Cyprus?

Skint_Catt

Thanks Lisa, yes I think we are leaning a bit to Phaphos - especially Alexander the Great. Will check out the Avanti though

We have considered other Greek islands but the TA's tell us that flights don't start until 1 May which is too late for the time we have booked off

wallbash

More info on the Alex . Eating in the Hotel can be very expensive , so don't. Walk down to the harbour.
The sunbeds are reserved for you. The ones overlooking the sea can be a bit cramped , so ask for those away from the front row and away from the pool.
The Scuba ( free) trial is great. The outside pool can get too warm in high season.... bizarre that you go to the inside pool to cool down.

Kittenonthekeys

Hiya,
lived in Paphos some time and my favourite place by far was Polis - about an hour's drive north of Paphos on the coast. We went there at every opportunity. It's well worth the journey and not as touristy and crowded as Paphos itself - the scenery is beautiful along the way, the whole area is steeped in history, there's lots of interesting stuff to see and do as well as some good seafood restaurants.

Also, as previously recommended, the Troodos mountains - or at least the foothills - which you can easily do in a day trip from Paphos. Drive about half an hour from Paphos in just about any direction and you will come across old, traditional Cypriot villages with people and scenes straight out of picture postcards. (We stopped in one of these villages on a hot August day and a wonderful old lady in a long black dress came out of her house and insisted we took a drink of water from her courtyard hose! She then invited us into her cool dark house, introduced us to her husband and showed us her wedding pictures.)

You could also do a day trip to Nicosia and the Buffer Zone.

You would definitely need to hire a car as public transport is non-existent but it's all far less stressful because as you probably know, they drive on the left in Cyprus, the roads are good and all the signage will look familiar to you as it is like ours - in English as well as Greek, so less to have to get used to (quirky Cypriot driving notwithstanding though.....:eek:)
One thing though, if you do go to the touristy parts of Paphos itself, watch out for the timeshare touts. They are quite persistent and were quite a nuisance a couple of years ago - not sure if it's still as bad now.
You'll have a great time.

wallbash

As mentioned Pollis is very nice, spent a holiday there some years ago . Hotel owner was a expert in marine life , and was legally allowed to disturb the turtle nests on the beach. One magic morning my two young daughters actually saw a baby turtle emerge from the nest and make its way to the sea.
A David Attenbourgh moment.

Skint_Catt

Sounds wonderful!

Really looking forward to it now - got to book it this weekend - unfortunately we had a deposit with Travelbag for a holiday that we had to cancel which we were trying to use but they want £1800 EACH for Alex the Great whereas I've found it £1800 for the to of us elsewhere.

Thanks for all the advice

C xx

mcc100

Regarding car hire ... last year we used markosrentacar when staying in Nissi Bay.

The best part was that we simply paid by cash when the car was delivered to our hotel. No need to hand over credit card details.

Also it was great driving on the left as in England.

wallbash

If you are staying at the Alexander , walk across the road , straight opp , left hand corner , car hire. Another cash 'sale' , car was a little under powered for the Troodos mountains, very steep. But the guys were knowledgeable and gave up great advice.
Also next door was a very good sandwich shop for the lunch. You could even get your clothes washed just round the corner.

Skint_Catt

Brill thanks both!

We had a 1.0 Yaris in Madeira - 1st gear up the mountains but we got there, lol!

C xx

Fortyfoot

We went to the Miramare to the East of Limassol a couple of weeks ago and it was great, £364 1 week HB. Limassol is much more interesting than Paphos town. A blue bus runs along the sea front to Limassol and is only 2e for an all day ticket. We got a good deal with Thomsons late deals at the time.

Have stopped at the Alexander the Great and in my opinion it is over priced.

Fortyfoot

C_Mababejive

Whatever you do,dont put Paphos on your list.

There are no decent beaches,its awash with Essex boys and girls flogging time shares,there are hardly any decent restaurants,the place is like a building site with apartments and homes being built to be flogged to mug punters.

A total sh%t hole.

You;d be better off in the Greek islands or Turkey.