Love Cyprus

The Cyprus Insitute Solar Car Challenge

We spotted this forthcoming event on the Cap St Georges Blog

It’s the annual Cyprus Insitute Solar Car Challenge which will take place this year on 19th June at Geroskipou near to Paphos.

The essence of the competition is for inventors, solar power enthusiasts and car construction hobbyists to gather in Cyprus and race their respective creations - making the most of the year round sunshine that Cyprus has become famous for.

It is a day long event with the morning being taken up with the creating of a car and the afternoon used to race the custom inventions with participants vying for a top spot on the podium and a big magnum of champagne.

Last year, these schools took part in the competition:

• Lyceum Apostolon Petros and Pavlou, Limassol
• Pascal English School, Larnaca (two vehicles)
• Technical School of Avgorou, Ammochostos
• Technical School, Ayiou Lazarou, Larnaca
• Makedonitissa Gymnasium, Nicosia
• The Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Jordan
• CERN Solar Club, Switzerland

And the turnout for 2011 is expected to be even bigger!

Safety is the name of the game though and expert guidance is provided throughout the event so if you fancy your chances then why not head down to Geroskipou and put your design to the test.

Similar events can be found using George’s Guide to Western Cyprus - a very useful app for anyone living in or visiting Western Cyprus.

Our guide to shopping in Cyprus

When people think of taking a holiday in Cyprus their thoughts often turn immediately to the ample opportunities that one will have to sunbathe and generally enjoy the outdoor activity. There are, however, also plenty of opportunities for people to shop around the island.

As is to be expected with an island which is so heavily occupied by tourists at all time of the year, there are plenty of generic souvenir shops all around the main resorts on the island, Ayia Napa, Paphos, Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Troodos and Protaras. These shops are spread around the main towns of these resorts but the main cluster of them can be found along the various beach areas.

Whilst in these shops it is common for the shop assistant to approach you and offer their assistance, and it is important for one to be conscious of the fact that the desire to make a sale often overrides the desire to actually help you find what you want. These assistant are generally open to bartering, so if you find an item that you want it is an idea to walk around to different shops and discover who will give you the best deal.

Aside from the generic tourist shops there are a large range of authentic Cypriot goods available in the private shops around the island. In particular the hand woven materials such as tablecloths are of good quality. Markets are a big part of the culture in this part of the world and can be found in and around all resorts in the country at least twice a week but often more.

If you love shopping and are travelling Europe, you might also enjoy shopping in Barcelona and Rome shopping. Both cities have all of the key brands and have a selection of very interesting boutiques and classy stores. In Barcelona, make sure to visit El Cortes, one of the biggest stores in Spain. In Rome, just walk and explore and you will find quality opportunities for shopping throughout the city

5 of the most luxurious hotels in Cyprus

There are quite a few brilliant hotels on the island of Cyprus. Travel review websites like TripAdvisor can offer you a ‘real-time’ list of the best hotels in terms of ratings but today’s post is about sussing out the most luxurious hotels in Cyprus - the ones where you aspire to stay (or maybe have already been to?!).

Thalassa - Official Rating 5*

One of the finest boutique hotels on the island, it overlooks Coral Bay and is just 25 minutes from Paphos International airport. Just 60 bedrooms and all the suites offer spectacular sea views as well as butler service.

The hotel offers a wealth of tantalising cuisine and is but a short distance from plenty of local haunts where you can sample a thoroughly Cypriot offering.

The Intercontinental at Aphrodite Hills - Official Rating 5*

Located in the heart of the world famous and internationally acclaimed Aphrodite Hills resort on the western side of the island.

The hotel blends a slick, modern styling and furnishings with a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere whilst maintaining an elegant and high-class environment. Suitable for couples and families alike, this hotel offers 209 rooms - so although it is bigger than the Thalassa, it is small in comparison to other larger hotels.

The views from many parts of Aphrodite Hills are spectacular and the sunset is really not to be missed. A very popular wedding venue and you can see why!

Grecian Park - Official Rating 5*

Described as one of the great hotels of the world, this exquisite property is situated opposite a national park amidst an area of outstanding natural beauty.The Grecian Park prides itself on the quality of the service provided by both staff and management alike.

The majority of the rooms enjoy a sea or pool view and with some of the world’s leading chefs cooking up a treat in the kitchen you are sure to find something to tickle your taste buds without even leaving the complex.

Elysium - Official Rating 5*

Described as the soul of Cyprus, the Elysium is a world-class hotel with a renowned spa. Popular with business and leisure visitors alike, this property is situated amidst a wealth of fascinating attractions to explore including the Tomb of Kings.

The owners describe it as a harmonious blend of tranquility, luxury and seclusion and I would have to say I agree with them. Even the background music on their website helps you to imagine yourself relaxing by the pool as one of the many attentive waiters brings you another cocktail.

Almyra - Official Rating 5*

A Thanos property, this hotel is one of the more contemporary on the list but it has certainly earned its place as one of the most luxurious hotels on the island.

It describes itself as fashionable without being pretentious and that is a very accurate assessment of a hotel that is family friendly whilst still maintaining an atmosphere that’s conducive to adults enjoying themselves.

The numerous roof top terraces are a real attraction and make the perfect vantage point to enjoy a superb sunset, drink in hand. The hotel sits within 8 acres of perfectly manicured gardens offering opulent surroundings right on your door step. As you might expect there is a luxury spa within the development and the suites have harbour views and their own private candle-lit rooftop terraces - incredible.

Once you get accustomed to luxury you’ll want it all the time and who knows, maybe if you like Cyprus enough you might be looking for a luxury villa there sooner than you think.

5 seafood restaurants in Cyprus you must try

One of the most enjoyable aspects of travelling abroad is the opportunity to eat out regularly and to experience what the local area has to offer in terms of culinary delights. With Cyprus being surrounded by sea it is natural that there are a number of seafood restaurants around the island. Below are 5 you should try:

Porto Latchi - This restaurant is considered by many, myself included, to be the best seafood restaurant in Cyprus. Every aspect of your visit to this coast-side establishment will blow you away. There is a marvellous view of the sea, the decor is classy and traditional and the food is top class.

Andria restaurant - Whilst not specifically a seafood restaurant, there are a number of seafood options which are delivered impeccably by the high standard chefs.

Psarolimano Fish Tavern Restaurant - This is another restaurant which has a great view of the sea. Ideally located near to a fishing port, this restaurant has a constant supply of fresh catch which makes for a versatile and engaging menu. The prices for the good quality meals are pleasantly affordable.

Kings Aphrodites Restaurant - If you enjoy a bit of light entertainment whilst you dine then you will thoroughly enjoy this experience. There is a selection of live music on different nights of the week. The menu offers a selection of different foods including many seafood options.

Baths of Aphrodite - If you are looking for a glamorous location to host a party or a special occasion then this may be the option for you. Located in one of the most picturesque areas in Cyprus, the selection of seafood dishes is quite fantastic.

If you love to travel and love to experience great seafood, you can also read more seafood travel ideas with the World Seafood Expo and the best Rome seafood restaurants.

5 Best Youth Hostels in Cyprus for Backpackers

Cyprus is a popular location for people of all ages as it offers luxurious beaches, pleannty of entertainment and has a reputable night life. The most common method of booking is the package deal, although this is not the only way to visit Cyprus. It can sometimes be cheaper to book your own flights and accommodation. Youth hostels are one of the cheapest accommodation options and below are some of the hostels you could try:

Cyprus Dorms - This is probably the most conventional youth hostel in Cyprus. The rooms are exceptionally cheap and you will often share with other people. The standard of the hostel, whilst pleasant and manageable, is not perfect although you would expect this with the low price.

Mariela Hotel - This cheaply priced hotel provides an environment which, whilst quiet, offers plenty in terms of entertainment.

Bare Hill Holiday Village - Whilst this is not conventionally a hostel, the low price and the standards put it into that category. The hostel has a nice pool and has pleasant surroundings including a range of nice gardens which you would not expect to experience for this price.

Roman Hotel - Again, not a conventional hostel, this hotel is a truly unique experience. The exterior must surely be the only of its type in the world and once you enter you will be convinced that you have entered a museum.

Kalypso Hotel - This cheap hotel has many rooms and provides a realistic option for the backpacker.

Guest post by our good friend Paul, who writes about travel and culture including on the best Rome youth hostels and youth hostels in Dublin for backpackers and travellers.

The must have iPhone App if you are visiting Cyprus

The Western Cyprus Travel Guide is available now in the iTunes store - read more about it here or download it

This is an independent guide to Western Cyprus which features the best restaurants, hotels and attractions like the beautiful scenic walks, magical vineyards and the more adventurous activities like boat hire and watersports.

This guide is the only one you’ll need for visiting Western Cyprus.

It has been produced by the folks at Villas for Sale in Cyprus but it is very independent and is genuinely useful rather than providing another outlet to advertise their properties.

I understand that this app has been in development for some time now and once you download it you will notice the depth and quality of the content that is available and you can begin to see just why it has been so long in the making.

It doesn’t appear to have been downloaded very many times which is a shame because it truly is a fantastic resource. The three comments that have been made by downloaders thus far have been extremely complimentary and one described it as “an excellent app, beautifully presented, offers everything you need and more. more guides like this please.”

It is only free until the 19th April so be sure to go ahead and download now whilst you can. Obviously grab this app before you head out to Cyprus because unless your hotel has WiFi, downloading apps won’t exactly be wallet friendly.

Boy George gives something back to Cyprus

Apologies for missing this one but I have just read an article about how Pop relic Boy George handed back a religious artifact which belonged to the Church of Cyprus.

Boy George purchased the item in the ’80s from an art dealer in London and it had been in the possession of the singer for over 26 years. The artifact belongs to the Church in the Cypriot village of New Choria-Kythrea which gave evidence to prove the Christ icon did in fact belong to them.

The artifact, along with thousands of other religious items, were stolen from northern Cyprus following the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Funny how things you think are gone forever suddenly turn up… I am pleased that even though the singer said the Christ icon was a prized part of his collection, he was happy to hand it over because he has “always been a friend of Cyprus” and if it was illegally stolen then it must be returned.

Good to see that not all stars think they are above the law!

Why now’s the time to buy luxury property in Cyprus

Cyprus is an up and coming destination - sure, it’s been popular for a while but of late, the entire island is going upmarket attracting the wealthy set from all over the globe including Russia and the UK.

This means that in recent years there has been a surge in the amount of luxury property in Cyprus in order to cope with the new demand.

Luxury property really holds its value which makes villas in cyprus a really smart purchase - you get all the enjoyment of a truly world-class property (providing you pick wisely) and you are also making an investment for the long term as should you ever wish to leave Cyprus then you can still realise your cash - well you can at least convince yourself of this but it’s unlikely you’ll want to sell up and leave this beautiful island.

Luxury property in Cyprus is available in a number of forms whether you choose to purchase a villa, apartment or even acquire some land in order to build your own dream home from home.

Cultural and Historic Attractions in Cyprus

The island of Cyprus is renowned for its lively nightlife and its exotic beaches. In reality however, the island has much more to offer. Cyprus is a highly cultural and historic island and there are plenty of ways for the tourist to experience this.

Below is a selection of some of the best historical and cultural attractions in Cyprus:

Paphos - The entire town of Paphos is bustling with history and culture. It has long been a focal point of activity for the locals, indeed it was the islands capital during the Roman occupation. All over the town you can witness a range of ancient buildings in a variety of states. There is also a strong culture in the surrounding villages as a traditional way of life is retained.

Churches of the Troodos Mountains - The Troodos Mountains themselves are popular due to their awe inspiring landscape, and when you add in the range of historic churches which can be found scattered around the mountains, this really is a worthwhile trip for any tourist.

The Old City, Nicosia - With history dating back to the bronze ages, this historic town in the centre of the island is somewhat neglected by tourists as it does not conform to the conventional image of a tourist spot on the island. This is to the advantage of the tourist seeking history and culture as they can enjoy the ancient buildings and extensive city walls without being disturbed by large crowds.

Mike Jones is an avid traveller and has written this guest blog. Mike offers Miami car hire and Miami transport for visitors to Europe.

The Best Beaches in Cyprus

The large number of beaches from which to choose makes the island of Cyprus a paradise for the sun seeker.

Whilst Cyprus is popular with families, it also has a reputation for being popular with groups of party seekers and groups of young people. As a result, there are certain beaches which provide a more suitable and enjoyable environment for a family than others.

Below are some of the best beaches for families to enjoy in Cyprus:

Famagusta - Famagusta is located toward the north of the island. This is probably the least tourist orientated area in Cyprus and as such, the beaches are uncrowded and the surrounding area has an authentic charm.

Coral Bay, Peyia - A traditional tourist beach, this is one of the busier locations for those seeking a nice environment to enjoy the sun. Fortunately, the quality of the sand, the cleanliness of the water and the relative discretion of the cancels out any reservations relating to business.

Konos Bay, Cape Greco - This is a national forest park and provides a nice, picturesque location away from the noisiness and crowds of Ayia Napa. The beach itself is sandy and the surrounding waters are crystal clear making it an ideal place to take the kids snorkelling. The high cliff face serves as a perfect shield from the winds.

Guest post by James Burrows who offers Rome apartments and Rome accommmodation in Italy.