Cyprus: nuances of rest
When choosing a holiday destination in late May with my 10-year-old daughter, I met several criteria:
Warm/warm sea, good weather conditions, reasonable cost, new impressions (beauty of nature, national cuisine, photolocations).
That's why I chose Cyprus.
The sloping coast provides a water temperature acceptable for May (21-23 degrees, which is higher than at this time in Turkey), there is hot and sunny, and the sea is calm (in Turkey). Thailand It's not season, it's stormy waves. In Turkey We've been, we haven't been to Cyprus.
Beautiful sandy beaches and clean sea, original Mediterranean cuisine.
Hotel
The hotel was selected from several offered by the operator, at a cost that suited me (within 1200 euros for 10 nights), all of them were in Ayia Napa. Although it is a party town, many choose Protaras for family holidays.
After Googled and evaluated the pros and cons of hotel options, I stopped at Nicholas Color Hotel 3*, as I liked the location and good reviews about cleanliness and nutrition.
Stay at the hotel from 21 to 31 May (10 nights) cost 1227 euros, meals - breakfast and dinner. Breakfast alone made no sense, as the difference was minimal. Everything is included and I did not take a full board, since here the difference was already significant, day excursions were planned, and I also wanted to try food in restaurants.
Nutrition
The hotel meals suited us. I read a lot of reviews that “it’s monotonous, but you won’t be hungry.” The hotel is small, and the number of dishes presented is inferior to larger Turkish hotels, with quality everything is in order. Delicious national dish of the day (pork, lamb, fish, seafood). At breakfast drinks are free (tea, coffee, juice from the machine), at dinner all drinks are paid. It's a European practice. I bought 5-liter bottles (at the supermarket 2 euros) and a running bottle. Lifehack - pieces of watermelon at dinner quenched your thirst well.
Out of 10 days, lunch at the hotel was needed only twice, you could take the same buffet here (child 4 euros, adult 8 euros). Outside the hotel for this amount to buy a full-fledged hot lunch was unrealistic, so, of course, ate in the hotel. On any day up to 12 you could change dinner (paid for tour) for lunch. It was used, too.
Prices outside the hotel in restaurants: 4-8 euros cold snacks / salads, from 10-15 euros hot dishes.
Outcome
The hotel lived up to expectations, clean, cozy. There's a fridge in the room, hair dryer. The safe is payable. Adapter to the Euro-outlet for a deposit like 2 euros (we did not take, we had our own). Cleaning daily, towels were changed every 2 days.
A beach towel can be taken on bail of 10 euros (returned), 2 euros for washing. The pool is not cold, there is a children's ward, part of the sunbeds with water compartments by the pool, very convenient. I think they are missing in the season. There were always free beds in May.
The sea is close, but the entrance is not bathing (volcanic sand). We went to the beach to the hotel Melissi Beach, it is 10-15 minutes along the coast. There is a chic approach, white sand, clear sea. I read about this nuance before departure in reviews, I was ready. No regrets at all. You can take a bus to the beaches of Nissi Beach, Makronissos Beach (2.5 euros like), as well as Cape Greco.
Near the street of bars, Luna Park (not interfered), almost the center of Ayia Napa, 7 minutes to the picturesque port, in general, the location of the hotel was very pleased. Cheap supermarkets within walking distance.
Excursions and meals will be written separately. Continuation to be...
Text and photo: Marina Drozdova