Cyprus-Forum.com

[cyforever]

Hello to all!

I'm 28 year old male from Finland. I hate snow. I know I live in a wrong country. I have visited your beautiful island for first time in 1986. I was 6 year old. Second time I visited was 2006. I was 26 year old. I fall in love. Now I'm planning to stay christmas in Cyprus. We where planning to fly to Larnaca and drive to Limassol on 23 of December. I have few questions.

How are the shops open on Christmas? Is there any place that is open all christmas that you can buy food etc.? What is the cheapest way to fly Cyprus? I found that return flight from Finland to Larnaca would cost about 700 eur. What is the temperature usually in December? Is Limassol the warmest place to visit in winter time?

Thank you very much for your help.

[rastan]

Greetings cyforever!

I was also looking at visiting Cyprus for Christmas but ALL the airlines are charging exorbitant fares (as usual for the school holidays). If you can get a cheap flight to the UK from Finland (maybe Ryanair?) then the cheapest option from here at the moment is with Monarch Airlines to Larnaca, but they are still charging a rip-off Christmas rate!

Actually the highest temperature average in Cyprus for December is in Nicosia, not Limassol - as for the shop opening hours, a native Cypriot would have to answer that one!

Yes, if you hate snow then Finland is certainly not the place to be - I was in Helsinki in 1984 - but I like snow, we don't see much of it here in England anymore

[carolh]

The temperature in Limassol at the moment is around 23 - 24c very pleasant during the day and dropping to around 15c at night.
The hops will be open on Chrsitmas Eve until about 4pm. there are smaller peripteros (kiosks) and saome bakeries that are open 24 hours. Many restaurants and bars are also open. The shops will probably be closed for 2 or 3 days only.
Hope you make it!
Carol

[Tim Drayton]

If you go to the main tourist area of Limassol, business continues as normal all round the year, including Easter and Christmas days. You will find shops open there selling groceries etc, and the restaurants will be open at the normal hours. On the other hand, you will find almost everything closed on Christmas day in the main shopping area of Limassol or in residential areas, apart from the ubiquitous 24-hour peripteros (so-called "kiosks" that far more resemble convenience stores).