Cyprus Educational 12-16 March

PRESTIGE HOLIDAYS FAM EXPERIENCE MARCH 2013

 

I have attached our itinerary and written some notes about the individual hotels viewed.  I have also attached a selection of photos but log on to our facebook page at EmsworthTravel for more detailed photo selection of all hotels to get a better idea. 

12th MAR      Meet at LHR Cyprus Air, Check In desk at 1230

Flight CY347 departs T1 1425 Arrives Larnaca at 2100

Approx 2330 Check In at the Hotel Annabelle, Paphos (Minibus)

 

We had a good flight with friendly Cyprus airways staff . The flight left half an hour late but we arrived at Larnaca and quickly passed through passport control and picked up our luggage. After approximately 1 1/2 hour transfer, we arrived at the lovely 5 star Annabelle Hotel in Paphos.  This is the first hotel to be built in Paphos but has undergone extensive renovations to keep the impeccable standard of this deluxe hotel which is a Preferred Hotel and Resort Property. We were greeted with temperatures in the early 20s which is slightly warmer than usual at this time of year and beautiful sunshine.  I was allocated a suite with plunge pool but sadly did not get chance to use it as we arrived late and checked out early.

My room wth plunge pool outside

 

 

13th MAR      Breakfast at the Annabelle, followed by a 0930 Site Visit

 

We had an extensive buffet breakfast with a good choice, ranging from full English to omelettes and cold meats, cheese etc. plus lots more besides and we were then taken around this lovely hotel and Gardens.  They have tried to create a Byzantine feel to the reception rooms of the hotel. There are many room types and we were able to View a small selection which showed a good standard throughout. Lead in brochure prices from £558 in winter.

 

 

1030 Site visit at the Almyra, Paphos (Walk

We then visited the sister hotel Almyra next door (formerly Paphos Beach hotel) which has been total renovated to have a contemporary, modern and Minimalistic feel to it with use of black and white décor throughout.  The rooms were all in the modern, sleek and minimalist theme with black and white furnishings.  Guests at either of these 2 hotels can have credits to use the others restaurants or spas. It is worth noting that there are only a few rooms with balcony at this hotel and there is also a section for just adults. Lead in brochure prices from £558.

Adult only spa area with  infinity pool

 

 

                         

Walk to the Old harbour in Paphos / Meet Tour Guide

11:30-12:30 Vist the Roman Mosaics (Archaelogical Park)

 

 

The hotel is just 15 minutes walk into KatoPaphos with the smart harbour area and the Roman Mosaics which are part of the Archaelogical Park where they have discovered an old town. The area is incredibly well preserved and the mosaics are amazing. Definitely worth a visit.

1300 Lunch at the Annabelle

It felt as if our lunch was never going to end with a delicious selection of mezes all difficult to refuse.  We had calamari, lamb, sea bass, salmon, with lots of salads and vegetables – all excellent.

 

Check out 1400 (x3 Taxi’s to Elysium with luggage)

1500 Check in at the Hotel Elysium, Paphos

After arriving at the 5 star Elysium Hotel, we checked in to our rooms and were taken around the hotel . They have a list of famous guests including the likes of Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson whose pictures adorn their walls.  A large stylish hotel in a Unique design using local stone and warm natural colours in the Tomb of the kings area of Paphos. There is also a promenade all the way to Paphos Harbour which takes about 45 mins to walk. We stayed in large standard rooms with sea view.  They  have a large spa offering a selection of Espa treatments and has good sized pool and good gym. There is also an adult only section to the hotel with its own pool and we viewed a duplex royal garden villa in this area, some of these have plunge pools. Lead in brochure prices from £599 in winter.

 

 

1900 Site Visit followed by dinner

 

Our dinner was a buffet style with a good selection – all very good, with fish and calamari as well as a good selection of meats.

 

 

14th MAR      0900 Departure – Be checked out & bring luggage (Minibus)

1000 Site Visit at the Anassa in Latchi

 

It took approx. 45 mins to transfer to the Anassa Hotel but well worth it, though shorter distance from the airport. There is a wonderful  relaxing feeling to this superb hotel with superb grounds and warm neutral colours. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World and you can understand why.  Everything about this hotel is luxurious and relaxing and a superb hideaway. Visited regularly by the rich and famous. There is even a helipad for their exclusive guests. One client wanted the top presidential suite when they already had a booking so they just built another one.  And with 80000 odd Square metres of land they have scope to do so. Lead in brochure prices £1418 per person per week B & B. Main meals from 34 euros and wine from 5.50 euros a glass.

 

 

 

 

 

1215 Site Visit at Coral Beach & Resort and lunch

 

The 5 star Coral Beach Hotel is an older style, built in 1993 but some parts of the hotel are a little dated (rated 4 star by Prestige and I would tend to agree), however they do have very good facilities for children and the staff very friendly.  They do have an adult only wing with spa that is more modern and upmarket and the food we had was excellent. It is also set on a reasonable beach (short walk) which is something that Paphos itself lacks. Lead in brochure price £599 in winter.

Sandy beach in the distance

 

 

Aparently we asked for a light lunch but 2 hours and 12 meze courses later (fortunately we didn’t get time for the extra 2 they had planned for us!) we moved  on to visit the Thalassa Boutique.

 

 

 

The Thalassa Boutique on the other hand is under the same ownership but is very stylish and more intimate with just 175 rooms.  This hotel is extra to the Prestige brochure but can be found on their website - prices on request.

 

The area of Coral Beach and the strip are the most commericialised area we saw on the Island.

 

1500 Check in at Aphrodite Hills Resort

 

This is a lovely 5 star hotel with 18 hole championship Golf course and superb sports facilities.  There is a good choice of restaurants and has all you need on site which is good as it is about 10-15 mins to the nearest village. They have a shuttle hourly down to the beach clubs which takes 10-15 mins as it is a considerable walk from the hotel. Extensive grounds with some privately owned villas and apartments as well, set amidst their 60000 sq metres of land. Lead in brochure price £688 in winter.

 

 

1515 Site Visit

Free Time

20:00 Dinner

Lovely buffet dinner with a good selection of food choices.  By now we have been so well fed that I am having to carefully select the clothing worn - stretchy waistbands a bonus!!

 

15th MAR      Check out & Bring Luggage

0900 – Departure

En route Guided Excursion & Lunch c/o CTO: Short stop at Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s birthplace) - Visit Kourion, also visited Collosus Castle which has often been used for period films Omodos village (get off motorway by Erimi) – Lunch in Omodos –

Enjoyed this trip to Kourion, Collosus castle and beautiful medieval village of Omodos approaching the Troodos mountains. Here we had a lighter than usual lunch of mezes in a local restaurant of the usually high standard we had become accustomed to on this trip.

Aphrodites birthplace - aparently if you swim round the stone 3 times anti clockwise, you turn back time - don't undertand why they wouldn't wait for me!!

Ancient Roman town of Kourion

 

The ampitheatre at Kourion has amazing acoustics as we discovered and when you stand in the centre and speak, the sound bounces back to you as if you are on a microphone. They often hold shows here and views were spectacular.

Collossus castle

Omodos village

 

15:30 Departure for Lemesos

16:30 Check In to Le Meridien, Limassol

Lovely room with superb sea views. The hotel was quite a way (approx 20 mins by transport )There are good facilities for familes and those looking for a sporty holiday and there is all you need on site.  The rooms were very nice and the standard of the hotel very high.  First place to have badminton! (now your talking)

Free Time

1800 Site visit & Dinner

 

Had dinner in the Japanese Restaurant and the food was excellent with good selection of mainly seafood and sushi.

 

16th MAR      Check Out 0645

0700 Transfer to Larnaca Airport – (Minibus)

0800 Check In

Flight CY346 departs LCA 1000 Arrives T1 LHR 1305

 

The flight back was delayed by an hour due to bad weather at Heathrow but the staff were friendly and helpful.

Cyprus is a beautiful island with friendly people.  We visited the south side which is Greek and the currency is the Euro. The also widely have the english 3 pin plug. They have mild winters and we had temperatures in the early 20s c (early 70s f) but it is usually a few degrees lower (cardigans or light jackets usually required in the evenings) and they were anticipating rain that weekend so it is difficult to guarantee at this time of year. The hotels we viewed were mainly 5 stars and the standard was very high in general. It is also worth noting that the beaches in Cyprus are all public.

 

This was a very enjoyable trip and I was impressed with the organisation and efficiency of  Louise and Kay of Prestige Holidays.