Indian Summer
It’s October already, wow! That went quick! It really is one of my favourite months! Firstly, because the long hot summer is over, or is it? … I asked the fishermen and they said, “It might not rain ‘til mid-November”, and with temperatures still up in the 30°C’s as we enter October, that’s about 90°F in English. Just as we predicted back in May, 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!
Is it Autumn?
It’s supposed to be Autumn, well, I did notice the slight change in temperature last week. It’s definitely getting a little chilly swimming in the pool in the morning, but we can still go out in shorts and teeshirt by day, and maybe need long sleeves by night, and we can still swim in the sea, Get a Fab 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 all your windows open like me.
Cyprus Rocks
The annual Cyprus Rocks Festival is back to rock this rock, pleasing thousands of fans, who also fell in love with Cyprus and now come back every year. They’ll be happy again 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.
Bank Holidays
It’s one of my favourite seasons, with two Bank Holidays on Wednesday 1st and Tuesday 28th, and we all deserve it, as we’ve been working our little bits off trying to squeeze an 8 month season into 6 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 a bit clearer and fresher, and btw, the heat haze is disappearing, and don’t let those cool Mediterranean breezes fool you, the sun in Cyprus is still very strong, so you’re gonna get that a Fab Tan, but seriously 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 in the mountains in mid-September. Tbh, I can’t wait for the first rains, that small, Mmm, completely indigenous to Cyprus!
Short & Sweet
If we do get rain this month, it’ll probably be short and sweet, oh, and very hard! It’s really cool coz everyone runs out onto the roads, waving their arms in the air, shouting Wooohooo! You know, the term ‘Pissing down cats and dogs’ must have Cypriot roots somewhere? … and then the roads become rivers, and who was it that said, ‘This is Cyprus, we don’t need drainage’??? … oh, and don’t worry, rain here one day, gone the next!
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 is breathtaking, or the sunsets in Paphos are just stunning! … I remember a few years ago, I was talking to Kyri from Stephanos Water Sports, and he said, “We can’t wait to get to the mountains”, I asked him ‘why’? He answered, “So we can’t see the sea”. I said, How can you get fed up with 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 all over Cyprus, and naturally, in turn, loads of winter season opening parties. As trends increase, it also seems like we’ll see a few more pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants 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!
Entertainment
I recently caught up with the fabulous Karen Kendall of Kendall Events, who this month opens with the fabulous tribute to the famous Eagles by Little Eagle, I’ve seen them several times, and I highly recommend this tour … Then Karen is bringing for the first time, the incredible talent of Christopher Nott with his tribute to David Essex, taking us right back to the 70’s, I can’t wait …
Love it Live
Keep your eye open here to see where the awesome Minus One Rock Band are playing are playing this month … and if you fancy a little live Greek Rock Music you must check out Koursaros Music Bar in Protaras or if you really want to get a bit of Live Bouzouki and Greek Dancing you’ll find it every night at The Old Village Tavern in Napa.
Medieval Festival
Ayia Napa’s Medieval Festival is getting bigger and more spectacular every year. Starting on Wednesday, 8th ’til Saturday, 12th October, reproducing an era that left its mark on our cultural heritage. The events and activities during the 20th 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.
Opening Parade
Many music concerts and dance shows will be performed by groups from Greece, Italy, Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, Germany, the Netherlands, France and Cyprus. Many schools and sports teams get all dressed up in Medieval costumes at the opening parade, aka ‘The Streets of Crusaders’ on the 5th.
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 …
Who Said?
I wonder who said Cyprus is dead in October? … How wrong could they be ??? … Check out The 4th Ayia Napa Motor Festival on Friday 24th ’til 26th
Get Tangoed
The wonderful 5 Star Grecian Park Hotel in Protaras will host the 10th Cyprus Tango Meeting with guest Maestros from 22rd ’til 27th October … So get ready to Tango by the Sea and under the Sun … 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 Marina Music Weekend on 5th & 6th October … More …
Safe & Warm
As our long summer season is coming to it’s 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 lots of 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 Thursday 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 continue through the following weekend 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 Botanical Gardens which boasts the biggest children’s Halloween event in Cyprus with stuff like Pumpkin Carving every weekend ‘til the 31st October, a must for the kids, and booking is online only … whilst Castle Club will probably be mixing Halloween with their closing party this year, on Saturday 27th … oh, btw there’ll be loads happening all over Cyprus that night! Any excuse to dress up!
Finally
You really must check out our responsive and dynamic Website, with around 10,000 visitors a month, coz there you’ll find over 2,000 articles including Tony’s recommendations, based on over 35 years experience, with over 30,000 photos and videos, all one-word searchable! So, if you fancy fish, just go Eating Out and click Fish for the best places to find fresh seafood. And, if you’re feeling ‘Random’, go see what we have there … and 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
