Paphos

[Tallinnbantam]

Anyone been? We're going there on the 19th of December for a week /we'll be there over Xmas). Havent been to Cyprus before - let alone over Xmas. Should be goodish weather etc, but will there be bars and restaurants open? Does Cyprus have an "off season"?

[panther]

We go every year in summer but to the other side of the Island, Ayia Napa... we have been down to Paphos once but it was too quiet for us..

My youngest went over there for Christmas a couple of years ago and the weather wasn't too cracking.. there are bars open but that is the quieter part of the Island..

[Macca Ha Ha Ha]

Cyprus is a fantastic place, I reckon I could live out there - Paphos and surrounding area we found great and a lot of history - great little locals bars and restaraunts - although it depends what you are looking for - all the swingers and clubbers head out to Ayia Napa where they are to be found crashed out or swinging / dogging lol

[panther]

cheers for that wisey....

I forgot to say that I love it out there as well, made so many friends who we are in touch with all the time.....

They have, actually had Christmas's where the weather has been fantastic and jimmy is the one who will give you a proper update on Paphos and weather etc... tup:

[Zonnebloem]

I sent an email to a Cypriot colleague. He sent me back all this:


Hi

I m not sure i have much information on Paphos as I havent been there in years (at least for restaurants and shops) but in terms of sights to visit I can enlighten you a bit.

In general shops in Cyprus are open 9-18h00.
Usually Wednesday afternoon they are closed.Being it s the week before
Christmas , chances are that the opening hours will be extended (till 20h) and even shops may be open on sunday the 21st.

For food, practically you cannot go very wrong when opting for local cuisine. I wouldnt try chinese and other ethnic restaurants as i think they have a lot to wish for... There was one restaurant called Dionissos in the middle of Kato Pafos, which albeit touristic had excellent local kitchen and it s probably the oldest restaurant in the area, that has managed to keep its standards (still havent been there in a few years...)

Paphos is split in two areas: "Kato Pafos", which is the Marina area near the water promenade and the Medieval Fort and the most touristic part, and "Ktima" which is a couple of km further inland and less touristy)
I dont think there s much to see or do in Ktima, apart from walking through old neighbourhoods and see the open markets (fruit and veg usually).

THey should certainly try "Grilled Halloumi" local cheese, Lountza: smoked pork, Kleftiko (clay oven slow cooked lamb), afelia (pork cubes cooked in wine and corriander)(...i m getting hungry here,,,)and fish. Usually in a good restaurant you are escorted to the kitchen and chose your own fish from the fridge... though this custom has been dying recently especially in tourist areas...

The cypriot "Meze" is a sequence of small plates of different dishes (upto
20-25 different things) comparable to tapas but definitely different in taste
and presentation.

There are restaurants that offer Fish Meze as well.
In Kato Paphos there s :
The Mosaics: Beautiful and interesting for a 1-2 hour visit;
The Medieval FOrt at the edge of the little port and the promenade;
A few kilometres west The Tombs of the Kings, Ruins of a cenotaph area i think of the 5th century BC.

Interesting would be to hire a car and make little excursions
One would be to the mountains (Troodos) where one passes through little
villages in an ever changing landscape going up. Old churches and monasteries can be interesting to visit (depending on your friends taste of course) There may even be snow at the top of Troodos at that time of the year (though in the last few years the snow period falls mainly in february...

Another excursion would be to the Ancient Amphitheater and necropolis of
Kourion, situated between Pafos and Limassol, near the coast at an elevation with magnificent view of the Akrotiri bay.

There s extensive literature on sights in all hotels and information centres
and a lot of organised excursions from the hotels.

Are your riends flying on the 13th with Cyprus Airways to Larnaca? Cause I m flying that day too and I could meet them on the flight and have a chat.

Not sure if the above is helping at all.
If you have any more questions please do not hesitate to ask.
There is a Cyprus Tourism Organisation Office in Brussels on Avenue du
Kortenberg (going up from Shumann, to the right hand side, after the Mosque, a big building with the Perm Representation to the EU and the EMbassy. There you may find leaflets and more updated information. Especially for this time of the year.

I ll also ask around and if i find any more up to date information on must-do's in Pafos (new restaurants or so ) i ll let you know too.
have a good evening




So there you go. I'll put up any new stuff I get.

[panther]

THey should certainly try "Grilled Halloumi" local cheese, Lountza: smoked pork, Kleftiko (clay oven slow cooked lamb), afelia (pork cubes cooked in wine and corriander)(...i m getting hungry here,,,)and fish. Usually in a good restaurant you are escorted to the kitchen and chose your own fish from the fridge... though this custom has been dying recently especially in tourist areas...

The cypriot "Meze" is a sequence of small plates of different dishes (upto
20-25 different things) comparable to tapas but definitely different in taste
and presentation.

now your getting me hungry as well.... haloumi and lountza is a must, their haloumi is 100% better than any you can buy over here..

If I can find it I will post the name of a fantastic fish restaurant.. its basic but the food is excellent.. tup:

[Zonnebloem]

I further pointed out that, as a professional in the drinks supplies trade, you may be interested in sampling beer and wine in a social setting. Pubs in other words. So, here's more:



Ha ha
Well there s abundance of drinks in Cyprus. He should DEFINITELY try the
locally brewed beer KEO.
There s lots of wineries, especially on the mountains and some big wine
factories (most of them around Limassol).Definitely should also try Commandaria, an aperitif wine (sweet a bit like porto)
Zivania (the cypriot verion of grappa ....but stronger...)
Filfar : a bitter orange liquer
Do tell him to be careful though as the cypriot barmen are usually prety
generous with their shots!!!
Off home now
and we kep in touch if i think of anything else

[jimmy]

The weather is still quite warm, although my daughter is acclimatised and thinks its chilly.The temperature falls sharply after dark, having said that, if you are going from weather like ours, then 17c/22c will be like a hot summer day for you.

Lamb Kleftiko is a must it just melts in the mouth and is so tender.
The dish consists of Lamb, potato's, oregano, thyme, bay leafs, lemon and cinnamon and is cooked in a casserole dish or cooked in a balti type dish and wrapped in tin foil.There are many variations of the dish and all the ones i have had we're exceptional.Some restaurants cut cubes of feta cheese, place them on the dish when it is served and it is gorgeous.
http://z.about.com/d/greekfood/1/0/_/B/kleftiko_499.jpg

[Macca Ha Ha Ha]

Keo - I love that beer!

There was a great fish restaurant not far from our hotel last time we went - it was well frequented by locals and you chose what you wanted from the fridges - I remember the kids having these fantastic fishcakes, think I had red snapper.
I've got an uncle and aunt who live out near Coral Bay - we'd be out there to see them but they are not really sociable and I don't fancy spending a holiday with 2 hermits lol

[Parrot]

http://z.about.com/d/greekfood/1/0/_/B/kleftiko_499.jpg

Is that Panters nappy you took off before you sex: her ya dirty bassa???:D

[Zonnebloem]

I hope some of this requested information got through to the intended recipients.

[Parrot]

I hope some of this requested information got through to the intended recipients.

Not even a thank you for all the effort you put in eh Z? :(

[Tallinnbantam]

Hi, only just managed to check this post. THANKS VERY MUCH to all. Blown away by your comments and advice - espcially Zonne going that extra mile and emailing someone in Cyprus :) Really, really appreciate it.

Looks great and can't wait - 2 weeks to go and its still in the mid 20's temperature wise.

The hotel we are staying at is called the Amathus, and whilst it has several good restaurants, I much prefer going out and eating where the locals eat....all the dishes that have been talked about sound lovely.

I'd like to visit a winery, both for business and pleasure - so I will have a look at which one do visits (unless your mate knows Zonne?). I've had Keo before, and its ok - but being an ale drinker I'd like to see if there are any darker beers over there.

We'll defo go and check out the ruins and mosiacs, as they are meant to be some of the best preserved in the world.

Hope we've got time for this, cos I didn't say in the first post, that we're also getting married there aswell ;)

Thanks again guys for all the advice!!

[panther]

so, that means next time you visit us you will be Mr & Mrs...

congratulations to you both in advance.. tup:

[Tallinnbantam]

Hi. Cyprus was pretty ok! Unfortunately, having not had any rain for almost a year, it rained 4 days out of the 7 we were there! Managed to clear up for the wedding though.

Pretty quiet, and definately the credit crunch and off season was having an effect. Couldnt believe how expensive it was due to the Euro v Pound. Having a pint in a dodgy Irish bar was setting me back £5 a pint - and that was John Smiths out of a can!

Grub was pretty good, and because we hired a car for the week, we managed to get out and about and eat in some local restaurants. Had the Kleftiko which was nice. Only ventured into the centre of Paphos's "bar street" once, and got out pretty sharpish - those drink touting nights for me are more than over!

[lee]

We go every year in summer but to the other side of the Island, Ayia Napa... we have been down to Paphos once but it was too quiet for us..


http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/6094812/2/istockphoto_6094812-granny-dj.jpg

[Jantje]

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/6094812/2/istockphoto_6094812-granny-dj.jpg

Its Panter in da house!!!:eek::eek:

[Spoonhead]

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/6094812/2/istockphoto_6094812-granny-dj.jpg

That must be an old photo, she looks quite young there. tup:

[lee]

I've heard she likes to play House music...

Retirement House music that is. :rolleyes::rolleyes: