Too Cold For Me

[parkie]

My wife and I are looking at holidays this year and are looking to go to Cyprus.
We've never been there before and are getting conflicting reports from those we know who have, as to which is the best area to go to, north or south.
Anyone been there, (I believe one of the Cbers is there at the moment), and if so do you know of any good sites to get deals please?
We like beaches and quiet.

[vakayu]

With the present crisis in Cyprus I would do a rethink!!

[Baldric]

Not a good idea with their present promlems!

[Baldric]

^^^^^^^^^^^ proBlems ^^^^^^^^^^ doh!!

[MadMen]

Go to northern Cyprus. Its beautiful.
If you like it quiet avoid the east.

Coral bay (west) is also lovely. Loads to see in terms of history and architecture.

Sorry for the short reply but I'm using my phone.

[parkie]

I have contacted some booking agencies and at the moment they think there will be no problem re holidays etc.
If anything it could work in our favour.

[MyBlackHen]

Larnaka is a good base, some nice drives and quiet beaches - I like quiet too.
Locals are friendly and will show you around.Lefkara in particular has nice locals, we were invited to view their church, (it was locked at the time) and one lady invited us in for homemade lemonade, and allowed us to watch her making lace.

[MyBlackHen]

Handy place for a lot of local sightseeing tours. I have only been in April, easter time, and it was plenty warm enough, although, you could see snow up on the mountains beyond Paphos.

[Ann]

We have been to Cyprus twice. The first time we went to Paphos (West) and stayed at Coral Bay which is a little way out of Paphos so you would need to hire a car or go by local bus. It was getting very built up with hotels the last time we went over 10 years ago so would think its finished now. Personally we were a little disappointed with the beach at Coral Bay, it wasn't a wide beach like we are used to in the Greek Islands. The following year we stayed at Latchi up on the North west coast, that is much quieter, no night life as such only restaurants (which we prefer) we stayed in a villa complex but found it was a bit too remote - completely off the beaten track about 3 miles down a track! Seem to remember the beach there was pebbly.

Paphos town is nice if you like history, there are uncovered mosiacs, Tomb of the Kings and an old fort which are all very interesting.
Also Cyprus is very "British" they drive on the left like us and most people speak English.
Whilst we were there we went on a 3 day cruise from Limassol to Egypt and Israel which was the absolute highlight of our holiday to see Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Cairo and the pyramids but due to the troubles in those countries I don't think they go there now. Hope this helps you parkie. Don't forget to look on the Trip Advisor site to see reviews.

[Ann]

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g190372-Cyprus-Vacations.html

[grasscarp]

I am the ab er who is currently in Cyprus working. I am in the capital Nicosia. Have also had many holidays here and always to south so Larnaca and Limasol. Larnaca is where flights from uk arrive from uk. Always good weather and friendly people.

[parkie]

Thanks very much, all of you. Very informative. We prefer to go somewhere that's been recommended rather than go by descriptions in brochures.
Our eldest daughter did go there on her honeymoon but came off a motor bike, broke her leg badly and spent the rest of the 'holiday' in hospital so didn't see anything of the island.
I'll search around now for deals.

[boxtops]

The north belongs to Turkey, the south to Greece - I can't remember which half is usually frequented by holidaymakers.

[boxtops]

^ or is that no longer the case?

[sandyRoe]

Cyprus was an independent country. The Turks invaded and set up a Turkish statelet in the north.

[parkie]

Thanks grasscarp. Our posts crossed. I knew I'd seen someone was out there. Just couldn't remember who.
It sounds great as far a the locals, weather and everything is concerned.
We've been threatened with snow here in Essex but nothing so far. A lot of the country is having it pretty bad, though, from the sounds of it. Brrrrrr.

[tiggerblue10]

The North is beautiful and Kyrenia is nice. The beaches in Famagusta go are very shallow if I remember rightly. If you want to go to Northern Cyprus you have to stop in Turkey for about an hour (unless thats changed now, I haven't been for a while).

I was born Nicosia :o)

[grasscarp]

I crossed into the Turkish part of Nicosia which involved having my passport stamped in and out and my plastic bag checked by "customs". I wouldn't want to go across again. I am very lucky to be out of uk weatherwise. 21 degrees. Bring your own sun cream. I had to buy some and paid £13 for nivea spray which is about fiver in uk. I hope things work out for the Cypriots with their current troubles. My waiter last night said Uk was very wise not to join the Euro. I am watching tv about snow back home and looking out of window here hoping it doesn't cloud over here in Nicosia as planning to walk into old town.

[parkie]

Thanks for that grasscarp. I must admit we are looking at the situation on Tuesday before making a final decision.
Some friends of ours lived in Cyprus for some years, he was an engineer of some kind and during that time they bought and then sold their own house.
They have kept the proceeds from the house in a bank which is supposed to be one of the better ones in Cyprus, but if this tax thing goes ahead they stand to lose a lot of money.