Meet the New Year in Cyprus: the weather, reviews of tourists

The history of the Cypriots is estimated for thousands of years. They are proud of their culture and traditions, even though the worldview and way of life of the islanders are very different. For example, in northern Cyprus dominates Turkish culture, customs, cuisine, Muslims confesses here. The peoples of the south adhere to Greek traditions, national dishes, way of life, Orthodoxy. So if you decide to go to the New Year in Cyprus, it is better to visit the Orthodox areas.

Christmas and New Year in Cyprus

If you plan to come to Cyprus on New Year's holidays and at the same time celebrate Christmas, then keep in mind that the Cypriots are Catholics. Christmas is celebrated here on December 25. Accordingly, to come to the island better in advance, at least the 23rd. In Nicosia, the Christmas tree is set on Eleftherias Square on December 1, and for the whole month there is a festive spirit. If you come to the New Year in Cyprus, you can admire the beauties of the pre-holiday Nicosia, having risen above the city in a hot air balloon. Its berth can be found on the Venetian wall.

Unlike European countries, where most businesses do not work at Christmas, many restaurants and cafes are open in Cyprus. Here you will find fascinating programs with the involvement of artists. On December 25, all give each other a variety of gifts, unpack the festive boxes, which were prepared on the eve.

Before Christmas in Cyprus blooms punch. This flower is called the "Bethlehem star". Very often they decorate their houses, as well as traditional fir-trees. Christmas December 25 opens a whole series of New Year holidays. The New Year is celebrated, as in Russia, on January 1.

How to celebrate? Traditions of the local population

On the eve of Christmas, on Christmas Eve, singing of children is heard everywhere: congratulating everyone, they are caroling. This tradition has been many hundreds of years. Caroling should be given gifts, pre-cooked sweets.

On December 25, all the faithful go to work, they take communion, wish good to each other, congratulate on the holiday, then go home to the festive table. There is a tradition - to enter the house with the right foot, then the whole year will be successful. So Christmas opens a whole series of holidays, the next of which is the New Year.

All tourists who visited Cyprus during this period , rest on the New Year will be remembered for a long time. Of course, they will have incendiary dances, bright fireworks, various dishes and a symbol of the celebration - Ayios Vasilis, he also carries gifts to children. Yes, that's the name of the local host of the holiday. The Cypriots are not waiting for Santa Claus, not Father Frost, but Vasilisa. Who is this? The prototype of his grandfather was Saint Basil, Archbishop of Caesarea of Cappadocia. On New Year's Day is celebrated the day of his memory. He lived hundreds of years ago. All his righteous life helped the poor, built hospitals, schools, shelters and even created a charitable village. He did, in a word, charitable deeds. After death, was ranked the Saints. No wonder now he is a symbol of justice and kindness.

Dishes served to the table

There is a legend that in times of persecution of Christians, local residents gave Vasilisa to save their savings. When the threat receded, he rolled all the coins into a dough and gave the baked buns to the poor. So the tradition of stove on the New Year for vasilapita has been preserved. The owner of the house cuts it and distributes it to all the guests. The one who gets a piece with a coin, will be the happiest. Another piece of cake should be taken to the church and distributed to all the poor.

Once in the New Year in Cyprus, you can not miss the opportunity to try all traditional holiday dishes of Cypriots. On the Christmas holidays, each hostess, except for vasilipet, prepares a Christmas cake - with dried fruits, nuts, orange peel. Still from sweets here it is baked melomakaronu - it is tasty cookies with honey, and also курабьедес - almond, sprinkled with sweet powder.

Christmas turkey is the main dish. It is baked on charcoal, stuffed with fruits, raisins and served with potatoes or vegetables. Also traditional at the Christmas table here are considered the cleftika - meat dish, aphelion - pork in red wine, moussaka - vegetable casserole with minced meat.

What is the weather in Cyprus for the New Year?

At the beginning of the year in Cyprus, the weather is pretty cool, they do not come here to enjoy the beach holiday. In the daytime the temperature reaches only +14 ... + 15 ^о С, the water in the sea is also cold - only +17 degrees. So the weather in Cyprus for the New Year is good for those who want to just have fun, plunge into the atmosphere of the holiday, walk around the museums, go on excursions. For these purposes, the temperature is quite comfortable. If in the summer, because of the heat, rarely who wants to go on long excursions, then the winter holidays for this - it's about time. Popular in January is the ski resort in the Troodos Mountains: the snow cover allows you to ski here, both on skis and on snowboards. Do not forget only about the bright sun: be sure to grab a protective cream and glasses.

Resorts of Cyprus

Considering tours to the New Year in Cyprus, focus on what kind of vacation you prefer: more quiet or noisy, bright, festive. Each resort of Cyprus is beautiful in its own way.

Nicosia. At this resort is still quite warm at this time, but the beaches are already deserted. You can safely lie around the sea, take a stroll at its edge, there are even daredevils who bathe, although the water is not too warm - only +17 ... + 18 degrees. Many hotels offer chic heated swimming pools.

Larnaca. The most popular resort is famous for its beautiful Finikoudes waterfront. In a row, there are amazingly beautiful palm trees. View from the embankment to the bay, where there are many ships. Restaurants and cafes are scattered all over the place, where you can have a wonderful time.

Limassol. The largest city in Cyprus. Here is the largest port. The city is the center of trade. Limassol is famous for its winemaking.

Pathos. The oldest city, once was the capital. Constantly experienced in the history of bloom, then decline. It is necessary to examine historical buildings and monuments.

Troodos. The heart of the island. The striking contrast of mountain snowy peaks with bright sun attracts thousands of tourists.

Where to go with children in Cyprus

If you flew with children in the New Year to Cyprus, you can be sure: here is where to have fun with them. The most popular places, according to tourists' reviews, are:

1. The largest zoo Pafoz Zoo is 15 kilometers from Paphos. Hundreds of tourists visit it every day. Children will be delighted with peacocks, who freely walk around the territory. Some small animals can even be played here.

2. Be sure to visit Protaras. Here, after viewing the aquarium, the children go on a trip along the coastal line on a pirate ship.

3. In Nicosia, before Christmas, a whole children's town is built. You can not just ride a carousel, but also take part in different fairy-tale performances.

Rental of property

Rental housing on the island largely depends on such indicators as the area of the room, the number of beds, class (business, luxury or economy), the distance to the beach, view from the window, the availability of a loggia, Wi-Fi, transport interchange. Accordingly, the price depends on this. Many hotels include in their infrastructure:

• Children's swimming pool;
• An adult swimming pool;
• playgrounds;
• Places for sports;
• Walking areas;
• Places for barbecue;
• A water slide;
• score;
• bar;
• a restaurant.

New Year in Cyprus. Reviews of tourists

Thousands of tourists come to Cyprus to meet here New Year, to spend Christmas holidays. Couples, families with children aspire here, and elderly people. Everyone is attracted by the opportunity to celebrate the New Year under the beautiful palm trees, to see the beauty of the island. Those who flew to Cyprus for the New Year, reviews leave only enthusiastic.

People talk about how happy New Year holidays were, they held out until January 6 (at this time, they celebrate Epiphany), some plunged into consecrated sea waters. Particularly pleased with the fact that it was where to go with the children, everywhere there were many parks, attractions.

Leave their comments not only couples, but also carefree students. So, those who went on a Christmas vacation in Nicosia, they said, could even lie on a deserted beach. In the evenings there were a lot of amusements - restaurants and cafes. We are satisfied that we managed to rent an inexpensive room for four.

In general, having studied the reviews, it can be argued that anyone who wants to visit the island will be able to choose an acceptable option for himself, it all depends on the desire and your wallet.