Postcard from Cyprus

I have been trying to build up the courage to go on one of those solos holidays. Any tips you could give me?

I love Cyprus, been a few times and always seem to find somewhere I haven't been before.
If you want a very quiet holiday try Symi. Absolutely unique as far as Greek islands go. Just a short ferry ride from Rhodes but so different. Just one warning it is very hilly and the climb up into Symi town needs good knees. (There is a bus though). You can do a day trip from Rhodes but staying on Symi is very special.

Sar53 Please don't worry and let it spoil the run up to your holiday everything will be fine I'm sure.
A holiday anywhere in the World can be tinged with possible problems so just go and enjoy your time away.

I am at present writing from my house in the Troodos Mountains in Cyprus, it is sunny, peaceful and no sign of problems. Would I come on holiday here - yes. Am I afraid - No. But everyone must make up their own mind.

Sar53 it’s highly unlikely please don’t let it spoil your holiday.

We are booked to go to Cyprus next Wednesday. OH says not to worry but I am keeping a close eye on the travel websites.

You may well be right jura8. One of my friends has become increasingly frightened about going on holiday abroad because she says she doesn’t feel safe in today’s troubled world. After much persuasion her husband has booked a holiday to Cyprus at the end of the month. I haven’t the heart to show her where it is on a map or the fact that it’s a British military air base. We’ve been here before so I expect it’ll be ok and it is a rather lovely holiday destination and the Cypriots are freindly.

I would NOT go to Cyprus at the moment for sure

Skopelos is lovely. Alonissos is worth a visit too, very unspoiled. The Greek Islands are my fave places in the world.

Thanks for the recommend, jura and jalima!

Another Cyprus lover here. Your postcard brought back happy memories. We've been twice and have even thought of buying a small place there.
We do tend to holiday on Greek Islands. We love the people and the food.
We're going to Skopelos in June......I can't wait.

How sad.
The book mentioned by granjura is about Famagusta in that time, well worth a read.

We were on the beach in front of the deserted (apart from one,) hotels, and were not allowed to photograph anything. We didn’t see the centre where the car showrooms etc were left in 1974 but saw lots of barbed wire and so on. It’s a beautiful beach but apart from the one open hotel it’s completely derelict.
Our driver was born and lived in famagusta and was understandably passionate about it.

Can you go there now?
It was still a no-go area last time we were in Cyprus (years ago)

We were in cyprus last October, visited famagusta and yes we stood and were saddened to see a beautiful beach surrounded by no mans land and derelict old buildings.
It is still a divided island with strong feelings on both sides.

I met several Norwegians in Cyprus last time we went - getting away from the harsh winter. One nice man I chatted to (as you do) wanted me to go dancing with him and to meet his friends, then DH turned up and that was the end of that

Thanks morethan

I've read books about Crete (novels) and am intrigued, and of course, remembering Greek history and myths makes it more interesting.

Crete is lovely and with cheap local buses if you stay in a main resort. I think Greece and all her island’s are safe. The Greeks are so friendly, helpful and unobtrusive. There’s a little resort on the mainland that’s fabulous. Safe swimming lots of wonderful taverna’s serving locally produced foods. Most of the clientele are over 50 mostly British, swedes, Norwegian. Oh this thread has me waxing lyrical about summers spent on the Peloponnese.

where shall I go next?
Crete is on my list?

You seem to be enjoying yourself *grannya8 - thank you for the postcards.

I remember the orange groves

I have just passed it on to a friend, granjura, yes, it is well worth a read - especially if you have stood there and gazed across to the no-man's land that is Famagusta

I would like to go back again now (have been twice).

Do read Victoria Hislop's 'The Sunrise' to better understand the recent history of Cyprus.

I stayed just north of Paphos (Kissonerga) in a hotel that catered only for adults. There was a bus stop outside the door so getting about was simple using the cheap local buses. I had several organised day trips that were wonderful (if expensive) and so I got to see quite a lot of the island in the week I was there. The weather averaged between 22° - 28°, but the hotel management refused to put the air conditioning on before May so my room was like an oven and I had to sleep with the balcony door open every night - which meant I am now covered in mosquito bites and was awoken early by the noise from a nearby road. The hotel food (that in fairness I have to say many of the other diners said they enjoyed) was, in my view, pretty poor, but adequate; frozen vegetables anyone?
Wherever I went the locals were very friendly and the food in the local village restaurants was absolutely fabulous - all fresh, local produce and wonderful service. I would go again, but not to a big hotel.

Lovely grannya do you go independently or with a specialist travel company?
How was the weather? We went to Cyprus years ago at the end of March and the first day or two were a bit rainy and chilly after that it was glorious. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Looks beautiful. We are off to Paphos four weeks today. Looking forward to it very much.