LOVE CYPRUS LOVE CYPRUS

Good day to all! We rested in Ayia Napa in May as a family with two children 5 years old and 1.4 years old. In general, the holiday was a success! Like many who have visited this wonderful island, we want to return again, although we do not like to be in the same place twice. About everything in order. We arrived in Larnaca early in the morning, picked up our luggage, got into a minibus (luggage did not have to wait long - everything was very fast) and were already at the hotel at 9.30. The administrator at the reception did not bother us with filling out various kinds of documentation and sent us to breakfast.
Our room (one bedroom studio bungalow) was already ready for our arrival, so we, throwing things and adding, with the help of a very polite and courteous elderly lady-maid, a playpen, went for a swim. At first we did not understand why our room was not two-story, as ordered from TO (tour operator), we asked to change, but it turned out that the rooms in the bungalow are DIFFERENT - two and one-story; and since we have one written in the voucher, then no one will change us for another at the height of the season. Be sure to pay attention to this MOT when ordering a bungalow. What is a one bedroom studio bungalow - a kitchen, a dining room, two single beds pushed into one, a sofa, a wardrobe, a dressing table and a crib for a baby + a balcony, and all this in one huge room. If it doesn't bother you, then you can leave it like that. They wanted to change the number only because of the unwillingness to inform the children about our nightly pranks)))))))))). Otherwise, the room was wonderful - in the shade, not by the road itself, no insects crossing the air or land border of our home were also noticed. The air conditioner was not included, because. The sun hardly hit the house. When the balcony is open, the air conditioner does not work. There was no broken furniture. The plumbing was all shiny (the bathroom is combined), there is a bidet. Linen was changed often, almost every other day or two, towels - every day. Cleaned well, towels laid out beautifully. Perhaps thanks to the left coins of the European currency))))
Hotel. Located on the second coastline. The territory is small. Everywhere is clean and tidy. Girls at the reception speak Russian. It is possible to exchange rooms. Everything that is stated on the official website is true, except, perhaps, the nanny. At our request, they searched for it for 2 weeks, but they never found it )))))))))))))) The dream of going to a disco remained a dream. There is no animation. To be honest, we didn't need it. We only came to the hotel to sleep.

Nutrition. Diverse. I was pleased with the opportunity to feed the yearling (which was not in the Arab countries): cereals, cottage cheese, boiled vegetables, stew, eggs, beans, raw vegetables, fruits, milk. But I, a sweet tooth, were tirelessly attracted by delicious desserts (lunch and dinner) and croissants (breakfast).
Sea. Cold in May. BUT EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL!!! ! I didn't think that the Mediterranean can be THAT different (I've seen it in both Turkey and Israel)! Very clean.
Beach. Municipal. Sun loungers and umbrellas at 2.5 euros per item per rental day. White sand. Not very clean. It is absolutely not shameful to spread a blanket or towel brought from home. The locals do just that. On a Sunday at the beach, there is nowhere for an apple to fall. Every day, somewhere after 14.00, beach parties begin - foam and strip dance. The DJ plays, the entertainer catches the girls to participate in competitions and it starts.......Well, at least not in front of the children...... As elsewhere, where there is water, lifeguards are on duty. There are different swimming facilities and devices: catamarans, buns, scooters, parachutes. Of course, at every step you can find cafes where you can buy ice cream (a SNICKERS cone, for example, 3.4 euros per piece) or something more satisfying. We saw two pelicans on the beach. They tried to treat them with a bun - they did not like it! ))))) There is a toilet and paid shower!
Rent a Car. We took a 7-seater Toyota Avanza for 130 euros for 2 days. Later - Nissan Note for 110 euros for 2 days. Cars in stock are different both in assortment and in wallet. You can rent a bicycle, a moped, a motorcycle, and another interesting two-seater, four-wheeled vehicle without doors and windows, but with a roof. Gasoline is not included in the price. This is a tenant problem. The cost of the remaining gasoline in the tank is non-refundable. Demand CASCO if you are afraid of their left-hand traffic. My husband and I even came up with such a joke: ATTENTION! CYPRUS! IF YOU SEE A CAR WITH RED NUMBERS, MOVING ON THE MEETING WITH WORKING WINNERS ON A SUNNY DAY - KNOW THESE ARE TOURISTS!! ! ))))))))))))))))) For those who are not in the know, I explain: the red numbers indicate that the car is rented, and their “turn signals” turn on where we have wipers . You have to shift the speed with your left hand! Take a car with automatic transmission - it will be easier.

Trips. We went by car to Larnaca, the village of Lefkara, Protaras and Cape Greco. In Larnaca we walked along the promenade and swam in the WARM WATER. For some reason unknown to us, the sea in Larnaca was warmer than in the hotel pool. In the village of Lefkara, our friends bought a handmade silver bracelet. We watched how local craftswomen weave lace. We saw a singing fountain show in Protaras - AMAZING SIGHT - do not spare the money (17 euros for adults, 9 children) it's SUPER! And, of course, a magnificent view opens from Cape Greco! Awesome pics guaranteed!
Ayia Napa. A wonderful town, which had to be reached either by car, or by bus (1 euro), or by taxi (10 euros for 7 people), or on foot. Contrary to expectations, walking took not 20 minutes, but all 50-60! Still 2.5 km. But it didn't bother me. The town has a very vibrant night life. During the day we did not recognize Napa - the Sahara desert)))). Luna Park pleased with a variety of rides (all for 1-3 euros) for all age categories. The husband ventured to fly in a balloon on a giant slingshot (25 euros), all this is recorded on a disk and presented to the participant along with a T-shirt. Many cafes and restaurants, McDonald's, discos, endless souvenir shops - tourists are welcome everywhere. Be sure to check out the ZORBA bakery and pastry shop - you can’t refuse this!
Cafes and restaurants. APPLE FOREVER!!!! ! Excellent restaurant! They love Russians: there are dumplings, okroshka and borscht on the menu!! ! Thank you guys! Our children were saved only by your dumplings! Loved Gardens and Valentino! The food is tasty only in these three! In Protaras, we recommend eating at Erato - delicious and fast service! We could not but rejoice at the presence of a highchair and a children's play area in almost every restaurant! Parents eat, and children play - everyone is happy! We do not recommend going with Odysseus, Pizza Hut - in case of emergency.
Prices. Wine - 3-4 euros per bottle, meat - 3 euros, juice 250 ml - 0.60 euros, chips - 1.45 euros, MILKA chocolate - 2.25, a scoop of ice cream in the park - 1.20, it's on the beach - 3.40, cherries - 12, nectarines - 3.50, bananas - 2.50, strawberries - 2.45, Pampers - 10, a jar of French baby puree - from 0.90-1.50, KEO beer - from 1 . 0 to 2.5, cookies 300 g. - 2.50, COMMANDARIA - 9-12.0, plates - 4.50, magnets - from 1.0 to 3.0, the average bill in the restaurant for 2 adults + 2 children - 45 euros.

Cypriot cuisine. Apparently we were unlucky or we didn’t get there, but the fish meze was served to us just disgusting. Excuse me, but somehow I was not very pleased to eat artificial crab sticks and marinated shrimp from a jar for 60 euros. The MEAT MEZE compensated for everything - the belly feast was a success!! ! Be sure to try KLEFTICO in Cyprus - a baked leg of lamb and MUSAKI - a kind of lasagna, where vegetables are used instead of dough.
Adviсe. Outside the hotel, English is useful, at least at an elementary level. Take groceries and wine at the BEST BUY supermarket - cheaper. Demand a two-story bungalow from the TO if you want privacy. Demand CASCO at the rental office if you are afraid of their left-hand traffic. Be sure to purchase a map that shows all the sights of Cyprus - if you travel. If you are limited in funds, it makes sense to take a more expensive, 5 * hotel - you do not have to spend money on food and entertainment. Do not forget to bring a corkscrew, clothespins and a rope from home)))), beach towels and of course a great mood! HAVE A GREAT REST!