Why November?
During late fall, one’s experience of Cypriot life is likely to be far more authentic and less busy and crowded. Although the weather can be rather unpredictable, characterized by sudden storms, raining cats and dogs or even hail, while five minutes back, it could actually have been sunshiny and pleasant. It could also get quite cold - a word caution here about my opinion though, since it’s coming from a person who was born and raised in a warm and balmy climate and a person who can absolutely not stand cold temperatures. So, I think that the cold in Cyprus is quite penetrating – even if temperatures during day time don’t usually fall below one digit degrees Celsius, especially in the coastal areas, because of the humidity. Nonetheless, I still get amazed when I see tourists dressed in light, spring outfits during our “heavy” winter – apparently, not so “heavy” for them! .
Cyprus remains a sun-kissed island, all year round! In effect, we get to relish around 300 sun-soaked days a year, which is quite miraculous in itself! The sunscreen constitutes a cosmetic product used non-stop by the locals – not one to be shelved away till spring…so don’t forget to bring it along – even during your winter visit in Cyprus, as you’re definitely gonna need it!
At the beginning and during the low season, flight tickets to Cyprus as well as holiday deals cannot be overlooked. Quite reasonable and even inexpensive offers can be taken advantage of and render one’s experience, not only gratifying, but also value for money. Additionally, cities like Limassol, Larnaca or Paphos are cities that basically don’t go to sleep, like Ayia Napa and Protaras do during the low season. Hotels, restaurants, night clubs, cafeterias, bars remain open and welcoming, while the indigo sea water remains tranquil and alluring.
Why Cyprus? Why Limassol?
This time, I feel like talking about wine. It’s that specific hour, at the end of day, when I could surely use a glass of full-bodied, oak-flavored red. And since “if you don’t toot your own horn, then who will?” I’m gonna focus on my hometown, Limassol, and its deep wine-making tradition.
The wine-making villages in Limassol district, are celebrated for their engrained practice of grape-growing, as well as their production of superb local wines. The “Krasochoria” – a total of 20 enchantingly unblemished rural areas (meaning wine villages, a compound word comprising the Greek words for “wine” and “villages”), extend a spectacular scenery for the visitor to take in: the traditional architecture of the houses, cobblestoned, narrow passageways and charming settings. The wine villages are located on the southern slope of the Troodos mountain range where the wineries’ presence happens to be the greatest on the island.
The scenic route passes through Limassol, Kolossi, Erimi (housing the Cyprus Wine Museum), Kantou, Souni-Zanagia, Pano Kivides, Agios Amvrosios, Lofou, Vouni, Kilani, Pera Pedi, Mandria, Kato Platres, Omodos, Vasa, Malia, Arsos, Pachna, Anogyra and Avdimou. If those villages could speak, they’d totally brag about the notorious tavernas they are homes to, serving the most mouth-watering and finger-licking, Cyprus cuisine specialties.
So, if you fancy wine and the art of making it, and if you enjoy eating delicious dishes in picturesque surroundings then you should definitely consider this tour. My hometown Limassol, not only encompasses a mountainous, wine-making region, but it also incorporates the largest inland body of water on the island, namely Akrotiri Salt Lake – located on the South-West of town. It is considered to be one of the most important wetlands in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Akrotiri Salt Lake is 10.7 square kilometers big and it gets filled with water during the winter season, while it usually dries up in the summer. Geologists postulate that the lake was formed following an offshore isle’s gradual unification with the mainland. It constitutes a significant natural habitat, fringed with reed beds and it is home to migrating birds, such as flamingoes, cranes, birds of prey and migrant waders, between the months November to March. The fundamental component of the food chain in the lake’s ecosystem is the small fairy shrimp, on which the other living organisms utterly rely. When the migrating birds fail to locate the specific shrimp, they desert the salt lake and continue their journey towards Africa.
Even you are not a an environmentalist, a bird watcher or a naturalist, it is worth paying that area a visit as you could combine it with a stroll or even a swim at Lady’s Mile, and in turn, a lovely meal right on the beach, in any one of the six seaside restaurants in the area.
Stay tuned for more reasons as to “Why Cyprus?” and “Why Limassol?” on our next Blog Post in the following month.