Summer
I love July, it’s really my favourite month, partly coz it’s my birthday on the 27th and that means I’ve made it another year and I’ll be throwing a party and of course, it’s peak season with temperatures in the shade in the high ’30s and it’s getting hotter by the day … “bring it on”, we say, we love it hot, that’s why we live here … Mmm, Don’t you just love Cyprus?
Long Hot Summer
So, the days are very long at the moment, with sunrise around 5.30 am, and it’s not getting dark ’til a tad before 8.30 pm. The beach bars are in their element, throwing beach parties and most of our clubs are open, anticipating a bumper peak season over the next two months coz we all know loads of you are coming to visit your second home this season. Naturally, all the Pool Parties and Foam Parties are already smashing it, the world Famous Pambos Pool Party is unmissable on a Thursday afternoon.
Beach Life
It’s definitely time to get down to the beach or next to a pool to get that lovely tan, but
please be careful, the sun in Cyprus is very strong, burn time is about 20 minutes, so
slap on the Factor 50, aka ‘a bandage’ and btw, it’s definitely going to be sunny tomorrow so there’s no rush. The ‘in-fashion‘ beach bars have popped up all along the coast throwing
some really cool beach parties one lovely find last season was ‘Wannax Beach Bar’ at The Poseidonia Beach Hotel up in Limassol … and then there’s the decadent old town bars and cafés, putting on some really cool events these days.
Drink More Water !!!
If I can give you just one tip this month … make it, ‘Drink More Water’ as it’s
guaranteed to be over 40°C in the shade, that’s over 110°F in English, so it’s time to
remind you to drink more water. If you’re out in the sun for long durations you’ll need at least 3 litres per day, and don’t forget the kids, they’ll need more … and if you think that’s loads? my very good friend Craig of Bungee Down Under fame used to drink 8 litres a day and not pee, so Please Take Note!
Go Cruising
It’s high summer so you’ll see loads of Boat Cruises sailing from pretty much every marina, fishing port, harbour and many of our Watersports centres. There’s plenty for all the family from age 2 to 102. Boat Trips galore along rough and rugged coastlines, anchoring in Blue Lagoons for swim stops in aqua blue crystal clear calm waters. oh and, look out for a few Sunset Cruises and one or two Firework Cruises, including the biggest on the majestic Wave Dancer I up in Pafos.
Lazy Days
Maybe you prefer a Lazy Day Cruise with John and the crew on Aphrodite II in Napa, or a
sunset cruise with Captain Andreas on Aphrodite I in Protaras … Why not go for a little
luxury on the Private charter yachts, Medusa or Cornelia sailing out of Golden Coast Harbour.
Kids & Grown-Ups
Some of my favorites trips for the kids include; The Mermaid Cruise a must for the tiny
tots that like me, still believe in Mermaids, so too the very cool Nemo Submarine and my
favourite pantomime on the sea The Black Pearl Pirate Cruise”. Then there’s The Dolphin Semi-Sub over in Protaras, which gives you a really cool view underwater or The Yellow Submarine outta Napa that’s just a short trip that allows Captain Yioryis to give you an adventure to the sea caves you’ll never forget.
Fishy
The locals love their fish meze, so why not try a bit of Deep Sea fishing, to catch your
own fishy lunch or maybe have it cooked for you in one of the harbourside restaurants, it really can’t get any fresher than that! … for more info click on ‘Boat Trips’
Eating Out
I’ve been here over 31 years now, and I’m always looking for the best eateries, I’ve tried and tasted so many, several that boast decades of experience, and a few cool new finds. Naturally, we’ve added some awesome pubs, that might as well be restaurants. Beach Side Taverns have opened everywhere along the coast, many serving fresh fish meze and platters and I’m very confident you’ll love our recommendations! When it comes to finding a good restaurant our website is awesome … just choose a city? … Go Eating Out, then choose one of 16 cuisines, hmm, why not try a one-word search, they are fun and who knows what you might find?
Clubbing
All our coastal resorts will be busy, as the schools and universities close around Europe, there will be evidence of lots of youth around. Ayia Napa of course leading the way as one of Europe’s Clubbing Capitals attracting some of the biggest DJ’s on the circuit! … I think it’s hard to beat the nightlife in Napa, mainly coz nothing is too far to get to from the city centre. Just two minutes from the square is Castle Club, of course, the biggest club in town, and by July they normally have 5 Rooms open including an outdoor chill-out VIP zone, that’s just a touch above the rest.
More Clubbing
Just as close, Club Ice, will be smashing it with Foam and UV Paint parties, the ever-faithful Black ‘n’ White is the only place to go for the urban mix, and Bedrock Inn for the unique Silent Disco or one of my favs, Carwash Disco, I think it’s the best night out in Napa, and btw, you’ll probably leave singing!!! oh, and the only After Party these days is Napa Rocks … While up on the West Coast places like Breeze, and Guaba Beach Bar as always smashing it in Limassol … the thought is ‘unimaginable clubbing heaven’.
Kendall Events
Karen’s gonna be busy this month … I’m going to catch at least one of the following; Europe’s No.1 tribute to Dire Straits ‘Money For Nothing’ and ‘Blaze of Glory’ with their energetic Ultimate Rock Show, this year will include Clare Andress from the ever-successful Broadway and Hollywood Show …
Getting Around
If it’s too hot for you on the beach there’s so much more to do than you think, maybe go
feed the Camels at the wonderful Camel Park in Mazados, or get back to the wild feeding the Giraffes at the awesome Pafos Zoo … there’s a few cool Escape Rooms, a huge Luna Park aka a FunFair in Napa, a real Hedged Maze, at CyHerbia Botanical Park, Water Parks and Water Sports galore and some really cool Adventure sports like the Quad Bike Safari in Larnaca.
Adventures
if you want to get away from the heat, take a trip to the Troodos Mountains … I have a couple of really cool excursions for you this month … so check out our article on Jimmy’s Jeep Adventures up on the west coast and Trackers Excursions on the east coast, both highly recommended … The mountains are beautiful at this time of the year … and I have to wish a huge well done to the crew at Jungle Float in Protaras for re-floating this wonderful fun on-water activity for kids and grown-ups in July.
Under the water
Diving, of course, is in its element with crystal clear warm sea and vision up to 40
metres and nothing that can kill you lol, so it’s a great time to Learn to Dive with Open Water Courses starting around the €150 mark, Cyprus is one of the best places in the world to get that first certificate. Oh, btw experienced divers, get’a’load of our dive sites and they’ve recently found a new Ancient Ship off the coast of Protaras, which I’m sure will be joining The Zenobia in Larnaca to be one of the world’s top wreck dives.
Paradise
You may have noticed I have a passion for Cyprus, coz I truly believe this place is
paradise, all you have to do is read my article on The Lost City of Atlantis to understand
why. Meanwhile, most of our visitors are repeaters and eventually, they’ll end up moving here. We’ve got some of Europe’s finest beaches, probably the best sea I’ve ever floated in, and arguably the best climate in the world … oh, It’s been conquered by so many nations in its history, which btw is 12,600 years, when the Greek Gods discovered it and remember, they invented party, so it’ll be rude not to show our respect and keep partying.
Shop ‘til you Drop
Shopping in Cyprus is catching up with the rest of Europe, as most shops in tourist
resorts stay open ‘til 11 pm while the rest of Cyprus still enjoys a siesta from 1 pm ’til 4
pm and why not … I love the efforts up in Old Town Pafos to invite shoppers back to
stroll around the pedestrianized cobbled alleys where you’ll also find top-designer fashion boutiques and quaint bistros and cafes, some even hosting Salsa Dancing in the Streets
and hundreds of dancers go, quite brilliant!
Updates
Our website has over 1,800 pages and more than 30,000 photos and videos about
Cyprus with literally thousands of one-touch links and what you can do to pass your leisure time, our Facebook page gives you the topical things happening daily, cool things to plan forward for and I’ll keep my eye on last-minute announcements so naturally watch this space!
You Want More?
Don’t forget to check out our ‘More’ section … It’s everything you need to know and
More! … maybe learn The Local Lingo? Hadeh Reh! … oh and, look out for our regular
‘Live Videos’ as Tony skirts around doing what he does best, everyone is loving them …and here you’ll find workshops and many other cultural events …
Finally
So all that’s left to say is, if it’s your first time here, why? If you’ve been here before,
welcome back! and last but not least, step up the UV factor, whatever you do, drink
loads of water oh, and make sure you do something you’ve never done before, at least
once!
Na da’ boumen!
Tony Dynamou
Ps; I know I’ve missed out loads of stuff, but follow us on Facebook or your chosen social media or send me a message, and if you’ve got something to shout about if you tell us we’ll tell them!
Cover Photo by Tony Dynamou, The Sculpture Park, Ayia Napa
