Cyprus fam including North Cyprus Dec 2014 - Mercury

I decided to book Purple Parking (formerly airparks) as they had the best deals and it wasn’t an early flight.  They are a bit difficult to find and googlemaps does sometimes lose signal and send you round the houses so I would always allow plenty of time with this one.  The also take your key and park your car for you which I don’t generally like to do since my keys were lost by a Gatwick hotel and the hotel concerned had to take me home, take my spare key and bring the car back for me the following day and have a new key ordered for me.  Purple parking also offer to clean your car for you and return it to the airport for a supplement. We checked in at Gatwick airport for our easyjet flight to Larnaca at 12.55 hours.  This trip was arranged by Mercury Holidays and we had a nice small group of 8 people.

We arrived at Larnaca at 19.35 hours. Baggage pick up was faultless and we were soon on our way to the North of Cyprus where our hotel for the evening was the 5 star Salamis Bay Conti Hotel in Famagusta. On the way we pass over the border into the Turkish part of Northern Cyprus.  Visas forms were completed on the bus and there is no charge for the visa.  They stamp the visa which can be reused for future holidays. This was a simple process with us not having to even get off the bus.  It is worth mentioning that Cyprus is in the EU and has the Euro whilst the north of Turkey is not in the EU yet and still has the Turkish Lira.   This also means that there is a limit to the amount of alcohol and cigarettes you can take back across the border ie 1 litre of spirit and 200 cigarettes (any more would be conviscated) The rate for the lira was 3.5 to the pound and that makes purchases  all very reasonable.  However, they are very flexible and will accept euros, pounds and various other currencies but the best conversion will always be the Turkish lira. Our transfer took approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and We checked in and enjoyed a late buffet meal at this all inclusive hotel.  Our rooms were large and comfortable.  One week all inclusive from £299 and no single supplements at the Salamis Bayconti Resort with 333 rooms in 2 separate hotel buildings.  There are regular dolmus into Famagusta which can be purchased  per trip for about £1-£1.50 per journey  or for a weekly reduced rate.  This is a good choice for families and those wanting an all inclusive option out of town with no dependence on going out from the hotel.

 

 We started with a plentiful buffet breakfast at the Salamis Bay Conti hotel and were taken for an inspection of the hotel before setting off for a sightseeing tour of the walled city of Famagusta.  The area of Famagusta is generally quite flat but the walled city of Famagusta was very pleasant and uncommercialised with a few lovely bars and restaurants to choose from and a main shopping street concentrated in a central area.

 

 

We then moved on to the pretty and more mountainous area of Kyrenia via an area of no mans land called Maras which has been deserted and left as it was when the turkish invaded in 1974. With washing etc left as it was as the owners fled and they have never returned.  This area is still protected by the turkish army.  There are so many quality buildings left to ruin but protected for the owners to return when they wish but strangely noone ever has.

 
On arrival in Kyrenia, we had lunch and hotel inspection at the 4 star Pia Bella Hotel. 10 nights half board from £399 and with a central position in Kyrenia.  This hotel has 144 rooms and a great central choice with lovely gardens.

We then set off for sightseeing of Kyrenia Harbour and Bellapais Village.  This was a quaint and picturesque village with narrow streets and pretty houses and ended up at the romantic setting of the monastery at the top of the village with spectacular views down to Kyrenia.   This spot is popular for wedddings.

Pretty Kyrenia harbour

We then moved on for a Hotel inspection at the 3 star Ship Inn Hotel which is situated in a quiet location 1 mile out of town and offer 2 weeks half board from £369 with 3rd week free on B&B with no single supplements.  A more basic option and a way from town but the dolmus can be used to travel into town or you can walk if you prefer but the area is a bit hilly.

There is still a bit of bad feeling generally between the north and south due to the wars of the past but that is slowly changing.  We then transferred 1 hour 20 minutes approximately and were met  at Larnaca airport and changed to our greek representatives for our visit of the south. We departed Larnaca for a one hour transfer to Limmasol and dinner and stay at the 5 star Royal Apollonia Hotel.   This hotel has recently been renovated to a very high standard and our Jacuzzi rooms had Jacuzzi shower with massage jets and everthing was there for  a perfect stay. 2 week half board from £675 per person with 3rd week free on B&B. No single supplements for superior rooms.  This was a top class 5 star hotel.

After breakfast we set off to view the  5 star St Raphael hotel.  Prices start from 2 weeks half board from £635 with 3rd week free on B&B.  No single supplements in twin sea view rooms.

 

 We then went on to visit the 5 star Mediterranean beach before heading off for Paphos.  This hotel is not yet in the brochure but was an lovely hotel with good choice of restaurants and nice grounds at one end of Limmasol.

 

 

Limmasol itself is spread over 14 kms and there is no real centre but they are building a new marina and shopping complex which may give more feeling of a centre. 

We then went to view 3 star Kapetanios Odyssia which was in the most central position, close to where the Cyriots like to eat and a good choice of bars and restaurants. and not far from the new Marina and shopping complex.  It is set back a bit from the beach and views are not as special as the others but the prices are very good with 2 weeks half board  from £395 per person with a third week free on B&B.

 

 

 

 

 

On the way to Paphos, we stopped at Kourion  an ancient discovered village where they have an amphitheatre with amazing acoustics and views towards Acrotiri.  They have uncovered roman baths and mosaics that are well worth seeing and they are constantly discovering new ones.  The site can take over 4 hours to explore.

 

 

 

 

 

We then travelled on and stopped at Aphrodites birthplace.  It is said if you swim round the rock anticlockwise three times, you can take 10 years off you - they wouldnt wait for me to swim 9 times round! :-)

 

We then visited the 4 star Crown Resorts Horizon Hotel in Coral  Bay Beach and enjoyed a plentiful buffet lunch here.  This hotel is just 300 metres to the sandy beach and close to the shops, bars and restaurant of the busy main street of Coral Bay. Prices start at £445 for 2 weeks half board with a third week free and no single supplements for travellers in twin rooms.

 

 

We then moved on to the 5 star Almyra for a visit of this chic and minimalistic, modern hotel (sister of the Annabelle Hotel and just next door) has prices starting at £599 for 2 weeks full board with a third week free on B&B.  You can also eat at either hotel with 2 totally different styles and if you prefer to move your booking to the other and they have space, they will happily do this for you.  This is in a superb position a short walk into the centre of Paphos with its harbour, bar and restaurants.

 

 

 

 

 

We spent the night at the Annabelle Hotel where we had a deluxe poolview room.  We had an evening inspection of the hotel.  Breakfast  was very nice and we sat outside on the courtyard as the weather was in the early 20s.

We then head towards the Dionysos Hotel which was one of the best 3 star hotels I have seen having undergone a total refurbishment in the very central position on bar street in the centre of Paphos.  This hotel has been totally refurbished and could easily warrant a 4 star status.  In the height of the summer, some rooms could be a little on the noisy side but they do have air conditioning and double glazing so that shouldn’t bother people and they say they do not get any complaints.  The hotel is small and feels very friendly.

 

 

We next visited the Veronica Hotel – this feels more spacious but an older style of hotel which would appeal to the over 60s more as does the Aloe Hotel which we next visited.  Both of these 2 hotels are further out of Paphos but closer to the beach – just 5 mins from Aloe and a few minutes longer to the Veronica and there is a nice promenade walk into Paphos right by the water taking 30-40 minutes.  Most of the hotels offer free wifi but the Aloe is the most restrictive with just free wifi in the lobby and the rest payable and no access in the rooms.

3 star Veronica Hotel with one month from £445 half board. No single supplements for travellers in twin rooms certain dates.

4 star Aloe Hotel prices start from £475 for 2 weeks with third week free on B&B. No single supplements in twin rooms.

Paphos beach

Paphos beach with harbour in the distance

We then transferred to the Elysium Hotel which is a fabulous hotel in typical Cypriot style with the feel of a converted castle/monastery with wonderful gardens, perfect for weddings.  They have many famous guests with fabulous maisonette studios, and top room being the presidential suite. They even have an area and pool for adults only.  We had a fabulous served lunch here of caesars salad followed by sea bass with a special chocolate pudding.  This with the fine wine was the best meal of the trip. This is a new hotel to Mercury and not in the brochure yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then visited the house of Dionysos with amazing mosaics and the area  and Paphos has been awarded the title of cultural capital of Europe.  They are continually unearthing new buildings that were buried by a massive earthquake and you can easily spend a day here as the roman ruins are spread out over a massive area. 

We had a short time to enjoy the harbour of Paphos and watch the sunset before returning to the Annabelle for our pick up and transfer to the King Evelthon for our evening meal. 

 This ultra modern hotel is about 45 minutes walk along the promenade into Paphos Harbour but there is little around this hotel itself and has a steep walk uphill to the bus stop.  Thi s hotel is just 6 months old and is very bright with extensive use of white and blue with neon blue lighting used in various area.  They have the largest pool in Cyprus which is lovely with  Jacuzzis set in it and though the beach area is quite pebbly at the moment, they have planning permission to make that a sandy beach in the next 2 years.  The carpets used to the bedroom corridors were light blues and whites and showed the dirt quite a lot but we understand they are soon to be replaced. This is a new hotel and not in the brochure yet.

 

We were advised generally that the bus is cheap costing 1.30 each way to travel anywhere in Paphos or you could buy a weekly pass costing 40 euros for travel anywhere within Paphos and some outlying villages also.

Weather was very pleasant with temperatures in the region of 22c-24c and with a bit of cloud but generally clear.  There are very good offers for 14-21 days offered by Mercury Holidays and Sunspot and they advise that you can expect throughout the winter to get at least 10-15 sunny days in 21 days. Cyprus as explained in the in EU and has the Euro and Turkish Cyprus the Turkish lira. Most of the hotels had 3 pin plugs generally but I did not check that with all hotels so best to take a 2 pin as backup.  Beaches were better in the Coral Bay area but the area was a little less upmarket than in Paphos.

All the offers mentioned are subject to change and apply to certain dates only.  For more information contact sue on 01243377211 or email travel@emsworthtravel.co.uk. for more pictures see album on facebook emsworthtravel.