Cypriots have a history dating back thousands of years. They are proud of their culture and traditions, even despite the fact that the worldview and lifestyle of the islanders are very different. For example, in the north of Cyprus, Turkish culture, customs, cuisine dominate, Islam is practiced here. The peoples of the south adhere to Greek traditions, national dishes, lifestyles, 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 consider that the Cypriots are Catholics. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. Accordingly, it is better to come to the island in advance, at least on the 23rd. In Nicosia, a Christmas tree is being set up on Eleftherias Square on December 1, and a festive spirit has been hanging here for a month. If you came to Cyprus on New Year's Eve, you can admire the beauties of pre-holiday Nicosia, rising above the city in a balloon. Its pier 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. Fascinating programs featuring artists are featured here. On December 25, everyone gives each other a variety of gifts, unpacking holiday boxes that were prepared the day before.
Before Christmas, a poinsetia blooms in Cyprus. This flower is called the "Star of Bethlehem." Very often they decorate their homes, as well as traditional spruce. Christmas December 25 opens a whole series of New Year holidays. New Year is celebrated, as in Russia, on January 1.
How to celebrate? Traditions of the local population
On Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve, children singing from everywhere: they congratulate everyone and they sing carols. This tradition has been around for hundreds of years. Caroling is supposed to give gifts, pre-cooked sweets.
On December 25, all believers go to the service, take communion there, wish each other good, congratulate them on the holiday, and then go home to the festive table. There is a tradition - to enter the house from 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.
For all tourists who visited Cyprus during this period , their New Year's holiday will remain in their memory for a long time. Indeed, they will have incendiary dances, bright fireworks, various dishes and a symbol of celebration - Agios Vasilis, he also presents gifts to children. Yes, that’s exactly the name of the local holiday host. Cypriots are not waiting for Santa Claus, not Santa Claus, but Vasilisa. Who is this? The grandfather's prototype was St. Basil - Archbishop of Caesarea of Cappadocia. On New Year's Day is celebrated. He lived hundreds of years ago. Throughout his righteous life he helped the poor, built hospitals, schools, shelters, and even created a charity village. He performed, in a word, charitable deeds. After death, he was canonized. No wonder now he is a symbol of justice and kindness.
Dishes served to the table
There is a legend that during the time of persecution of Christians, local residents gave them to Vasilis to save their savings. When the threat receded, he rolled all the coins into the dough and distributed the baked buns to the poor. And the tradition to bake Vasilopitou for the New Year was preserved. The owner of the house cuts it and distributes it to all gathered guests. Anyone who gets a piece of a coin will be the happiest. Another piece of the cake should be taken to the church and distributed to all the poor.
Once in Cyprus on New Year's Eve, you should not miss the opportunity to try all the traditional holiday dishes of the Cypriots. In the Christmas holidays, every housewife except Vasilopita prepares a Christmas cake - with dried fruits, nuts, orange zest. They also bake melomacaron from sweets - these are delicious cookies with honey, as well as kurabies - almonds, sprinkled with sweet powder.
Christmas turkey is the main course. It is baked on charcoal, stuffed with fruits, raisins and served with potatoes or vegetables. Also traditional on the Christmas table here are kleftika - a meat dish, aphelion - pork in red wine, moussaka - a vegetable casserole with minced meat.
What is the weather in Cyprus for the New Year
At the beginning of the year, fairly cool weather is established in Cyprus, they don’t come here to enjoy a beach holiday. In the afternoon, the temperature reaches only +14 ... + 15 , the water in the sea is also cold - only +17 degrees. So the weather in Cyprus on the New Year is good for those who want to just have fun, plunge into the atmosphere of the holiday, go to museums, go on excursions. For these purposes, the temperature is quite comfortable. If in the summer, because of the heat, rarely anyone wants to go on long excursions, then the winter vacation is the time for this. A ski resort in the Troodos mountains was popular in January: the snow cover allows skiing and snowboarding here. Do not forget only about the bright sun: be sure to grab a protective cream and glasses.
Cyprus Resorts
When considering tours for the New Year in Cyprus, focus on what type of vacation you prefer: more calm or noisy, bright, festive. Each resort in Cyprus is beautiful in its own way.
Nicosia. This resort is still quite warm at this time, but the beaches are already deserted. You can safely lie by the sea, take a walk at its edge, there are even daredevils who swim, although the water is no longer too warm - only +17 ... + 18 degrees. Many hotels offer chic heated pools.
Larnaca The most popular resort is famous for its beautiful Finikoudes promenade. Amazingly lovely palm trees grow in a row here. View from the embankment to the bay, where there are many ships. Restaurants and cafes are scattered everywhere, where you can have a wonderful time.
Limassol The largest city in Cyprus. Here is the largest port. The city is a center of commerce. Limassol is famous for its winemaking.
Pathos. The oldest city was once the capital. Constantly experiencing in history is the heyday, then the decline. Here you must definitely see the historical buildings and monuments.
Troodos. The heart of the island. The stark contrast of the mountain snow peaks with the bright sun attracts thousands of tourists here.
Where to go with children in Cyprus
If you flew to Cyprus with your children on New Year's Eve, you can be sure: there is where to have fun with them. The most popular places, according to tourists, are:
1. The largest zoo Pafoz Zoo 15 kilometers from Paphos. Hundreds of tourists visit it daily. Children will be delighted with peacocks who freely walk around the territory. You can even play with some small animals.
2. Be sure to visit Protaras. Here, after examining the aquarium, the children go on a journey along the coastline on a pirate ship.
3. In Nicosia, a whole children's town is being built before Christmas. You can not only ride on the carousels, but also take part in various fabulous performances.
Rental of property
Rental of 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, the view from the window, the presence of a loggia, Wi-Fi, transport interchange. Accordingly, the price depends on this. Many hotels include in their infrastructure:
- Children's swimming pool;
- adult pool;
- playgrounds;
- places for sports;
- walking areas;
- places for barbecue;
- water slide;
- score;
- bar;
- a restaurant.
New Year in Cyprus. Tourists reviews
Thousands of tourists come to Cyprus to celebrate the New Year here and spend their Christmas holidays. Couples in love, families with children, and elderly people tend here. Everyone is attracted by the opportunity to celebrate the New Year under smart palm trees, to see the beauty of the island. Those who flew to Cyprus on New Year's Day leave only enthusiastic reviews.
People talk about how they had a fun New Year's holidays, reached January 6 (at this time they celebrate Epiphany), some plunged into the consecrated sea waters. Particularly pleased that there was where to go with the children, many parks and attractions worked everywhere.
Not only couples leave their comments, but also carefree students. So, having gone on Christmas holidays to Nicosia, they said, they were even able to lie on a deserted beach. In the evenings we visited numerous entertainment establishments - restaurants and cafes. We are pleased that we managed to rent an inexpensive room for four.
In general, having studied the reviews, it is quite possible to say that everyone who wants to visit the island will be able to choose an acceptable option for themselves, it all depends on the desire and your wallet.