride and went to bed absolutely hungry. In the 21st century, in my opinion, this is unthinkable, especially in a resort area, especially for people who came to relax/hang out/have fun/relax (whatever). In the process of exploration, after n number of days we somehow found a Russian restaurant in Ayia Napa that was open after 12 at night. By the way, it turns out there are clubs there too, but they are also located in Ayia Napa, almost in the same zone, which is half an hour by bus from our hotel. One of the brightest is Ambassaden.

2. As soon as you arrive in Cyprus, you go out into the city from the airport, the first thing you notice is a strong stench, similar to the smell of rotten water. It probably smelled like a garbage dump, but it periodically haunted us throughout our vacation.

3. Unlit routes. From the bus, if you travel at night, you can’t see anything. Elementarily, you have to illuminate the roadway and pedestrian roads with a phone flashlight in order to see where you are stepping and not fall/get hit by a car. In Greece and Spain it’s all simply improved; is it really not possible to put ordinary poles with lanterns at least 500 m away?

4. Relevant for the Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments: Internet - only at the reception (the hotel consists of several buildings, there is only one reception). Wildness for Europe!

5. Relevant for the Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments: Fanatical saving of light in hotel buildings. In order to adequately get to your room and climb the steps, you need to turn on the switches endlessly along the way, a good half of which do not work.

6. Relevant for the Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments: Mechanical locks on the doors to the rooms.

7. Relevant for the Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments: Rooms are cleaned daily, but, oh my God, only in the morning. Exactly at 9 am, when a tourist tired of everyday life is enjoying the sweet sleep of a child, there is a confident knock on the door. The careless sleeper, of course, does not hear the knock. Then, through the tourist's sleep, a repeated knock is heard. And what would you think - the lock opens and, without waiting for an answer, the cleaning lady bursts in with the deafening words Clean room!!! And at this time you are lying on the bed with your bare butt up and don’t understand what’s going on. You have a hard time pronouncing Later. They start telling you Later only tomorrow. You, barely holding the place covered by the duvet cover, squeeze out OK, please tomorrow and, pretty freaked out, close the door and throw yourself back onto the bed.

I just once vacationed in the Greek Cosmos Hotel, which was awarded 2 stars, but even there it’s not that the cleaning lady doesn’t harass you, you never see her. "Clean room" happens without your presence. Well, this is generally complete insanity, gentlemen, especially for European 3 stars!!!

8. Bus stops are not announced. A tourist who has not been to these lands should, apparently, understand esoterically and intuitively where he needs to go.

9. Many socially important establishments can be quietly closed earlier than the appointed hour, probably at the completely free will of the seller. For example, one day the supermarket was completely shamelessly closed at 21.40 when we approached it, and this was with an opening schedule until 22.00.

10. Relevant for the Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments: The TV only receives 1 Russian-language channel with exhausting advertising about slimming panties, a blender, weight loss products and all sorts of crap for 70 euros. There are no music channels at all. And there are 8 channels in total. 11. Relevant for the Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments: The ventilation in the toilet-bathroom is disgustingly buzzing when the lights are turned on.

12. Relevant for the Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments: The toilet stinks of piss (despite daily chlorine cleaning), the shower pressure leaves much to be desired. We buy all the consumables, be it rags, soap or shampoo, my dears, ourselves.

13. Relevant for Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments: There is an air conditioner in the room, but it will not help you because it is turned off. To turn it on, you need to pay 6 euros per day.

14. Relevant for the Konnos Bay Hotel Apartments: Meanness on the part of the hotel - sockets in the American style. To charge your phone, you need to rent a Euro adapter, the rental costs 10 euros. This is a deposit, it is returned when the Euro adapter is returned. It's a small thing, but unpleasant.

15. Pharmacies - only in the city. So if you suddenly feel ill, you need to travel by bus for half an hour, and then you need to be there before 18.00.

16. We were not enriched with money for endless trips to restaurants. Fortunately, our hotel had a kitchenette, so we had to go to large supermarkets. The largest is Lidl, which is located in Protaras. There it is considered a hypermarket, but, I give my word of honor, it was not next to our Auchan. What about Auchan, Lidl is 2 times smaller than our Billa. The choice is appropriate.

17. There is only one beach for the entire tourist town. People come to the beach, it seems to me, from all the outskirts of the region, so even in October you have to look for free sun loungers here.

18. The pros indicated the abundance of food and its size. This plus, of course, is bold. And I focus on the word bold. The food here is incredibly full of fat, so much so that already on the 5th day my poor stomach could not stand it and broke down. All other days I ate only soups, which by the way are not favored here, and Russian cuisine, which I managed to find in Ayia Napa!

19. Prices. The cost of goods and services is incomparable with ours, so you need to be prepared to take more money with you so that it’s enough not only for food. We went for 11 nights, took 720 euros with us, and upon arrival in Moscow we had 60 euros left on hand. I’ll give just a few expenses:

Supermarket:
Bread - about 3 euros
Water (set of 6 pieces, 1.5 liters each) - 2 euros
Pepsi - 1.5 euros
Packaged juices - 2 euros
Bounty bars - 90 cents

Bus fare is 1.5 euros per person during the day, 2.5 euros after 20.00.
I don't know the prices for taxis. I know it's expensive.

Public beach: sun loungers - 2.5 euros per person, umbrella - 2.5 euros.

Attractions at Lunapark in Ayia Napa: there is a system for exchanging money for tokens in the park. For example, 1 token costs 1 euro, and 12 tokens cost 10 euros. We went to the Ferris Wheel - 3 tokens per person, Pirate Ship - 3 tokens per person, 5D Cinema - 4 tokens per person. Attractions such as Catapult or Booster - about 25 tokens.

Restaurants/Cafes/Taverns (here I am focusing on prices in non-luxury level restaurants). We were at the Pirrilis restaurant (attached to the Konnos Bay Hotel Apts), the Kafkaros tavern, and the Spartiatis restaurant. The average bill for two people is 20-25 euros when ordering two dishes for each. Each dish is around 6-8 euros. And this is if you don’t take the fish menu. Let’s say that with fish meze you will no longer be able to meet these amounts.

I also hasten to warn you that Ravioli's and UMI Sushi Bar Restaurant are premium class. The service here is real restaurant style, but there are also requirements for guests, starting with the style of clothing that is acceptable for a restaurant, ending with the menu and its prices. The average bill is at least 35 euros for two, if again you order the cheapest. These restaurants are easy to recognize - Ravioli's is located opposite the 5-star Grecian Park hotel with the corresponding audience, while UMI is located right in this hotel on the 4th floor. Be careful!

We also visited McDonald's in Ayia Napa, the taste of some dishes is different, but I was not so much surprised by the difference in composition as by the difference in price. Big Tasty - 5 euros, and so does any bun. The total amount of the order is for two amounted to 16 euros.

Bottom line: Cyprus is a beautiful country, but most likely not my country, it seemed kind of boring to me. But still, I tried to describe Cyprus - the Cyprus as it appeared before me - from all sides. It's up to you to decide whether this type of holiday is right for you or not. I hope that when you are planning to fly to this wonderful island (and it is undoubtedly wonderful), you will make an informed decision.

Adel
17/10/2016 13:00

The opinions of tourists may not coincide with the opinions of the editors.

Planning a family vacation? Cyprus will be an excellent solution for traveling with children. This comfortable island in the Mediterranean Sea will be remembered by you for its clean coastlines, gentle slope into the water and mild climate.
Team OMORO has prepared a brief overview of the most important features of this resort that will help you organize your ideal holiday in Cyprus.

5 pros and cons

Like any other resort, Cyprus has its positive and negative sides. But in this case, we can safely say that there are very few downsides. For most visitors, the island evokes only pleasant and admiring emotions.

pros

1. Rich historical heritage. Since there was a mixture of cultures of many peoples on the island, here you can see monuments of several civilizations at once: Turkey, Greece, Britain and Byzantium.
2. Beaches of the island. Most of them are awarded the Blue Flag. Thanks to their cleanliness, beauty and comfort.
3. Russian speaking staff. In most establishments - hotels, supermarkets and restaurants, the staff speaks Russian. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about problems with the language barrier.
4. Wide choice of entertainment. Any visitor will find something to their liking here, from admiring the picturesque nature to visiting noisy discos and bars.
5. Favorable flora and fauna. Here you will not find poisonous snakes, spiders or plants. Both on land and at sea, you can relax and not fear for your health.

Minuses

1. Problems with delivery. Taxis or small shops may not give small change. This causes certain problems for those whose budget is strictly limited.
2. High cost of excursions and food. The simplest wine can cost at least 7 euros, and most expensive excursions may not be worth the money spent on them.
3. Ban on photography in museums and religious institutions. To lift the restriction, you must obtain permission in writing, and who wants to deal with bureaucracy on vacation?
4. Expensive medicine. An ambulance will help tourists for free, but if you need hospital treatment, be prepared that you will have to spend quite a bit.
5. Poorly lit highways and roads. Sometimes when crossing a roadway you need to use a flashlight to avoid tripping or getting hit by a car.

5 best places to relax

Protaras

A small resort village, famous for its Fig Tree Bay, near Ayia Napa. Figs have been growing here in abundance for several centuries. The remoteness of Protaras from the noisy areas of Larnaca ensures a quiet and family holiday in the village. It’s good to come here for diving, a beach holiday with a child or as a “savage” on your own.

Advice! Take the time to climb the mountain to the Church of the Prophet Elijah at dawn to enjoy the picturesque view of the surrounding area from above.

Larnaca

The oldest city in Cyprus. Well suited for a budget holiday due to relatively low prices. Comfortable sandy coasts are perfect for older people and families with children. The largest Cyprus international airport is located here, making it easy to get to the city.

Shopping lovers should definitely visit the main shopping streets of Larnaca – Zenonos Kitieos and Ermou Street. Very fashionable branded stores and jewelry stores are concentrated here.

Pathos

Birthplace of Aphrodite. It even marks the place where, according to legend, the goddess emerged from the foam. There are a huge number of attractions here:

• Royal Tombs;
• Catacombs of Saint Solomonia;
• Archaeological Park;
• Mosaic of Paphos;
• and numerous castles and monasteries.

This is the most luxurious resort on the island, where mostly well-to-do people relax.

Limassol

The most “fun” city where you can go even in winter. At night, there are noisy nightclubs that attract young people. It is also worth noting that this is the most Russian-speaking resort in Cyprus. For those interested in wellness treatments, there are a large number of spa centers and thalassotherapy.

Ayia Napa

A noisy and popular resort with an amazing history. The city is developing rapidly, attracting more and more guests from all over the world. It is great for outdoor activities and fun on the water. Even locals choose Ayia Napa for their own holiday.

Due to huge traffic jams and tedious search for a parking space, we do not recommend renting a car.

5 favorable months

June

The most popular month for holidays. The peak season begins in June. The sea pleases with warm water, and the air is heated to +30 degrees. Even at night you don’t have to worry about clothes, the thermometer doesn’t drop below +25°C.

May

Official opening of the holiday season. Unlike March and April, at the end of spring it is already possible to fully swim in the sea. The water temperature is +22 – +23°C, and the soft rays of the sun promote an even tan.

January

Like February, the first month of winter is quite cool. Frequent gusty winds and rain oblige visitors to stock up on warm clothing and umbrellas. Daytime temperatures fluctuate +17°C, and night temperatures up to +6°C. This is the best time to visit ski resorts.

October

In mid-autumn, as in September, it is still quite warm. Rare rains and thunderstorms do not interfere with spending time by the sea. Lemesia, the main sporting event of Cyprus, is also taking place at this time.

Advice! In November, full-fledged autumn begins, when only seasoned tourists will be able to swim.

July

This summer season is the hottest weather on the island. On very hot days the air is heated to +40°C. Therefore, the essentials are a hat, drinking water and sunscreen.

5 best hotels for families with children

Olympic Lagoon 4*, Ayia Napa

The best apart-hotel for children. A landscaped area of ​​seven swimming pools with a variety of slides. A vibrant daily show program and a spacious games room. Within walking distance there are two beaches equipped with lifeguard posts and sun loungers.

St Raphael 5*, Limassol

Own yacht club and only 50 meters from the sea. The largest water park is located next door, and the hotel itself impresses with its children's infrastructure. Special animation and separate children's menu in restaurants.

The most inexpensive room for two can be booked from 8,000 rubles.

Anastasia Beach Hotel 4*, Protaras

The hotel is located on the first coastline. Young visitors can enjoy a playroom, a small water park and a swimming pool. The cuisine consists of European and national dishes, and a separate menu is provided for younger guests.

Adams Beach 5*, Ayia Napa

A huge area next to a white sand beach and azure water. It is also convenient that the shore is a shallow bay, where the sea is always warm and calm.

The cost per room starts from 5,800 rubles.

Almyra 5*, Paphos

Hotel guests can enjoy an all-inclusive system and a full range of services for children - from a nanny to interest clubs. The main pool is covered with a huge awning, which creates the shade children need even at lunchtime.

5 beautiful photos

Gorgeous and picturesque photographs of the Mediterranean Sea. Bright colorful buildings and cozy piers of Cyprus.

Video review

Features of recreation on the island, as well as places that are a must-see in this republic.

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

Cyprus is a small island located in the Mediterranean Sea, divided into two parts, all tourism is concentrated on the Cypriot side, many call it Greek, although it has nothing to do with Greece, the second part is Turkish, there is no tourism as such, there are some offers in on the Internet, but how real this is, I can’t say for sure. Therefore, I will talk about Cyprus, which is known to many.

Is it worth going on holiday to Cyprus?

I would definitely say yes. This is a no-win destination for beach tourism. The weather here is always good, and the swimming season lasts quite a long time, so those who were unable to get to the sea in the summer can easily extend their warmth in the fall by purchasing a trip to Cyprus. And the undoubted advantage of the destination is that the flight here, if we talk about Moscow, takes 3 hours. Even those who do not tolerate the flight very well can afford to stay for such a short time for the sake of their own vacation. Mothers with small children, and especially infants, can fly to Cyprus quite calmly, since during the 3-hour flight, the children will not have time to get very tired and will not torment the surrounding passengers with their whims. Of course, all children are individual, but I assume that the average child is moderately active and curious.

In addition to quality beach holidays, Cyprus has great potential as a hotel base. I can’t say that the choice is very rich, but every tourist will find something to suit his taste and budget. There are hotels of world chains, ordinary simple hotels and apartments. By the way, in Cyprus you don’t have to worry about star rating, the service and conditions are good everywhere, the main thing is to choose based on the location: how many meters to walk to the sea, proximity to the necessary infrastructure and how noisy or calm it is around (this is especially true for the resort of Ayia Napa).

The hospitality of the local residents is what I would like to highlight. Against the backdrop of Europe, the contrast is felt; perhaps not everyone will agree with me, but this is my personal opinion. Cypriots are very attentive to tourists, both those who are directly involved in tourism activities and ordinary local residents. They always smile, are touched by small children walking towards them, and are ready to help at any moment - without knowing the tourist language. This is very attractive to them. A similar thing happens in restaurants; often, the owners of the establishments themselves are ready to serve their guest.

Absolutely everyone will feel comfortable in Cyprus. Here you have a choice of where to relax and what you need for a successful stay on the island. Someone wants peace and tranquility, without noise and a lot of cars - please go to Paphos, Protaras or Ayia Napa. If you want proximity to the city, to life and movement, then welcome to Larnaca or Limassol. Active party-goers will also not be left out - the famous street of bars and discos in Ayia Napa is always happy to welcome new guests.

For those who like to travel, it will be great to rent a car in Cyprus and see all the places on the island; it won’t take much time, but you will be able to cover all the most interesting things in a very short period of time.

Which may upset those who are considering Cyprus as a holiday destination.

1. A very modest excursion program. In fact, only 15% of what is offered to tourists is worthy of attention; everything else can hardly be called a serious attraction. You can often hear dissatisfaction on the beach from those who wasted time and money on the excursion that the guides described so interestingly. Therefore, do not try to rush to watch everything that will be offered. It’s better to sit down before your trip and read what the tourists themselves advise - it will be much more productive, and most importantly, truthful. For example, an excursion to the Aphrodite baths sounds very beautiful, but in fact they are brought to Paphos, brought to the shore, opposite a small stone in the sea and the guide says that here the goddess Aphrodite herself once emerged from the waves of the sea and offers it to everyone who wants swim in this place, swim around this stone several times, and according to legend, such an action will give everyone youth and beauty.

2. Prices for tours. Cyprus was once worth very little money. And not only Cyprus, you say. But I think there should still be some kind of line. What can really upset and surprise you is the cost of the tour itself. In addition to the fact that prices on the island are not the lowest for everything, you will also have to pay a lot of money for your vacation. As a result, I’ll say that Cyprus has really gone up in price, even the simplest 3* hotel is expensive during the season. Just two years ago, you could fly for 10 days using the Fortuna system for 10,000 rubles per adult. And by paying another 5,000 on top, you can choose a very good hotel with breakfast and dinner. Now it’s at least 40,000 rubles, I would say that such a price still needs to be found.

3. Cyprus, due to its climatic features, does not have lush greenery, a large number of flowers, shrubs, trees, etc. The most beautiful time on the island is April and May, then hot summer comes and everything green turns into something yellow, dehydrated and very dry. On hotel grounds, of course, gardeners look after their gardens, but outside the situation is sad, especially in August, when you shouldn’t go outside from 12 to 16, as the heat is sweltering.

Aphrodite Beach in Paphos.

In general, despite the disadvantages, Cyprus is a great place to relax. In 2010, the island broke all records for the number of blue flags for the cleanliness of its beaches and sea water. In my opinion, this is a serious plus in favor of this direction, given that every year there are fewer and fewer resort places where it is pleasant to swim and sunbathe. And tourists have become more demanding about their holiday destination, and this is understandable. Prices have increased, and most destinations clearly do not correspond to the concept of price-quality.

Is the answer helpful?

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, which is ideal for a beach holiday in the summer season.

In my opinion, Cyprus has many advantages over other tourist destinations, so anyone interested in a beach holiday should pay attention and consider it as a possible option.

Pros of holidays in Cyprus:

As I said above, Cyprus has a number of undeniable advantages, thanks to which it has become so popular among Russian tourists. Read more about them below:

• transport accessibility

Between May and October, a large number of tourists from Russia come to the island. In this regard, many flights fly to Cyprus - most of all, of course, from St. Petersburg and Moscow, but also from other cities of our country. We flew to Cyprus from St. Petersburg, so when purchasing tickets we were able to choose from two daily flights (one of them departs at 6:30 in the morning, the second in the afternoon). The planes fly big, ours had about 500 seats, so we had tickets for the flight even a week before departure. Another advantage of the flight is the flight time - if you fly from St. Petersburg or Moscow, you will spend no more than three to four hours in the air. We flew for about three and a half hours, so we weren’t tired at all.

• relatively low prices for holidays on the island

Speaking of low prices, I compare Cyprus primarily with Europe - for example, with Spain, popular among Russians. In general, prices in Cyprus will please you. Let me give you an example - two sunbeds and an umbrella on the beach in Tenerife (Canary Islands) cost us 15 euros per day, in Cyprus 6-7.5 euros (depending on the beach), banana boat ride in Spain cost 25 euros, in Cyprus - 10. In Cyprus we lived in a four-star hotel, but in Spain for the same money we would only have gotten a three-star hotel, not located on the first line. This list can be continued, but the main message is clear - prices for food, hotels and beach activities in Cyprus are significantly lower than in Spain, Italy, and often on the Greek islands.

• a huge number of Russian speakers on the island

Of course, for those who want to take a break from their compatriots, this can be a minus, but, in my opinion, this is a huge plus for those who do not speak or speak English poorly. Firstly, many Russians live in Cyprus, and secondly, some Cypriots are studying Russian. In almost any hotel and restaurant there will be a person who speaks Russian, which makes communication much easier. Also, the vast majority of restaurants have a Russian menu. In this regard, Cyprus is very convenient for holidays for the older generation - as a rule, older people do not speak foreign languages ​​- in Cyprus they will not have to worry about this.

• some of the cleanest beaches in Europe

The beaches of Cyprus have repeatedly received the so-called “blue flags” - a quality mark awarded to beaches whose water is completely suitable for safe swimming - it is clean, does not contain dangerous bacteria and sewage, and the beach is equipped with everything necessary for relaxation - toilets, trash cans, The beach is regularly cleaned. The number of such beaches in Cyprus exceeds 50 - each resort has beaches that have received such an award.

• relatively mild climate

Even the summer temperature on the island rarely exceeds 35 degrees; the average summer temperature is 28-32 degrees, which ensures a comfortable stay. We were in Cyprus in August, which is considered one of the hottest months - the daytime temperature was around 30 degrees, so we did not suffer from terrible heat (compared, for example, with mainland Greece - the temperature remained there throughout our entire holiday 40 degrees - it was very difficult to be even on the beach, and there was no talk of excursions). Out of a two-week holiday in Cyprus, it was very hot for just a few days - the temperature was about 33-34 degrees, according to local residents, it was a “heat wave” that came from somewhere in the south.

• availability of attractions, as well as a fairly large selection of excursions

In Cyprus there are ancient monasteries, to which various excursions are organized (both for the whole day and for half a day), in addition there are a number of museums (archaeological museum, history museum, and so on). Plus, tourists are offered excursions around the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia (however, it takes quite a long time to get to it from all the resorts, since it is located in the center of the country). There are also trips for nature lovers - a tour of the Akamas Peninsula, which is a nature reserve, a donkey safari, and a yacht ride. In addition, tour operators and travel agencies organize trips to traditional villages, where you can get acquainted with the crafts that the inhabitants of the island continue to practice to this day. Thus, the choice is quite large, so everyone can find something to suit their taste.

• availability of entertainment for different ages

The Ayia Napa resort, popular among young people, can be visited by those who love bars, nightclubs and dancing until the morning - life there is in full swing, without stopping for a minute - crowds of young people walk there, get acquainted and have fun. For lovers of a more relaxing holiday, resorts such as Paphos and Protaras are intended. Children and teenagers will also find something to do in Cyprus - water parks are open for them (there is a water park in Paphos and Limassol). In addition, in resort towns there are quite a lot of equipped playgrounds that kids will love.

• friendly behavior of the locals

Despite the relatively low prices for holidays, Cyprus compares favorably with Turkey and Egypt in the behavior of local residents. In that part of the island where tourists are usually brought, Greek Cypriots live, whose behavior is very pleasing throughout the entire holiday - like Europeans, they treat tourists absolutely unobtrusively, with respect, not allowing any liberties in communicating with girls and women, but together with Moreover, they are very welcoming, friendly, and always ready to help tourists. Most restaurants have very pleasant service, the waiters are always interested in what you liked and what you didn’t, in general, they try to make your stay there as comfortable as possible. During the entire two-week vacation, we did not have a single conflict situation, and we never encountered rudeness or rudeness, which, of course, made us very happy.

• delicious food and large portions

Those who love to eat should also pay attention to Cyprus - firstly, the food there is very tasty - Greek cuisine includes both seafood and fish, as well as meat dishes. In addition, in all cafes and restaurants, the portions are simply huge - so those who like to eat a lot will be happy, and those who eat little can take one serving for two and save.*

Thus, Cyprus has a large number of undeniable advantages, which were described by me above. In my opinion, it is one of the best destinations for a summer beach holiday.

In conclusion, I would like to write a little about disadvantages of holidays in Cyprus. So, the disadvantages include:

• relatively few truly historical monuments

Most of the palaces and museums are located in the capital of the island - Nicosia, which takes a long time to get to. Resort towns have museums and archaeological parks, but they are usually small.

• quite tiring trips to monasteries

Above, I already mentioned the presence of ancient monasteries in Cyprus - it is also worth drawing your attention to the fact that they are located in the depths of the island, so it takes quite a long time to get to them, and due to the fact that most of them are located in the mountains, the road goes along serpentine roads, so the road can become very difficult for some.

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Cyprus is an island of love, a country that has absorbed and united the traditions and cultures of Europe, Asia and Africa. Incredibly advantageous position

Cyprus's position in the Mediterranean has meant that it has changed hands several times throughout its history, remaining on the periphery of various empires, from Byzantium to the United Kingdom. As a result of many years of national liberation struggle, Cyprus still gained independence, but turned into an arena of clashes between the Greek and Turkish communities, which ultimately led to the division of the island into Greek and Turkish parts.

Aphrodite Island is the most common name for Cyprus. Cyprus is simply good in itself without any far-fetched attractions (may the Cypriots forgive me for such free-thinking). The mild Mediterranean climate determines relatively warm weather in winter and dry, hot weather in summer. The island is not large in size, which makes it possible to explore many beautiful secluded corners. Life in Cyprus is calm and safe. Given the high standard of living, crime is extremely rare here. Since joining the European Union in 2004, analysts unanimously predicted an economic boom for this country. Just don’t be confused, my friends, Cyprus belongs to the euro zone, but is not a Schengen country. True, that same boom led Cyprus into a complete swamp, from which it will continue to emerge for many years. I always try to stay away from politics and financial issues, and the only thing I would like in this situation is that the economic crisis does not turn into an obstacle to tourists who want to explore the country.

Cyprus is a country for every taste. Everyone will find a city to their liking. Restless and reckless Ayia Napa, calm, comfortable and measured Paphos, almost a “Russian city” Limassol...

The attitude of Cypriots towards animals, and in particular towards cats, is also touching. Once a year, a real festival of gluttony happens in the Cat Monastery of St. Nicholas. On St. Nicholas Day, November 6, Cypriot fishermen traditionally donate their entire morning (first) catch to cats in the hope that for this godly deed the good Saint will help ensure that more fish are caught in their nets. According to legend, if a fisherman was stingy or cheated and did not give all the fish or, God forbid, did not give at all, then he will not have luck next year. This is such a sweet and fair holiday, such a kind, touching tradition has developed in Cyprus!

Cyprus begins to bloom from the end of February - beginning of March. And just as Cyprus blooms, no other island blooms. The slopes of the hills and mountains are covered with incredible greenery of emerald color, flowers of absolutely fabulous shades bloom, creating magnificent, breathtaking landscapes. All nature rejoices, for her beautiful favorite Adonis returns to earth to the bright rays of the sun and golden Aphrodite.

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It’s definitely worth going on holiday to Cyprus. And there are several reasons for this. But the main flavor of the island is its vibrant cultural events. Throughout the year, the island hosts various events featuring local and international artists. A huge number of religious holidays and fairs make life on the island bright and colorful, and the characters of Cypriots - cheerful and life-loving.

Among the many cultural events, one should first of all highlight the wine festival, which is held every September in the city of Limassol on the territory of the city garden. As part of this holiday, concerts, fairs and even educational lectures are organized in Greek and English. Not a single holiday is complete without national Cypriot and Greek dances. Wine is served free of charge here. Thousands of locals and visitors to the island take part in this festival to have fun and get to know the Limassol Bacchus.

Carnivals are held in Limassol, and more recently in Paphos. During these holidays, colorful processions of masks, dances, and competitions for the best carnival costume are organized in cities. The holiday usually ends with a parade of decorated floats moving along the central streets of the cities. This action usually takes place on the last Sunday of Maslenitsa.

In May, every city on the island holds a flower exhibition, which includes parades and competitions for the best bouquet.

In addition to these holidays, the Orange Festival, which is held in Famagusta and Morphe, has long been especially popular in Cyprus.

Cypriots carefully preserve and honor the customs and traditions of their ancestors. The feast of Epiphany is celebrated with special solemnity in Cyprus. After the end of the service, all those present collect holy water in vessels that they bring from home specifically for this purpose, and also light a holy fire to bring it into their home. Therefore, this colorful holiday is called the Feast of the Holy Fire or Holy Light. In houses, a candle should be lit in every room to ward off all temptations and evil spirits with its fire. Holy water is sprinkled on vegetable gardens and vineyards. Returning home from church, the mistress of the house prepares traditional pancakes. There is a custom of throwing the first pancake on the roof of the house to drive away evil spirits.

As in Greece, one of the most solemn holidays in Cyprus is Easter and the day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which are celebrated with special religious feeling, solemnity and splendor. It will be interesting to watch the action.

On Good Friday the tombstone is taken out of the church. Before leaving the church, believers kneel and walk next to the tombstone, and the clergyman gives each one a flower with which the tombstone of Jesus is decorated. The iconostasis and all the icons in the church are covered with black or purple fabrics. On Saturday morning, the cloth covering the icons is removed and the church is decorated with festive ribbons. On the same day, housewives prepare the famous “flauns” - a traditional Cypriot Easter food that is sure to be present in every home. We are talking about a special type of Easter cake, the filling of which is a mixture of cheese, eggs and raisins. On Saturday evening, a fire is lit in the church yard and an effigy of Judas is burned. On Sunday afternoon the celebration and treats continue. The main traditional dish of this day is lamb roasted on a spit.

The next holiday that is worth visiting when traveling to Cyprus is the Feast of the Flood. It corresponds to the Feast of Pentecost or the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. The festival of the Flood itself has its roots in the era of the ancient ritual - Aphrodisias, dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, rising from the depths of the waters. This is a water festival during which trade fairs, poetry competitions, various exhibitions of traditional crafts, as well as boat competitions are held on the embankments of the coastal cities of the island. Once upon a time, for example, in Larnaca the Flood festival was celebrated with unique splendor and solemnity. Merchants and traders from all over Cyprus and from Syria brought their goods here, and the city embankment was filled with trade tents and small shops during the holiday. Many different games and competitions attracted local residents and guests of the island here.

In mountain villages and in villages that traditionally grow grapes, after harvesting, all residents together begin to make the famous palyuze (chuchkhel). “Hardzin” - the remains of squeezed grapes - is cooked in a large cauldron. To make the filling (sujiuko), take almond or walnut kernels and soak them in water. Then they string it on strings and attach these bundles to the two ends of a hanger, which is a large forked branch with a small knot at the end with which it is suspended. Then the strung nuts are dipped into thickened grape juice, after which they are dried. This procedure is repeated six to eight times. This joint work is a reason for communication and fun, so making a stuffed animal ends with a bright holiday.

In general, songs and dances occupy a special place in the life of Cypriots. Today in Cyprus, all kinds of excursions are organized for tourists, including watching show programs with national Cypriot dances. All Cypriot folk songs are divided into Akritian, folk couplets and epic songs. Akritan songs represent a living spiritual monument of folk art. The central idea of ​​these songs is the idea of ​​the heroic spirit and self-sacrifice, as characteristic features of the Cypriot soul. Cypriot couplets are purely folk poetry, reflecting the soul of the people themselves in every manifestation. At weddings, fairs, and holidays, poets of Cyprus enliven the atmosphere with their apt couplets.

In Cypriot folk dances, roles are very clearly distinguished - male and female. Men's dances are very dynamic, movements can sometimes be quite sharp. The clicking of heels keeps the rhythm, the bloomers flutter, the chest, dressed in a vest, proudly sticks out. The women's dance demonstrates modesty and submission. In pairs, women move in small steps, holding hands or holding scarves in their hands. In any case, Cypriot dance is always a demonstration of national flavor that will not leave you indifferent.

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Good afternoon.

Cyprus is, of course, worth going on holiday for many reasons!

• Firstly, this is the weather, 330-340 sunny days a year! The climate in Cyprus is considered one of the most favorable and moderate for health. Climatic and natural conditions contribute to maintaining good human immunity. Cyprus boasts iodine-rich sea air and clean mountain air!
• Also, this destination is ideal for families with children, because Cyprus is a very safe island, there is practically no crime here. Therefore, you can absolutely calmly come on vacation with your children and not worry that something might happen to them. As I said above, Cyprus has an amazing climate, so it will be especially useful for children to breathe in the fresh sea and mountain air. Also, hotels in Cyprus have animation groups, children's clubs, playgrounds, and swimming pools, so you can rest assured that children's holidays will be varied and interesting every day. On the island, almost every city has water parks that are open every day in the summer; children will simply be delighted!
• It is impossible not to mention separately the national cuisine of Cyprus. Restaurants and local taverns abound in seafood delicacies; here you can taste oysters, squid, octopus, salmon, shrimp, etc. The island is also famous for its love of meat products, so taverns, restaurants, and cafes offer different types of meat dishes to suit every taste. Don't forget about fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs all year round! And also delicious fresh bread, rolls with various fillings and sweet pastries are sold in local bakeries, which are located almost at every turn!
• Cyprus is also famous for its vineyards, so there are a lot of local wineries on the island that produce delicious wine. If you are a connoisseur of good and high-quality wine, then you definitely need to come to Cyprus!

Who doesn’t know about the beautiful island of Cyprus with its gentle turquoise sea, warm climate and tourist season all three hundred and sixty-five days a year. Despite the fact that the tourist boom around this island occurred in the 90s of the last century, holidays in Cyprus and to this day has not lost its attractiveness, but tours to Cyprus are still popular today.

Thanks to a very simple (compared to other developed EU countries) procedure for obtaining a residence permit, many of our compatriots live in Cyprus. Some come to the island to work and then stay forever: immigrating to Cyprus with a business idea, or opening your own business here, is quite easy and does not require significant expenses.

The island's authorities are interested in Cyprus maintaining and developing its reputation as an entertainment and recreation center, so significant funds are invested in the tourism industry, and local residents, whose main income is highly dependent on the island's guests, are very welcoming to foreigners. You can come here all year round and take with you pleasant impressions and bright memories. Of course, there are not only pros and cons to a holiday in Cyprus. Before you purchase, tours to Cyprus let's try to look at both the positive and negative sides and start with the negative.

Minus the first one. Be prepared for the fact that food (especially wine and meat and fish dishes) and transport (taxi) are very expensive in Cyprus. In addition, taxi drivers do not give change if it is small. You can also travel around the island by bus, but they run extremely rarely.

Minus the second one. Photographers accustomed to bringing back gigabytes of images from vacation should submit a written request before photographing local government attractions. Naturally, sending a request and receiving a response will take some time. The border zone between the two parts of the island, military installations and military personnel, as well as the decoration of some churches, are prohibited from photographing at all.

Minus the third. Those who like to splash around in the sea for fun should be aware that in winter, swimming in open water can be quite cold. In addition, a lot of algae can be brought to the coast of the island - this phenomenon is unpredictable and can happen in any season.
Minus the fourth. Medicine on the island is paid and not cheap. Emergency assistance to tourists is free, but inpatient and outpatient treatment can cost a pretty penny.
Minus the fifth. Many tourists complain about more than mediocre hotel service and unkempt beaches.

But what about the positive aspects?
Plus the first one. Since the island is actually divided into two conventional parts: Greek (Greeks are the main indigenous population of the island) and Turkish (since Cyprus was part of the Ottoman Empire for more than 300 years, Turks make up almost the majority of the island’s population), you have the opportunity to get acquainted with culture and cuisine of both countries at once.
Plus the second one. Since Cyprus is part of the European Union and does not have land borders with any countries, you can easily visit, for example, Egypt or Jerusalem without a visa or flight: sea cruises are organized there.

Plus a third. Since Cyprus is a mixture of different cultures, you can get acquainted with the historical monuments of many civilizations: Byzantium, Greece, Turkey, Britain.

Plus a fourth. The nature of the island has prepared the same variety for you: here you can swim in the sea and ride through the snowy mountains - and all this in one day.
Plus a fifth. The very way of life on the island is very leisurely and measured - what else is needed for a complete, quiet holiday? But at the same time, Cypriots love holidays very much and know how to celebrate them on a grand scale.