SUPER SAVINGS FOR A SUN-FILLED FAMILY BREAK THIS CHRISTMAS IN CYPRUS
From balmy temperatures with a daily average of 20 degrees (C) in December to the magic of a Greek Orthodox Christmas and wallet-saving low season offers, there’s as much to tempt visitors to Cyprus during this festive season asat any other time of year – especially given the opportunity to sample the delights of a traditional Cypriot Christmas and New Year.
A selection of discounted breaks for families include:
The Anemi Hotel Apartments - ideally situated in the heart of Kato Paphos, the self-catered apartments are the ideal base for families with a wide range of amenities on its doorstep – including being within minutes walk of sandy beaches, restaurants, shops, local historic sites and water sports activities. The apartments offer all the style and panache of a boutique hotel while still retaining the comfort and easy of a family-run establishment.
Thomson offers seven-nights on a self-catering basis with return flights departing from Gatwick on December 19 – prices from £289 per adult (saving of £385 per person) and from £219 per child (www.thomson.co.uk; 0871 230 2555)
Elias Beach Hotel – with a blue-flag beach on its doorstep, the newly refurbished hotel is a haven for family breaks – home to a great pool scene; a children’s club and live; daily organised activities, including zumba classes, water basketball and archery; as well as a lively evening entertainment schedule.
First Choice offers seven nights on an all-inclusive basis, including return flights departing from Birmingham on December 19; prices from £670 per adult (saving of £175 per person) and from £564 per child (www.firstchoice.co.uk; 0871 200 7799)
For families wanting to experience Cyprus’ colourful cultural scene during the Christmas period, there are a host of special concerts and events take place across the island, from local bands, choirs, orchestras, dancers and groups through to Viva Verdi - Moscow New Opera in Rialto, Liamssol (22 December). Nicosia’s Eleftheria Square is one of the main places to catch live acts with performances everyday from 17 - 30 December. At the entrance of the Pafos Mosaics near the harbour there is free entertainment every Sunday.
The heart of every Cypriot home is the kitchen, so food plays a major role in the Cypriot Christmas celebrations. Be sure to take a stroll to the local bakeries to pick-up loaves of Christopsomo (Christ Bread), normally accompanied by dried figs, nuts and honey, which are typically eaten on Christmas Eve. Familiar dishes such as stuffed turkey, often locally-reared, and roast chicken and roast lamb are also traditionally served on Christmas day. Also very popular are the traditional cakes such as ‘kourabiedes’, a delicious small almond cake coated in icing sugar, ‘melomakarona’, a traditional honey cake, and ‘finikia’, a kind of walnut pie.
Just a four-hour flight from the UK, with an average 326 days of guaranteed sunshine a year and with December average day temperatures of 20 degrees (C) – warm enough for shirtsleeves - the Mediterranean’s largest island makes for the ideal base for this year’s Christmas break.
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Notes to Editors
For high resolution images and more information on Cyprus and forthcoming press trips contact the Kallaway Travel team:
Email: visitcyprus@kallaway.com Tel: 020 7313 6274
Media centre: http://mediacentre.kallaway.co.uk/cyprus-tourism.htm
About Cyprus
www.visitcyprus.com
Cyprus – the third largest island in the Mediterranean – attracts over 2m tourists annually, lured by its legendary hospitality, glorious coastline and stunning mountain villages. There is something to suit every traveller: family resorts, world class spas, golf courses, marinas, a booming agrotourism scene, unique food and new wine trails celebrating the 40 new wineries which have developed on the island in recent years. For the active; the warm waters of Cyprus are perfect for diving and waterskiing. Adventure seekers can explore the beauty of Cyprus with trekking or birdwatching tours, while golfing enthusiasts play on award-winning courses designed by golfing legends.
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