Indian Summer
It’s October, one of my favourite months! Partly because that long hot summer is over, or is it? … I asked the fishermen and they said it might not rain ‘til mid November, with temperatures up in the 30°C’s, as we enter October, that’s about 90°F in English. And so, just as we predicted, it looks like we’re going to have another Indian summer and we’ll still be going to the beach in December, Mmm … Don’t you just love Cyprus! …
In the Med
It’s supposed to be Autumn, well, it is getting a little chilly swimming in the pool in the morning, but luckily, we can still wear shorts and T-shirt all day, and maybe long sleeves by night, and we can still swim in the sea, get a tan, and I don’t think we’ll need a quilt on the bed ’til November, maybe just a thin blankie if you sleep with your windows open like me.
Bank Holidays
It’s one of my favourite seasons, with two bank holidays on Sunday 1st and Saturday 28th, and we all deserve it, as we’ve all been working our little bits off trying to squeeze an 8 month season into 4 months, impossible! But as things slow down, we’ll all get the chance to catch up with friends, who’ve been more like passing ships in the night for the last 4 months, probably light a few barbies, you know, any excuse to smell BBQ lamb, Mmm!
I love that smell
You’ll notice the air is clearer and fresher and btw, don’t let those cool Mediterranean breezes fool you, the sun in Cyprus is still very strong, so you can still burn if you’re not careful. Remember we haven’t seen any rain on the coast since May, apart from a few crazy showers, one day early September. In fact, I can’t wait for the first rains, that small, Mmm, another thing indigenous to Cyprus!
Short & Sweet
If we do get rain in October it’ll be short and sweet and hard, and everyone runs out into the roads, waving their arms in the air, shouting Wooohooo! You know, the term ‘pissing down cats and dogs’ must have Greek roots somewhere? … and then the roads become rivers and who said we don’t need drainage??? ffs? … oh, and don’t worry, rain here one day, gone the next!
It’s Touring Season
Why not jump in the car or give one of our Safari tours a call and get Out and About a bit. The Troodos mountains are coming into their element and the Sunrise in Kapparis breath-taking or sunsets in Paphos are quite stunning! … I was talking to Kyri from Stephanos Water Sports the other day and he said, “We can’t wait to get to the mountains”, I asked him why?? He said, “so we can’t see the sea”. I said, how can you get fed up of this sea?, he laughed and replied, “Just for one day!” … on that note, even up in the mountains, you can still see the sea, at some points on three sides of the island
Closing & Opening
As always in October we’re expecting end-of-season closing parties and naturally, in turn, loads of winter season opening parties, all over Cyprus. It also seems we’ll see a few more pubs, bars, cafes, and clubs staying open, as we’re expecting an Indian Summer … naturally, some will swing towards the local market, which sort of makes sense. So, if you get invited to any end-of-season or opening parties make sure you go … it’ll be rude not to!
On Stage
The annual, Cyprus Rocks festival is a toned-down festival this year, disappointing thousands of fans, but I hear many who fell in love with Cyprus over the years are coming anyway and they’ll be happy coz there’s quite a bit of live music around … So, you guys better check out Savino Live and Memories Rooftop Bar in Larnaca, Koursaros Music Bar and Joker Square Bar in Protaras, and O’Neill’s Irish Bar in Paphos to mention but a few.
Entertainment
I recently caught up with the fabulous Karen Kendall of Kendall Events who this month boasts The Little Eagles, one of the world’s greatest tributes to The Eagles, back by popular demand, with 4 dates left on their mini tour around Cyprus from 2nd to 6th October … and keep your eye open here to see where the awesome Minus One are playing this month … and if you fancy a little live Greek music you’ll find it every night at The Old Village Tavern
Medieval Festival
Ayia Napa’s Medieval Festival is getting bigger and more spectacular every year. Starting on Saturday 7th to the 14th October, reproducing an era that left its marks on our cultural heritage. The events and activities during the Ayia Napa Medieval Festival are inspired by the Medieval period, representing the everyday life and events of these times, including Street Theatre and Theatrical Plays within the grounds of the Medieval Monastery as an authentic backdrop.
More Music & Dance
Many music concerts and dance shows will be performed by groups from Greece, Italy, Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, Germany, Holland, France and Cyprus. Many schools and sports teams get all dressed up in Medieval costumes at the opening parade, aka ‘The Streets of Crusaders’
Let’s go to Market
The Medieval market as always will be in the monastery gardens with lots of stalls selling local wines from Oak barrels, and there’s street food from medieval times, with traditional gifts and souvenirs, plus pottery making, basketry weaving, workshops and exhibitions for the whole family … Here’s a link to the week’s Program …
Get Tangoed
The wonderful 5 Star Grecian Park Hotel in Protaras will host the 9th Cyprus Tango Meeting with guest Maestros from 26th ’til 30th October … Presented by Viruta Tango Club, Cyprus Edition.
Marina World
The wonderful Limassol Marina will be the setting for regular events throughout the winter season … Starting with their Unleash the Bavarian Spirit party this weekend … More …
Safe & Warm
As our long summer season, is coming to its end’ ish, making room for our out-of-season-long stayers’ predominantly from UK and Scandinavia, with Paphos leading the way with their all-year-round facilities and Ayia Napa and Kapparis catching up, slowly but surely.
Third Age
Cyprus is one of the favourite places for our senior visitors who live in Northern Europe to escape the long cold winter and I think it’s a wise move, as Cyprus has the best climate in Europe and boasts being one of the top 3 safest countries in the world.
We’re staying
We didn’t have many seasonal workers this season as many places opened with a skeleton crew and most of those that were here have gone back to school? hmm. However, there’s an ever-increasing number that won’t leave this year as Cyprus inevitably gears up for year-round tourism.
Boats & Safari
There’s still a few Boat Trips and Mini Cruises sailing, so get down to your local harbour or check our website, just search for our Boat Trips or Safari recommendations … As it’s half term at the end of the month check out our Things to Do and our Kids & Grown Ups recommendations.
Eating Out
Anyway, as I was saying, Indian summer, beach ’til Christmas, topping up the tan, sounds good to me … and, we hear there’s frost in Europe, sounds even better, haha, suffer!, and, as in Cyprus, we live for the table!, dining outside in October is heaven, hey, why else do we live here? And, on that note, there’s enough restaurants open in our Eating Out category to choose a different cuisine every day for a fortnight! … And if you’re organising your wedding click here.
Cultural
After our accession to Europe, back in 2004, we predicted there would be an increase in cultural events in Cyprus, and wow, following Paphos’ honour of hosting The Cultural Capital of Europe a few years back, the whole cultural thing has spread all over Cyprus, tbh, I just love our ever-changing Cyprus especially when it comes to cultural events! … For a link to many cultural events in Cyprus check out www.visitcyprus.com provided by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.
Halloween
Don’t forget it is Halloween Night on Tuesday 31st October with many venues holding special events for all ages, so keep your eyes on our Facebook page and they are getting bigger every year as the Cypriots have realised it’s a great excuse to dress up, or dress down it seems haha! … I imagine the parties will start from Friday 27th this year, so, start sewing or get down to the fancy dress hire shops and make it an event to remember!
Scary Parties
Many pubs and restaurants have got their acts together making the effort to put on events. Leading the way are places like CyHerbia which boast the biggest children’s Halloween event in Cyprus with stuff like Pumpkin Carving every weekend from 7th ‘til the 31st October, a must for the kids, and booking is online only … whilst Castle Club in Napa won’t be mixing Halloween with their closing party this year, coz I just found out they’re opening on Saturdays all through the winter …. oh, btw there’ll be loads happening all over Cyprus that night!
Finally
You really must check out our responsive and dynamic website, with well over 10,000 visitors a month, coz there you’ll find over 1,800 pages of info and our recommendations, based on 30 years experience, with over 28,000 photos and videos, all one-word searchable! So, if you fancy fish just go search Fish for the best places to eat, and if you’re feeling ‘Random’ go see what we have there … and so on that note; I’d just like to give a big shout-out to all our sponsors that help make this network possible!
Number One
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And really finally
If I can give you just one more tip … Make sure you do at least one thing you’ve never done before!
Na da bou’men!
Tony Dynamou
