Diving in Ayia Napa with Olympian Divers

We love this group of guides, and not just cause of their good looks and Cypriot charm. Olympian Divers are a company that takes customer service all the way to make a great diving experience for anyone, from the amateur to the experience divers. You will always walk away from their expeditions a little more skilled at diving.

One experience that highlights their care of amateurs is with a four year old a man brought into the shop. The boy didn’t even know how to swim when he came in, and was intimidated to swim without his arm floating. The guide working at the desk helped the little guy learn how to swim after selling the little boy his first snorkel and goggles.

These guys will take you on a range of dives for beginners to more advance. For beginners, they will take you to close off their main quarters, not too far from shore. When they take you, they make sure that everyone learns what they need to know. You aren’t just shown a video; the guide will specifically make sure any concerns or questions are answered. The calm, clear and warm water of the Mediterranean is the perfect place for beginner divers, and you will happen to be diving in a very bio-diverse landscape off of the shores of Ayia Napa.

If you feel a little more comfortable diving, there are some other great expeditions available. One of the more infamous is the Zenobia dive. The MS Zenobia was a ship that sank off the shores of Larnaca after having engineering issues. No one was killed, so don’t worry about any underwater ghosts. On the dive you will get to see the ship up close and personal. They will even let you sit on one of the life boats of the Zenobia.

Another picturesque dive will take you to Cape Greco. A protected natural park, this area has breath taking seascapes. Be wary though. The legendary Ayia Napa sea monster is rumored to live in these waters. We think it worth the risk to check out some of the Cape Greco caves. Also, here you’ll even get a chance to feed the fish.

Diving is a great way to experience Cyprus in a complete new light. Olympian Divers are the way to go if you choose to take an adventure while you are on holiday.

We invite divers and non-divers alike to enjoy with us the underwater delights that this unique island has to offer. Dive unspoilt landscapes that have remained preserved for thousands of years, swim amongst friendly marine life in warm, calm, crystal clear waters. Whatever your diving experience we have something for everyone. Welcome to Scuba diving in the Mediterranean, & the beautiful island of Cyprus

Why Rent a Villa in Cyprus?

Why Rent a Villa in Cyprus?

If you are planning for a week-long holiday in Cyprus, you may want to consider renting a villa. For those of you who don’t know, a villa is a private house or beach house you can rent for a week in Cyprus.

My favourite part about renting a villa during holiday is being able to make meals from local produce, being able to be out by the pool creating a BBQ for the family. Without a kitchen, holidays can get very expensive. Having every meal out every day at a restaurant while on holiday, even with relatively low Cypriot prices, can add up very quickly to make holidays very expensive. On top of that, once you have explored Cypriot markets with fresh fruits, vegetables and meat you may be extremely tempted to cook. While on holiday, we don’t want to cook every meal, it is nice to have the option.

Besides saving on food, usually it is cheaper per day to rent a villa. Even in some of the more extravagant villas in Cyprus, it is much cheaper to rent a place than pay nightly fees at most hotels. There are villas to match just about anyone’s budget, but be weary some villas are cheap due to them being located in less than ideal areas. Besides not having a maid to turn your sheets over, there is very few advantages to most hotel amenities when compared to the amenities of a villa.

What about a pool? A lot of villas in Cyprus will have a swimming pool. It gets very hot in Cyprus, so we love our pools. Even without a pool, it will encourage you to get out to the beach more often.

Villas are like a home away from home. Some people rent the same villa every time they come to Cyprus. There is something nice about having a familiar home base while you are off holidaying in a foreign country.

Five Items that are Integral to the Cyprus Experience

Five Items that are Integral to the Cyprus Experience

Cypriot culture boasts diverse scenery, rich culture, delicious food, unique drink and master craftsmanship. You could spend a lifetime experiencing all the nuances of the islands, but unfortunately most visitors do not have a lifetime. Here are five items that are must haves to have a full Cyprus Experience.

Leather and lace. Cities and villages always have vendors of the local craftsmanship. You can visit Lefkara where specialize in lace. For leather, we recommend looking at the shoes or handbags for items that will last you a very long time.

Zivania. This strong liquor has the essence of raisins with no added sugars or color. You can try it at a local tavern or pick up a bottle of your own. It is created from grapes, and is very strong with a 45% alcohol content. Enjoy wisely!

Wine. Cyprus has a 6,000 year old tradition of wine making. We have some of the tastiest wine in the world. You can visit a variety of wineries or go to a local market to pick up some tasty Cypriot vino. There is nothing like sipping on a glass of wine at a taverna while enjoying some tasty Cypriot meze.

Seafood. We are surrounded by the bountiful Mediterranean which provides us with very fresh seafood. Here is a chance to get fish right off the boat onto the plate. The fresh taste of the fish with traditional Cypriot seasoning will take your taste buds to heaven.

Halloumi. You may have tried Halloumi at home, but halloumi on the island is much more pure. It is a cheese with a high melting point so it can be fired and fried to a delicious consistent. Served with bread it is quite the decadent treat.

A Little Bit about South Nicosia

Nicosia is the last divided capital in the world. You can thankfully travel from one end to the other end of the divided city with 24 hour checkpoints, but it truly is an interesting site to see the divide. Tourists will frequently walk along the green line to see the division of the capital, and isn’t a bad stroll to take for anyone.

Besides the obvious division of the city, Nicosia is a great place to get away from the beach tourists during the summer. The hot heat on the streets make the city not as popular with tourists, and it truly is fun to experience the country’s locals. Keep in mind to always carry water and sun screen, because the summer sun is very cruel in Nicosia.

In the city you will find great restaurants, clubs, tavernas and all sorts of night life that will match anyone’s speed. You could spend weeks in Nicosia without experiencing all of the nightlife.

Beyond that there are a large amount of museums, archaeological sites and other points of interest for the academics or those who just want to learn a thing or two about the country they are visiting.

You can easily get around the city on foot, bus and taxi. You can rent a car if you wish, but remember that Cyprus has a 0 tolerance policy for drinking and driving. Plus, there is so much you miss visually when you are driving a car rather than strolling along.

There is no shortage of accommodations if you want to stay in the city. From cheap youth hostels to fancy chain hotels, you can find something that matches your budgetary needs. We highly recommend the Hilton Park Nicosia hotel if you will not be getting to a beach. They have one of the most beautiful pools in the city.

A Ride or a Movie: MoviXD in 6D

A little treasure for children and adults alike in Larnaca is the 6D Cinema, or MoviXD. For now, most titles are aimed at children, but we’re told to stay tuned for adult options being added soon. Right now some of the titles include Bumper Car, Pirate Story and Snow Ride that are all fun and not too long.

The idea of the theatre is to add sound, smell and touch to the movie going experience. It does this with their specially constructed seats and 3D screening. The multi-sensory experience is really great for kids. Do not worry if your child is a little timid, because most actually take the experience quite openly.

If you are sick of the beach, sun-burned, experiencing rainy weather or just want to try something new, this can be a great way to take a break with the family. It is suited to children, so you do not have to worry too much about being a disturbance in the crowd.

Tickets vary in price, depending on the showing. We recommend trying to ask for special at the box office, because you can frequently get a deal if you know to ask.

As an additional note if you are pregnant or have a heart condition, the ride is probably not suitable for your viewing. Just to be on the safe side, you may want to sit this one out. There are very few other restrictions on viewers, and all ages are more than welcome!

There is no café or restaurant attached to the theater. We recommend grabbing a bite to eat before or after the show. Sneaking in snack is a bit inadvisable, because it can end up being a bit of a mess when the seats are moving. Most won’t be thinking about food while watching.