Festive Cheer
Wow!, It’s December already, and as many of you know it’s my favourite month, mainly because it’s the festive season, and everyone’s in a good mood, getting ready for Christmas and New Year, and of course, that means lots of shopping, parties, live music, festivals, mince pies, and Christmas markets everywhere, and that means more shopping, and I’ve been a good boy as usual, so Father Christmas will probably bring me loads of prezzies.
White Horses
I also love December for the winter sunsets, with no heat haze, just stunning to say the least! There’s nothing quite like taking an invigorating walk with the dog along coastal paths on stormy days, when the spray from the white horses crashing on the rocks, catches the breeze and refreshes your smile. On that note did you know that the aura of the Mediterranean is a natural source of Iodine, perfect for us oldies and helping the immune system?
2 Seasons
It might sound crazy, but by the end of December, in the morning you can go Husky Sledding or skiing in the Troodos Mountains, and in the afternoon you can swim in The Mediterranean Sea and that’s just one of the reasons why I think this place is Paradise! And remember Cypriots live for the table, so be warned, in the festive season you’ll probably put on a few kilos!
Let it Rain
It’s supposed to be winter but temperatures hit over 28°C in November, and just like we predicted it looks like we’re gonna have another Indian summer. The rainy season has started, but let’s face it we can cope with it, firstly coz we need it, and secondly, as Cyprus only gets around 35 to 40 days rain a year, I say, ‘let it rain, let it rain, let it rain’.
Getting a Tan
Remember those rainy days come mostly between November and March which means most days it’s still going to be blue skies and sunny and in December that means up to 25°C in direct sun, so you’ll still be able to top up the tan. Oh and, don’t forget, when the sun sets, which is around 4.30 pm in December, it gets a bit chilly, so have a long sleeve jumper ready … Have you taken the quilt out yet?
Fresh Fish
Harbours, of course, stay open all year, so maybe pop down and book a Fishing Trip, and when you get back, one of the harbour-side restaurants, that mostly stay open, will cook your catch for you. And if you don’t catch anything just pop in and savor a fresh fish meze or a delightful seafood dish with the Mediterranean sea as a backdrop. Many of the restaurants belong to the fishermen or their families, and if it’s chilly they often have lovely open fires to keep you warm … just choose a city, go Eating Out and select Fish or Beach Side.
Party Time
So, as we get closer to Christmas, expect lots of ‘warm-up for Christmas’ parties, with live
music, bingo, and karaoke, and of course, the restaurants, bars, and clubs that have stayed open deserve every bit of your support. Naturally, we’ll all be getting together with family and friends, to eat too much and probably, drink too much, Mmm I love December!
East Side
Ayia Napa still has a little life and of course, beautiful beaches, with the sea rarely dropping
lower than 15°C and several bars and restaurants staying open for the winter, even
Club Black ‘n White on weekends only, with some top Cypriot DJ’s pleasing all the locals and anyone else who’s in town for the weekend? Along Nissi Avenue several restaurants and some cool clothes shopping with Y2K Fashion and London Clothing Company leading the way.
Around the Cape
In the Protaras and Pernera areas we’ll see a few bars and restaurants staying open, mostly for the locals, ex-pats, and anyone who’d like to join them … Tipsy Turtle and Blue Spice both great for dining, sports, and entertainment, and Koursaros Music Bar the place to Rock with regular live bands on weekends.
In-Land
Paralimni is the main village on the southeast coast, so it’s the place to go shopping,
where you’ll find everything from Super Action Sports & Toys to diamond rings
and fine timepieces at The Melekkis Centre. The traditional taverns offer the locals an excuse to get out for lunch or dinner and lots of takeaway and delivery restaurants. Kapparis is having major roadworks but there are still a few bars and restaurants staying open.
Larnaca
This city comes into its element in the winter months, we’ve always called it the hub of
Cyprus, perfectly nestled in between Ayia Napa, Nicosia, and Limassol, only 30 to 40
minutes away. There’s a delectable promenade, lined with tall palm trees and there’s
lots to do for kids and grownups, starting with the excellent Quad Bike Safari … or
excellent shopping in Ermou Street, where all the ladies probably end up at Brouska.
Jazz it Up!
Why not check out one of the delightful cafes in the old market, Stories and Coffee Shop 29
two of my favs or the awesome Savino Rock Bar with its lovely rear beer garden or
maybe catch a rock band at Savino Live, or a little bit of Jazz at Hugga by The Sea, or
maybe pop down to get a selfie with the Flamingos nestled in the Salt Lake for the
winter and The Camel Park is a really cool day out too …
Limassol
We call it our Capital on the coast, a little more cosmopolitan, boasting a beautiful new marina and lots of old renovated buildings that have become cosy stylish bars, eateries, and a cultural shopper’s paradise. In the heart of the city, in the Carob Mills and Castle area of old town, it’s a delight by day or night … At the other end of Limassol, Uptown Square is always a hive of activity.
The Capital
Nicosia, also comes into its element in the winter as over 250,000 population stay near
home … a massive selection of bars, pubs, nightclubs, stylish cafes, and eateries of every
cuisine imaginable. One of my favourite recent finds is Sawa Syrian Restaurant, well worth a visit especially to see their sexy Belly Dancer, and of course, Nicosia boasts the best Christmas shopping in Cyprus!
Paphos
Up on the West Coast, Paphos as always maintains a year-round lifestyle, coz there’s
almost 100,000 residents plus a few holidaymakers, and normally, many long-stay winter
visitors. I hope the wonderful Pafos Zoo will stay open and there’s live music in several
bars including O’Neills Irish Bar & Grill and The Railway Inn providing good food and entertainment … if you fancy 4 Wheel Drive adventures check out Jimmy’s Jeep Adventures, this guy is loads of fun. There’s plenty of Christmas shopping up Toombs of The Kings, Old Town, and down in the new Mall.
Time to Dive
Why not learn to Scuba Dive, as Cyprus has one of the longest Diving seasons in the
the world with the water temperature rarely dropping below 15°C and the dive schools’ instructors can spend a little more time with you individually, it’s a great opportunity to get your Open Water Course qualification … we have a few top diving schools and safaris in our Adventure Sports section.
Into Hashing?
It’s a great time to see Cyprus on foot, so if you are into walking, check out Cyprus
Walks etc., or one of our many Hash House Harriers or at www.cypruswalksetc.com
Original
We are the original guide to What’s On Cyprus, and our live Facebook Videos have kept many of our followers in touch with Cyprus, happy to see parts of the Island they know so well, to many it’s their second home, and for all the lovely comments, I take this opportunity to thank you!
Passionate
Following my passion for Cyprus, photography, and creative writing, I came to Cyprus in 1993 to provide an original guide to Cyprus … Once a published magazine ‘What’s On Cyprus’, our website follows the same structure and now has a selection of 76 Categories, with over 1,800 pages of information, over 28,000 photos and videos, all one word
searchable.
30 Years
I love my job, and I’m still doing exactly what I came here to do in 1993. These days, of course, it’s all online, on 7 major social media apps, so we can help you find out what’s on, where it’s on, when it’s on, what to do with the kids and where to go shopping, and of course what to buy me for Christmas.
Social Media
With more engagement than any other guide, we’re Cyprus’ No:1 network for News &
Entertainment on Facebook. You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest
… btw we love to receive your comments, ideas, events, and stories, so please keep them
coming … for more cultural and seasonal events go to www.visitcyprus.com … And
please don’t forget to tell them you saw it on What’s On!
Finally
I’d just like to give a big seasons greetings to all our friends and family and of course our
members who help make this Network possible … Oh, If you’re in business and you think
you’ve got something to shout about, why not call Tony for an info pack,
Tel: 0035799627791 or e-mail us on tony@whatsoncyprus.cy
And really finally
If I can give you one tip for December … Make sure you do at least one thing you’ve
never done before! … and Merry Christmas!
Na da boumen!
Tony Dynamou
