Self Catering Accommodation in Larnaca, Cyprus Blog

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I am not one to like steak!  
I am not a big meat eater!
So when I heard my friends say the plans for the evening I was disappointed to hear the words ‘Steak House’!

Welcome to the Stone Grill!
The restaurant has used dark mahogany wood to the maximum. The doors, the tables, the floors all a matching deep chocolate colour.
A large central chandelier, bright red, is the main focal point of the restaurant.
Square tables fill the restaurants main floor, with secluded dark leather booth’s shaped around the edge. Large cosy cushion of a shapes and sizes dress the chairs with elegance and style!

Steak, King Prawns, Chicken, Pork all available, but the last thing you would accept is for these to be presented to you…Raw!
This is why The Stone Grill is unique; they pride themselves on being different and offering something that is a truly memorable experience.

The memories will start when the waitresses after taking your order, bring round the apron, this can only be described as a babies (crumb catcher) bib!
This is the moment when camera’s start to appear! 

Your meal is served to you on a thick, square, stone platter that has been placed in an erne and not taken out until the stone is nothing less than 250 degrees. Once the stone has reached the desired temperature the stone platter is in front of you within seconds, and placed neatly on top is your requested meat!
The chef has kindly left the rest up to you!
You are then required to cook the meat to your required taste! Rare. Well done. Medium, which ever you prefer. This stone grill will retain its temperature for a good half an hour.

If you, like me, prefer the vegetarian option there is still plenty for you to choose from, compared to the meat dishes it may seem a little boring as your food will come out cooked, but boring is something the flavour is not!
Creamy pasta, chunky vegetable’s, crisp salad’s, Italian breads, all fresh, exquisite flavour, perfectly presented!

Located in the centre of Larnaca, The Stone Grill is easy to find.
I would recommend booking a table to avoid disappointment!
Make this restaurant a must when you visit Cyprus!

We had been recommended a restaurant to visit by a couple of friends who had already been to Cyprus several times. We were only in Cyprus for a few nights and had already made plans to eat in several other restaurants whilst we were there!

Our friends ranted and raved about this certain restaurant every time we saw them prior to our visit, so before we travelled we decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and change our reservation.

A table for two, 8 o’clock, waterside!!

We were ready earlier than we thought so we decided to arrive at the restaurant early to enjoy some pre-dinner cocktails!
I walk through the double glass doors.

The restaurant was modern but elegant, minimalistic but cosy, chic but not extravagant, traditional but stylish!

The first thing to catch my eye was the detailed table dressing, beautiful crisp white napkins, folded so neatly each corner touching each corner! The cutlery gleaming in the early evening sun placed on sparkling white square plates. The large perfectly polished wine glasses positioned flawlessly inline with the side plate.

The large chrome bar is on the right hand side and the cocktail bottles are screaming at you with that many colours and shapes. The waiters dressed in fresh white polo shirts all matching with smart sea blue aprons.

We ordered our drinks and walked outside onto the light wood decking and choose a table. We bask in the early evening sun as dusk approaches, the light reflecting on the cool waters of the Mediterranean Sea. 
This is an absolutely breath-taking view!
As the sun sets and the light fades to dark, across the water the twinkling lights of Larnaca glow in the distance.
The restaurant has tea lights positioned everywhere, catching the glow in peoples eyes as they flicker in the wind!

The menu is packed with a fantastic range of exotic and traditional dishes.
Our meals arriving beautifully presented, the aroma filling your imagination, every mouthful, full of delicious flavours.

Where is this place I here you ask

Kudetar! Located on the waterside just five minutes from Larnaca, it’s a well hidden secret. The restaurant is popular so you will find you need to book especially to guarantee pole position on one of the waterside tables.
When you arrive at the restaurant you will need to get into the mindset of a Cypriot, laid back and relaxed, as the service isn’t the most attentive.
Enjoy!!!!!

I have travelled to Cyprus many times before, I find it a fantastic retreat for rest, relaxation and most of all topping up my tan! But when ever I return I am always asked by my family and friends the usual question of – So what did you do? And I see the look of disappointment when I answer with a most boring- Nothing!

So I decided this time would be different, this time I would experience Cyprus for what it really is, this time I would hire a car!!

I used Stevens Car Rentals Car Hire in Larnaca.

Arriving at the airport, you are instantly bombarded by rows and rows of car rental desks below bright neon signs all claiming the best rental prices!

I walked straight through to arrivals were I had be re-assured some-one would be waiting, my surname on there clipboard. As promised he was there!

The representative in his promotional red t-shirt lead me past the crowds a straight for a gleaming ford focus parked on the road.

My luggage in the boot and the directions on the passenger seat I head for my destination! Expecting to be on the road for hours trying to find the complex, to my horror I had arrived within 15minutes. This was admittedly with the help of a Cypriot shop owner, but more importantly the ease of driving on the left side of the road made me feel home from home, I felt a lot more comfortable and I imagine so did the rest of the Cypriot drivers!!

My week was planned to the very last detail, ending with me deserving a well earned rest!

Day 1- Shopping in Nicosia! Half an hour down the motorway and your there!
Parking spaces galore! I pay and display for 4 hours and hope it’s enough time to get through all the lovely shops!
I arrive back to the car later that day fully loaded with bags, but empty with money!!

Day 2- My aim to find a beach! Not just any beach, a beach with soft white sands, a beach that’s secluded, a beach with just a few parasol’s (one with my name on)
It didn’t take me long. Here I lay for the day, reading, drinking and swimming!

Day 3- Just call me Christopher Columbus! Back alleys, side streets, dirt tracks you name it, I went! I never knew all of what Cyprus had to offer! All hidden so well!

Day 4- Market day! Fake designer sunglasses, novelty cigarette lighters and the rest of the tat that us brits always seem to buy!

Day 5- Leaving the island on a sun kissed cruise!!
An early morning rise to catch a boat on the Port in Larnaca. I park the car and have just enough time to grab a coffee and muffin from a trendy café on the marina. We set sail, and within 15minutes there is no land in sight! I enjoy sharing my stories of my time in Cyprus with the other tourist’s on the boat! Giving me plenty of ideas of what to do tomorrow! We all enjoy a BBQ on the deck and an afternoon swim in the clear blue Mediterranean. Before we know it we are back on dry land after a fantastic day!

Day 6- Stepping back in time! Larnaca Fort, erected by the Turks in 1625. This fort is now a museum and its inner courtyard is used as an open air garden- theatre. Even though it the production was in Greek, it was still fascinating to watch in such beautiful surroundings!

Day 7- Well earned rest, for me and the car!  

I have been looking around on my last few trips to Larnaca, Cyprus to buy a push bike – Why I see you thinking??,

The area where we stay Pyla called Pyla Palms or Pyla village is very flat and great for cycling with out hassle from vehicles.

The area is peaceful and calming and it’s fantastic to cycle at your own pace with just the odd squeak of the bike for company.

It really is an excellent way to spend a morning or afternoon, Pyla has hidden treasures for everyone to explore.

So I set off on my mission to by a push bike, I visited several bike shops close to Pyla and road tested several but none felt quite what I was looking for.

What I had anticipated taking an hour or so to do was now turning into days as my specifications kept changing.

Eventually I could not decide so I decided to hire a push bike for the rest of my stay.

How very reasonable this was, prices varied from 3 or 4 euros per day some of the bike hire shops also added extra free days if hiring for set length of time.

I was so excited about my push bike I was off on my travels exploring back streets and sites of Pyla I did not know existed, what great fun I had, not forgetting to mention stopping off for refreshments with the locals who made me very welcome.

If you’re thinking of hiring a push bike there are many available on just off the Derkhlia Road close to the Palm Beach hotel.

A word of warning however make sure you have adequate footwear as I turned up to hire the push bike with just my flip flops not very practical plus the image was not good for my creditability.

Cyprus is known as the island of loves and with more British couples choosing this as their wedding destination.

With 340 days of sunshine on average it has couples celebrating their wedding through out the year most popular months are Jun- Nov.

Because Cyprus is the marvellous relaxing destination couples feel that arranging a wedding on these shores takes away the stress and strain that the bride & groom plus their family associate with weddings.

Larnaca is fast becoming a hub of activity for couples choosing a wedding destination with just over a 4 hour flights Cyprus is the perfect place to take the whole family to enjoy the event.

This means that Grandma’s & Granddad’s who are unable to travel to long haul destinations can enjoy the celebrations too and not just watch the DVD on the return.

Lots of the local restaurants are only too happy to arrange a celebration meal and will decorate the restaurant and make the day & evening a very special event for all concerned.

Fire Crackers are widely available for the end of the evening and add a very special and memorable end to the day.

British people enjoy the Cypriot way of life they feel very comfortable in the surrounding as Cyprus as many English ways for example they drive on same side of the road as us here in the UK.

In Cyprus the general feeling is that the good years are still ahead with the building of the new airport in Larnaca this will open new opportunities for new airlines to start visiting Larnaca and bringing new and old guests to the island of Cyprus including lots more couples wanting to enjoy their wedding in beautiful location and be able to enjoy the family attending.

For anyone looking for a great destination to visit have you thought of Cyprus.??

Monarch Airlines have introduced two extra airports for the coming summer season which will bring more
Competition in to the skies and encourage other charter airlines to keep their fares competitive.

Monarch is now offering both Gatwick & Manchester flights into Larnaca, starting in 2008.

4.5 hours flight and you will be in sunny Cyprus.

This is great news that Monarch Airlines have introduced the extra services it proves the popularity of Cyprus
is increasing rapidly with Cyprus boasting of over 340 days of sunshine each year, there is never normally a cloud in the sky.

Monarch have dominantly flown from Luton – to- Larnaca offering very competitive fares to give customers more choice they have decided to expand the route.

Gatwick – Larnaca commence in March, whilst Manchester service follows a little later in May, this will also drive extra competition for the other

Charter airlines flying into Cyprus for example Thomson Fly and Fly Thomas Cook.

Monarch also offers customers extra options to add extra luggage, pre book golf clubs and meals and choose your seat on the flight including pre booking extra leg room seats which is always a bonus.

Their web site is easily accessible and easy to see which flights offer the most competitive dates and flight times, the cheaper flight times do tend to be night flights – but for any night owls out there a great way to gain a great deal.

Monarch are currently offering special savings on most flights if you book in advance you can normally save £20 - £30 per seat which on a family or couple is a great saving.

Look forward to seeing you in Cyprus soon!

The popularity of Cyprus as a Holiday destination is on the increase again if latest figures released by http://www.hri.org in an article posted yesterday showing some really compelling stats. This rise in flights will no doubt see a sharp increase in demand for Cheap Self Catering Apartments in Larnaca

Over 270,000 passengers travelled through Cyprus` airports during January 2008, recording an increase of 2.59% compared to January 2007, according to a Hermes Airports press release.Larnaca Airport, passenger movement exceeded 224,000, recording an increase of 3.58% compared to January 2007, while for Paphos Airport passengers exceeded 55,000.

First Executive Director for Hermes Airports, Henry de la Monneraye, said this was a good start to the new year, adding that Hermes Airports looks forward to even better services to travellers with the new terminals in Larnaca, November 2009.

The press release says that over 7 million passengers used the country’s airports in 2007, which translates into an increase of 3.94% compared to 2006.

Over 5 million passengers used Larnaca Airport and 1.7 million travelled through Paphos Airport.

Hermes Airports has also announced that Aegean Airlines will be adding new flights to its schedule connecting Greece and Cyprus.

The new flights concern connections between Larnaca and Athens, Salonika, Heracleon and Rhodes. Furthermore, Romanian low cost Blue Air, based in Baneasa Airport in Bucharest, will begin scheduled flights connecting Cyprus and Romania, aiming at satisfying an increased demand for the route.

The Blue Flag beach of Pyla known locally as the CTO Beach is great for a family day out to the beach.

There are water sports available, volleyball and football courts directly on the beach for your enjoyment.

There is also a children’s play area – consisting of climbing frames and plenty of space for the little ones to run around in.

On the beach there are plenty of sun beds and parasols available no matter what time of the day you decide to visit the beach.

The local sellers walk around quite often will fresh fruit of melon and pineapple for just a few euros’ which a refreshing treat with out too many calories.

The restaurant at the beach serves everything from Cypriot kebabs, pizza, salads, sandwiches and of course ice cream, prices are quite reasonable and service was excellent.

They are plenty of free parking at the CTO so no need to worry.

Further down the coat you will find Mackenzie beach is famous in Larnaca for its top location and sand quality again you will find water sports and a large selection of restaurants for lunch.

On a Sunday especially in Cyprus local families still share a family day and you will find most locals heading for the beach.

They drive there cars onto the beach front and organise a barbecue or picnic for the whole family they tend to arrive mid afternoon on a Sunday and will stay at the beach playing games and entertaining the children until the early evening when the sun starts to cool.

It reminds us of what our Sundays in the UK were in the past when all the family would gather for Sunday lunch, now Sundays in the UK are another day for the shops to open.

In Cyprus nearly all the shops are closed to try to keep Sunday a traditional day.

I found a little gem of a restaurant whilst recently holidaying in Larnaca Cyprus.

Kantara is a beautiful lush restaurant situated on the Dherklia road about 100 yards from the Palm Beach Hotel -which upon entering you feel the ambience and relaxed atmosphere.

I visited on a Friday evening and a sure sign of a good restaurant is when the locals are eating there.

The restaurant was quite busy with some holiday makers but mainly locals.

During the evening there were several birthdays being celebrated by local people and this added to the lovely atmosphere,

Veronica our host for the evening was excellent nothing was too much trouble for her.

The Menu choice is mouth watering I choose the Steak and my partner choose the sea bass, both were served with elegance and Veronica chose a beautiful wine to accompany our meal.

After a long pause between courses we also tackled desert a HUGE portion of strawberries & cream which melted in your mouth they were so sweet.

The evening was capped of by Baileys Coffee’s which drew the evening to a close.

The whole experience was one of those nights you never want to end!

I can would definitely recommend this restaurant If you are looking for something a little more up market with out being too formal Kantara is a must!.

Make sure you pay Kantara a visit soon