by admin | Jun 5, 2014 | Uncategorized
Everyone has their favorite dining spots in their town. When we travel, we hope to run in the locals’ favorite spots. Sometimes we are successful, other time not so much. Here are two restaurants that you must eat at if you are staying in Ayia Napa or even just in Cyprus. These two spots would be worth the drive.
Atlas
This restaurant has been open for over twenty years. They have not changed management, and it still run by the family owners. What has kept Atlas up and running is the delicious food, fun setting and friendly staff.
When you walk up to this restaurant you will notice the lovely painted stucco walls surrounded by vibrant plant life. It really is a cute place. Inside the restaurant is usually pretty busy, but it is a large enough space that the crowds aren’t annoying. We would like comment that there are televisions in this restaurant. While we usually find that to put a damper on the dining scene, we didn’t even notice the televisions before we left.
The service is very professional. They pull out your seats for you, and really make you feel at home in the joint. When ordering there is one thing to keep in mind, you must try the pizza. The cheese is high quality, the toppings are generous and the sauce is unforgettable. If you must digress from the pizza menu you can try the unique Italian Meze or the Bolognese calzone.
Each meal is wrapped up with a complimentary coffee liqueur, cream and fresh fruit. It is a really nice touch that reflects on how much the family cares about this place.
Blueberries Restaurant and Bar
Even if you don’t like blueberries, you are going to love dining here. They specialize in salmon and steak dishes. If you do like blueberries, it is very important that you try their blueberry cheesecake. If you don’t, make sure to at least get a dessert. This is one of those dining experience where it wouldn’t be the worst thing to start the meal with dessert.
My favorite dish from Blueberries is the mussels in Ouzo and cream. Follow this with a decadent steak, and there is no way you will leave hungry.
Tucked away off the main streets, the restaurant is not easy to find. Make sure that you look up the location of the restaurant before you head out there. The atmosphere is white table cloth, but still a nice family feel. There also is a nice bar area for the more adult crowds.
by admin | Feb 27, 2014 | Cyprus, Uncategorized
Cyprus is the perfect place to honeymoon, but for those wanting a little extra luck from their honeymoon; Kakopetria is the perfect village to visit in Cyprus. According to legend a line of stones above the village is good luck for newlyweds. Some of the luck ran out though, and during an earthquake stones of the ridge killed a couple. We still like to think it has brought luck to many a happy couple. Plus, Earthquakes are a very rare occurrence in Cyprus.
The town is located outside of Nicosia near the Troodoos Mountains. Astounding views of the mountains can take in from any point in the village. The Karyiotis River calmly flows through the village to add to the astounding beauty of this small Cyprus village. The village is quite popular with the tourists, so if you want a really quiet vacation you may want to try going off peak season.
While you are in the village there a plenty of little tavernas to try out for meze and vino. You can visit the ancient church the Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis church. The inside of the church holds really old frescoes along with vibrantly colored interior. No photos are allowed inside, and you probably should dress modestly to visit. You can also try exploring the nearby Troodoos Mountains which have countless trails to hike and explore.
For lodging we highly recommend the Marjay Inn. It is off the main road in Kakpetria, so you can really get a good night sleep here. The rooms are very comfortable with balconies and patios facing the picturesque back garden. Make sure to eat here at least once. Ask the inn owner, Eleni, to make you the trout if available. I have never tasted a trout so divinely flavored as the one Eleni makes.
by admin | Feb 25, 2014 | Uncategorized
Cyprus is the host of two notorious sea monsters that lurk the waters waiting for unsuspecting tourists for snack-time. Actually, our sea monsters are friendly or maybe non-existent. The search for a sea monster can turn your holiday into a romping adventure.
Off the shore of Cape Greco National Park is where one of our sea monsters dwells. The locals refer to the sea monster as “To Filiko Teras” or “The Friendly the Monster”. The name may not give you chills down your spine, but the description will. To Filiko Teras has six dog-heads protruding from its half maiden, half serpentine torso. If that weren’t scary enough, the monster sports twelve limbs.
So far no one has been able to find the friendly monster, and little in the way of evidence actually exists. However, local fisherman claim that the sea monster drags away fish nets occasionally while waving, with its twelve tentacles, hello.
The second monster is even a bigger mystery. It lives in the biggest dam in Cyprus, the Kouris dam. The monster is named the Ayia Napa sea monster. The government has begun a search for the monster all over the island to see if it actually exists. You can help them in their search, bring your camera.
The Ayia Napa monster is said to look like a crocodile mixed with a serpent. A local once told reporters, “I watched this serpent with my own two eyes, this was no mistake”.
Even if you do not discover the monsters, these are two great destinations. The Kouris dam is a demonstration of Cypriot ingenuity when it comes to keeping drinking water on a tiny island. Cape Greco has dozens of trails, caves, a lighthouse and other areas that you can explore. Do not fear our monsters; there have been no reported incidents. Then again, if no one is left to report it, who would know?!?
by admin | Dec 2, 2013 | Uncategorized
The mesmerising blue waters on the beach Akti Olympion curl around the large city of Limassol. The gentle rock covered beaches and soft gray sand are inviting to swimmers, and it is nearly impossible to resist taking a dip in the calm and warm soft blue waters of the sea. The beach is open every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The waves are usually mild, but it can get a bit choppy out there sometimes.
The beach is frequently crowded with tourists, locals and ex-pats catching some rays and cooling off during the hot Cyprus summers. There is great people watching to be had next to the city side beach that has a very cosmopolitan feel for a beach. You can just stroll along the beach on the pedestrian path that is maintained very well with pink pavers or you can take your time to linger on the beach or pier.
Akti Olympion is accommodated with all the amenities you could ask from a beach. For a safety there are lifeguards on duty most of the time. There are changing rooms, toilets, showers, umbrellas, lounging equipment and disabled access. At different point you will find piers, kiosks, bicycles for hire and information points about the surrounding areas.
Once you are done with the beach there are lots of things to explore right next to the beach. There are lots of children’s playgrounds for the kids to get a break from the beach. For the grownups, Limassol is well known for its pubs, but you can also find cafes, restaurants and tavernas for those looking for something a little different. A historical center for the port and old town Limassol are now underway, and it is interesting to poke around to see the progress on those projects.
With all the surrounding things to do a visit to Akti Olympion truly is more than just another day at the beach. It is an adventure that will allow you to explore the second largest city in Cyprus.
by admin | Jul 9, 2013 | Uncategorized
When travelling to a destination it can be hard to figure out what kind of transportation you will need. In Ayia Napa you have a wide variety of options available to you, depending on what you have in mind for when you get here. Here are some of the options for getting around in Ayia Napa.
On Foot: Ayia Napa is small enough that you can actually reasonably get around by foot. There are lots of sidewalks and a boardwalk for pedestrians to safely get around, but not every road has a sidewalk. This is great for budget travelers who are travelling without any small children. It will also get you some great exercise to walk off all the excesses of vacation.
Bicycle: There are many bicycles that you can rent in various places around Ayia Napa. It is lovely to cycle around the city while gazing out into the Mediterranean. There are also lots of bike lanes that make for a fairly safe experience. Don’t forget to wear your helmet!
Mopeds: These fun little bikes are great to zoom around Ayia Napa. Obviously they are to be avoided if you plan on being intoxicated or irresponsible. Mopeds are not safe for anyone who is fooling around.
Vehicle Rental: Of all of the options, this is the least recommended if you plan in just staying in Ayia Napa. Obviously if you want to explore more of Cyprus, it is a good option for you though. The fact is Ayia Napa doesn’t have the best traffic or parking. Also, Cypriot laws on drinking and driving are very strict, and the last think you want on a vacation is a DUI.
Taxi Rentals: You can find taxis rolling around Ayia Napa at just about any time of day or night. When taking a ride in a taxi, you can negotiate the price to a destination. If you don’t feel comfortable haggling, make sure they turn on their meter.