Spring’s in the Air
It’s March, one of my favourite months, because it’s definitely the start of Spring, much as I think we had a really mild winter this year … the 1st March falls on a Friday, which btw is Saint David’s Day, a national holiday in Wales, and so it’s a good excuse to have another weekend of festivities, with everyone dressing up with the Welsh national symbols; Leaks and Daffodils, hmm? … Of course, many of our ex-pats in Cyprus will be happy to celebrate with all the Welshies, so we’re gonna kick off the month in party style.
Lent
We’re entering the Greek Orthodox season of Lent, which starts on Katherie Theftera on Monday 18th March, literally translated it means ‘Clean Monday’ aka ‘Green Monday’ as traditionally we all go to the fields to light the BBQs, cook fish, seafood and pretty much anything not meat, which of course follows the weekend of Carnival Parades everywhere and a visit to CyHerbia Botanical Gardens at this time of the year is a must!
No Meat???
Originally known as Carnivore season, which of course means our nationals start to fast, with no meat or dairy products for 49 days, or until Easter, which falls on Sunday 5th May this year, when most families will Sacrifice the Lamb.
Let it Rain
I think we’ve had quite a mild winter so far, I’ve already got my flip-flops out, and much as we had a fair bit of rain, we might not get too much in March. But tbh, we need a little more because it won’t be long before we won’t see rain again ‘til October, bring it on I say!
Greeeeeen
So, as I was saying, it’s green everywhere, all the citrus trees are blossoming, flowers galore, the mixtures of colours and aromas are just delectable, even better there’s still fresh wild asparagus around, and strawberries coming into season, and Dherynia’s bi-annual Strawberry Festival giving it a miss this year, much there’s bound to be something happening in the village, at least at Cinnamon Lounge Bar and Nai Coffee Lounge Bar.
Almost Summer
Some say that Cyprus is a country of only two seasons. I was saying; ‘It’s supposed to be Spring’, but whatever you do, don’t blink, coz in Cyprus it only lasts a few weeks, and by the end of the month it’ll be the start of summer, with temperatures already hitting over 30°C in February, allowing us to top up the tan and even grab a swim in the sea, Mmm!
Aura
I just love this time of the year! You can just sense spring is in the air, coz all the blossoms are out early this year, confused by all the rain we had recently. The delightful aromas are everywhere and everything is still sooooo green, and the days have started to get longer and warmer, and I can almost spread my butter in the morning, but maybe it’s just a bit too early to take the quilt off yet? … Don’t you just love Cyprus!
Winter Warmers
Another reason I love this time of the year is going for those long, Invigorating walks, along stormy coastlines, catching that fresh spray full of Iodine in the air. Then, on those chilly winter nights, most bars, cafes, and restaurants have homely, warming, open wood fires, or those tall gas heaters. Some have Wicked DJs, mixing to mostly locals, a few off-season tourists, and our ever-increasing long stayers.
Live on Stage
Many bars and restaurants put on a bit of live music, some of my favourites include, O’Neill’s Irish Bar in Paphos, Rock Tepee and The Rialto Theatre in Limassol, the original Savino Live in Larnaca, oh and leading the way on the east coast Koursaros Rock Bar in Protaras, who all have regular gigs throughout the winter or catch a little live bouzouki at The Old Village Tavern in Napa on the weekends btw, it’s one of my favourite traditional restaurants.
Shopaholics
You should still be able to catch the end of the February Sales, with some crazy discounts in many high street stores, so you’d better hurry and get out and find some bargains. It’s a good time to buy that last winter warmer, still needed at night in March and maybe April. Leading the way in Fashion is London Clothing Company, with shops all over Cyprus and many a lady’s, and gents’ favourite is Y2K in Ayia Napa.
Versatile
The season is just gearing up, but there’s still loads to do if you look around, tbh, Cyprus is so versatile, that you’ll probably still be able to Ski and Snowboard and even go Husky Sledding up in the Troodos Mountains ’til mid-March. Imagine being able to go snowboarding in the morning and wakeboarding on the med in the afternoon. The air is really clear in March, so you’ll still be able to go Star Shaped and get a nice base for that deep summer tan! It’s also a great time to go touring and there’s plenty to see. The Troodos Mountains are in their element at this time of the year!
Cha,cha,cha, Changes
As I drive around Cyprus I can see many changes happening, it’s exciting, places being knocked down, and rebuilt, extra floors for more rooms, new fascia, new lights and sound systems, new bars, and a few up for sale and some changing hands, and I hear one or two new beach bars and clubs opening …
MamaMia
Things are looking good for Cyprus favoured it seems this year by many Brits, Europeans, and the ever-increasing French and Italian lot, tbh, I’m expecting it’s going to be a really busy year, so you’d best book early!
Clubbing News
We’re hearing some huge names being booked for this season to make up for last year and if the rumours I’m getting are true, we’re gonna be clubbing outdoors a bit more. Ayia Napa, as always leading the club scene … Black ‘N’ White is opening in time for Green Monday, from Friday 15th March, just weekends only to start. Carwash Disco, still the best night out in Napa, might even open this month, and then Castle Club, probably the best club in Cyprus, might not open ’til mid-April, the awesome Club Ice around the same time, and let’s not forget Ammos in Larnaca, Guaba Beach Bar in Limassol, Zoo Club in Nicosia and Vibes Club in Paphos, all smashing it these days!
Beaches
We now boast several of the top 25 best beaches in Europe and guess what you can enjoy them in over 330 days of sunshine a year because I think we also have the best climate worldwide, and we’re one of the safest places to live in the world, that’s just a few of the reasons we all live here. Oh, and btw Cyprus is The Mythological Party Playground of the Mediterranean and they’ve been partying here since the Gods invented party some 12,600 years ago! The least we can do is respect that, and keep partying! … Click for more Cultural events
Honoured
It’s lovely to get recognition for all your hard work, as I’ve been doing this for over 30 years now, and much as I’ve always said ‘we’re the best guide to Cyprus’, last year we were awarded The Best Tourist Platform in Cyprus by The Cyprus Prestige Awards in Birmingham, UK, and The TGI Travel Company, I have to say I’m flattered of course, and I’ll strive to make it better so we can win it again this year … Oh and, please introduce a friend to help us along.
Social Network
Our 20,000 plus followers of What’s On Cyprus, include over 18,000 on Facebook, where we do most of our daily stuff. It seems everyone’s talking about us, with our daily post engagement of around 10,000 people a day, commenting, liking, and sharing our stuff … oh, you can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel, oh and please tag and share if you care … hmm 6 of the world’s top social media Apps all linked together … tbh, It’s Everything you need to know and … More!
Just One More Word
Remember this Website is very user-friendly, it’s easy to navigate around, and better still it’s one-word searchable, so after you’ve read this intro, go up to the search bar, type in one word, and get ready for some lovely surprises!
Finally
If it’s your first time in Cyprus, what took you so long?, and if you’ve been here before, welcome back!, I’ll let you into a little secret, one day you’ll probably end up moving here, unless of course, you already have … oh, and as always if I can give you one tip … “make sure you do at least one thing you’ve never done before”!
Na da Boumen!
Tony Dynamou
Editor
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Network Reference No: Cover March 2023
