Ayia Napa is the well known resort of "clubbers" paradise. It is also the quaint village located in between Larnaca and Protaras and is in reach of some beautiful areas including, Ayia Thekla, Pernera, Paralimni, Xylofagou and Sotera villages.
The history of Ayia Napa is a fascinating one and the tale is mentioned bellow. Ayia Napa had a population of 200people before 20years and was a small poor fishing village, the local people struggled to put food on the table as the only income came from the fishing port. The village was covered with forestry and thus hunters frequently visited the area. Years ago there was a hunter out hunting with his party, he came across a cave which he entered. Upon his entrance he found the icon of "Saint Panayia" which is Mary mother of Christ translated. This was a large discovery for the hunter of which he decided to turn the cave in to a church, and built a small church on top of the caves. This is how Ayia Napa took its name.
Ayia Napa is one of the most popular tourist resorts in Cyprus and more likely the most famous. It became popular after 1974 and now offers a lively night out amongst various restaurants and bars along with traditional cafeterias and venturing on to the outskirts there is a feeling of peace and tranquility that will fulfill you. The walkways have been created along the coast line, with picnic areas for enjoyment, the palm trees sway gently untouched and the harbour offers a quiet and relaxing place to visit.
Not forgeting the beaches that Ayia Napa has to offer, with beautiful sand and some life to them as well. Ideal resort for families and couples along with the old and young. Some of the beaches well known are Nissi Beach, Macronisos beach and Sandy bay all running along Ayia Napa. Further along towards Ayia Thekla you also have Ayia Thekla beach. Have a look at the blue flag beaches in Ayia Napa at Cyprus Beaches
When holidays are close by you start thinking about the best resort for your holidays, try carhire for car hire prices and also villa rentals close to Ayia Napa and make the most out of your holidays. You should visit the "Thallasa" museum in Ayia Napa which is a sea museum showing lots of history from the area. Also, visit the church and monastery in Ayia Napa, dont miss that. Plus each year there is a festival held in the summer, the Ayia Napa festival with live local music, wine tasting and traditional bits and pieces. Christmas is a nice time in Ayia Napa, with the square decorated with Christmas lights, and more traditions put in place.
See also my blog on the history of Protaras Cyprus. History of Protaras Cyprus
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Sweet Cyprus traditional foods
If you are anything like me, i love sweet foods... i cant get enough!!! Thats why Cyprus is a delight... because there are many things available all over the island.
Honey, nuts and yogurt is a refreshing morning meal and very light but filling at the same time. An after dinner offering could be "Glyko" which translates as "sweet" which are preserves, usually every type of fruit, green walnuts, small eggplants and thick peels of all citrus fruits, water melon peel and also citrus blossoms. You will hear a traditional saying in Cyprus "my mum makes this different to yours" thats why every recipe is always different and the recipe is passed down from generation to generation. In local villages such as Kapparis, Paralimni, Xylofagou, Sotera, Dherinia and other villages all over Cyprus you may be served this after dinner. However, if you visit the mountains of Cyprus, Troodos mountains and areas such as Lofou you can buy these preserves in jars.
Bakeries are not a good idea to visit but are really really worth it. There are lots of finger foods both sweet and savory. One of my favorites is "Bourekia", made with anari cheese which is sweet and fresh milk and looks like a pastry. Another favorite of mine is "Ladies fingers" very sweet and covered in honey... bakeries have lots of delights to make your mouth water. when you live in Cyprus long term you will certainly become accustom to the bakeries!!!
At Christmas there are two types of cakes, a Christmas cake and a new years eve cake. The Christmas cake is the same as most cakes and is usually home made, decorated with icing and decorations and shared between the family. However the new years cake is made with a coin inside... the person who receives the coin is traditionally going to have good luck all the new year.
On a children's party, each member of the guests (one from the family) will bring a cake, it is polite to bring a sweet if visiting someone in Cyprus but it doesn't matter if it is home made or bought from the bakery. There are some amazing cakes that are made by each member of the family and a great way to learn new recipes, i visited a birthday party in Paralimni, the little boy was four, it was an amazing event, the children played and the adults sat together eating and laughing and joking.
If you decide to go to Cyprus on holiday or are thinking to live in Cyprus permanently, it is a great idea to visit the local places, one word of advice "if a place is full with local people, then it is probably a great place to eat". If you are renting in Cyprus for holidays, try http://www.spotonvillarentals.com/ and then visit orphanidies or Kokinos the local supermarkets and pick up some of the Cyprus specials that i have been talking about... wow, my mouth is watering now!!!
Honey, nuts and yogurt is a refreshing morning meal and very light but filling at the same time. An after dinner offering could be "Glyko" which translates as "sweet" which are preserves, usually every type of fruit, green walnuts, small eggplants and thick peels of all citrus fruits, water melon peel and also citrus blossoms. You will hear a traditional saying in Cyprus "my mum makes this different to yours" thats why every recipe is always different and the recipe is passed down from generation to generation. In local villages such as Kapparis, Paralimni, Xylofagou, Sotera, Dherinia and other villages all over Cyprus you may be served this after dinner. However, if you visit the mountains of Cyprus, Troodos mountains and areas such as Lofou you can buy these preserves in jars.
Bakeries are not a good idea to visit but are really really worth it. There are lots of finger foods both sweet and savory. One of my favorites is "Bourekia", made with anari cheese which is sweet and fresh milk and looks like a pastry. Another favorite of mine is "Ladies fingers" very sweet and covered in honey... bakeries have lots of delights to make your mouth water. when you live in Cyprus long term you will certainly become accustom to the bakeries!!!
At Christmas there are two types of cakes, a Christmas cake and a new years eve cake. The Christmas cake is the same as most cakes and is usually home made, decorated with icing and decorations and shared between the family. However the new years cake is made with a coin inside... the person who receives the coin is traditionally going to have good luck all the new year.
On a children's party, each member of the guests (one from the family) will bring a cake, it is polite to bring a sweet if visiting someone in Cyprus but it doesn't matter if it is home made or bought from the bakery. There are some amazing cakes that are made by each member of the family and a great way to learn new recipes, i visited a birthday party in Paralimni, the little boy was four, it was an amazing event, the children played and the adults sat together eating and laughing and joking.
If you decide to go to Cyprus on holiday or are thinking to live in Cyprus permanently, it is a great idea to visit the local places, one word of advice "if a place is full with local people, then it is probably a great place to eat". If you are renting in Cyprus for holidays, try http://www.spotonvillarentals.com/ and then visit orphanidies or Kokinos the local supermarkets and pick up some of the Cyprus specials that i have been talking about... wow, my mouth is watering now!!!
Enjoy!!!
See also my Traditional Cyprus foods.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
History of Protaras Cyprus
If you have ever been to Protaras in Cyprus then you will know that the family resort has a lot to offer!!!
Protaras is the horse shoe shaped town situated between Paralimni and Ayia Napa. It is only 45minutes from Larnaca international airport and is home to some of the most wonderful beaches in Cyprus. Have a look at these beaches at http://www.cyprusbeaches.blogspot.com/
Protaras was known for its windmills, hundreds of windmills once stood where Protaras stands today from half a century ago and when you look around you will still see them adding culture to the beautiful areas of Protaras. In recent years the whole area has taken the name Protaras, which now stretches 10kilometers and covers Kapparis, Pernera, Cavo Greco, Green Bay, Ayia Triada and the Golden coast areas as apposed to just the horse shoe shaped bay with sparkling crystal waters, white sand and a natural peculiarities in the coast lines caves and arches eroded by the waves.
The tourist area of Protaras is one of the nicest areas that Cyprus is proud to have. One of the most famous beaches is "Fig tree bay" home to fig trees and also 100meters from the beach stands the small island.
The first hotels and tourist apartments first began around 1977 and have continued to grow over the years, with many private villas and rental companies, bars are restaurants. In recent years the area has been re-done and a one way system added and the area cobbled and paved with water fountains staggered throughout the street.
Along the Protaras beaches many amenities have developed to assist the tourists that flock to Cyprus each season, particularly between May and November. Water sports, including paragliding, fly fish, donuts, jet skis, banana boats and pedalos are available as well as numerous boat trips and private yacht hiring as well. Yianna marie beach in Protaras, has a small cafeteria restaurant always full with local people, you will see tavli boards which are like backgammon being played. There are various hotel pool bars scattered along the beach line where you can pop in for the odd refreshing drink. Plus the beaches have been awarded the blue flag award.
In the main street of Protaras, you will see many bars with a variety of music and entertainment, The greenery is open all year round and Zodiac is a family run bar with Karaoke and is ideal for families, try the Jumbo cocktail as well, ask for a kids one for the children and see their eyes sparkle with amazement!!! Bells across the road has Elvis, with his own car for an extra ordinary arrival. Further along the road there is Ghetto, playing a mixture of musics, mainly RnB but always a party atmosphere. Plus there is fools and horses... playing fools and horses in the day time, but the food there is good too.
For restaurants, Olympus is definitely recommend, with traditional food cooked outside traditionally, but they also serve other foods as well. A family restaurant with a good atmosphere. For different types of foods you should try Eden Square, where a mixture of foods is available.
Also available in Protaras, are many travel agents offering daily trips and excursions around Cyprus and abroad and car hire companies. If you return year on year to Cyprus, you could rent a villa in Protaras with Spot On Villa rentals Cyprus and they can arrange car hire for you to visit some of the other areas of Cyprus and really get a feel for the Cyprus lifestyle.
Dont forget when you are here to visit the surrounding villages:
- Xylofagou
- Ayia Napa
- Pernera
- Paralimni
- Vrysoulless
- Freneros
- Larnaca
- Limasol
- Paphos
- Troodos mountains
See also my blog on the history of Ayia Napa. http://aboutprotaras.blogspot.com/2008/01/history-about-ayia-napa.html
and check out the blue flag beaches in Protaras http://cyprusbeaches.blogspot.com/
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