The full programme is as follows:

Holy Thursday 12th April:

18.30hrs (6.30pm): Service of the Passion of the Christ

Good Friday:

08.30hrs (8.30am): Burial Of Jesus

19.00hrs (7.00pm): Lamentations of the Tomb of Christ

21.00hrs (9.00pm): Procession of the Epitaphios

Easter Saturday:

07.00hrs (7.00am): First Resurrection Service

21.00hrs (9.00pm): Lighting of the Bonfire

24.00 - 02.30hrs (Midnight - 2.30am): Midnight Resurrection Service, Matins and Divine Liturgy

**: Fireworks

Easter Sunday:

09.30 (09.30am): Vespers of Love - The Gospel will be read in other languages as well.

11.00 (11.00am): Vespers of Love at the Holy Metropolis of Constantia-Ammochostos

16.00 - 18.00 (4.00 - 6.00pm): Baking of Flaounes, (Traditional Cheese Pies mainly made around Easter), and preparation of red eggs at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House

19.30 - 20.30 (7.30 - 8.30pm): Cyprus & Greek Traditional Dances performed by the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group along with the Musical Group "I Las"

20.35 (8.35pm): Greek Music Concert by the Musical Group of “Cavo Grecko”, Agia Napa Cultural Association and also the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

Easter Monday 16th April:

15.00 - 16.00 (3.00 - 4.00pm): More baking of Flaounes and preparation of red eggs at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House

15.45 (3.45pm): Vespers of Love

16.30 (4.30pm): Swings & Tsattista (Folkloric love poems)

17.00 (5.00pm): Traditional Easter Games (Bag racing, Egg & Spoon races, etc)

19.30 - 20.30 (7.30 - 8.30pm): Cyprus & Greek Dances performed by the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.35: (8.35pm): Greek Music Concert by the Musical Group of Andreas Nikolaou and the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group.

All events take place in and around the Agia Napa central Square.

This year is no different than the other as Ayia Napa too enters Christmas mode when they turn on the Christmas lights on Saturday December 3, followed on Sunday December 11 2010 a Christmas Afternoon.

The full program is as follows:

Saturday, December 4 2011

The Mayor, Antonis Tsokkos, and the Municipal Council of Agia Napa will perform the Festive Lighting of the Agia Napa Christmas Decorations

5.00pm (17.00hrs): Agia Napa Children Choir

5.15pm (17.15hrs): Cyprus Police Philharmonic Band

5.20pm (17.20hrs): Festive Lighting of the Christmas Decorations

5.30pm (17.30hrs): Music - Dancing Show by "It's a Christmas Time"

Also, at the "Agrospito" (The Cyprus Traditional Farm House) you will be able to taste Christmas delicacies and have some free wine. Also, Father Christmas arrives on a carriage with a White Horse.

Sunday December 11 2011

Come and taste the Traditional food & drinks, homemade sweets, coffee, Traditional Wine & Zivania and listen to Christmas Melodies.

2.30pm (14.30): Dancing Performance by the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

3.00pm (15.00): Choir Songs with the Agia Napa Municipal Children Choir

3.15pm (15.15): Songs with Students of  the Nikis Antoniou Musical School

3.30pm (15.30): Dancing Performance with the Dancing School "Performer's Academy Of Dance"

4.00pm (16.00): Dancing Performance with the Dancing School "Danza Libre"

4.30pm (16.30): Dancing Performance with the Dancing School "Rythmos"

5.00pm (17.00): Greek Music with the Musical Group "Eastern Sound"

• Father Christmas arrives on a carriage with a White Horse.
• Christmas Bazaar
• Luna Park
• Pop Corn
• Cotton Candy
• Chestnuts
• Japanese Cuisine

All events take place in the Ayia Napa Central Square. 

Saturday, December 31 9pm (21,00hrs) until dawn

Christmas Melodies, Carols and Dances

• Music with a DJ
• The Cultural Association "Dasos Achnas"
• The Culturl Association "Rythmos"
• Father Christmas and Fireworks
  

• Firing the tradition clay oven, cooking traditional delicacies and as always, offering free wine to the visitors at the Cyprus Traditional Farmhouse "Agrospito".

• On the welcoming of the New Year 2012 the Traditional New Years Cake "Vassilopita" will be cut and shared out to all who attend, followed by traditional soup to warm you up.

All events take place as always in the Ayia Napa Central Square.

To help promote Ayia Napa in the coming winter months and in association with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation as usual, the local council has announced a full programme to cover not just the Holiday period but the whole of winter season until the end of March.

All events will be free of charge and take place in the Ayia Napa Municipal Conference Hall, a modern complex in the Centre of Ayia Napa.

The first event was on the 27th October starting at 8pm (20.00hrs) with events continuing every Thursday onwards until the end of the Cultural programme on Thursday 29th March 2012.

The events up until the end of 2011 are as follows:

Thursday 27th October 2011: Cyprus & Greek Traditional Music Concert Agia Napa Dancing Group

Thursday 3rd November 2011: Cyprus & Greek Traditional Music Concert Musical Group "Erodie Esperine"

Thursday 10th November 2011: Classical Music and Songs with Tiziana Sojat (Italian Soprano) and Lenia Kalli (Cypriot Soprano)

Thursday 17th November 2011: "Little Odysseus and the Cyclops" An exclusive one night only screening of the new film by Michael Papas.

Thursday 24th November 2011: "All that Jazz" with the Blue Tone Voice Jazz Ensemble

Thursday 1st December 2011: Cyprus & Greek Traditional Music and Dances with "I Las" Musical Group and the "Kimon" Xylotymbou

Thursday 8th December 2011: Violin and Piano Recital with Andreas P. Nikolaou on Violin and Andreas Kyriakou on Piano.

Thursday 15th December 2011: Christmas Music and songs - With the Cypriot Police Force Philharmonic Band.

Thursday 22nd December 2011: Choir's songs - With the Sotira Municipality (yes, that is correct) and the "Evagoras" Famagusta Choir.

Thursday 29th December 2011: "Passion Greek Cinema" with the Dancing School "Passion Dance".

Also expect Events on Christmas Day & others.

The Annual turning on of the Christmas Lights will take place on Saturday 3rd December at 5pm (17.00hrs).

The rest of the winter programme (January - March) will follow closer to the time and the full Christmas Programme later in the month.

The Programme for the week goes as follows:

Saturday 15 October

Words And Time

A concert with Charalampos Garganoyrakis, one of the most important Cretan Artists. Songsfrom the Cretan Medieval Time of "Erotokritos" and through the tradition of "Pote tha kanei xasteria" and "Agrimia, agrimakia", up to our days with songs that were established by the interpreter's voice, such as "Ta Logia kai ta Chronia" (Words & Time), "Crete mou omorfi nisi" (My beautiful island, Crete), "Proskyno ti doxa sou lae" and "Malamatenia logia". He is also accompanied by an 8 member band. 

Tearto Pavana

An amazing stilt-walking performance performed by the Artists of Teatro Pavana. Great presentations including breathtaking costumes which capture you the audience, in their magical World.

Batukinio

An impressive performance of the unique multi-member percussion ensemble.

Sunday 16 October

Traditional Music Group "Oi Las"- Areti Ketieme

Looking For Ithaka

The Traditional Music Group "Oi Las" (who often perform at Agia Napa Festivals) along with its 8 Musicians play Traditional mainly instruments like Tsampouros, Tsampoutsias, Pithkiavli, showing their love and respect towards the tradition. In the night's performance they join up with an upcoming artist from Greece, Areti Ketieme and her santir. Their purpose is, to enchant (get your attention) to the music and bring you into a musical world, where each of us go looking for our Ithaka. From the age of Homer and its famous singers, to the Medieval period with Digenis Akritas until the first decades of the 20th Century.

It should be a trip to remember.

The Members of The Traditional Music Group "Oi Las" are:

Also performing again will be Teatro Pavana

Monday 17 October

Arias

Music and songs which are made up from the works of composers of France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands (Holland), from the time of Renaissance and Baroque between the 15th and 17th Centuries.  

The following Artists are to perform:

Avra Shati - Soprano

Kaite Economidou - Soprano

Marios Andreou - Tenor

Marios Ioannou - Piano

Tuesday 18 October

Kyprokritiko Antamoma (Cyprus Meets Crete)

With the band "Ichochromata" of Andrea Nikolaou and Michael Hadjimichael along with the band of Cretan lyre instrumental musician Anthony Chourdaki.

It is the blending of the violin with the Cretan Lyre, the music of Pendadaktilos (A mountainous range outside of Nicosia located in the occupied areas) and Psiloritis wind, Cypriot and Cretan musicians with songs of tradition of both islands are witnessed. From the Cypriot and Cretan tradition are met Ai Giorkis with Erotokritos, Aretousa with Arodafnousa, Kokkinochoria (Red Villages) with Sfakia. Throughout the show, the shared heritage will be pointed out.

Performing artists for the night are: 

Michael Hadjimichael - Lute/Vocals

Andrea Nikolaou - Violin

Dimitra Hadjimichael - Vocals

George Nestor - Kanun

Meletis Christodoulou - Percussions

Anthony Chourdaki - Cretan Lyre/Vocals

George Zacharioudakis - Cretan Lute

Lefteris Hadjimichael - Guitar

Wednesday 19 October

La Rosignol

The Italian Renaissance encompasses a period of extraordinary growth, where the masterpieces follow one another in a fascinating crescendo. Magnificence gets married with grace: the desire to astonish and the research of a more and more refined way of living induced the courts to adopt precise behaviour norms. Among the great masters of dancing, Domenico de Piacenza, Guglielmo Ebreo, Fabrito Carosa and Cesare Negri stand out: They animate feasts and banquets meant to celebrate the splendour of their patrons. The show, performed in costumes with early instruments, recreates the cultivated and aristocratic atmosphere of a Renaissance courtly feast.

Thursday 20 October

Mutiverse Narrative Poem From the Music of The Greek Traditional Area. With the Band of Chris Christoforou.

4 lutes, a mandolin and a violin.

The irrational, the religious and indiscriminate songs, the Lamentations and Lullabies make up a special chapter of the musical tradition of the wider Greek area. For these songs (which usually are multi-versed) some may wonder how these songs have been kept alive through the years as they are passed down from mouth to mouth (oral tradition).

These songs are the first spiritual creations of anonymous people. They are the oldest "diamonds" of speech & sound. Musicologists and researchers believe that the year they began was around 800 A.D. Through these songs legends and traditions of Hellenism are come through.

The participants on the night are:

Chris Christoforou - Lute

Makis Papadopoulos - Lute 

Christodoulos Mnasonos - Lute Politic (Lafta)

Michael Hadjimichael - Lute/Vocals

Yiannis Loizou - Violin

Marios Poyiadjis - Mandolin

Meletis Christodoulou - Percussions

Vassiliki Hatziadamou - Vocals

Friday 21 October

Digenis Akritas (TH.E.PA.K)

University of Cyprus Theatrical Workshop

Apart from the usual entertainment programme, which includes a daily 1/2 hour Shadow Puppet themed show for the younger audience, the Festival will have various exhibitions (18 of them again this year) of various themes included a few dedicated to Ayia Napa itself of which one looks at the Ayia Napa of today and compares it to "yesterday" - i.e. How it used to be a long time ago. Also during the Festival, the Cyprus Traditional Farmhouse (the Agrospito) will be open as an exhibition place with all the furniture, interior design, equipment and agricultural tools of a Traditional Cypriot House.

Whilst in the garden of the Farmhouse there will be an exhibition of various household, rural and agricultural activities such as making of Zivania (a traditional Alcoholic Drink), Halloumi (a Cypriot soft cheese made from Goat's milk traditionally), Macaroni, Salted meat (Pasta as it's called), bread and Palouzes.

Further more, exhibitions of traditional arts like Woodwork, basket making, pottery etc. will also be open for the public. 

The full entertainment program for the festival follows on the next page:

Karakiosis Corner (for the Children) - Shadow Theatre with George Idalias

Showtime: 19.30 - 20.00hrs (7.30-8.00pm)

Friday 23rd September: Karagiozis - Pasha (Fat)

Saturday 24th September: Karagiozis - The President

Sunday 25th September: Karagiozis - Almost a Doctor

Karakiousis mean a very naughty boy, so you can just let your mind wonder what he might be doing during these 3 shows.

Friday 23rd September 2011

19.30 (7.30pm): Introduction with the Philharmonic Band of the Cyprus Police Force.  

20.00 (8.00pm): Opening Ceremony

20.05 (8.05pm): Saxophone Music

20.30 (8.30pm): Address by the Mayor of Ayia Napa Mr Antonis Tsokkos and by the Honourable Minister of Communications and works Mr Efthemios Flourentzou followed by

**Fireworks

21.00 (9.00pm): "Eche Gia Panagia" A dancing & musical performance with the Greek Singer Petros Giatanos and the Musical Group "The Las" along with the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group.

Saturday 24th September 2011

20.00 (8.00pm): Cyprus Traditional Music and Songs with the Musical Group "Ichoxromata", Andreas Nicolaou and Michalis Hadjimichael.

21.15 (9.15pm): Concert with Giannis Parios (Γιάννης Πάριος).

Sunday 26th September 2010

21.00 (9.00pm): Announcement of the 28th Ayia Napa Festival followed by

** Fireworks

21.15 (9.15pm): Dances from all over the World with the Dancing Group "Nadezhda" from Azof, Russia and the Dancing Group "Rythmos" of Cyprus.

Entrance as always is free and all the events and exhibitions take place in the Agia Napa Square.

More non Municipality events to keep an eye out for over the next two days.

The new Cuba Bar began today with a Beach party and continues over the next 2 nights, on Saturday and Sunday from 10pm (22.00hrs) within an authentic Cuban Atmosphere along with Cuban drinks & cocktails with all sorts of things happening over the night.The dancing is courtesy of Shakallis Dance School. Meanwhile continuing down at Nissaki Lounge Beach Bar, Sandy Bay Beach with a Guest DJ from Mykonos as well as various surprises throughout the night.

At Aloft tonight DJ Andy Panayiotou will be on the decks keeping you dancing through the night as you look above Ayia Napa. Another of Ayia Napa's new Bars Passion (towards the harbour), has a very big event tonight with LAVA and Maria Matsouka LIVE along with Top Playmates Evgenia Gizeli and Chrysa Drakaki.

Here is a super quick round up of events we know for tonight only in Ayia Napa all with the main reason the Flood Festival weekend.

Starting with an event already underway, a Barbecue and entertainment with 'Pure and Simple' followed by Karaoke at the Loutsianna Bar located near Waterworld. Already the BBQ has started but you can still catch the live show. In the meanwhile at the Aloft Music bar, Lopodites Live, a Greek Rock Band which has been together for about 3 years. Further down the road at Pepper Bar Lounge all the way from Washington DC, USA, Guest DJ: Mixális will be on the decks as resident Tommy G makes a change of location for the night. Finally, at one of Agia Napa's newest bars, the Passion Bar - Restaurant the 1st of 3 events sees DJ Dino & Sexy Dancers as your entertainment for the night.

So, that's it for tonight but keep an eye out for other events including the shows which would have taken place anyway within the Bars of Ayia Napa.

The 3 day celebrations begin on Saturday evening with the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing group and ends late Monday evening with a Greek Musical event.

All the events take place as always at the Ayia Napa Harbour and are free of Charge.

The full programme is as follows:

Saturday 11th June

19.30hrs (7.30pm) Cyprus and Greek Traditional Dances with the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.00hrs (8.00pm) Folkloric Poems and Songs: Love Poetry and Tsiattista (A form of song with the Lyrics often made up on the spot).

21.15hrs (9.15pm) Lighting the flame of the XIII World Summer Special Olympics Games Athens 2011

21.30hrs (9.30pm) Greek Folk Notes - Greek Music Concert by the Musical Group Maria's Zintili Agia Napa Dancing Group

Sunday 12th June

20.00hrs (8.00pm) Ayia Napa Municipal Children Choir

20.15hrs (8.15pm) Cyprus Police Force Philharmonic Band

20.20hrs (8.20pm) Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group with Cypriot & Greek Traditional Dances

21.20hrs (9.20pm) Address by the Mayor of Agia Napa, Mr Antonis Tsokkos followed by

***    Fireworks show

21.30hrs (9.30pm) Music Concert with the Greek Singers Mariada Pieridi and Panos Kalidis.

Monday 13th June

19.30hrs (7.30pm) Cyprus and Greek Traditional Dances with the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group.

20.00hrs (8.00pm) Cypriot & Greek Music Concert with the Musical group "Erodie Esperine".

21.00hrs (9.00pm) Performance with the Musical Group of "Cavo Grecko" Ayia Napa Cultural Association and the Cultural Group "Anadysis" Paralimni.

The full programme is as follows:

Holy Thursday 21st April:

18.30hrs (6.30pm): Service of the Passion of the Christ

Good Friday:

08.30hrs (8.30am): Burial Of Jesus

19.00hrs (7.00pm): Lamentations of the Tomb of Christ

21.00hrs (9.00pm): Procession of the Epitaphios

Easter Saturday:

07.00hrs (7.00am): First Resurrection Service

21.00hrs (9.00pm): Lighting of the Bonfire

24.00 - 02.30hrs (Midnight - 2.30am): Midnight Resurrection Service, Matins and Divine Liturgy

**: Fireworks

Easter Sunday:

11.00 (11am): Vespers of Love - The Gospel will be read in other languages as well.

16.00 - 18.00 (4.00 - 6.00pm): Baking of Flaounes, (Traditional Cheese Pies mainly made around Easter), and preparation of red eggs at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House

19.30 - 21.00 (7.30 - 9.00pm): Cyprus & Greek Dances performed by the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group along with the Musical Group "I Las"

21.05 - 21.40 (9.05pm - 9.40pm): Greek Music Concert by the Musical Group “Maria Zintili”

21.45 (9.45pm): Cyprus & Greek Traditional Music Concert by the Musical Group by the Musical Group "Erodie Esperine" and the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

Easter Monday 5th April:

15.00 - 16.00 (3.00 - 4.00pm): More baking of Flaounes and preparation of red eggs at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House

16.00 (4.00pm): Vespers of Love

16.30 (4.30pm): Swings & Tsattista (Folkloric love poems)

17.00 (5.00pm): Traditional Easter Games (Bag racing, Egg & Spoon races, etc)

20.00 - 21.00 (8.00 - 9.00pm): Cyprus & Greek Dances performed by the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

21.05 - 21.30 (9.05 - 9.30pm): Belly Dance, Modern Jazz Dancing with the Corinne Turner Maltese Folklore Group

21.35: (9.35pm): Greek Music Concert by the Musical Group of “Cavo Grecko”, Agia Napa Cultural Association and also the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group.

For those who do not know or remember, Ayia Napa has a Twin Town in Malta, Mellieha which explains the appearance of the Maltese Folklore Group.

All events take place in and around the Agia Napa central Square.

That hard work and along with the natural beauty of them, Ayia Napa has now been awarded as the Top Beach resort in Europe for 2011 and also No. 19 in the World. Read about the news here.

Great news for the area in general.

Residents will have noticed large Purple Metal Containers around the town since February (although it began in other areas since end of July). This is where you can place the latest items for recycling but what can you place inside these containers you will want to know. Starting off with old CLEAN clothes placed inside bags, shoes, sheets, curtains, old handbags & belts too. In the case that the container is full do not leave your recyclable items outside but call the number which is written (99 722 121) on the container (There is one in the parking of the Infant School).

The company is a non-profit organisation which will either distribute the reusable clothes to not so well off families either within Cyprus or abroad. Another part of the textiles, including clothes, handicrafts and works of art made from recycled materials, are also available to the public in low prices to cover the cost of recycling. Sorting and distribution is also operating abroad, where textiles are exported, and the textiles that cannot be reused are recycled to produce wiping cloths, fibres for new clothes, insulation and other useful materials. You can also read more on their website www.anakyklos.org (which is in English and Greek) about the efforts of the organisation.

So what are you waiting for? Have a look around & if you can't hand them down, recycle them around. 

The celebrations will begin from the Ayia Napa Church with the Church Service for the Epiphany which will be followed by the Baptism of the Holy Cross and the blessing of the waters at the Ayia Napa Harbour with the Paralimni Municipal Philharmonic Band and the Corp. of the National Guard as well.

The most reverend Metropolitan of Constantia - Famagusta area Mr Vasilios will be the Head of the Divine Service with the presence of the Minister of Interior in attendance too.

After the Priest has baptised the waters by throwing in the Holy Cross, the first Swimmer to bring out the cross will be awarded a prize. This will be followed by Cypriot and Greek Traditional dances and songs, which will take place at the harbour, performed by the "Kimon" Xylotimbou Cultural Association along with the "Echochromata" Musical Group.

 This event will bring to a close the Christmas events on the last day of Christmas for this holiday period.

Again, the "Visit Ayia Napa" team wishes you a Happy New Year 2011.

This means that Ayia Napa enters Christmas mode when they turn on the Christmas lights on Saturday December 4, followed on Sunday December 12 2010 a Christmas Afternoon.

The full program is as follows:

Saturday, December 4

The Agia Napa - Protaras - Famagusta Tourist Board, the Mayor, Antonis Tsokkos, and the Municipal Council of Agia Napa will perform the Festive Lighting of the Agia Napa Christmas Decorations

5.00pm (17.00hrs): Agia Napa Children Choir

5.15pm (17.15hrs): Cyprus Police Philharmonic Band, PAPADAKEIO Choir

5.30pm (17.30hrs): Festive Lighting of the Christmas Decorations

5.40pm (17.40hrs): Music - Dancing Show by "It's a Christmas Time" Team made up of RYTHMOS Dancing Group, CARPE DIEM Voice Ensemble and the ETERNITY Band.

Sunday December 12 2010

Come and taste the Traditional food & drinks, homemade sweets, coffee, Traditional Wine & Zivania and listen to Christmas Melodies.

2.30pm (14.30): Dancing Performance by the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

3.00pm (15.00): Choir Songs with the Agia Napa Municipal Children Choir

3.15pm (15.15): Songs with Students of  the Nikis Antoniou Musical School

3.30pm (15.30): Dancing Performance with the Dancing School "Danza Libre"

4.00pm (16.00): Dancing Performance with the Dancing School "Passion Dance"

4.30pm (16.30): Dancing Performance with the Dancing School "Rythmos"

5.00pm (17.00): Greek Music with the Musical Group "Eastern Sound"

All events take place in the Ayia Napa Central Square. 

Sunday, December 26

4.00pm (16.00hrs): Choir Songs with the Agia Napa Municipal Children Choir

4.15pm (16.15hrs): Songs with Students of Nikis Antoniou Musical School

4.30pm (16.30hrs): Dancing Performance with Latin, Salsa, Belly Dance, Hip Hop & Modern Dancing with the Cultural Association "Dasos Achna"

Followed by: Dancers from Greece, Malta, Romania, Hungary and Estonia.

At the Cyprus Traditional Farm House "Agrotospito" you will be able to taste Christmas delicacies.

Friday, December 31

Christmas Melodies, Carols and Dances

• DJ
• Cultural Association "Dasos Achnas"
• Cultural Association "Rythmos"
• Santa Claus (Father Christmas) and Fireworks

• Firing the tradition clay oven, cooking traditional delicacies and as always, offering free wine to the visitors at the Cyprus Traditional Farmhouse "Agrospito".

• On the welcoming of the New Year 2011 the Traditional New Years Cake "Vassilopita" will be cut and shared out to all who attend, followed by traditional soup to warm you up.

All events take place in the Ayia Napa Central Square. 

Ayia Napa 2010 has been an eventful one which although didn't have the same number of big name DJ's as 2009 possibly had more events than ever before. Other than the usual events, this year saw the 1st Annual Agia Napa Youth Festival which ended with Ayia Napa's own Ivi Adamou along with Stavento who've captured the hearts of many including many of the workers in Ayia Napa and Protaras too. Also there was a Ministry of Sound Summer Festival at the Municipal Stadium with Marco V as 1 of the main acts. Below follows a list of many more of those who appeared over the summer and where they performed (some in more than 1 place) 

Club Abyss

Cream Anthems, Loaded, K-Klass, Skepta, Wideboys, DJ Zinc, Majestic MC, Skepta, Supa Dupa, Boy Better Know.

Bagleys

This is How It Feels, This is Underground, Def:Inition, Grooverider, Skibadee, Shy FX

Black & White

S-P-A-N-K parties, Marcus Nasty.

Castle Club

Kiddfectious Pres. Alex Kidd

Club Ice

Ayia Napa's own Sniper & Drew Astro, Serani, Melfin, Tim Westwood, DJ EZ.

Heaven And Hell

This is Underground, Def:Inition, Grooverider, Skibadee, Alex Kidd.

Makronissos Beach Club

Skazi, Infected Mushroom, Morandi, Above & Beyond, Hernan Cattaneo Full moon Festival 2010, A Miss Tourism event, Dance Sensation Party, Ominous, Nino, Stavento & Ivi Andreou amongst others.

Piazza Club

Greek Nights, Social Nights, Glamour Party Event with Maria Iacovou & Guest DJ Andy Panayiotou (of Super FM, Cyprus), Kostas Martakis,

Also over the summer performing in Ayia Napa with her Fireshows at the Hernan Cattaneo Full Moon Festival, the Above & Beyond event and during the 5th Agia Napa Medieval Festival was Cyprus' own Alice-in-Flames.

With all the above having took place throughout 2010 up until end of October, the summer of 2011 is going to have a tough time to match this year but Ayia Napa always manages to find a way.

The Programme for the week from Wednesday is as follows:

Wednesday 20 October

Cyprus & Crete - Music of the Islands

The Traditional Music Group "Oi Las" (Who often perform in Agia Napa) along with its 8 Musicians play Traditional mainly instruments like Tsampouros, Tsampoutsias, Pithkiavli, showing their love and respect towards the Longstanding Music of Cyprus. The repertoire of the group is the authentic traditional music of the island which goes back to the age of Homer (songs like "Tsiatista-Voices") throught the age of the Medieval Period (with songs like "Digenis Akritas" and "Arodafnousa") and reaches the first decades of the 20th Century (A song called "Aspentis"). The repertoire includes Religious Songs, Epic, Lamenations amongst other styles. Also on the night, two musicians from Greece will also be joining them: Giorgos Giannadakis playing the Cretan Lyra with songs from Crete and Giorgos Manolakis on the Lute. 

The Members of The Traditional Music Group "Oi Las" are:

Thursday 21 October

Clamor et Gaudium Ensemble 

The Italian "Clamor er Gaudium" Ensemble was formed back in 1996 with the purpose to promote Ancient music and in particular the Medieval and Renaissance music. Recently it also plays folk tunes, which are proposed to make people dance, mainly of Galician and Breton melodies. The musical instruments used are philological: Bagpipes (Galician Bagpipes, Italian Bagpipes from Bergamo and Emilia), Shawm and Percussions (Medieval long drum, Davul). The Ensemble took part in the most important re-enactments of it's Country. Outside Italy, the Ensemble have attended a theatrical performance in Porec (Croatia), was in Luxembourg to celebrate the foundation of the Gran Ducato and has also been in Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Denmark and Rhodes (Greece) for the big Medieval Theatres.

Friday 22 October

From the depths of the Century to the Depths of  Asia Minor

The Programme for the week up until Tuesday is as follows:

Saturday October 16

Despoina Olympiou along with Leonidas Pitsilides "Cypriada Voice" Music Ensemble presents a concert called "Love's Labour"

Arranged and Directed by Admitos Pitsillides

A presentation of short musical stories concerning the tribulations (problems) of love through the songs of Cypriot Tradition. With Songs and Music from Medieval times up until the contemporary Cypriot composers and lyrics writers, with the Cypriot musical colours having been arranged in classical, traditional and contemporary ways.

The "Cypriade Voice" Music Ensemble consists of:

Theodoros Krasides - Flute

Thanasis Athanasiou - Violin

Evgenia Karapataki - Cello

Michalis Minas - Lute

Admitos Pitsillides - Guitar

Rodos Panagiotou - Percussion

Antonia Tsolaki - Double Bass

Sveltana Todorova - Accordion

Sunday October 17

Daughters of Elvin Medieval Music & Dance Theatre

Daughters of Elvin are one of Britain's most exciting and innovative Medieval groups formed back in 1996. Their aim is to present music from those Early Ages in a new and exciting way and reaching a diverse Audience as much as possible. Evoking the Spirit of Medieval Europe through Music, Dance and fantastical masked creatures they give powerful displays of colour, movement and sound. Come and see them perform pilgrim songs of 14th Century Spain,  take on 13th Century France love ballads and court dances of the Italian 14th Century whilst not forgetting their own Country England with songs about the weather from the 13th Century. All this played on an exoticc array of authentic Instruments including Hurdy Gurdy, Bagpipes, Gothic Harp, Pipe & Salterio, Recorders & Percussions. 

Monday October 18

The Going-ons at the Courtyard. Cultural Association "Rythmos"

Local group "Rythmos" are regulars to Ayia Napa Festivals. Join them for a trip through time and imagine yourself in the center of a Medieval Courtyard, awaiting the glorious arrival of the King and Queen. Experience the colourful past through the group, the lives that they led and their fabulous feasts. Get to know/revisit the culture and tradition of that era through the art of Dancing.

Tuesday October 19

From the Byzantium Years to the World War

Musical Tradition is a path of 1,200 years. Of the oldest songs the "Acritic-Epic" to the newer "songs of the World Wars."

This Musical Journey will see 5 Female Voices perform

Vasiliki Hadjiadamou

Loukia Ignatiou

Christina Tselopou

Demetra & Xenia Hadjimichail

The selection of Songs, Orchestration and Artistic Direction

by Michalis Hadjimichail

Part 2 follows in the next article.

Apart from the usual entertainment programme, which includes a daily 1/2 hour Shadow Puppet show for the younger audience, the Festival will have various exhibitions (18 of them this year) of various themes included a few dedicated to Ayia Napa itself of which one looks at the Ayia Napa of today and compares it to the original town before the tourist invasion after the events of 1974. Also during the Festival, the Cyprus Traditional Farmhouse (the Agrospito) will be open as an exhibition place with all the furniture, interior design, equipment and agricultural tools of a Traditional Cypriot House.

Whilst in the garden of the Farmhouse there will be an exhibition of various household, rural and agricultural activities such as making of Zivania (a traditional Alcoholic Drink), Halloumi (a Cypriot soft cheese made from Goat's milk traditionally), Macaroni, Salted meat (Pasta as it's called), bread and Palouzes.

Further more, exhibitions of traditional arts like Woodwork, basket making, pottery etc. will also be open for the public. 

The full entertainment program for the festival follows on the next page:

Karakiosis Corner (for the Children) - Shadow Theatre with George Idalis

Showtime: 19.30 - 20.00hrs (7.30-8.00pm)

Friday 24th September: Karagiozis - The Big Festival

Saturday 25th September: Karagiozis - The Dentist

Sunday 26th September: Karagiozis - Karagiozis Slyness.

Karakiousis is a word to describe a very naughty boy, so you can let your mind wonder what he might get upto during the shows.

Friday 24th September 2010

19.30 (7.30pm): The introduction with the Philharmonic Band of the Cyprus Police Force.  

20.00 (8.00pm): Opening Ceremony

20.05 (8.05pm): Light Classical music with the "Collegium Cyprium" trio.

20.30 (8.30pm): Address by the Mayor of Ayia Napa Mr Antonis Tsokkos and by the Honourable Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Mr Antonis Paschalidis followed by

**Fireworks

20.45 (8.45pm): "Tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the Cyprus Republic " performed by the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

21.30 (9.30pm): Michalis Tzouganakis in Concert. He is a Cretan Traditional Singer & Instrumentalist.

Saturday 25th September 2010

20.30 (8.30pm): Light Classical music with the "Collegium Cyprium" trio.

21.15 (9.15pm): Concert with Michalis Hatzigiannis (Μιχάλης Χατζηγιάννης).

Sunday 26th September 2010

19.30 (7.30pm): Light Classical music with the "Collegium Cyprium" trio.

20.00 (8.00pm): Dance Creations by Shakalis Dance Group

20.30 (8.30pm): The Greek Cinema music Musical Group of the Agia Napa Cultural Association "Cavo Greco" and "Rymvos" Dancing Group presents "...Mermaids and Heavies (Manges)"

21.30 (9.30pm): Announcement of the 27th Ayia Napa Festival followed by

** Fireworks

21.40 (9.40pm): Dancing show performed by the Georgian Dance Ensemble "Merani" of the Tbilisi State Polytechnic University

Entrance as always is free and all the events and exhibitions take place in the Agia Napa Square.

It all begins Friday with 3 days of events ranging from Music Concerts and all across the range including a Skate Event, a Chess Competition, Pro Evolution Soccer Competition, Supercross & so much more. Ayia Napa's own Ivi Adamou & 3FIFTY7 (including Drew Astro) will be appearing during the Agia Napa Festival as well as Greek popular bands Mple, Locomondo (A Greek Reggae styled band) as well as the Usual Muppets, Lexicon Project, local dance group Cavo Gkreco and neighbouring Village Sotira also sending their own Music group K.N. Sotiras as well as many others.

Almost all of them will perform absolutely FREE OF CHARGE for this event which has the slogan Violence at Sports grounds is not . Entrance is FREE and all starts from 6pm down at the Harbour.

For those who take with them their laptops on holiday you'll may want to connect to the internet at some stage, whilst those who bring their cameras with them may even wish to put them up before they go home. Let's not forget the Foreign workers who also want to pt up their photos of places & their friends too as they stay for the summer. The demand for the internet is all around but you'll be wondering where those places where you can use the internet from are found.

Well Ayia Napa, along with Protaras and the other Tourist Areas, all have their Internet Cafés with Agia Napa having 4 proper Internet cafés (with at least 2 of them open all year around) there are also a few bars (including those on the outskirts of Ayia Napa and the odd 1 or  two in Ayia Thekla) which offer free wireless internet for their customers whether they be the tourist on holiday or on business, the local Cypriot from Nicosia or one of the workers for the summer season visiting a bar. You may even find internet services in a bowling alley too and often at the Hotel your staying at. Each place has a different degree of service. Some offer just the free wireless connection, some may have 1 or 2 computers available inside for users to sit down and upload their photos on to social sites like Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and so many others.

There are also other people who just wish to use a computer and put their photos from their cameras or even mobile phone cameras on to disc or USB memory sticks so that they can free up their memory cards to take more photos and finally there are those people who may wish to print out some of their photos for others to have.

Wherever you go on holiday, you can be sure that most of the time, you'll be able to find the internet services for your needs whatever they may be for and even at any time. 

Voting the Castle club into the Worlds Top 100 clubs signaled the start of 2010 and also saw the same club introduce it's own bar on the premises, the Castle Bar, which closes it's doors later on after midnight to become the club. That is just the start for the whole of Ayia Napa's clubbing scene because the former Play Nightclub has now become Heaven & Hell, which in turn brings to the Ayia Napa clubbing scene a new dimension in the music of Agia Napa by bringing in a style of music almost forgotten along with another style which evolved from it. The two styles are Drum and Bass - the almost forgotten style which is being brought to you by "This is Underground" & "DEF:INITION" which will also be bringing along the Dubstep sound with them. DEF:INITION will bring two big names to Ayia Napa, the legendary DJ Grooverider and the legendary Shy Fx. To add to them MTV is coming to the club too with their nights, and night like OPPOSITES, G.O.D (Good Old Days), Living the Dream MASH'D UP in Napa, Kiddfectious and Say No More (S.N.M.) also announced.

Club Abyss may be the last club to open but by no means the least. They too have a major line up planned with the first details being let loose, Alizae's Birthday Bash on Saturday July 31 until Sunday early hours, with at least 15 DJ's on the night all exclusively for the bash. Loveshine also has announced it's presence in Abyss and for their first time overseas for Monday 19 and 26 July and Monday 2 August.

Club Ice has announced for yet another year that Twice as Nice will be back from Friday June 11 and every Friday until Friday September 3. Some of the DJ's & MC's on rotation include Ayia Napa's very own Legendary Sniper and also Oxide & Neutrino appearing too.

It's not just the clubs which have DJ's coming but some of the bars too and the Pepper Bar welcomes again local DJ Tommy G as it's resident, who will be there each and every Saturday and for special weekends too like the Flood Festival weekend, whilst the B-14 Bar, Ayia Napa's latest bar in the square will break a trend and has local DJ Stelios Stylianou playing Greek hits on Saturday & Sunday for the Flood Festival weekend.

Talking of local talents, the Agia Napa Youth organization is organizing a 3 day summer concert at the end of August. This will also see one of Ayia Napa's own talents, and now famous, Ivi Andreou (who appeared in the Greek X-Factor leaving a massive impressions on everyone even though she didn't win) appearing in her home town for the first time since she struck fame. She has already appeared in other places in Cyprus but not yet in her home town. Along side her will be Stavento, a Greek Hip-hop group who they have a summer 2010 hit together. Also appearing during this youth festival will be the Greek Reggae group, yes that is correct, Greek Reggae group Locomondo as well as another famous Greek band Mple (Blue). All this will be for charity where most of the artists have given up their appearance fee for the event. Also included, other Cypriot bands and artists who are expected to appear too at the event. More details in another article.

Finally, let's not forget either the other side of Greek music that will be appearing at the Agia Napa Flood festival and that bring one of the biggest names in Greek music Glikeria to us who again appears in the town. Along side her this time will be Melina Aslanidou and George Lianos who are also stars in their own right but not with the history of Glikeria herself. 

The 3 day celebrations begin on Saturday evening with the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing group and ends late Monday evening with a Greek Music Concert.

All the events take place as always at the Ayia Napa Harbour and are free of Charge.

The full programme is as follows:

Saturday 22nd May

19.30hrs (7.30pm) Cyprus and Greek Traditional Dances with the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.15hrs (8.15pm) Folkloric Poems and Songs: Love Poetry and Tsiattista (A form of song with the Lyrics often made up on the spot).

21.30hrs (9.30pm) The musical group of "Cavo Grecko" and The Ayia Napa Cultural Association and the Dancing Group "Kimon" Xylotympou and Ormidia's Cultural Association.

23.00hrs (11.00pm) "Show Time" with the Musical Group "Grounded"

Sunday 23rd May

19.30hrs (7.30pm) Ayia Napa Municipal Children Choir

19.50hrs (7.50pm) Cyprus Police Force Philharmonic Band

20.15hrs (8.15pm) Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group with Greek Popular Dances

21.15hrs (9.15pm) Address by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr Antonis Tsokkos followed by

***    Fireworks show

21.30hrs (9.30pm) Music Concert with the Greek Singers Glykeria, Melina Aslanidou and George Lianos.

Monday 24th May

20.00hrs (8.00pm) Greek Traditional Dances by the "Nosotos" Cultrual Committee of Pissouri Village

20.45hrs (8.45pm) Greek Music Concert with the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing group and the "Nikolaou Andrea" and "Maria's Zintili" Musical Groups. 

Apart from the obvious Taxis and Long Taxis as well as those mini-buses you can also, for those special occasions, hire out Limousine Taxis and/or Limousines too, often refered to as Limos.  

It may be for a simple Wedding to take the Bride and Groom to and from Church where you might take a proper Limousine, or it may be a Limousine taxi to take you and your friends out for a big birthday party, maybe a 21st, 30th or 50th birthday or even a Wedding Anniversary for you and your loved one where you may prefer a proper Limousine. There are even persons who want to take their friends (or partner) out in style for no special reason at all except to make it special. 

As for details of where to find such a Limousine for your needs you can either search via the web beforehand if you are staying at private accommodation, check with your hotel or your tour operator representative during your stay anywhere in Ayia Napa or Ayia Thekla who will surely have the details or able to find details for Limo hire.

For that special occasion or to make an occasion special there is always that something else available.

It is a massive achievement for a place which has been established for many years in Agia Napa and on the whole Island of Cyprus which has a combined population of one million people roughly. The club itself has had a long history starting from the days when it was the Babylon Disco and the building design changed over the years from a single room disco to suit demands and changing styles, gradually becoming what it is today, a 3 room Club covering many styles of music, with a Chill out room and a VIP lounge which for this season has gone under a redesign.

More information can be found on this link here and read more on the club too. Of course we pass our congratulations to the management and staff of the club as well as all the DJ's who have agreed to appear at the venue.

The full programme is as follows:

Holy Thursday 1st April:

18.30hrs (6.30pm): Service of the Passion of the Christ

Good Friday:

08.30hrs (8.30am): Burial Of Jesus

19.00hrs (7.00pm): Lamentations of the Tomb of Christ

21.00hrs (9.00pm): Procession of the Epitaphios

Easter Saturday:

07.00hrs (7.00am): First Resurrection Service

21.00hrs (9.00pm): Lighting of the Bonfire

24.00 - 02.30hrs (Midnight - 2.30am): Midnight Resurrection Service, Matins and Divine Liturgy

**: Fireworks

Easter Sunday:

11.00 (11am): Vespers of Love - The Gospel will be read in other languages as well.

16.00 - 18.00 (4.00 - 6.00pm): Baking of Flaounes, (Traditional Cheese Pies mainly made around Easter), and preparation of red eggs at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House

19.00 - 20.00 (7.00 - 8.00pm): Cyprus & Greek Dances performed by the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.05 - 22.00 (8.05pm - 10.00pm): Greek Music Concert by the Musical Group “Echoxromata” and also the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

Easter Monday 5th April:

15.00 - 16.00 (3.00 - 4.00pm): More baking of Flaounes and preparation of red eggs at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House

16.00 (4.00pm): Vespers of Love

16.30 (4.30pm): Swings & Tsattista (Folkloric love poems)

17.00 (5.00pm): Traditional Easter Games (Bag racing, Egg & Spoon races, etc)

19.00 - 20.00 (7.00 - 8.00pm): Cyprus & Greek Dances performed by the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.05 - 22.00 (8.05 - 10.00pm): Greek Music Concert by the Musical Group of “Cavo Grecko”, Agia Napa Cultural Association and also the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

All events take place in and around the Agia Napa central Square.

The event will take place on Sunday 21st March at 3pm (15.00hrs).

All the residents of the Town between 18 and 65 who are able to give Blood are asked to show up and give their support and contribution to the Blood banks. Any new donors must be over 18 years old in order to be allowed to donate and all other donors are reminded to bring their donor cards with them.

After the Blood donation there will be food and drink available.

Me Today You Tomorrow, Give Blood Save A Life.

Update Thursday, February 25:

It is the only one in the area open and expect long queues all day long. Reports have been that people have been waiting for an hour to fill up.

The crowd here is young, sexy and stylish, making this the place to go for the young glitterati who know mobile phones and wi-fi are essential in every pub.

It's just a stone's throw from the harbour in Ayia Napa and seems to never close, offering everything from early breakfasts to late night snacks.

It's bright and open, uses contemporary, almost space-age, furniture and simple interior design tricks to pull off a modern look.

In fact you could mistake the interior of this place as being a set from the Star Trek TV show or some camp Channel 4 breakfast programme - the place is huge, it literally feels like sitting in a film studio and must cost the owners a fortune to keep hot/cold.

Anyway, it's trendy; the chairs are pink, it has large windows and the waitresses come from some part of Eastern Europe I have never heard of... but you know what? It's a good clean pub and I'm really not complaining.

Even better, everyone is sat around drinking wine and spirits - not pints of budget beer, and there is no sign of pasty ex-pats wearing England football shirts.

It's reasonably priced as well, unlike so many of these trendy joints, a pint of KEO or Carlsberg costs €3 here, a cocktail will set you back €6.

The menu has plenty to attract the food aficionado, with full meals (including steaks, burgers and fish) as well as offering an extensive range of cocktails, wines and beers.

Its generally a calm atmosphere and fairly good music, you can dine, drink and dance all under one roof... unless they decide to show a live football game on one of the dozens of flat screens pasted to the wall.

Jello Café Bar

Ayia Napa Harbour

Now with social sites like Facebook, Bebo, Twiiter, MySpace (incidental you can find us on all 4 of those named) and others it is a lot easier to get your message out. That is how this came to our attention - vote for your favourite (Agia Napa) Club of the last 12 months. In association with DJ Mag Clubbers of the world have got the chance to have their say in which is their Top club(s). 3 votes and there's no cheating either.

So if you enjoyed a particular club during 2009 in Agia Napa and you think it's worthy to earn one of your 3 votes then what are you waiting for? To help you go here to refresh yourselves of the Clubs in Ayia Napa. Voting ends Monday, March 15 and your votes count as always.

Help get at least one of Ayia Napa's clubs into the World's Top 100.

As mentioned before the local Municipality has begun major extensive work to upgrade the Tourist resort and this is not just resurfacing work but a major make over.

Continuing from where it left off last April it has just about finished the road starting from the roundabout of the Agia Napa Harbour all the way to the top of the Hill (Archbishop Makarios III Avenue). The road remains as it was but the major change is that now you can't do any overtaking as it is now has a division built in the middle of the road and it is now a fully paved road. The pavements have also been changed too and the Taxi Square below the Church has also been reconstructed. (At the time of writing this is still taking place but close to finishing). The road in front of the CTO office is also been given a similar upgrade with the pavements being totally renovated too.

Also, construction on the new Harbour on the way to Ayia Thekla is continuing so if you're travelling in that direction take extra care as the roads are not in the best of state.

It's not just the Municipality which is undergoing works but the biggest Club in Ayia Napa (yes, the Castle Club) is completely changing the top room after ripping out the walls. Also the Jammin' Bar has also changed it's look and finally one more - the Jurassic park is also going renovations.

So as you can now see, preparations are well and truly underway with all sorts of work going on in getting ready for the new summer Tourist season.

The first is on Friday, February 05 from 8.30pm (20.30hrs) at the Aeneas Hotel. Entertainment for the evening is provided by the Cultural Association "Cavo Greco" with songs and dance to have fun with and also bingo (Translating from the leaflet given out). All this for €25.

Then on Sunday, February 07 between 11am and 2pm (11.00 -14.00hrs) there is a Children's Carnival parade. From the Grigoris Afxentiou road (The road leading to the Square where the SFC is) down to the Town Hall. Children can come along with their parents or by themselves. There will be music, dancing and fun along with clowns and people on Stilts (Wooden long legs).

The event is suported by:

• AOAN
• Cultural Association "Cavo Greco"
• The Parents Association of Agia Napa Infant Schools
• The Parents Association of Agia Napa Pre-Schools

Everyone is welcome to take part at both events.

The lecture will focus on current Cypriot Projects in the island of Cyprus.

The event is open to anybody with professional or scholary interest in the topic and will take place at the Thalassa Agia Napa Municipal Museum on Friday, January 29 2010 at 18.00 hrs (6pm).

After the lecture guests are invited to a reception in the Museum's premises.

Thalassa Agia Napa Municipal Museum

Kryou Nerou 14, Agia Napa

Tel: 23816366

The airlines’ website allows you to plan your holiday to the price range you want to pay. You may need to adjust your departure and arrival days to accommodate your holiday but that is not a problem. Your meal, your seat and your luggage are all included in the price as well as any airport taxes you pay too.

Checking in is very simple and you can do it without any paperwork at all if you book on-line. All you need is your Passport or ID card and your already in the system. You are also allowed a piece of hand luggage on board too.

The Aeroplanes themselves are kept in top condition with seating is spaced so your legs are not squashed. As already mentioned, your meal is included in your price and the plane is warm and also quiet. No-smoking is on place on the flights too. The flight is as smooth as possible (depending on weather conditions of course) and during the flight you are kept informed of where you are. If at any point you'd like a pin-point position, ask the crew if they know. On that note, the cabin crew are always pleasant and of course tidy and with presentable uniform in their appearance.  

Overall Aegean Airlines is an airline you will want to use again for your holidays to Cyprus and Ayia Napa. What better way to start or end your holidays with a very good flight.

Why wouldn't we? We've no use for them when they are dead and no good to us so we put them in the dustbin where they go and end up in the rubbish heap along with other non-recyclable and recyclable rubbish. Well now there is a choice. The company A.F.I.S. Cyprus Ltd is now collecting your batteries at various points. Why should we care about what to do with our batteries? In the leaflet they are handing out at their collection points they offer 4 reasons:

1) Protect the Environment: A lot of the metals we use today come from the Earth and we cannot replace them. With batteries, living organisms - plants, trees, bugs etc. cannot cope with the pollution. With recycling we can reduce by a drastic amount that pollution.

2) We save energy: By reusing all ready produced products we reduce the energy (& time) of finding and extracting new metals. By recycling our used batteries we place back into the cycle the metal and we can reduce these energy levels by upto 80% for EACH battery by doing so.

3) Reduce the waste: Have you noticed (those who are recycling) how much your waste has been reduced? Rather than throwing Batteries away too, take them to get recycled.

4) Secure our health: Even though batteries are only 0.2% of our household waste it is 20% or 1/5 toxicity (poison) of the household waste. For something small it is a lot when you look at it.

When we talk of batteries we cover all types of batteries, Radio Cassettes, Speakers, Game Consoles (e.g. PSP's), Mobiles, Wireless Telephones, Watches, Cameras, Video Cameras, Cordless Power Tools, Remote Controls, Alarm systems and so on. From the factory it is made in it comes to us the user. Each time you throw a battery away, the cycle of life it is in ends, whereas if you place that battery in one of the collection points, it can get reused again and at the same time protect the environment.

So after all that you'll be now wanting to know where you can find places to place your batteries. Well you can start looking at Supermarkets, the local Post Office and other Government service points have points and information too and of course for those with Kids or younger Brothers & Sisters in Schools. Also, you may see them about in other private places such as small businesses, Hotels, Banks etc etc etc. 

So, from now on before you throw your batteries in the waste, think Green, Recycle them.

Our Christmas wish for the community is for a better Tourist season in 2009 than the last few years and that the town continues to provide the high standards all year round to all the people who live or visit Ayia Napa in order for people to return again and again.

Our office (which is in Ayia Napa) will remain open as it has been all winter so far, for any information you may require with regards to the visitayianapa.com site and how to advertise with us. We are here for the same reason, to let tourists know that we are here to offer our services. Whatever your business, we can offer a solution to help you.

On behalf of the team, have a Merry Merry Christmas (for those celebrating) and a Happy, Safe and Prosperous New Year 2010.

Andreas, Steve and Yiannakis.

Apart from the usual winter places like Athlos (an all year round venue), Fans reopens for the Festive season this weekend, There's live music at Rockstarz (ex-Happy Bar). The Airline Bar has also remained open and after originally being open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday has now moved to being open all week. Café Central will also stay open late adding a DJ after 11pm (23.00hrs).

Clubbing wise in Agia Napa, Chameleon reopened last weekend, White Club is also open for the winter season as it does every year and the big news is Piazza (another winter season regular) is celebrating it's 4th Birthday this Saturday, December 19 and throwing on a big party.

Finally, let's not forget you can find for your after clubbing needs the odd 1 or 2 places open including Supersnacks in the heart of Ayia Napa.

Ayia Napa is truly very much alive.

Christmas Events in the Square start from 4pm (16.00hrs) with Christmas Melodies by the Agia Napa Children Choir and songs by the Musical Group "Carpe Diem", Dances with the Dancing Schools "Passion Dance" and "Rythmos". 

If that's not enough, then there's also Christmas Delicacies available at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House "Agrospito".

December 31st New Years Eve - January 1st New Years Day

See in the New Year in the Municipalities Square and then head off to your Clubbing desire or stay at the square and enjoy the rest of the evening or should that be morning.

Christmas Melodies, Carols and Dances with DJ. (More information soon) Also on New Years Eve, there will be the Cultural Association"Dasos Achnas",  Santa Claus (Father Christmas) and Fireworks.

Let's not forget after the clock turns 12 (or 00.00) and 2010 arrives the New Years Cake (Vassilopitta) will be cut and shared out followed by traditional soup to warm you up.

Full details hopeful soon.

The first of these will be on the 5th December at 5pm when you are invited to come and watch the turning on of the Christmas Lights by the Mayor of Ayia Napa himself, Mr. Antonis Tsokkos along with the Agia Napa Municipal Council. Music with the Cyprus Police Philharmonic band whilst the Agia Napa Municipal Choir and the Musical Group "Christmas Bells" with Christmas Carols, Songs and Dances will also be at the event.

Also, the Cyprus Traditional Farm House "Agrospito" will also be providing Christmas delicacies and free wine and finaly Santa's train will also be present for the younger visitors.

All this on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 5pm.

The next events will be the following Sunday, December 13, 2009,  Saturday, December 26, 2009 and Thursday, December 31, 2009 bringing in the New Year. All the details coming in another article.

Wednesday 11th November between 4pm (16.00) and 8pm (20.00).

For further information please call

Tel.: 23722024 or 99628556

Saturday: Vasilis Skoulas

Vasilis Skoulas, a famous Cretan Artist, along with his associates will for the opening present a tribute to the music of Crete. The first part they will perform extracts from the masterpiece of Vincenzos Kornaros "Erotokritos", whilst the second part they will interpret masterpieces of the Cretan Medieval music. Also partcipating along with Skoulas are Paraskevas Perisinakis, Aristides Xatzistavrou and Dimitris Doutsoulis.

Sunday: Christina Pavlidou and the Cypria Voice Music Ensemble with particpation from Niki Antoniou-Karaiskou

The tribulations of love through the songs of our tradition. Music and songs begining from the Medieval times up until the contemporary Cypriot composers and lyric writers, with the Cypriot colours having been arranged in classical, traditional and comtempary methods. The Music Ensemble consists of:

Theodoros Krasides - Flute

Thanasis Athanasiou - Violin

Evgenia Karapataki - Cello

Michalis Minas - Lute/Tzoura

Admitos Pitsillides - Guitar/Vocals

Rodos Panagiotou - Percussion

Yiannos Ioannou - Double Bass

Niki Karaiskou - Vocals

Christina Pavlidou - Vocals

Monday: Arie Antiche

Their programme includes the well know "Arie Antiche" and other Medieval Songs from the Italian and French Repertoire, comprised of the composers Gluck, Stradella, Durante, Giordani, Buonicini amongst others. The Arie Antiche belong to Operas of the 15th and 16th Century that are no longer performed, or parts of which have been lost and have remained incomplete.

Arie Antiche members:

Sona Gargaloyan: Soprano

Marios Charalambos: Tenor

Katie Economidou: Mezzo-Soprano

Manolis Neophytou: Piano

Tuesday: Cyprus Voices

The "Fones" (meaning voices) are particular melodies which constitute models on which Folk Poets used to model their distichs to make songs portraying love. Being more precise, these Folk Poets were obliged to subjugate their lines to these melodies. Each melody took its name depending on the area of origin and where it was first performed. Thus, "Karapasitissa" is from the area of Karpassi, "Mesaritissa" from the area of Mesaria, "Paralimnitisa" from the area of, wait for it, Paralimni. Others include "Zodkiatissa", "Pafitissa", "Lefkonitsiatissa" and others.

Thursday: Acritic and Medieval Songs

The "Acritic" songs (Frontiersmen songs) are considered to be the oldest traditional songs. Researchers have traced their origin back to the years between 800 and 1300 AD. The Acrtic songs praise the life and accomplishments of Acritics, soldiers of the Byzantine Empire who guarded the Empire's Eastern border, most famous of all being Digenis Acritas. Medieval are some Historic songs as well as songs that belong to the Paraloges (Illogic)

Friday and Saturday: "Helix" Street Theatre

The "Helix" Street Theatre was founded in 1987. The unique, innovative theatrical kind its serves makes it stand out amongst other Greek Theatre companies. The group includes seven regular members and severall guest collaborators. The perfect, vivid and impressive shows they perform, guarentee success through the participation of the audience. They comprise all the elements to provide a strong show which entertains you whilst bringing joy also have a deep meaning to them. Being trained in Acrobatics, on stilts, juggling and the art of street performing combined all together to provide a show for both Adults & Children alike. Their shows also combine fanciful scenery and costumes, selected music, theatrical lighting and final the element of fire.

The Festival starts off on Saturday, October 17 with Vasilis Skoulas along with his associates performing and finishes the following Saturday with "Helix" Street Theatre taking the stage to close the week.

The full programme for the Medieval Festival is as follows (all events start at 8pm/20.00hrs):

Saturday, October 17: Vasilis Skoulas

Sunday, October 18: Christina Pavlou and the Cypriada Voice Musical Ensembale with participation Niki Antoniou-Karaiskou

Monday, October 19: Arie Antiche

Tuesday, October 20: Cyprus Voices

Wednesday, October 21: No Event

Thursday, October 22: Arctic and Medieval Songs

Friday, October 23: "Helix" Street Theatre

Saturday, October 24: "Helix" Street Theatre

End of the 4th Medieval Festival of Agia Napa.

All events take place within the area of Ayia Napa's own Medieval Monastry and as with all the Municipalitys events, entrance is free of charge. 

A related article with details of the Artists performing can also be found here too.

Apart from the entertainment programme, including a daily 1/2 hour Shadow Puppet show for the younger audience, the Festival will have various exhibitions of various themes included a few dedicated to Ayia Napa itself of which one looks at the Ayia Napa of today and compares it to the original town before the tourist invasion. Also during the Festival, the Cyprus Traditional Farmhouse (the Agrospito) will be open as an exhibition place with all the furniture, interior design, equipment and agricultural tools of a Traditional Cypriot House.

Whilst in the garden of the Farmhouse there will be an exhibition of various household, rural and agricultural activities such as making of Zivania (a traditional Alcoholic Drink), Halloumi (a Cypriot soft cheese made from Goat's milk traditionally), Macaroni, Salted meat (Pasta as it's called), bread and Palouzes.

Further more, exhibitions of traditional arts like Woodwork, basket making, pottery etc. will also be open for the public. 

The full entertainment program for the festival follows on the next page:

Karakiosis Corner (for the Children) - Shadow Theatre with George Idalis

Showtime: 19.30 - 20.00hrs (7.30-8.00pm)

Friday 25th September: Karagiozis - Pasha

Saturday 27th September: Karagiozis - President

Sunday 28th September: Karagiozis - almost a Doctor

Karakiousis is a word to describe a very naughty boy, so you can let your mind wonder what he might get upto.

Friday 25th September 2009

19.30 (7.30pm): Beginning with the Philharmonic Band of the Cyprus Police Force and Mellieha, Malta's Philharmonic Band, La Vittora Band Club.  

20.00 (8.00pm): Opening Ceremony

20.05 (8.05pm): All That Jazz

20.30 (8.30pm): Address by the Mayor of Ayia Napa Mr Antonis Tsokkos and by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Enviroment Mr Michalis Polynikis followed by

The Twinning ceremony between Ayia Napa, Cyprus and Mellieha, Malta. Address by the Mayor of Mellieha, Mr. Robert Cutajar. 

**Fireworks

20.45 (8.45pm): "Agia Napa memories of the Past, moments of present time" performed by the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

21.30 (9.30pm): "We have only one life" by the Cultural Asoociation "Diastasis"

Saturday 26th September 2009

20.30 (8.30pm): All That Jazz

21.15 (9.15pm): Concert with George Dalaras (Γιώργος Νταλάρας) and Michalis Tzouganakis

Sunday 27th September 2009

19.30 (7.30pm): All That Jazz

20.00 (8.00pm): Musical Group of the Agia Napa Cultural Association "Cavo Greco" and the Agia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.45 (8.45pm): Traditional Dances presented by the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group.

21.20 (9.20pm): Announcement of the 26th Ayia Napa Festival followed by

** Fireworks

21.40 (9.40pm): Concert with the Greek Singers Despoina Olimpiou & Gerasimos Andreatos.

On Sunday, September 06 "Siakallis" Dancing group will be performing,

On Sunday, September 13 the "Forca-Latino" Musical group takes the stage and

on Sunday, September 20 it's the turn of the "Blue Voice" Musical group.

All of the Jazz nights will take place at the Agia Napa Municipal Museum "Thalassa" and entrance is as always Free.

The artist which has been invited to come is George Dalaras or in Greek Γιώργος Νταλάρας who has been singing for over 40 years now since before his first disk back in 1969. His roots follow his Fathers, Uncles and Grandfathers roots and according to his official site he has 65 (now 68 with his release this year of his new album as 2 packages and Τα χρώματα του χρόνου I & II as a new package together) in which he has had a hand in the recording of those albums in over 50. The last calculation of all of his sales (Discs, Cassettes & CD's) is set at over 12,000,000. The artist has recorded with many of the greatest Greek artists including Mikis Theodorakis, Glikeria and Marinella and is known all over the world and also has recorded with The Philharmonic Orchestra of Israel and Ossipov Russian Orchestra too. He has also recorded albums in relation to the Turkish Invasion of 1974 which still leaves the Island divide to this day.

His apperance takes place in the middle of the 3 day Festival and to be precise on the 26th September at 9.15pm (21.15hrs).

Getting there early for the warm up set from local upcoming talent DJ Mario Chris (who's recently warmed up for some of the biggest DJ's on the planet), the atmosphere grew as the time passed on with the room filling up on both levels of the Dance room. (For those who don't know, Castle Club has 3 rooms, a chill out area & a V.I.P. area). The higher level acts as a balcony & was at eye-level with the décor of the night. The lower level is where the DJ box is set and of course the main dance floor with 2 mini podiums set out in the middle of it. Mario Chris got the crowed going along with the usual laser lights & smoke machine acting to give a dreamy daze of light & sound combined.

At around 2.10 World No.6 DJ Ferry Corsten, brought by the Ministry of Sound, took over the decks to whip the crowd up into an even bigger frenzy. The smoke & the laser lights again kept the atmosphere up high & with the clubbers being on two levels adding to an already wound up atmosphere. Furthermore, two plasma TV's on either side of the DJ box were set up with Ferry's own visual effects playing alongside the music with Trance related scenes of tranquillity. As the night went on the clubbers stayed on, Ferry also touched base with the clubbers showing his human side by touching hands & acknowledging the crowds joy. Both clubbers & DJ were now 1 in the music.

With a mixture of new tracks mixed in with some classic tracks including some of his own, the night went on with the crowd enjoying themselves and the music of course. 3.30 came, the room was still packed, and some of the tracks became harder but not continuous or monotonous. 4.30 came & the place was still 3/4 full where Ferry ended his set with his own project System F & the track which launched him Out Of The Blue & with his visual effects saying Thank You Aya Napa (yes, spelt wrong!!).

The crowd shouted back 1 more which they got as Mario Chris took over the decks again to see the clubbers out as Ferry thanked everyone around him (in the DJ box) after his set before going upstairs & into Castle Clubs V.I.P. Lounge for drinks.

For all those who were there, I doubt anyone left disappointed. 

The staff couldn't do enough to help you after we had said we were on our anniversary.

The adults only policy wasn't 100% correct but there was still very few children in the hotel. The pool was very clean and the staff provided various activities such as water polo, water gym, table tennis, killer pool, killer darts, scuba diving lessons etc. - if you wished to get involved.

They also had various other forms of entertainment in the evenings i.e.. music quizzes, fire jugglers, dance acts and magicians.

The quality of food was excellent. There was a good range of choice for breakfast and the buffet in the evening had a different theme each night but as a seasoned traveller to Ayia Napa we ate out most nights in the great choice of restaurants in the area.

The 2 bars within the premises, Pepper ( one of my regular favourites over the years) and Yacht Pool Bar were both very clean had extremely friendly staff and their prices were very good too, the strawberry daiquiris were to die for and the music in pepper every night from their DJ's are exactly what complements this very stylish Ayia Napa Bar.

I would certainly go back there again in the future.

All football fans of all countries have to try it who's visit Ayia Napa! English fans like very much!

The best hangover cure!

hugs!

Club Vibes (the old Grease Club) has a strong line up and some big names in the R'n'B scene arriving over the summer.

Mondays see Sun City at the club

Tuesdays Supa D with Footloose, Kimet, Pioneer, Angie B, Slim Ting & others also showing up

Wednesdays with Funky Junky

Thursdays are Candy Shop

Fridays and Logan Sama presents himself, Ghetto, Griminal, Tempa T, Wiley, Roll Deep, Spyro & more.

Saturday nights with Heartbroken DJ Total, B.O.D.R, Troopa (Sun City), Slick Don, DJ Nightmare and Bass Boy amongst others appearing.

Sundays and it's Back to 95 It's a lot.

In the meantime at Deseo Lounge Bar on this Saturday evening 11th July, Greek DJ Vasilis Tsilichristou will be playing for 1evening only at the venue with doors opening at 7pm and an incentive to get their early by getting in free if you got early and an increase in price as the time goes by with the highest price @ €20 (including a drink) for the late arrivers.

We checked the brochures and the website too and thought we would see if the hotel actually looked anything like the pictures we'd seen and to our astonishment it looked even better in real life. As soon as we passed the main door into the reception area my friends jaw dropped and we knew this was where the wedding was going to take place. As we were there we asked the friendly reception staff if we could speak to someone about getting married at the hotel.

It turned out that the hotel had a wedding co-ordinator who was very helpful, helped us prepare for the big day. The hotel manager also took time out of his day to talk to us about our wedding and to make sure everything would be perfect on the day which was very much appreciated too. The staff were excellent and very accommodating.

The hotel food was very good and the three course meal we had on the wedding day was absolutely amazing, it was so good that some of our guests took photos of it. The hotel was very clean and of very high standards. The hairdresser on the hotel grounds was also very good as they had been closed before the wedding day the bride did not get a chance to book an appointment but on the morning of the wedding & after having a massage in the spa she popped in past and asked if they could fit her in not knowing that they had not opened for the day but the lady was very kind and said she would do her hair and she even fit her husband and best man in too.

I would recommend anyone planning to marry abroad to pick Adams beach as they will give you the day of your dreams.

The staff are amazing and a huge thanks to them all despite what other may think in their reviews.The hotel complex was perfect for us.. The pool is excellent... The rooms are basic but good, the only thing wrong was the air conditioning (not being included in the price) which is a necessity and eventually gave in to it due to the heat but definitely worth paying to have it. The prices are average, great breakfast for about €4 and happy hours at the bar and a great beer called Leon too.

Only two things I would complain about is the Thomas cook set up... The Rep is useless and was hardly there.. Seen him about 3times for the whole week, for about 5 minutes each time. Secondly our transfer coach was late and we started to panic, but as my cousin was on the same coach and we knew that they couldn't have forgoten us. When it did turn up finaly there was no apology from the transfer rep, but in my opinion it was probably due to the hangovers of some or someone got left behind as they were slightly late. (Even my cousin speculated the same thing). An idealyic place and I would recommend this to friends and family. Even when a rowdy crowd turned up but to be honest there weren't all that bad towards the end, but hey they are on their holidays too but still they could've been a little quieter.

Defo will be back here again and hope for more of the same. 

Generally, I had no problems at all and no complaints either, to be honest. I was surprised to have a meal included in the price as it seems with other carriers that this is an extra charge.

I would fly with them again should I be returning back to the Island in the future as already mentioned, there were no problems with the flight.

Their prices are very competitive, delivery to your hotel is prompt & on time. The staff are friendly and are there to help you feel as if you were driving your own car. As you would expect, the car comes with a full tank of fuel which you are expected to leave that way when finished.

You can also find all the details you may require on their website and if you can't see that, just get in touch with them and they will get back to you asap.

Towards the end of Ayia Napa, away from the madness of Nissi Beach, this Blue Flag beach (http://www.blueflag.org) provides a good place to escape for a few hours or to go for a good long swim.

It also provides an excellent place to do some windsurfing if the weathers right. The clean golden white sands, the crystal blue clear Mediterranean sea amid the shade of the Umbrellas provide a getaway from the routine and a place to escape the hustle of the centre, the madness of Nissi beach & a place to relax & chill or enjoy a dip in the sea to cool off.

It maybe one of the last beaches of Ayia Napa but that doesn't make it worse that the others. An escape for relaxation.

The rooms are split into 3 sections, the main hotel section, the annex and the beautiful Bungalows at the bottom of the village with their own little gardens too.Each room has it's own mini bar which residents may or may not use, safes for use. The view maybe be a landscape view, a pool view, a side seaview or even a full seaview.

The apartments themselves are well kept, cleaned regularly  and also have available accordingly Tea & Coffee services.The pools are cleaned daily, the sunbeds kept tidy and the staff are around to help you if you should need so. There is day & night entertainment as well as a Kids club to leave them there & enjoy your day.

Furthermore, a 24-hour reception, Taxis available on request, the Hotel's secretary during working hours for any further information on the hotel should you wish to learn more. Despite being on the outskirts of Ayia Napa, you are away from the hustle of the centre and a few minutes walk to the sea.

Overall, a 4 star resort to look forward to stay with.

Bringing you the best in Dance, RnB, Chillout Tunes.

24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We hope you enjoy our varied selection of music from our Internet Radio DJ's from Ayia Napa and the UK

On entering the club just before 2am the club was already full and warmed up for the night. You could feel the excitement and anticipation which was in the air and it wasn't before long that the clubbers exploded into cheers of delight upon the DJ's taking over the decks at 2am. In turn, they appreciated the crowd and showed it back too to the clubbers which got them turned up even more.

As they took to the decks, the front of the club became engulfed (covered) in a cloud of club smoke and with the combination of green lasers and coloured flashing lights which took over the atmosphere for a while and electrified it even more. The sound was flowing, the clubbers were dancing and the DJ's span those tunes out and so the night went on. The clubbers were now even more as the late comers arrived from the square and into the club adding to an already massive atmosphere.

The 1st hour of the set was bass fuelled music at something like 200 bpm (beats per minute) with clubbers dancing to the frantic pace, the next hour the paced changed but not the atmosphere. The music became smoother but still kept the clubbers flowing and allowed the bodies to dance and yet at the same time allowed those to get a drink to quench their thirst and take a rest from the dancefloor after the first hour had passed. The lasers also changed settings to reflect the style playing and now like the music, reflected like beams across a sun-lit sky over the next hour. The club smoke and the laser beams set up a trance dazed club & dancefloor.

That's where unfortunately I left after 2 full trance fuelled hours of music but with possibly another 900 plus clubbers still enjoying the set by the DJ Trio called Above & Beyond.

We look forward to providing you with the assistance you require.

Sincerest Regards

The Visit Ayia Napa.com Team

For the time being, "waste" is split into 3 sections: Paper (Brown), Glass (Green) & Plastic, Metal and Drink Cartons (Blue).

Starting with the Paper Category: You can place into the Brown Bins the following items:

Paper packages & containers of:

• Medicines
• Shoes
• Cereals
• Appliances
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Advertising Leaflets
• Office Paper

In the Glass Category and place into the Green Bins you can put

• Glass Bottles
• Glass Vases
• Other Glass Containers

Before placing any of the Glass items into the Green Bins, make sure that there is nothing left inside and that you've washed it slightly with water.

Finaly, the PMD (Plastic, Metal and Drink Cartons), the Blue Bins which you should place in the following things:

Plastic Bottles and Containers of:

• Water
• Milk
• Orange, Lemon and other squash bottles
• Juice
• Cleaning Material
• Restoring Material
• Liquid Soap & Shampoo
• Washing Powder & Liquid
• Conditioner & Freshener

Metal Packages:

• Tins
• Beer
• Coffee Drinks
• Soft Drinks
• Metal Packages & Tubes
• Small Aluminium Disks
• Metal Closures

Paper-based Drink Packages: (Tetrapak Type)

• Drinks
• Milk & Cream
• Wine & Other Drinks
• Juice

Before placing any of the PMD items into the Blue Bin, make sure that there is nothing left inside and that you've washed it slightly with water.

After sorting them out you need to know where these bins are placed. There are 8 (Eight) points of collection within Ayia Napa's limits. These are as follows:

A/A	STREET		POINT
1	Ayia Mavris 25		Ayia Napa Municipality
2	Ayia Napa Harbour		Ayia Napa Harbour
3	Kryou Nerou Avenue		Opposite Grecian Bay
4	Archiepiskopou Makariou III		Ayia Napa Church
5	Michael Kashialou		Ayia Napa Elementary School
6	Stadiou		Kokkines Area near the Football fields
7	Yianni Ritsou		Parking Area
8	Nissi Avenue		Waterpark Parking Area

So, just who is coming (or has come) to Ayia Napa and also where. This article is exactly what will be about, who comes where and when. To start off is not easy: The Square, the outskirts or the biggest first? To make it easy and fair, we start in Alphabetical order with A and the Abyss club:

Abyss Club:

Their Weekly line-up goes like this:

Mondays: DJ Cameo & MC Kaos presents Sex on the Beach

Tuesdays: On Rotation: Nice & Funky, Do U Mind, Chipmunk, King Ent, Bloc Party.

Thursdays: Down:Load With Exclusive Resident Jamie Duggan & Special Themed Nights.

Fridays: True Religion With Pioneer & Marcus 'Ayia Napa' Nasty.

Saturdays: On rotation: Boy Better Know, Eskimo Dance, Sidewinder, Garage Fever

Wednesdays & Sundays are Foam party nights.

Also on the 21st & 26th July there will be a Napa Jam event with "King Ent" & "Nice & Funky" Team. Details follow later.

Babylon Superclub:

The newest club in Ayia Napa is going for massive things in the Dance scene. It is investing some serious money for the summer and the line up is really an eye-opener. It started off with Marco V & Maurio Picotto in February, Ministry of Sound launched the summer programme with Nic Fanciulli on the Orthodox Easter Sunday, local talent Mario Chris played recently and that's just for starters. The rest of the line up goes as follows:

June 5th - Ministry of Sound with DJ Ravin (France)

June 7th - Naparazi feat. DJ Aleka (Cyprus) & F.E.S.TER (Cyprus)

June 19th - The Gallery with Above & Beyond (NL) & Gavyn Mytchel (UK)

Mid Summer Festival:

July 1& 2 Naparazi presents Tiesto (NL)

July 3- Meganite with Mauro Picotto (Italy), Mistress Barbara (Canada) & Daniele Papini (Italy)

July 10 - Ministry of Sound with Mark Knight (UK)

July 17 - The Gallery - Tall Paul (UK) & Gavyn Mytchel (UK)

July 31 - Ministry of Sound with Ferry Corsten (NL)

August 7 - Meganite with Mauro Picotto (Italy) & Riccardo Ferri (Italy)

August 14 - The Gallery - Marco V (NL) & Gavyn Mytchel (UK)

August 16 - Ministry of Sound with Sander Kleinenberg (NL)

August 28 - Ministry of Sound with Dubfire aka Deep Dish

Septemebr 4 - Naparazi with John Digweed (UK)

September 11 - Meganite with Mauro Picotto (Italy), Fergie (Ireland) & Gabry Fassano (Italy)

September 25 - The Gallery with Sander Van Doorn (NL) & Gavyn Mytchel (UK)

The biggest names in the Dance scene are coming to Babylon this summer.

The DJ list continues on the next page.

Black & White Club:

Located in the heart of Ayia Napa's club scene, the legendry & longest serving R & B Club (and the oldest club in Ayia Napa) is back for another year with resident DJ's: the legendary DJ Melfin a.k.a Mr. Black & White, DJ Razor, DJ Masterace, and DJ Spider, resident MC's Ibz and Dadge all passing by throughout the summer.

The Castle Club:

The biggest club in Ayia Napa, Babylon's Sister Club, is the only place to find Dance, R&B and a Party Room all in the same club on the same night. Add to that a Chillout area as well as its brand new VIP area, this club is the biggest & one of Ayia Napa's longest serving ones too. Most nights are specialist nights with the top names appearing throughout the summer.

Mondays are still undecided as of writing.

Tuesdays sees Funkinyou with Steve Richards & Jolyon Petch with MC Marshall in the Dance room and in the R&B room you've got Presha with DJ Zed & many big name guests.

Wednesdays sees the Kremlin Connection with DJ Starless (Russia) in the Dance Room & Flaunt with DJ Blend & Guests in the R&B room.

Thursdays in the Dance room will see National radio station Energy 107.6 take over with their Feel The Summer nights with DJ Harry Borg & hosted by Marshall whilst in the R & B room it's BBC's 1Xtra who present DJ G-Child (June 19, July 3/17/31, August 14 & 28) & Ras Kwame (June 26, July 10 & 24, August 7 & 21, September 4) with support DJ's DJ Blend & DJ Zed.

The weekend begins on Friday with Steve Richards (UK) in the Dance room whilst in the R & B room it's I Love R'N'B with DJ Zed & Guests and finaly Indie Vidual with a DJ set by Toby Paton (UK).

Saturdays continue the weekend feeling with the Funky Sessions with Coxy & Marshall in a Funk House/Electro/Tech/Minimal style. Urban Excursion & Greek Gods & Goddess are also on Saturdays with more information on the way.

The week closes on Sunday (of course) with Joylon Petch's (NZ) Club Luxury, hosted by Frankie Barbados and guests Steve Richards, Elektrik Disco, Georgous & Nanz, whilst  in the R & B room Castle resident DJ Blend & special guests with Stiletto Sundays, R'n'B/Hip-Hop/Old School Garage & more tunes in the same style playing on the night.

Club Ice:

Not to be left behind this summer they too have a massive line up:

Mondays & Thursdays are the legendry Foam Party nights

Tuesday nights are Old School nights with DJ’s on Rotation DJ EZ & DJ Luck

Wednesdays see The Westwood and Sniper.

Fridays are Twice As Nice (nights) and your Djs through out the summer on rotation are:

Dj Melfin, Dj Shortee Blitz, Dj Ironic, Dj Masterstepz & Dj Scotie B

with Mc's on rotation:

Mc Ibz & Mc Prestine

and your artists on rotation being:

Sniper & Ironic

Saturdays is Hedkandi with Dj Hanif

and Sundays are Curiocity !!!

Play Club:

Play club is the 2nd youngest club but from the start has been a club bringing in the top names. this year is no different.

Monday July 6 & 13 see the Artful Dodger, MC Creed, Crazy Cousins and KIG Family perform and on July 20. 27 & August 3 Paparazzi plus special guests.

Tuesdays Hard Dance with the following DJ programme:

June 23 Dave Pearce

June 30 Lisa Lashes

July 07 Scott Project

July 14 Lisa Lashes

July 21 Scott Project

July 28 John O Callaghan

August 04 Lisa Lashes

August 11 Yotci

August 18 Dave Pearce

August 25 Anne Savage

Wednesdays from July 1 - Liberty & Get Funky with Uk Funky // Old Skool Garage // Bashment & Rnb with EXCLUSIVE residents - Marcus 'Ayia Napa' Nasty // Dj Cameo (1-Xtra) Martin 'Liberty' Larner // Sami Sanchez & Mr Kaos

Thursdays with the Female Skanker and the Heartless crew.

Fridays Hard Dance DJ programme is as follows:

July 3 Alex Kidd

July 10 Anne Savage

July 17 Alex Kidd

July 24 & 31, August 7 Paparazzi Plus Special Guests

August 14 Scott Project

August 21 Alex Kidd

Saturdays Club Liberty and Marcus Nasty presents... the no 1 UK funky DJ exclusive to Play club every Saturday with superstar guests on weekly rotation.

July 25 and August 1 see Circle Kismet, Supa D plus special guests arrive.

Sundays are MTV Dance nights in the main arena and we see DJ Blade Playing the best of RnB (2nd Arena)

July 26 and August 2 Club Liberty with Martin Larner, Marcus Nasty plus special guests.

Your resident DJ's for the summer are:

DJ Soniar (House) and DJ Blade (Funky House & R'N'B)

These are the latest updated details around for now and expect more names to be added over the coming weeks. So keep checking the news section.

Don't forget the pre-club parties at so many bars, Coxy & Marshall are often found at the Titanic Bar beforehand; DJ Ravin & DJ Aleka will both be at the Guru Bar before their respective appearances at Babylon.

DJ Ravin (Buddha Bar) will be playing music for "Candlelight dinner" on Friday, June 5 starting from 10pm until 1am Saturday morning with a special 3 course meal during his set. Bar open from 11pm. After that, you can catch him @ Babylon Superclub on Nissi Avenue.

Sunday, June 7, will see DJ Aleka (Metaxa) appear at the Guru bar with her "Melodic Candlelight" set from 11pm to 1am and afterwards you can follow her on to Babylon Superclub. Further details can be found on there website.

These are just two of the many names arriving over the summer in Ayia Napa amongst many places.

My partner and I had visited several of the beaches in Ayia Napa, although all of them possess their own beauty, Makronissos Beach was the best.

The cleanest water and sand, nice friendly environment with all the conveniences we needed.

We thoroughly recommend it.

There is no shortage of places to go and party, eat drink and be merry. Everybody is mega friendly, and everything is easy to find.

We will definitely be coming back to Ayia Napa next year, fully recommended, A+++++++

Yeeha :-)

From lounging around the pool bar, to partying at night, to waking up in the morning at River Reggae we all had an unforgetable time.

Also we there are so many cute men! We were spoilt for choice, but those stories are secret, hehheheeee

The 3 day celebrations begin on Saturday evening with the Dancing group "The Las" and end late Monday evening with the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation Band and a "Folk Spree" programme.

All the events take place at the Ayia Napa Harbour and are free of Charge.

The full programme is as follows:

Saturday 6th June

19.00hrs (7.00pm) Cyprus and Greek Traditional Dances with "The Las" and the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.15hrs (8.15pm) Folkloric Poems and Songs: Love Poetry and Tsiattista (A form of song with the Lyrics often made up on the spot).

21.30hrs (9.30pm) The musical group of "Cavo Grecko" and The Ayia Napa Cultural Association and the Municipal Dancing Group with the event "Great Greek Composers"

Sunday 15th June

10.30hrs (10.30am) Water Sport Games & Shows

19.30hrs (7.30pm) Ayia Napa Municipal Children Choir

19.50hrs (7.50pm) Cyprus Police Force Philharmonic Band

20.15hrs (8.15pm) Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group presents "Ayia Napa & The Sea"

21.15hrs (9.15pm) Address by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr Antonis Tsokkos followed by

***    Fireworks show

21.30hrs (9.30pm) Music Concert with the Greek Singer Leftereis Pantazi

Monday 16th June

10.30hrs (10.30am) Water Sport Games & Shows

20.00hrs (8.00pm) Cyprus Traditional Dances by the "Kimon" Xylotymbou Dancing Group

20.45hrs (8.45pm) The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation Band with a "Folk Spree" programme.

Apart from the festivities, also present will be some of the Disney Mascots for the children to see and further more a book exhibition will also be there at the Festival.

It all starts from around 5.30pm (17.30hrs) at the Activity Corner. There also be a puppet show, dancing shows and it all ends with a Magic Show which starts at 8.15pm (20.15hrs) and lasts for an hour.

So come along and give your support to the Festival with the kids and remember we were kids once upon a time too.

The full programme for May to July is as follows:

Sunday, May 31: Ayia Napa Central Square:

17.00 (5pm) - 21.00 (9pm): 15th Ayia Napa Children Festival

The full programme can be found here:

Saturday, June 6 - Monday, June 8: Ayia Napa Harbour

19.00 (7pm) - 00.00 (12am): 2009 Flood Festival

Guest star this year on Sunday will be Leftereis Pantazis. The full programme can be found here.

Sunday, June 14: "Thalassa" Municipal Museum

21.00 (9pm): Flamenco - Latin event with the "Ryhtmos" Dancing group.

Saturday, June 20 - Saturday June 27: Ayia Napa Medieval Monastery

21.00 (9pm): 4th Ayia Napa Medieval Festival

Full programme in a separate article later on.

Sunday, June 28: "Thalassa" Municipal Museum

21.00 (9pm): Latin - Jazz event with the "Siakallis" Dancing Group.

Sunday, July 5: Ayia Napa "Seferis" Square

21.00 (9pm): Cyprus Traditional Dances with the Cultural Group "Vasilidjia".

Sunday, July 12th: Ayia Napa Central Square

21.00 (9pm): Folk Dances International Festival with the Ormidias Cultural Association "To Rodi".

Friday, July 17th: Ayia Napa Central Square

21.00 (9pm): Cyprus Traditional event with the Association of Cypriot Farmers.

Sunday, July 19th: Ayia Napa Central Square

21.00 (9pm): "Cyprus a drop in the globe" with the Achna Folkloric Group.  

An annual event coinciding with the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, July 20, 1974.

Sunday, July 26th: Ayia Napa Central Square

21.00 (9pm): Folk Dances International Festival with the Pissouri Folkloric Group as well as other International Groups.

The August & September programme follow later on.

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Events include the annual 3 day Flood Festival (1st weekend of June), the 4th Medieval Festival, an International Dance meeting in August as well as Jazz nights in September. Events take place in and around Ayia Napa.

Details of all the events and the full programme follow soon.

The Municipality is pushing on with improving the area by putting the final touches to the reconstruction of the pavements (which will leave a lasting impression) on the main road in Ayia Napa as well as the improvement to the road towards the Harbour which will have a new look to it in the next few days.

Numerous places have opened up for the people visiting adding to the feel that summer has truly arrived along with the good weather. The beaches have laid out their sunbeds ready for those wishing to visit the beach as well as watersports being available for those wishing to hire out any of them. You may want to hire out a jet-ski or feel like taking a trip up into the sky by going paragliding.

Let's not ignore the Municipal museums which are open or even visiting some of the Ancient Tombs on the outskirts of Ayia Napa. Whatever you choose to do in Ayia Napa, whether you on holiday or visiting for the weekend, enjoy what you do and remember others want to come to Ayia Napa too.  

Also, check out the list of where to go as you'll see a number of new places to eat or drink at as well as older places previously not mentioned to bring you a more complete picture of Ayia Napa.

Of course, not everybody's going to open up in the next few weeks as unfortunately there are not that many tourists as there once used to be. That doesn't mean that there are a few tourists as the last few days along with the good weather the number of people in Ayia Napa has increased by quite a number along with the hours of daylight too. Let's not forget either that some of the clubs are opening too for those who like to go clubbing as well.

So, if you're looking to make a short break for Easter and get out of your Country and look for good weather & atmosphere you can't go wrong in choosing Ayia Napa as your destination

The full programme is as follows:

Holy Thursday 16th April:

18.30 (6.30pm): Service of the Passion of the Christ

Good Friday:

08.30 (8.30am): Burial Of Jesus

19.00 (7pm) : Lamentations of the Tomb of Christ

21.00 (9pm) : Procession of the Epitaphios

Easter Saturday:

07.00 (7am): First Resurrection Service

21.00 (9pm): Lighting of the Bonfire

24.00 - 02.30 (Midnight - 2.30am): Midnight Resurrection Service, Matins and Divine Liturgy

** : Fireworks

Easter Sunday:

11.00 (11am): Vespers of Love - The Gospel will be read in other languages as well.

16.00 - 18.00 (4 - 6pm): Baking of Flaounes, (Traditional Cheese Pies mainly made around Easter), and preparation of red eggs at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House

19.30 - 20.10 (7.30 - 8.10pm): Cyprus & Greek Dances performed by the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.15 - 21.00 (8.15 - 9pm): Cypriot, Greek and RomanianTraditional Dances by the Achna Folkloric Group.

21.05 (9.05pm): Greek Music Concert by the Musical Group “Maria Zintili & Andreas Nicolaou”

Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

Easter Monday 28th April:

15.00 - 16.00 (3 - 4pm): More baking of Flaounes and preparation of red eggs at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House

16.00 (4pm): Vespers of Love

16.30 (4.30pm): Swings & Tsattista (Folkloric love poems)

17.00 (5pm): Traditional Easter Games (Bag racing, Egg & Spoon races, etc)

19.30 - 20.30 (7.30 - 8.30 pm): Cyprus & Greek Dances performed by the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.35 (8.35pm): “Great Greek Composers” by the Music Ensemble “Anerada” and “Rymvos” Dancing Group with the singers Nasia Trachonitou and Efthimios Papadopoulos.

All events take place in and around the Ayia Napa central Square.

March has settled in and those people having businesses in Ayia Napa are preparing to reopen them again for this year.

Despite the economic downturn around the world there is quite a lot of places freshening themselves up in anticipation for the new season. As you walk around the village, it is visible to see the anticipation existing. The biggest change you will notice is the main road in Ayia Napa from the Central Square all the way down past the traffic lights and towards the Harbour that the pavements are being reconstructed and upgraded to give a new and improved look. Hopefully, when all this is over, a total resurfacing of the road will follow.

Other than that, the other things to keep in mind (if you haven’t read the other articles previously) are the road bumps on Nissi Avenue from the Nissi Beach area all the way to the main traffic lights in the center. A total of 4 speed bumps have now been constructed at certain points where cars turn off the main road in an effort to reduce the number of needless accidents over the coming summer months.

As for the most interesting part, your services either Bars, Clubs, Restaurants etc there are a few changes which are taking place and a few premises changing names or owners. Maybe your favourite place is no longer there but what is now in place is even better than before.

So, if you are coming to Ayia Napa this summer, you'll feel like the place has been freshened up and feels new and improved. Bring on the summer.

All the residents of the Town between 18 and 65 who are able to give Blood are asked to show up and give their support and contribution to the Blood banks. Any new doners must be over 18 years old in order to be allowed to donate and all other donners are reminded to bring their donner cards with them.

After the Blood donation there will be food and drink available.

Me Today You Tommorow, Give Blood Save A Life.

The main point which was mentioned was the proposed Marina in Ayia Thekla. For the moment things have stalled, but the Mayor has "secured a promise from the Commerce Minister that it would be sped up", it has emerged.

Other than the Marina, the upgrade of the Archiepiskopou Makariou III Avenue (already taking place) along with the side streets and also a proposed park next to the post office are planned. Also, "Pedestrian lighting along the beach walkway" should also be ready for the summer.

Finaly, not related to the Tourist sector, works are to begin on the town's second Primary school, close to the local municipal stadium.

In total ten teams participated in the European Football Tournament from 9 countries. Participants were split in three groups according to degree of ability: Gibraltar, Montenegro and Greece were placed in group A; Luxembourg, Cyprus 1 and Estonia in group B and Belgium, Cyprus 2, Israel and Malta in group C. Unfortunately, Moldova & Monaco were not able to come and Turkey announced at the last minute that they wouldn't come due to "sickness".

The final standings are not of great importance to these athletes, but more that the chance that they can take part in such a way as to represent their Country despite them not having the same ability as most people. For them, every time they take part in these sorts of events, they are winners no matter what the result. For the records though: Cyprus itself managed to win both of its groups. Of the other countries which took part Gibraltar won the other group, Luxembourg finished in their group second and Malta finished fourth in theirs. Further information can be found via the following sites, the UEFA report (on pg 13), Cyprus SO site and European SO site as well as the Spirit Magazine (Special Olympics Review)

Available Final Group Standings:

Group A - Gibraltar Winners, Greece/Montenegro, and Montenegro/Greece.

Group B - Cyprus Winners, Estonia, Luxembourg.

Group C - Cyprus Winners, Belgium/Israel, Israel/Belgium, Malta.

Special Thanks goes to a friend who managed to send me the copy of the Spirit Magazine via e-mail for me to help complete this article.

Nissi Avenue has now got four new speed bumps, the first between the Municipal Parking and the Bus Stop opposite right where the junction is turning up to the Town Hall and the last just before the new traffic lights which lead to either Nissi Beach or to the road towards the Petrol Station. A very wise move considering the number of careless accidents that have taken place over the previous summer season accross the whole of Nissi Avenue. 

Road improvemnet of Archiepiskopou Makariou III Avenue continues from where the Traffic Lights are, on either side and people should be taking extra care as these works continue to take place including reconstruction of the pavement along the avenue making it difficult for tourists not to avoid walking at the side of the road.

Please whilst driving around Ayia Napa keep these in mind, follow the road signs by not ignoring them and possibly causing accidents by driving too fast.

The Cultural Winter Programme continues every Thursday (with a few extra dates for special dates) until the summer season officialy begins. The first event for 2009 is with the "Rhythmos" dancing group and ends with performances by the Cavo Greko & Ayia Napa Municpal groups. Events will take place within the Town Hall.

The full programe is as folows:

Thursday, January 08: Journey Around The World with the "Rythmos" Dancing Group.

Thursday, January 15: Dance, Dance with the "Echochromata" Musical Group and the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

Thursday, January 22: Artistic Greek Music with the "Alterna" Musical Ensemble.

Thursday, January 29: Special Evening with the music of Mikis Theodorakis and Grigoris Mpithikotsis with the Admitos Pitsillides Music Ensemble.

Thursday, Febuary 05: Traditional Cypriot Dances & Songs with the "Kimon" Xylotymbou Dancing Group.

Thursday, Febuary 12: Classical Music with the Cyprus State Orchestra.

Thursday, Febuary 19: Greek Island Music Sergiani with the "Arradippos" Cultural Association.

Thursday, Febuary 26: Classical Music - The Violin and the Piano with the Andreas P. Nicolaou Musical Group.

Thursday, March 05: Medieval Music with the Orchestra of Ancient Greek Musical Instruments.

Thursday, March 12: Greek Music with the "Colours Popular Orchestra" Christos Fillipou Music Ensemble.

Thursday, March 19: Traditional Greek Dances with the "Dassous Achnas" Musical Ensemble.

Wednesday, March 25: Cyprus - Greek Islands - Asia Minor with the Maria Zintili Musical Group.

Thursday, March 26: Greek Popular Dances along with Latina Belly Dances with the "Rymvos" Dancing Group.

Thursday, April 1: Cavo Greko Musical Group & Ayia Napa Municpal Dancing Group.

All events start 8pm (20.00hrs) and entrance is Free of Charge.

The celebrations will begin from the Ayia Napa Church with the Church Service for the Epiphany which will be followed by the baptism of the Holy Cross and the blessing of the waters at the Ayia Napa Harbour with the Paralimni Municipal Philharmonic Band and a Corp of the National Guard as well.

The most reverend Metropolitan of Constantia - Famagusta area Mr Vasilios will be the Head of the Divine Service with the presence of the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance in attendance too.

After the Priest has baptised the waters by throwing in the Holy Cross, the first Swimmer to bring out the cross will be awarded a prize. This will be followed by Cypriot and Greek Traditional dances and songs, which will take place at the harbour, performed by the "Vasilidija" Cultural Group.

 This event will bring to a close the Christmas events for this holiday period.

Again, the "Visit Ayia Napa" team wishes you a Happy New Year 2009.

Not to forget traditional food and drinks including Zivania and homemade sweets and of course your Christmas Melodies.

The full entertainment programme is as follows:

2.30pm (14.30hrs): Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group - Dancing Performance

3.00pm (15.00hrs): Ayia Napa Municipal Children Choir with Conductor: Niki Antoniou

3.15pm (15.15hrs): Musical Group "Carpe Diem" - Music & Songs

3.30pm (15.30hrs): Sotira Cultural Association "I Klironomi" - Dancing Performance

4.00pm (16.00hrs): Paralimni Cultural Association "Anadisi" - Dancing Performance

4.30pm (16.30hrs): "Kimon" Xylotimbou Dancing Group - Dancing Performance

5.00pm (17.00hrs): Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group - Dancing Performance

5.30pm (17.30hrs): Musical Group of "Cavo Greco" Ayia Napa Cultural Association - Greek Music

The event is again organised by the Parents Association of the Nursery and Primary Schools and sponsored by the Ayia Napa Municipality.

All are welcome and there is no entrance fee. 

On New Year's Eve, at the Central square of Ayia Napa, their will be Christmas Melodies, Carols and Dances performed by "To Rodi" - Ormidia's Dancing Group and also Santa Claus will be there too. Not only the shows will be taking place, the "Agrotospito" will be lighting up/turning on the traditional clay oven, cooking traditional delicacies and offering free wine to the visitors to the place found below the main square. As the New Year (and the new National currency - the Euro) arrives at midnight (00.00hrs) fireworks will be lit to add to the enjoyment of the night.

After this, the "Vassilopitta" - a traditional New Year's Cake - will be cut and shared out to those who are there and traditional soup will also be served afterwards as well, to keep you warm.

All this will continue through to the early hours of New Year's Day.

All are welcome & entrance is free (unlike so many other places)

At the time of writing, the Nissi Avenue road is getting a new speed bumps, one in between the Municipal Parking and the Bus Stop opposite right where the junction is turning up to the Town Hall and the other at the end of Ayia Mavris where the road joins Nissi Avenue (250m further along). A very wise move considering the number of careless accidents that, took place over the previous summer season around those points.

Resurfacing continues in and about Ayia Napa on various roads which were left behind from last season. Furthermore, where the Traffic Lights (Harbour side) are people should be taking extra care as extensive works are taking place for various reasons including reconstruction of the pavement at the traffic lights.

Please whilst driving around Ayia Napa, keep these in mind and follow the road signs by not ignoring them and causing accidents at this time of year spoiling the Christmas (for those who are celebrating) and the New Years celebrations.

Their will be the Ayia Napa Children Municipal Choir, Songs by "Carpe Diem" - the Musical Group and dances by the Ormidia' Dancing Group "To Rodi" as well. For those still hungry after Lunch, or those who want a little something before dinner or to avoid eating again for the day, the Cyprus Traditional Farm House "Agrotospito" will have Christmas delicacies for the visitors to the events or those passing by.

As always, everyone is welcome to come and pass Boxing day (the day after Christmas) in a warm atmosphere.

Events are organised by the Ayia Napa Municipality and the Cyprus Tourism Organisaton.

Backed by the Local Municipality, the CTO, the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and the Ayia Napa COOP Bank.

"Romanos Melodos" Byzantine Choir

The Choir of the Youth Community

The Music Ensemble of the Traditional Instruments School

The performance will be on December 23 at 20.30 (8.30pm) and entrance is free.

Organised by the Larnaca & Ayia Napa Local Municipalities, Rialto Theatre (of Limassol) and Holy Metropolitan Trimithountos (Limassol) and sponsored by the Ministry of Education and Culture Cultural Services.

Not to forget traditional food and drinks including Zivania and homemade sweets and of course your Christmas Melodies.

The full entertainment programme is as follows:

2.30pm (14.30hrs): Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group - Dancing Performance

3.00pm (15.00hrs): Ayia Napa Municipal Children Choir with Conductor: Niki Antoniou

3.15pm (15.15hrs): Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group - Dancing Performance

3.30pm (15.30hrs): Frenaros Cultural Association - Dancing Performance

4.00pm (16.00hrs): Dancing School "Passion Dance" - Dancing Performance

4.30pm (16.30hrs): "Kimon" Xylotimbou Dancing Group - Dancing Performance

5.00pm (17.00hrs): Musical Group "Carpe Diem" - Music & Songs

5.30pm (17.30hrs): Musical Group of "Cavo Greco" Ayia Napa Cultural Association - Greek Music

The event is organised by the Parents Association of the Nursery and Primary Schools and sponsored by the Ayia Napa Municipality.

All are welcome and there is no entrance fee.

The Ayia Napa council wishes to inform the residents of the area as well as the tourists that on Saturday 6th December at 5pm (17.00hrs) in the Central Square of the town the Festive Lighting of the Christmas Decorations for 2008 will take place in front of the Mayor Mr. Antonis Tsokkos and the Aya Napa council.

The Cyprus Police Philharmonic Band, the Ayia Napa Municipal Choir as well as the "Winter Wonderland" Musical group will accompany the opening of the lights and decorations by performing Christmas Carols, Songs and Dances. There will be Free Wine and delicacies at the "Agrospito" (The Traditional Farm House) and also fireworks during the event.

Let's not forget the Santa's train will also be around for those who want to take a ride on it.

Everybody is welcome along.

Backed by the Town Hall, the Radiomarthon Foundation (who recently held a 3 day fund-raising events Nationwide) and other local businesses as well as the National Football Federation this tournament sees 11 Countries (with Cyprus having 2 teams) play each other.

As well as the Tournament there will also be the 9^th Football Special Olympics conference taking place with delegates from many established Football Countries like England & Romania.

For more information on the event visit http://www.specialolympics.com.cy/article.php?id=72

The event itself was a success even though there were only 9 countries attending in the end. Cyprus itself managed to win one of its groups whereas the 2nd Cypriot team didn't do as well. Of the other Countries taking place Luxemburg finished in their group 2nd. It is of note that the groups are set according to ability and not as normal Football Tournaments - hence the word Special. These Football players have some physical disability but show that they can play Football as well as any other normal player if not better.  

A further report on the event and some results are included in a later article.

The event takes place as part of "Athina 2008" which is organised by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education & Culture.

The team has visited numerous venues upto now and reviewed them according to set critereas without favourtism.  

The tour takes place every Monday [English and German] and Friday [English and Swedish] lasting for 3 hours including a 20 minute "Coffee" break, for the period from early November 20087 until late March 2008 except on public holidays.

In between sites, a well looked after "wooden" bus provides the method of travel fitting in with the tours general theme.

Places are limited, the bus can hold only 30 people in it so it's first come, first go.

Book in advance by giving your name and the hotel you stay in by either visiting the CTO office in Ayia Napa (on Kryou Nerou Avenue) or calling them. They are open every weekday between 8.30 and 1.30pm and on Monday & Thursday afternoons from 15.30 to 17.30.

So if you are in or around Ayia Napa during this period why not go and Join the Walk.

To help promote Ayia Napa in the coming winter months and in association with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation as usual, the local council has announced a full programme to cover not just the Holiday period but the whole of winter season until the end of March.

All events will be free of charge and take place in the Ayia Napa Municipal Conference Hall, a modern complex in the Center of Ayia Napa.

The first event is on the 3rd of November starting at 8pm (20.00hrs) with events continuing every Thursday onwards except towards the end of the Cultural programme due to the various National Holidays (25th March, 1st April.)

The events up until the end of 2008 are as follows:

Monday 3rd November 2008: Dancing Group "Art a Culture University" of Moscow

Thursday 6th November 2008: "Tribute to Nicos Xilouris" - "Anatoliki Mesogios" Musical Group

Thursday 13th November 2008: Classical Music and Songs with Taziana Jojat (Italian Soprano) and Lenia Kalli (Cypriot Soprano)

Thursday 20th November 2008: "Tou Pelagous" with the Musical Group "Orfeas" and the Dancing Group "Dionyssos"

Thursday 27th November 2008: "Burn the Floor" with the Siakallis Dancing Group

Thursday 4th December 2008: Cyprus Traditional Music presented by "I Las" Musical Group  

Thursday 11th December 2008: Classical Music and Songs: Soprano-Mezzo Soprano-Piano with Aura Shiati, Keti Economidou and Marios Ioannou

Thursday 18th December 2008: Christmas Music and songs - With the Cypriot Police Force Philharmonic Band

Thursday 25th December 2008: Christmas Day. No Events planned.

Events are also planned for the 26th and 31st December.

The rest of the programme will follow closer to the time and the Christmas Programme around mid November.

Picture

a selection of pictures of the dishes -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marios Fragoulis (performing on Friday) is easily the most international known name, especially in the world of Opera music. He has been around for over two decades and has built up a strong reputation for himself.

He has performed in major concerts, alongside major artists from the Classical music scene, made numerous multi-selling albums (some becoming Platinum too) and has also appeared in numerous West End shows as well as also providing his services for Charity events too. His latest album is Passione which is a tribute to Mario Lanza.

Steve Balsamo (performing on Friday with Fragoulis) should ring a bell for those who have seen "Jesus Christ Superstar" during the end of 1996 until September 1997 at the West End. Steve has also released a few albums in the past and has also writen a track for Meatloaf too.

Despoina Olimpiou (closing the festival) has been in Ayia Napa recently for the Medieval Festival which took place earlier in the year. She first appeared in the music scene back in 1999 on another artist's album, along with Gerasimou on that same album. Other than that she has also appeared with another famous Greek singer Michalis Xajiyiannis in concert who has also written a track on her new album which came out in May this year called "Mazi Horista" (meaning Together Separate).

Gerasimou Andreatos (along with Olimpiou) has also had a long career in music and two years ago had a cd out called "10 years live" covering some of the great popular singers of the past like Hadjidaki and Tsitsani (for those who know these singers.). He too has a new album out and his first solo album came out back in the mid 1990's.

There is not much further detail for the Cossack Ensemble of Moscow or for the local groups performing either. The Philharmonic Band of the Cyprus Police Force has been before to the Ayia Napa Festival, the Rhythmos dancing group are regular performers at the Municipality events and the Choir & Dancing groups of Ayia Napa are made up mainly of locals and a few other people from around the area as you would expect.

Unfortunately there is no information for the Cretan Club performing on Saturday.

Apart from the entertainment programe, including a daily 1/2 hour Shadow Puppet show, the Festival will have various exhibitions (14 in total) of various themes included a few dedicated to Ayia Napa itself of which one looks at the Ayia Napa of today and compares it to the original town before the tourist invasion. Also during the Festival, the Cyprus Traditional Farmhouse (the Agrospito) will be open as an exhibition place with all the furniture, interior design, equipment and agricultural tools of a Traditional Cypriot House.

Whilst in the garden of the Farmhouse there will be an exhibition of various household, rural and agricultural activities such as making of Zivania (a traditional Alcoholic Drink), Halloumi (a Cypriot soft cheese made from Goat's milk traditionally), macaroni, salted meat (pasta as it's called), bread and palouzes.

Further more, exhibitions of traditional arts like Woodwork, basket making, pottery etc. will also be open for the public.  

The full entertainment program for the festival follows on the next page:

Karakiosis Corner (for the Children) - Shadow Theater with George Idalis

Showtime: 19.30 - 20.00hrs (7.30-8.00pm)

Friday 26th September: Dionysus Wedding

Saturday 27th September: The Karakiosis is Karakiousi.

Sunday 28th September: The Karakiousis - almost a Doctor

Karakiousis is a word to describe a very naughty boy.

Friday 26th September 2008

19.30 (7.30pm): Beginning with the Philharmonic Band of the Cyprus Police Force

20.00 (8.00pm): Opening Ceremony

20.05 (8.05pm): Saxophone Music

20.30 (8.30pm): Address by the Mayor of Ayia Napa Mr Antonis Tsokkos and by his Excellency President of the House Mr Mario Karojian followed by

**Fireworks

21.10 (9.10pm): Concert with the Opera singers Marios Fragoulis & Steve Balsamo.

Saturday 27th September 2008

19.30 (7.30pm): Saxophone Music

20.00 (8.00pm): Cretan Traditional Dances - Cretan Club from Attica Galatsiou.

20.45 (8.45pm): Musical Group of "Cavo Grecko" Ayia Napa Cultural Association and the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group.

21.30 (9.30pm): Dancing Show with the Russian Cossack Ensemble of Moscow

Sunday 28th September 2008

Artists confirmed are Mario Frangoulis (a Greek Opera singer with international success), Despoina Olympiou makes another visit to the town this time along with Gerasimos Andreatos and also the Russian Cossack Ensemble will be performing at the Festival. Further details will be coming in the next few days.

 Also, a note (or reminder) that the festival is free of charge and everybody is welcome along to enjoy the events.

September is another busy month including the annual Ayia Napa festival the last weekend of the month. October also sees a special event with details to be announced in the coming weeks. The programme (subject to additions) is as follows:  

1st September 9pm: Latin Jazz with the "Forca - Latino" Musical Group at the "Thalassa" Municipal Museum.

8th September 9pm: Latin Jazz dance with the "Siakallis" Dancing Group at the "Thalassa" Municipal Museum.

15th September 9pm: Jazz music with the "Eternity" Group at the "Thalassa" Municipal Museum.

26-27-28th September: The 24th Ayia Napa Festival at the Central Square.

12th October 6-9pm: Zorbas Festival Guinness World Records at the Ayia Napa Harbour. (Details to be announced)

As always, all entrance is free.

All sorts of weather conditions prevailed from their being no wind at all to moderate wind and even thunderstorms causing all sorts of chaos to the proceedings with either delays or cancellations. She managed a couple of top 20 finishes during her races including a 15th (after disqualification of a higher athlete) & a 16th position. For all her results during the Olympics you can follow the link to the official results section of the Olympic Games website Gabriella-Results and choose RS:X Women in the "select by event" option to get only those race results.

Gabriella as well as all the other athletes will now start to focus on recovery from their efforts and then move to start preparations for the 2012 London Olympics through many other competitions including World Championships eventually leading to a qualification attempt during the next Olympic year.

VisitAyiaNapa thanks Gabriella for allowing us to sponsor her and her efforts and we congratulate her for those efforts. Simultaneously, we want to wish her all the best for the future including a few more Olympic appearances too.

http://www.gabriella-rsx.com

You can follow her progres through her own blog at http://www.gabriella-rsx.com/blog/blog1.php

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The programme this year takes place all around the town to promote the whole of the town. Artists performing include the usual mixture of traditional music and dances but also Rock, Jazz and Latin amongst other styles. On Sunday 13th July at the Sefereris Square there will be Cyprus Traditional Dances with the Cultural Group "Vasilidjia".

Six days later, the first of 3 "Full Moon Nights" at the Ayia Napa Harbour takes place. The "Echo" Musical Ensemble will present "A Stroll to the Moon". As suggested, there will be a full moon on the evening of the event to add to the intrigue of the event. The next night sees a commemoration to the events of the day of 20th July 1974 and the invasion of the island. "Cyprus, a Drop in the Globe" is performed by the Achna Folkloric Group at the Central Square.

A week later on the 27th, at the same place, sees an International Folk Dance Festival take place with the Pissouri Folkloric Group as well as other International Groups which brings July's events to a close. All events start at 9pm (21.00hrs) and entrance is free. August events follow on the next page.

The first Sunday in August (3rd) sees the continuation of the Folkloric theme with an International Dance Meeting taking place featuring the "Kimon" Xylotimpou Dancing Group and again other International groups at the Central Square. The attention then moves to the Seferis Square on the 10th August and takes a totally different direction by presenting a Rock Music night with the Rock Group "Sulphur".

Mid August sees 4 days of events in a row, 14th August sees the 2nd Full Moon Night event down by the Harbour. "The Songs of Love" is the theme presented by "That's Amore" Musical Group. On the 15th August the event takes place back in the Central Square in Ayia Napa with Greek Laiki Music with the Musical Group "Protasi" and again on the 17th but this time with a special tribute to the legend "Stelios Kasantsidis". In between these two events on the 16th August, a Jazz night takes place with the Yiannis Mirallis Musical Band which will happen at the Sefereis Square.

After a short rest, the events return on the 24th at the Central Square with the "Rythmos" Dancing group providing the entertainment ala Latin & Flamenco style and a week later the "Rymvos" Dancing group present Greek Cinema at the Sefereis Square. All events again take place at 21.00hrs (9pm) and are free of charge.

September doesn't let up either and in October the Zorbas Festival Guinness World Records, the 3rd and final Full moon night's takes place. News coming up in a later article.

We are now proud to announce that you can now follow her progress and preparations at her personal website at http://www.gabriella-rsx.com There's also her own personal blog as well as her full profile. This is her second Olympics and she has competed against the best in the world on numerous occasions.

She will be competing in the Sailing competition in the RS:X Class and her aim is for a top 10 finish which shows her confidence in herself and is one of the reasons we are sponsoring her. We wish her the best and who knows, maybe an Olympic Medal may come along....

The ensemble in itself have an important recording presence (NAXOS and ARCANA) and have performed on TV, Radio and many concerts worldwide including Brucknerhaus (Leeds), Essaouria (Morocco) and the Athens Music hall amongst many other places.

The final act of the festival performing on Friday and Saturday is the "Castiglione Fiorentino Historical Group" and it's Flag-Wavers. They originate from the ancient custom of flag-waving which dates back to the 12th Century around Europe and mainly to Italy where after a special event has happened, like the end of a war, the standard bearers of the town's military companies would perform difficult exercises with their flags as a show to celebrate the special event. Each display contains a vast (very large) amount of coloured flags circling above them bearing the town's emblem on them. Each exercise may be performed by either a single flag-waver whom uses the flags in such a way to leave you breathless by their harmony of movement or by the whole ensemble showing off their unity as a group. Through the years, the group has built up a name for its self and also help promote the town worldwide from the West of Europe, across the old Soviet Union and continuing to cross the world from the USA to Australia and across the African countries too but at the same time being heralds of peace and solidarity.  

The whole festival takes place at the Medieval Castle within the Center of Ayia Napa and entrance is free.

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The music Ensemble "Cypress Voice" meets the musical tradition of Cyprus in its own unique way combining traditional ways and at the same time combining elements of classical music. The range includes traditional and folk songs of Cyprus and also contemporary songs considered being a musical development and a continuation of tradition.   

On Sunday, it is the turn of the Dufay Collective to take to the stage for the festival. This collective began life in 1987 purely to interpret the rich and varied music of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. They work together without guidance from any director. They have toured all over the world in places such as India, Australia, the US and the UK amongst other countries and now will perform in Cyprus.

Apart from touring, this collective also has produced music for films including Hamlet, the affair of the necklace, A Knight's tale and furthermore a Harry Potter movie too and to add to their credibility, they have also been nominated for a Grammy Award (2003).

With no events on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday see the national Irish Harp Orchestra perform for the public. They provide the students of the group an opportunity to perform in public and also allow them to develop a career as professional harpers. Janet Harbison set up the group and in Ireland is seen as one of Ireland's strongest traditional harpers and leading personalities within the Irish Harp Music scene.

The orchrestra itself is made up of 16 harpers along with 8 other musicians and also a group of up to 32 dancers in large scale concert presentations.

The whole festival takes place at the Medieval Castle within the Center of Ayia Napa and entrance is free. The next 3 days of the festival follow in part 2 of the article.

By clicking the link on this page you can read more detailed information regarding the venues that were visited.

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Nowadays, Ayia Napa has enlarged so much since that time and the need for change is always there. So, what better way to change than move into different areas which were not around before. This is more so evident this year with a number of new restaurants opening up. Apart from the usual Italian/Japanese/Chinese & local restaurants already in the town, this year has seen a new Italian restaurant, a newly opened Swiss/International restaurant but also, the real eye-catches for this season are the other 2 new restaurants in the area.

Why are they eye-catches you are wondering to yourself? The reason is simply put in to three words - Lebanese and Jamaican. That's right, other than the usual styles set around the area these 2 restaurants have gone and moved into directions different to the rest, adding to the rich choice of tastes available to your hearts (or stomachs) desire.

So, what better time for someone to come to Ayia Napa and walk around the town and going into a restaurant which is different to the rest? The food war has just become a lot more interesting.

The programme is as follows:

Saturday 21st: The "Cyprus voice" group featuring Despoina Olimpiou.

Sunday 22nd: The Duffay Collective

Monday 23rd: No Event.

Tuesday 24th: The Irish Harp Collection

Wednesday 25th: The Irish Harp Collection

Thursday 26tt: Accentus Austria

Friday 27th:  Grupo Storico.

Saturday 28th: Grupo Storico.

All events start at 21.00 hrs (9.00 pm) within the Medieval Monastery and Entrance is free.

Firstly, if coming towards Ayia Napa and heading towards the Police station there is now a speed bump in place as you head downhill before the Police station. Next, going towards Nissi Beach and at the junction of the road towards the motorway/Petrol station, traffic lights have been put up to help ease traffic (especially in the next few months) and make safer the crossover off Nissi Avenue towards the motorway/Petrol station in both directions for both motorists & pedestrians.

Next, on the Kryou Nerou Avenue (Hotels Avenue), the Bicycle Lane has been retarmaced and posts have been put up at various points to prevent cars blocking the path by parking/driving on it.  

Finally, on Ayias Mavris Street (Town Hall Road), speed bumps have been placed both sides of the Town Hall itself. Also, a reminder, that the road is a one way road in the drection going up to the Square.

Hopefully, these are not the last of the improvements to be seen around the area and should be seen that the Mayor, Mr Antonis Tsokkos, has followed up his election campaign promises by pushing Ayia Napa forward after years of general inactivity.

These are the 3 artists who will be performing on Sunday Evening at 9.30pm (21.30hrs) as part of the Kataklismos festival in complete contast to last years artists these 3 have a totaly different more folk type of music.

The 3 day celebrations begin on Saturday evening with the Dancing group "The Las" and end late Monday evening with Kyriakou Pelagia and Michalis Xadjimichael Musical group.

All the events take place at the Ayia Napa Harbour and are free of Charge.

The full programme is as follows:

Saturday 14th June

19.00 hrs Cyprus and Greek Traditional Dances with "The Las" and the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

19.45 hrs Folkloric Poems and Songs: Love Poetry and Tsiattista (A form of song with the Lyrics often made up on the spot)

20.45 hrs Greek Dances with "Rymvos" Dancing Group.

21.30 hrs Concert featuring Maria's Zintili and Andrea's Nicolaou Musical Group as well as the Achna Folkloric Dancing Group.

Sunday 15th June

10.30 hrs Water Sport Games & Shows

19.30 hrs Ayia Napa Municipal Children Choir

19.50 hrs Cyprus Police Force Philharmonic Band

20.10 hrs Argentinean Tango & Fiesta Flamenco by the Dancing Group "Rythmos".

20.40 hrs Greek Traditional Dances by the Agia Napa Municiple Dancing Group

21.15 hrs Address by the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr Antonis Tsokkos followed by

Firework show

21.30 hrs Music Concert with the Greek Singers Giorgos Margaritis, Mathaios Yiannoulis & Leftereis Vazaios

Monday 16th June

10.30 hrs Water Sport Games & Shows

20.00 hrs Cyprus Traditional Dances by the "Athanasia" Dancing Group

20.30 hrs Russian Folklore Dances and Songs by Russian Dancing Group

20.15 hrs Greta & Asia Minor Dances with the "Pissouri" Folkloric Group

21.05 hrs Musical Group of "Cavo Grecko" Ayia Napa Cultural Association and Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group followed by

Firework Show

Apart from the festivities, also present will be some of the Disney Mascots for the children to see and further more a book exhibition will also be there at the Festival.

It all starts from 5.30pm (17.30hrs) in the Activity Corner and ends with a Magic Show which starts at 8.15pm (20.15hrs) and lasts for an hour.

Furthermore, the event is also part of the Ayia Napa Municipality's enviromental programme in order to maintain (keep) and get more blue flags for the beaches within the area.

So come along and give your support to the Festival and the kids and remember we were kids once upon a time too.

What is confusing to some tourists (especially the British tourist) is the pricing on goods in two currencies, Euros and Cyprus Pounds. Many tourists are arriving on the island and looking at the prices and the thought which follows after seeing the price varies. So to make clear the situation on prices follows an explanation and an example of dual (double) pricing.

By law created for the transition from Cyprus Pounds to Euros, it is illegal not to place on the goods the price in Euro & the indicative price in Cyprus pounds (The price it is equal to in old CY£). This continues until the end of September when it no longer has to be done by law. So, if you were to see on an item the following: €20 / £11.71 it means the item costs €20 which you pay in Euros which is equal to CY£11.71 (which no longer are legal tender - they are worth nothing but can be changed at any Bank).

It is easy to mistake the £ symbol as English pounds but you don't go to other countries on holiday & see the price in your own currency do you? Except for those who use the Euro as their national Currency, whose numbers continue to rise.

The band is on the search for venues to perform in June when they arrive (16th to the 23rd) and the manager Anders Odden has said “We always make a great night in the name of Rock 'n' Roll. We are free ... and will give your place great advertising on TV" and adds the band is quite popular.

The show goes by the name of "Charter-Fever!" and attracts a mainly younger age group of viewers. Contact details: by telephone +4798256130 (Norwegian Number) or e-mail at " KaraokeFromHell@ascap.no "

As for the people who are around the area durng those dates, well you have 2 choices, go and enjoy the show or avoid them without offending anybody.

Is Ayia Napa ready to rock? Well, there's at least one place that is.

Final touches for those who are opening in the next couple of days will be completed and those who have already opened their doors welcoming the early tourists of the season to their businesses. Most of the restaurants are open providing the tourists (and locals of course) a variety of tempting menus from the traditional Cypriot Meze, to the taste of Italy at numerous Italian restaurants to Chinese food at the well established spots and even Lebanese at the newly opened restaurant close to the heart of Ayia Napa.

It's not just the businesses that are ready, but the municipality has gone and resurfaced all the major roads after years of decline due to varying reasons. Gone is the need to avoid a pot hole in the road or the worry of poor road surfaces as you drive around Ayia Napa during the day and at night you know we can concentrate what's on the road ahead of us and not on the state of the road that you drive on.

Furthermore, for the more open-eyed tourists, the municipality has gone and changed the walls of Ayia Napa not by painting them with a new coat of paint but by building on to the walls a new layer of stone. Not just any stone though, but with the stone which the houses were built with many years ago.

As you come down into Ayia Napa from the top of the hill from Paralimni, as you enter you will notice the walls are now covered with this old stone and also a few new small walls also have been built in the same style to give the town a different optical view and a new refreshing look but a reminder of the days before Ayia Napa became a center of attraction for tourists. The regular Ayia Napa tourist will notice the difference and feel more welcomed.

Also as you go towards the Harbour from the traffic lights you will notice the improvement of the short strip leading to their and let's not forget either the World Championship event taking place there for the 1st time in Cyprus.

Welcome to the refreshed look and feel of Ayia Napa 2008.

Further more, a boat show will also be taking place over the 3 days, starting on Friday from 4pm until 10pm & on Saturday & Sunday the show will be open from 10am until 10pm.

The full programme is as follows:

Friday 9th May:

10am - 5pm          (10.00 - 17.00) Administrive & Technical Verifications

2pm - 4pm            (14.00 -16.00) Free Practice W.E.C & W.C.

5pm - 7pm            (17.00 -19.00) Opening Ceremony with Freestyle Show

Saturday 10th May:

10am - 10.30am   (10.00 - 10.30) Pilots Briefing

11am - 1pm         (11.00 - 13.00) Free Practice W.E.C & W.C.

The fossils are of about 80 of these dwarf hippopotamuses within the cave which scientists say date back from 9,000 to 11,500 BC compared to 8,000 BC from previous discoveries. Scientists also believe there may be further fossils below these which may shed more light.

As one official said "It's about our origins" going on to state that the more we know about our past makes us know more about ourselves today. The most interesting part of the whole discovery is how these animals arrived on the island considering Cyprus was never part of a mainland in its past. They assume that during a previous Ice age they may have swum or clung onto floating debris and arrived on the island (which was much larger around 10,000BC) from Syria which was a lot closer due to lower sea levels around that time.

Further more, the official said that these bones were likely to have been trampled on, as they seemed crushed, by other hippos suggesting that the cave was a place of shelter or even possibly an ancient burial ground which they returned to die at.

The full programme is as follows:

Holy Thursday 24^th April: 

18.30 (6.30pm): Service of the Passion of the Christ

Good Friday: 

08.30 (8.30am): Burial Of Jesus

19.00 (7pm)     : Lamentations of the Tomb of Christ

21.00 (9pm)     : Procession of the Epitaphios

Easter Saturday: 

07.00 (7am): First Resurrection Service 

21.00 (9pm): Lighting of the Bonfire

24.00 - 02.30: (Midnight - 2.30am): Midnight Resurrection Service, Matins and Divine Liturgy

       **        : Fireworks

Easter Sunday:

11.00 (11am): Vespers of Love - The Gospel will be read in other languages as well.

16.00 - 18.00 (4 - 6pm): Baking of Flaounes, (Traditional Cheese Pies mainly made around Easter), and preparation of red eggs at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House

19.30 - 20.10 (7.30 - 8.10pm): Cyprus & Greek Dances performed by the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.15 - 21.00 (8.15 - 9pm): Greek Traditional Dances by the Dancing Group “Aradippos” & the Poligiros Chalkidikis Dancing Greek Group.

21.05 (9.05pm): Greek Music Concert by the Musical Group “Maria Zintili & Andreas Nicolaou”

Easter Monday 28^th April:

15.00 - 16.00 (3 - 4pm): More baking of Flaounes and preparation of red eggs at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House

16.00 (4pm): Vespers of Love

16.30 (4.30pm): Swings & Tsattista (Folkloric love poems)

17.00 (5pm): Traditional Easter Games (Bag racing, Egg & Spoon races, etc)

19.30 - 20.00 (7.30 - 8 pm): Cyprus & Greek Dances performed by the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

20.05 - 20.30 (8.05 - 8.30pm): Cyprus Traditional Dances & Songs – Performed by the “Kimon” Xylotympou Dancing Group

20.35 - 21.00 (8.35 - 9pm): Folk Greek Dances performed by the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

21.05 (9.05pm): “Great Greek Composers” by the Music Ensemble “Anerada” and “Rymvos” Dancing Group with the singers Nasia Trachonitou and Efthimios Papadopoulos.

All events take place in and around the Ayia Napa main square.

In a move by both Greek and Turkish Cypriots signifying intent for a full solution to the Cyprus problem, the two leaders agreed and completed the opening of the 60 to 80 odd meters which separate the two sides and is patrolled by the UN force (UNFICYP).

A few days before the opening, the UN had secured the short area by checking for any possible dangerous objects to people and announcing that none were found and the area was now officially safe. Efforts on both sides then began to improve the face of the street by cleaning up their shops (which have been closed since July 1974, after the Turkish Invasion) and setting up of temporary structures to make the buildings and street safe.

On the 3rd of April, the day finally arrived and at 9am local time, after a short opening ceremony accompanied by speeches, balloons were let off after being cut from their ribbons and released into the air. Then the street opened up to pedestrians for the first time in almost 4 and a half decades bringing renewed hope to Cyprus and a lasting solution.

But the day didn't end as it should have as Turkish-Cypriot police entered the zone controlled by the UN in which could be seen as a provocation. The Greek-Cypriot side reacted by closing the zone until the UN intervened to move back the police who had entered the zone and breaking the agreement by the two leaders. Soon after, the area was reopened to the public who continued on both sides to walk up and down the newly opened area.

As one politician said, little cracks in the wall will eventually make it tumble (fall).

The Greeks, Swedish & Russian tourists also increased but the total from the UK was slightly down with the general amount of tourists from the UK at around 45%.

Total revenue for January saw a 0.9% increase in real terms and average spending and average stay per a tourist were also up. Another  interesting statistic showed that people making individual arrangements spent less for their holiday rather than those who booked a package holiday.

On the other side of the coin, the total capacity of beds fell by almost 2,000 beds but more people were staying with relatives or friends in other accommodation not related to the CTO.

Experts are trying to play things safe for the whole year by saying not to be misled by the first two month results saying that it does not reflect the whole year but they do expect things to continue upwards in March at least due to the Western Easter which has now passed by.

The event is thought to cost about €170,860 (CY£100,000) to be staged but if successful could lead to further future annual races in Ayia Napa to help create a much needed injection to the Island (and local) tourism levels for a time of year when tourists are still undecided on where to go.

The event will be opened with a bang, apart from fireworks, Skydiving teams & other events will also precede the main event.

So, if Jet Skis are high upon your list or you like the thought of combining a holiday in the sun with a major event, book your tickets now for early May and join the action.

For those still wondering if the World record has been set for the Largest Zorbas dance in Ayia Napa, well until we hear official news on it goto  - uk.youtube.com - and write in the search bar, Zorba Ayia Napa, and you'll find numerous short clips of the event. A good time was had by all in perfect settings.

Finally, a reminder to the residents of Ayia Napa with regards to the Annual Blood Donation event taking place on Wednesday March 12, 2008 at the Ayia Napa Town Hall. Any new doners must be over 18 years old in order to be allowed and all other donners are reminded to bring their donner cards with them.

To those who are interested the exhibition will take place at the Ayia Napa town hall from Thursday 6th March until Thursday 13th March.

It will begin from 10.00hrs until 14.00hrs each day except the weekend, and also on Thursdays from 18.00hrs until 22.00hrs.

Everybody is welcome to pass by.

His political party is seen as a Communist party but not as extreme as others. This considering, it is surprising for outsiders to see political parties like EDEK (a socialist party) throwing their support behind them but then again, this is Cyprus, a small island where anything can happen. As 1 paper had joked earlier, Cyprus follows Cuba and China towards a communist way of life.

In spite of winning 4 of the 5 areas in Cyprus, only falling in the Famagusta area, the margin of victory was very small. In the 9 electral areas of Famagusta he won 4 of them, which including Ayia Napa where the new President gained 1,135 votes to 885 votes of his opponent (the others being Deryneia, Frenaros and Axeritou.)

Here at Visit Ayia Napa, we wish Mr Christofias all the best and hopes that his term in office brings an end to the separation of the island and also helps the tourist industry regain its former strength.

More to follow on Monday.

In what way you will be thinking to yourselves. In the way that you take everything out except for the outside walls and change all the rest. If you are in Ayia Napa at the moment, walk or drive slowly around the town and you will notice truly how many places are being taken apart in this way.

It seems that there is a wave of optimism amongst the local owners of shops, bars, restaurants etc which is leading to all this action of fixing up their places for the incoming season. It has been a long time since Ayia Napa has had such activity to prepare them for it which means that they believe that this season will be better than previous ones.

Whilst it was expected the final results to come through at 8.30pm, eventually they came at around 7.30pm (19.30hrs) to put an early end to the immediate nervousness. 

Ioannis Kasoulidis (150,996 votes) upset the odds and the opinion polls to surge ahead and win by the tightest of margins, 980 votes separated the first two with President Papadopoulos, in third, getting 6,767 votes less than Mr. Christofias. Of the other candidates, EuroMP Marios Matsakis led the way with Costas (Outopos) Kostas behind him. The other four candidates did not manage to get even 800 votes each and finally a large percentage of people (10.38%) did not vote. The total number of voters in Cyprus for these elections stands at 516,441.

Now as to why such a turn around occurred, the reason is simply down to the number of students and other voters abroad returning back to Cyprus to vote which obviously could not be accounted for in local opinion polls beforehand. What is also interesting to see, was the massive difference in votes in the Famagusta area which covers Ayia Napa, Paralimni, Protaras and other nearby villages. Of the 28,191 voters registered, 11,692 (46.56%) of them voted for Ioannis Kasoulidis, whilst Dimitris Christofias took 33.41% and the President only 18.71% of the votes. None of the others managed to get 1% of the votes in the whole area whilst 2,320 voters (8.23%) decided not to vote.

So, next Sunday will see either Mr. Kasoulidis or Mr. Christofias as the new President of Cyprus with the next 2 days critical for both of them as they battle to gain support from other political parties.

All can mean one thing that Ayia Napa is getting ready for the new tourist season.

As one walks around Ayia Napa, they will notice that many people are starting to fix up their bars/restaurants/clubs etc to get themselves ready for the coming months. You can be sure too that a number of places will be opening up especially for the 14th February and those wanting an excuse to pamper (take out) their other halves to go there.

People are waiting for the new season with excitement & anticipation to see if the change from the Cypriot Pound (RIP) to the Euro will be of benefit to them or a difficult time for them to adjust to. Only time will actually tell which way the people will see which of the two it is.

All pricings should be marked up in both Euro & Cyprus pounds until the end of September the earliest, with the rate of exchange at €1 = CY£0.585274 or CY£1 = €1.708601 (€1.71). That means, any where you see a price, whether it be a ticket, a soft drink, a menu, a price list or whatever you should see pricings in both currencies.

Some places also have available calculators available which are pre-programmed to calculate the cost in CY pounds from Euro or the other way around automatically and the Government has also supplied every household with such a calculator as well in the drive for people to get used to the Euro.

Also, road improvements are also starting to take place in order to sort out the poor conditions of some of the roads which after the rainfall of the last 2 days have become more evident. Now if this has to do more with the Government elections in February or the new Mayor in office it does not matter too much to the locals of Ayia Napa, they are glad to see improvements finally happening.

So, as another day goes on, Ayia Napa continues in a positive mood for the new season to reach us with expectations of different sizes for each person and business.

Windsurfing, canoeing and Swimming amongst other sports connect them, but not up to the Olympic standards of course .

Visit Ayia Napa is proud to be sponsoring the Olympian, Gabriella Hadjidamianou who will be taking part in the RSX Windsurfing event, during the 9th to the 21st August (Weather permitting). The exact days & times will be announced closer to the time.

For those who do not know anything about the sport, it is a series of races (not just one(1)) where all results count and on completion of these races, the 10 best athletes then progress to the Gold Fleet, the Final race, in order to compete for an Olympic Medal.

Gabriella Hadjidamianou also took part at the 2004 Athens Olympics just missing out a Top 20 place finishing 21st on 195.0 in the Women's Mistral category. For those who wish to follow her warm-up to the Olympic Games in Bejing this summer, will be able to keep up with all her news via her website coming soon.

Visit Ayia Napa wishes her all the best at the Olympics and hope she manages a better position that the Athens Olympics and continues to do Cyprus proud.

One of these roads will be the Archbishop Makarios III road from the traffic lights down to the Harbour.

Hopefully, a repeat of the last years rushed jobs will be avoided and everything will be ready for the new summer season.

In fact, the 2nd half of the events could be even better than the first half with some very eye-catching programmes

The rest of the programme goes as follows:

Thursday 10 January 2008: Traditional Cypiot Dances - The "Kimon" Xylotymbou Dancing Group

Thursday 17 January 2008: The music of Mikis Theodorakis as presented by the Admitos Pitsillidi Group

Thursday 24 January 2008: A tribute to Mano Hadjidakis - Vocals by Nena Venetsianou and on the Piano Christodoulos Georgiadis

Thursday 31 January 2008: Nostalgic Listenings of the Voice & Piano - Avra Siati, Kaiti Oikonomidou and Marios Ioannou.

Thursday 7 Febuary 2008: Cypriot Traditional Songs - Adamos Katsiantonis and Cypriot Orchestral Traditional Group

Thursday 14 Febuary 2008 (Valentine's Day): All That Jazz - "Blue Voice" Muscal Group

Thursday 21 Febuary 2008: Great Greek Composers - Tsitsanis, Zampetas, Kaldaras with the "Anerada" Musical Group and the "Rymvos" Dancing Group.

Thursday 28 Febuary 2008: "The Classical Concert" - Collegium Cyprium Quartet

Thursday 6 March 2008: Latin, Modern and Flamengo - "Siakallis" Dancing Group

Thursday 13 March 2008: Musical Paintings of Cyprus - The Flute & The Lute - "Leoniidas Pitsillides" Musical Group

Thursday 20 March 2008: Greek Evening - "Maria Zintili" Musical Group and the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancng Group

Wednesday 25 March 2008:  Greek Traditional Dances with "I Klironomia" Sotiras Folkloric Group and "I Paradosi" Liopetri Cultural Group

Which is the last event for the Winter Cultural Programme of the Municipality.

Only the first three are backed by political parties with the other 6 running as individals. Whoever wins whether it will be in the 1st round or the next which would take place a week later (should no candidate secure 50% of the vote, as is most likely to happen), we wish them all the best in trying to restore Cypriot tourism back to the levels they once were. 

Visit Ayia Napa will bring you the results of the presidential vote the morning(s) after.

Christmas Day has passed but the Christmas celebrations still continue with events on New Years Eve, New Years Day and on the 6th January as well, Epiphany or Theophany depending on your religion.

Remember, if you are going out to any of these events either locally in the square or somewhere else, act properly and drive safely for your own sake and others. Don't spoil the New Year because of a carless mistake which can be easily avoided.

The office will remain open as it has been all winter so far, for any information you may require with regards to the site and how to advertise with us.

Again, we wish you all a Happy New Year 2008 and wish you all the best in all our efforts to bring visitors back to Ayia Napa, not just for the summer season but for all year round.

Remember, if you are going out to any Christmas events locally in the square or somewhere else, act properly and drive safely for your own sake and others. Don't spoil the holiday seasons for others because of a carless mistake.

There will be dancing groups and also musical groups at the event and also a Christmas charity bazzar.

All are welcome.

The other event is on Sunday 6th January when the Epiphany celebrations take place early in the morning. This will take place in the Ayia Napa Church which will be followed by the baptism of the Holy Cross and the blessing of the Waters. The Cyprus Military Philharmonic Band will be at the celebration.

The Holy Cross will be thrown in to the water, and for those bold enough to dive in after it, the person bringing it up out of the water will receive a prize.

Afterwards, Traditional Cyprus dances and songs will follow at the specially set up area of the Harbour.

Again, all are welcome for those who can get up!!

TV, Radio, Newspapers and other forms of media are constantly reminding us about the change over. For those who do not live in Cyprus and are planning a holiday over here must be warned that as of the 1st January, Cyprus pounds will be withdrawn and replaced by the Euro and as of 1st Febuary, the Cyprus pound, will belong in the past.

Banks will continue to accept Cyprus pounds in exchange for Euro for a limited time.

All Businesses are being advised to hand in their Cypriot money in advance in order to help with the change over, especially the coins which will have less time.

For more about the introduction of the Euro, visit the article Cyprus is joining the Euro.

 Update: January 5th 2008

Local media reported yesterday that the local people have adopted to the Euro very quickly even though they have until the end of the month to use Cypriot money. Also, the Cypriot pound has been withdrawn to about 30% of it's current circulation up until yesterday.

The public is reminded that they can still change Cypriot money at the banks free of charge until the 30th June.

On New Year's Eve, at the Central square of Ayia Napa, their will be Christmas Melodies, Carols and Dances performed by "To Rodi" - Ormidia's Dancing Group and also Santa Claus will be there too. Not only the shows will be taking place, the "Agrotospito" will be lighting up/turning on the traditional clay oven, cooking traditional delicacies and offering free wine to the visitors to the place found below the main square. As the New Year (and the new National currency - the Euro) arrives at midnight (00.00hrs) fireworks will be lit to add to the enjoyment of the night.

After this, the "Vassilopitta" - a traditional New Year's Cake - will be cut and shared out to those who are there and traditional soup will also be served afterwards as well, to keep you warm.

All this will continue through to the early hours of New Year's Day.

Their will be the Ayia Napa Children Municipal Choir with Christmas Melodies, the Achna's Forest Cultural Group with dances and also for those still hungry after Christmas Lunch, or those who want a little something before Christmas dinner, the Cyprus Traditional Farm House "Agrotospito" will have Christmas delicacies.

Everyone is welcome to come and pass Christmas day in a warm atmosphere.

The Ayia Napa council wishes to inform the residents of the area as well as the tourists that on Saturday 1st December at 5pm (17.00hrs) in the Central Square of the town, the Mayor Mr Antonis Tsokkos and the Ayia Napa council will perform the Festive Lighting of the Christmas Decorations.

The Cyprus Police Philharmonic Band, the Ayia Napa Municipal Choir and the Musical Group "Winter Wonderland" will accompany the opening of the lights and decorations by performing Christmas Carols, Songs and Dances.

Also, at the Cyprus Traditional Farm House "Agrospito", which is located just down from the main square, you will be able to taste Christmas delicacies, have free wine and for the kids, and those who feel like a kid, a ride on Santa's train.

The event will take place at 8pm (20.00hrs) and entrance is Free.

Hagiographies are pieces of Art which reflect (show) Christian religious beliefs. These are hand painted according to the ancient ways. They may be painted either on solid wood or marine plywood.

The exhibition will run between the dates mentioned at the start with the following visiting times:

Everyday between 10am and 2pm (10.00-14.00hrs) and in the evenings between 6 and 10pm. (18.00-22.00hrs)

The opening of the show will take place on the 15th November at 7.30pm (19.30hrs).

For further details of the Hagiographies to be shown go to nadinahagiographies.com and see some of the work to be displayed at the exhibition.

Have you ever wondered what a typcal Cypriot Wedding is like, well here's a chance to find out to some degree.

Come and join the "Vasilijia" Cultural Group and watch as they re-enact with music and dances a traditional Cypriot Wedding.

The event starts at 20.00hrs (8pm) in the Ayia Napa Municipal Conference Hall ths Thursday 8th November. Entrance is free of charge.

The tour takes place every Monday [English and German] and Friday [English-Swedish] lasting for 3 hours including a 20 minute "Coffee" break, for the period from 16 November 2007 until 14 March 2008 except on public holidays.

In between sites, a well looked after "wooden" bus provides the method of travel fitting in with the tours general theme.

Places are limited, the bus can hold only 30 people in it so first come, first go.

Book in advance by giving your name and the hotel you stay in by either visiting the CTO office in Ayia Napa or calling them. They are open every weekday except Wednesday afternoons.

So if you are in or around Ayia Napa during this period why not go and Join the Walk.

To help promote Ayia Napa in the winter months and in association with the Cyprus Tourism Organisation the local council has announced a full programme to cover not just the Holiday period but the whole of winter season until the end of March.

All events will be free of charge and take place in the Ayia Napa Municipal Conference Hall, a modern complex in the Center of Ayia Napa.

The first event is on the 1st of November starting at 8pm (20.00hrs) with events every Thursday except the very last event in March.

The events to the end of the year are as follows:

Thursday 1 November 2007 : "Specially dedicated"  - With the "Dimitris Fani" Musical Group

Thursday 8 November 2007 : "Cypriot Wedding" - With the "Vasilijia" Cultural Group

Thursday 15 November 2007 : "A Tribute to Heritage" - With the "the Las" Musical Group, song by P. Lalezas

Thursday 22 November 2007 : "Journey Arund The World" - With the "Rhythmos" Dancing Group

Thursday 29 November 2007 : Music, Songs and Dances from the Greek Islands - With the "Echochromata" Dancing Group

Thursday 6 December 2007 : "Fools & Angels" - With the "Rythmos" Dancing Group 

Thursday 13 December 2007 : Classical Music - Violin and Piano - With the Andreas P Nicolaou Musical Group 

Thursday 20 December 2007 : Christmas Music and songs - With the Cypriot Police Force Philarmonic Band

Thursday 27 December 2007 : Jazz Music - With the Niki Antoniou Musical Group

The rest of the programme will follow closer to the time.

All the islands facilities - public and private - are prepared for this major change. For those who have visited Cyprus in the last month and a half, they will have noticed that pricing at Restaurants, at Bars, in the Shops and many other places are now showing prices in both Cyprus pounds and Euros. This will continue to be so, up until the 30th September 2008 to assist the people in the currency change over.

The rate of exchange for Cyprus Pounds to Euros has been set by the Central European Bank at 0.585274. What does this mean in money terms? Each Euro is equal to 0.585274 Cyprus Pounds - and that 1 Cyprus Pound is equal to 1.708601 Euros.

Thus: €1 = CY£0.585274 and CY£1 = €1.708601

What will happen to the Cyprus pound after the introduction of the Euro? During the time 1st January 2008 until the 31st January 2008 both Cyprus pound and the Euro can still be used. Any payment made in Cyprus pounds is acceptable but any change left will be given back in Euros. After that period, only the Euro will be legal money.

Banking institutions will exchange Cyprus banknotes and coins for euro, free of charge, at least for the amount of £1.000 for banknotes and £50 for coins, for a period of 6 months from the date of the introduction of the euro, i.e. until 30.6.2008.

Thankfully, for those who still have Cyprus pounds on them after that, they will be able to go to any commercial bank and change them into Euros until a time yet to be set by the Central Bank of Cyprus. After that time, for the remaining(2) years the Central bank will change coins free of charge - that is until the 31st December 2009, and for the next ten (10) years will change Cyprus notes into Euro - until the 31st December 2017.

It should be said that shops, restaurants etc will still accept the Cypriot pound up until the 31st January but any change must be given in Euros.

On the next page, a few facts of the Euro are given,

Facts of the Euro

Of the 27 member countries of the European Union - 12 joined upon the official launch of the Euro and Slovenia joined up on 1st January 2007.

Malta and Cyprus follow on 1st January 2008 making the total 15 with the rest of the countries joining eventually except for the United Kingdom (UK) and Denmark who have the right to decide to join at any time (if ever) they feel is right for their Country.

Each country joining the Euro must meet certain economic criteria before being allowed to adopt the Euro as the national currency.

Further information on regards to the Euro within Cyprus and the rest of the European Union can be found amongst these sites:

http://www.euro.cy (The official Cypriot Goverment's website on the change over)

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/our_currency.htm and

http://ec.europa.eu/euro/entery.html (The Official European Union Websites.)

Fact: Cypriots are adopting the Euro Currency faster than their Slovenian counterparts according to reports and in the first 5 days around 30% of Cypriot money had been returned to the banks.

The event starts at 8.30pm (20.30hrs) at the Thalassa Museums Amphithetre, Ayia Napa.

Entrance remains free of charge.

Many outlets have already been inspected and further inspections are expected to take place. The CTO also encourages customers to report any complaints they may have to the organisation so they can look into it by calling the central line on 22 691 100.

One example is, should the price on the receipt not be the same as the price on the menu, they are in trouble.

Regarding the looks of a food joint, telling an owner that black and yellow bathroom tiles with orange curtains did not make for a good restaurant could be hard to do. “In this case, it’s less about applying the law and imposing penalties but more about giving some advice,”

Also, apart from making waiters and waitresses wear uniforms, they cannot teach them how to be polite and hospitable, a problem compounded by the fact that so few Cypriots are now employed in the industry. “The most that can be done is to ask them to make sure they speak at least one international language.”

According to the last guide that CTO gave out on the tourism industry, Cyprus scored highest in the food and services sector.

Tourists’ biggest complaint was the cost of getting to and from the airport and the transport options within the cities and between different parts of the island.

Under the watchful eyes of locals, tourists and officials, a total of 268 dancers from 8 dancing groups stretched out in the sand for about 500 meters dancing Syrtaki to the world famous "Zorbas" tune which marks Cypriot & Greek Culture.

Apart from the World Record Attempt, the Mayor of Ayia Napa - Mr Antonis Tsokkos - said that the event was also to promote the natural beauty of the area and to point out that the town is not just about the nightlife.

According to some reports, Australia claim that they set the record in 2004 but according to the Guiness World Records, no such record is ratified and that it could be in another catogery. Also, they had awaited evidence from Cyprus that such a record has been set on Sunday in order for it to be officialy recognised as a World Record which was sent and the record was then recognized.

It must be mentioned that for the record to be allowed, the dancers must dance in synchronised steps (the dancers must be dancing the same steps at the same time).

This event was just one of the latest in a series of recent World Record attempts all over the island, from the largest New Years Cake through to the largest Syrtaki Dance which took place here, in the Ayia Napa municipality.

Visit Ayia Napa wishes the Municipality all the best and that it breaks easily the World record for the largest Syrtaki dance.

The festival is spread out over 3 days and covers the Ayia Napa square and the area in and around the Monastery. The festival is split up into various parts.

The first part covering the area below the Monastery will be covered by various stands covering a wide range of Local and National aspects of agricultural products.

Within the Monastery, there will be various exhibitions and local paintings but each in a different view then the usual chain of thought. One of the exhibitions will cover the history of Ayia Napa through out the years. Each exhibition will have its own identity.

Finally, as well as the various stands and displays there will also be live events on each of the three evenings from 7.30pm (19.30hrs).

On Friday, the Greek acoustic singer Dimitra Galani will be performing and on Saturday another Greek acoustic singer, Pantelis Thalasinos as well as the Portuguese singer Christine Branco will be performing together.

On Sunday, the Chinese group "The East Sun" will be performing what should be an interesting event for the festival to end with.

On each of the three days there will also be a half hour Shadow Puppet show for the kids at 7.30pm (19.30hrs)

The full programme for the events follows on the next page...

Friday, September 28

7.30pm Introduction with the Philharmonic Band of the Cyprus Police Force

8.00pm Opening Ceremony

8.05pm "Ballads" with the Antoniou Trio

8.35pm Address by the Ayia Napa Mayor Mr Antonis Tsokkos and his Excellency the President of the House of Representatives Mr Dimitris Christofias

followed by

*** Fireworks

 9.00pm Concert by the Greek acoustic singer Dimitra Galani

Saturday, September 29

7.30pm "All That Jazz" by the Eternity Jazz Group

8.00pm Traditional Cypriot Dances performed by the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing Group

8.50pm Simply-Concisely Variation "Greek"

             Greek Cinema Ballet by the Dancing group "Adouloti Siakalli"

9.30pm "Mediterranean Songs" with Greek acoustic singer, Pantelis Thalasinos and the Portuguese singer Christine Branco

Sunday, September 30th

7.30pm "Kiprogenia" with the "Larkos Larkou" Music Group

8.10pm "The crazy and the Angels" with the Dancing group "Rymvos"

9.15pm Announcement for the 24th Ayia Napa Festival 2008

*** Fireworks

9.30pm The Chinese Group "The East Sun" performing a Music/Dancing/Stunt Show.

The event is scheduled to take place at 4.00pm (16.00hrs) at the "Pantachou" Beach, Ayia Napa Harbour.

If you are in Ayia Napa, on the 16th of the month and want to be part of a world record, then get yourself down to the Beach because everybody is welcome to take part in the attempt to beat this record.

This is a one off chance to be a part of a world record.

The event takes place on Sunday September 9 at 9pm (21hrs) at the Ayia Napa Square.

The group "Blue Voice" will be performing at 8.30pm (20.00hrs) on Monday, September 3.

Entrance is free.

Entrance is free.

A reminder that these events are free for everybody.

Nikitas Restaurant is a family run and owned business that has served many satisfied customers over the years.

Address: 4 Ari Velouchioti Street, Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Our restaurant is located right in the heart of Ayia Napa, just a few minutes walk from the town square.

We welcome you to come and join us for a pleasant meal. Our restaurant offers a broad range of dishes such as:

We are renowned for the finest Irish steaks that can be found in the surrounding region. However you wished this to be cooked, with whatever sauce you desire we are obliged to prepare you the dish that you deserve.

If you wish to eat like the locals we also offer the traditional Cypriot Meze that consists of 18 different dishes.

From a Traditional Cyprus Cuisine to an International Cuisine coupled with our imaginative recipes, friendly environment and excellent service we guarantee that your evening will be a pleasantly refreshing experience.

Nikitas Restaurant aims to offer you an unforgettable evening with quality food in a beautiful environment.

Special Offers

Nikitas Restaurant Special Offers - Print this page and bring it to the restaurant for great offers throughout the year in and out of season with Nikitas Restaurant.

The following groups will be performing:

From Cyprus: The Laografikos group of Sotira "I Klironomia", The Kimon Xylotimpou Group and The folk group "Ormidia"

From Greece: The Ayia Paraskevi Kozanis group and The Neoi (New) Epivates group.

From Poland: The Hrubieszow Region group.

From Slovakia: The Slnecnica group and finally,

From Ecuador: The Expresion Latinoamericana group.

The event will take place at 21.00hrs (9pm) at the Ayia Napa Square.

This event takes place in the Ayia Napa Square at 21.00hrs (9pm) this Sunday.

The programme of events still to take place are as follows:

Sunday 15th July 2007: Tribute to Grigoris Bithikotsis and Vikki Moscholiou by the Musical Group Dimitris Fani.

Sunday 22nd July: The Folkloric Dance International Festival (featuring other Dancing Groups)

Sunday 29th July: International Dancing Group "Kimon" Xilotimpou and other groups.

Sunday 5th August: Cultural Youth Group "Ligaria" and Traditional and Cypriot dances.

Sunday 12th August: Burn the Floor Dancing Group "Siakallis"

Tuesday 14th August: The Musical Group "I Las"

National Holiday - Wednesday 15th August: The Greek Island Music and Dance Group "Echochromata" and the Ayia Napa Municipal Dancing group.

Sunday 19th August: "The Great Greek Composers" - The Musical Group "Protasi"

Sunday 26th August: A Tribute to Vasilis Tsitsanis Musical Group "Epea Pteroenta" - The Dancing Group "Rymvos"

Finally, in the last Weekend of September - 28th-30th to be precise - is the 23rd Ayia Napa festival. Details to be anounced nearer to the date.

All events are Free of Charge.

Ayia Napa TV will be launching soon on the internet and through early initial discussion VisitAyiaNapa have welcomed them to our Partner Program.

What Benefits will this have to our clients?

A Direct link to Streaming Video of their Venue or Service will be part of the Additional Services in the Database structure.

Professional Streaming Video Productions that will both be on Ayia Napa TV and directly on the Additional Client Pages within VisitAyiaNapa

If you would like more information on how you can have your own Streaming Video Production on our site please contact us for details

Some Examples of Programmes Available - Click a link to view the programme

1. The Magic of Cyprus

The Hermia Ensemble play using a large variety of recreated medieval instruments thus, reviving the richness of the medieval times whilst keeping true to the origins.

They recreate the cultural fellow citizen which is timeless and breaths a breath of fresh air into a form of art in a period of history where Troubadours (Medieval Singers) knew how to recite poetry to their lady lord of their love and where monks and peasants worked together in preparing the land and a common urge to prayer.

Echochromata Musical Ensemble 

The musical ensemble "Echochromata" was created by a number of professional progressive musicians, with the aim to promote the folkloric music of Cyprus, Greece and Asia Minor. They also have presentations in specialised music.

The group use their talent and experience to promote various aspects of the group. Those cover religious, lullabies, expressions of woe as well as typical Cyprus melodies ranging from 800 to 1800 A.D.

Eshareh Medieval Musical Ensemble and the Street Theater Of Naples

These two groups provide a colourful show full of varied surprises. They provide exactly what you would expect - Fire eaters, Acrobats, Musicians and Singers.

The "Eshareh" group will perform selective medieval music allowing the audience an opportunity to re-live a unique experience from the medieval era, whilst the Theater group will provide the show with colour and flavour through their costumes and talent.

 A reminder that all events start at 21.00 hrs (9.00 pm) and Entrance is free.

The programme is as follows:

Saturday 16th: Dramsam Medieval Musical Dancing Ensemble

Sunday 17th: Cypriot Erotic’s by Faidros Kavallari

Monday 18th: Dramsam Medieval Musical Dancing Ensemble

Tuesday 19th: No Events

Wednesday 20th: Polyfonia Chamber Choir

Thursday 21st: Hermia Musical Ensemble

Friday 22nd:  Echochromata Musical Ensemble

Saturday 23rd: Eshareh Medieval Musical Ensemble and the Street Theater Of Naples.

Sunday 24th: Eshareh Medieval Musical Ensemble and the Street Theater Of Naples.

All events start at 21.00 hrs (9.00 pm) and Entrance is free

A brief description follows for the 1st three acts.

The Dramsam Medieval Musical Dancing Ensemble

Since 1987, the Dramsam ensemble has devoted itself to the musical legacy of the middle ages. Regularly performing in many major Italian cities, as well as appearing in other major international festivals across Europe. They also have had various appearances on TV and Radio recordings. Under the director Giuseppe Paolo Cecere, the Dramsam ensemble offers to the gathering, a warm musical offer of the rich Medieval and Renaissance catalogue whilst paying respect to the historical points of performance preparation. The group itself uses instruments recreated from paying special attention to the ones used during Medieval Europe.

Cypriot Erotic’s by Faidros Kavallari

A concert of traditional Cypriot "voices" and love songs with their roots firmly placed within the music of the Greek Orthodox Church and beyond to the ancient hymns dedicated to the Goddess Aphrodite. The combination of the two elements, contribute to the identity of the style of Cypriot love songs as well as differentiating of the Cypriot tradition.

Also, various solo guitar compositions as well as Musical sketches based on the medieval times will be presented on the night.

Musicians included on the night amongst others are: A guitarist, a violinist, a percussionist as well as vocal support. 

Polyfonia Chamber Choir

The semi professional group Polyfonia (meaning many voices) Chamber Choir was formed in 2003 by Maro Skordi. They have performed at the Choral Festivals and have also provided backing vocals to a certain Emma Shapplin (a classical crossover artist with numerous worldwide albums). The Polyfonia Chamber Choir has a huge diversity in its repertoire which span across many decades including those of the Medieval and Renaissance eras. 

The description for the next three acts will follow in part 2 coming soon.

DONANI would like to welcome you to Cyprus and wishes you to have the best holidays ever. We are proud to be an exclusive distributor of well-known designer clothing brands.

Visit our fresh and fashionable newly renevated clothes shop to have a look at the latest collections from Henri Lloyd, Aquascutum, C.P. Company, Stone Island, Diesal Kids and Ted Baker.

The prices you will find at our store are much cheaper than those found in the UK. Our prices are comparative to those found in Italy.

Address: DONANI, Cape Greco Avenue, Shop 1/4 - Protaras, Cyprus

Tel: (+357) 23819460 

Please look at our independent websites to see our clients and cuurent other projects in the Creative Media Industries Sector - visit RUInternational's website

Address:
5 Yuri Gagarin
Agia Napa

Telephone Number: 7000 9797
Email: enquiries@cito.com.cy
Website: www.cito.com.cy

Nikitas Apartments: 39 Odyssea Elyti Ayia Napa -

It is pleasantly decorated and ideally located in the area of Ayia Napa, within walking distance from the golden beaches of the area and very near to the shops, pubs, clubs, restaurants, banks, supermarkets and much more.

Comfortable accomodation is provided in 12 one bedroom apartments and 6 studios. Each apartment/studio has a fully equipped kitchenette with gas cooker / oven, refridgerator, private bath / shower and w.c. ,balcony, twin bedded room -- fully air conditioned.  

The extra lounge can accommodate one or two extra beds, baby cots can also be provided.

Nikitas tourist apartments is family run and owned, offering the guest a pleasant and relaxing holiday that will remain unforgettable and unique!

Special Offers

Nikitas Apartments Special Offers Please contact us quoting the reference - VISITNIKITAS1 - for great offers throughout the year in ond out of season with Nikitas Apartments.

All work will be completed by the end of April 2007.

The Municipality of Ayia Napa apologises for the inconvenience that this may cause.

It is necessary work to prevent a repetition of flooding that happened in 2006

• 1st October Street to the Harbour
• Giannaki Popoulli Street
• Tefkrou Anthia Street
• Dimokratias Street
• Filias Street
• Martin Luther King Street
• Odyssea Elyti Street
• Agia Marvis to Nissi Avenue
• Gianni Risou Street & Pedestraian Area
• Channel Parallel to Gianni Ritsou Street

Since the companies founding we have built up excellent ties with holiday planning and travel agent companies in the Agia Napa and Protaras area because of the quality of our cars and the service we provide.

This high standard of service along with the personal care of our staff and ourselves will allow you to use cars that have been personaly checked before we hand the keys over to you. We also have a large collection of new cars that you can choose from as we are constantly updating our fleet.

We are confident that you will find the right car for your needs. Our familly will be pleased to see you driving one of our cars.

Get your company or organization noticed on the Internet with minimal effort and cost.

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You can find advertising space, costings and then Pay Online using the popular and secure PayPal, where you can use your debit and credit cards to order your product or come to the office and Pay by Cash

1 - Advert Client Page

From €100.00 £58.52  / Per Year

When you see the symbol on the database listing this shows that a more detailed page is available to be displayed.

The client page includes several photographs, up to 250 words of text and also all the other services that have been purchased on the Visit Ayia Napa Website.

We have found that most Internet users want to read a little more about the client before going directly to the clients Website.

So the importance of having a client page is essential.

2 - Directory Listings

From €10.00 £5.85  / Per Year

Every client is entitled to a free listing in our directory

Have a look

Please check through our listing and if you are not in any of the relevant sections, fill in the contact form on this page and we will list you FREE of charge!

You will appear in the Database Listing along with any other services you purchased. The services include:

	Advert Client Page		Special Offers Page
	Hyperlink to Website		Menu or Brochure Page
	Hyperlink to Email		Video Streaming and Production

The more services you purchase the more icons will appear on your listing.

The more services you purchase, the higher you will be ranked in the database.

For example: if you purchase 4 products you will appear in alphabetical order above a client who purchases 3, who will then appear in alphabetical order above someone who buys less.

The more you buy the higher your ranking in the database and the more visible you are!

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As with featured articles get your self noticed quickly with a banner advert designed specifically for you, featuring your graphics and/or logo. This will be placed on the front page and the inside pages that are relevant to your company.

We only allow 10 banner adverts per page so you won't get lost in a sea of other people's banners. Banner advertising is available on a short or long term basis. Discounts are available for year long advertising.

5 - Video Streaming & Production

From €100.00 £58.52  / Per Year

Visitayianapa.com welcomes - Ayia Napa TV to its partner program.

Ayia Napa TV is live on the Internet and through early initial discussion Visitayianapa.com have welcomed them to our partner program.

What benefits will this have for our clients?

A direct link to streaming video of their venue of service will be part of the additional services in the database structure.

Professional Streaming video productions, that will be both on Ayia Napa TV, and directly on the Advert Client Pages within Visitayianapa.com.

Packages Available are:

• Option 1 - Video Stream on Visitayianapa.com -  €100 - links from free listings on your database entry and also on other paid sections within the site.
• Option 2 - Ayia Napa TV - Smaller Businesses - €850
• Option 3 - Ayia Napa TV - Restaurants, Cafe's - €1350
• Option 4 - Ayia Napa TV - Hotels & Apartments - €1750
• Option 5 - Ayia Napa TV - Clubs & Others - €1750

Visit Ayia Napa are on the first page of the Yahoo Search Engine in the UK and will Bring more traffic to your Agency, Service or Product in Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Sea Cavern:
Agias Mavris
Ayia Napa -
Phone: 23722030

Also known for its Famous Real Fruit Cocktails and Great Music from Their Live DJs. and we are the only pub in Ayia Napa with a snooker hall..

The premises are fully air-conditioned and our pub offers the lowest prices together with a friendly atmosphere.

We play the latest music and videos. we have 6 large tv screens and 5M x 5m Projector Screen. - fully air conditioned.

Menu and Special Offers

Sea Cavern is currently closed for the Winter Season - please check back soon for our summer season menu. and our special offers.

• The Market will be based on tradition the official name is “market of tradition and art" (e.g wines, pottery , etc)
• Also available will be fruits, flowers and handmade products
• The market will take place every Saturday starting from December 1^st
• Opening hours will be from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm
• The market will be located in Seferis Square (near the old square at the monasteries entrance)
• The market or traditional house (festival area) will host activities that will show how numerous traditional products are made such as Halloumi, Zivania and woven basket. These will alternate each week so every Saturday there will be something different on offer
• We aim to guide our visitors through the market; monastery; traditional house; ending at the museum
• The museum will be open on Open Market day (confirmation to come)
• Agents who are interested in bringing tourists from other areas into Ayia Napa for the Open Market can contact Visitayianapa.com for further information
• Ayia Napa Municipality welcomes feedback for these events as there is always room for improvement
• Visitors to the Open Market can leave their comment via our 'Send your info' form found on the right of this web page

The Christmas lighting will also be switched on by the Mayor of Ayia Napa on December 1st along with several other events that will take place at the Square near the traditional house.

Ayia Napa Municipality kindly request the general publics participation in these events as much support is needed. Please inform your customers, family, friends, regarding the Open Market and forward this Webpage to anyone you believe would be interested.

Infinite romance and blissful relaxation await honeymooners in Cyprus, the land where love itself was born.

After all, it was here in Cyprus that the ancient Goddess of love, Aphrodite, emerged from the sea at Petra tou Romiou...... It may have happened back in 3200 BC but her amorous spirit still reigns in Cyprus.

The allure of antiquity, the warmth of the Mediterranean sea and sun, and the legendary hospitality of the Cypriot the ultimate honeymoon and wedding destination.

Registry Office Weddings

There are two kinds of registry office weddings:

Marriage by Notice.... and......Marriage by Special License.

The main difference is that the Marriage by Notice requires 15 days of proceedings before the actual ceremony can take place, and a minimum stay of 20 days in Cyprus.

Marriage by Special License can be performed within 3 - 4 days.

In both cases the maximum validity of the license is 3 months. However, Marriage by Notice costs less than Marriage by Special License. For both licenses the following documentation is needed:

• Passports
• Birth Certificates
• 'Decree of Absolute' if divorcee
• Death Certificate if widow/er
• Affidavit

The Ceremony takes place in the Town Hall of your chosen resort city under license and the Marriage Officer or the Mayor can conduct the ceremony in English.

Detailed information may be obtained directly from any municipality or from the

Union of Cyprus Municipalities
PO BOX 22033
CY 1516 Lefkosia
Tel : 22 44 51 70 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            22 44 51 70      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 22 67 72 30
email: endeky@cytanet.com.cy
website: www.ucm.org.cy

Church Weddings

Couples wishing to marry in a church must first apply to the Marriage Officer in any municipality in the Republic of Cyprus. When applying the couple must provide :

• Passports
• Birth Certificates
• 'Decree of Absolute' if divorcee
• Death Certificate if widow/er
• Affidavit

It is important to note that, for a Catholic marriage to be valid, a registry office ceremony must be concluded prior to the religious marriage.

You should advise the priest of your local parish of your intention to contact the Catholic service in Cyprus, who will in turn will let you which documents you will have to present to the priest who will be performing the religious service.

All relevant documentation for the above must be obtained prior to departure. Ordained Anglican chaplains will conduct the ceremony by prior appointment.

Renewal of Wedding Vows

If you are considering renewing your wedding vows in church, then what better place to do it than Cyprus.

All you need to have with you is your original wedding certificate. The cost is the same as for a church wedding, and no marriage license or affidavits are required.

Traces of different civilisations are evident in the local culture, and even the islands cuisine could not remain immune to foreign influences.

A closer look at traditional Cypriot dishes will reveal an overlap of well known flavours originating in Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Syria, Italy and even France

The island turbulent past has taught the local population especially in rural areas, to be self sufficient.

Most families used to produce their own  foods, such as 'puorgouri' (cracked wheat), 'halloumi' cheese, bread and smoked cured pork.

Other common products included cereals, olive oil and wine, which were stored in 'pitharia', which are the oversized onion-shaped terracotta pots that still adorn the countryside.

Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, fruit and vegetables have always been abundant in Cyprus.

Local Wines Old And New

Cyprus wines are among the worlds oldest, dating back to 2000 BC. Mosaics in the House of Dionysus in Pafos attest to the colourful history of the Cyprus vine.

Dionysus, the pleasure-loving god who taught Icarius how to plant vines in exchange for the hospitality he has shown him, is shown seated on a chair holding grapes.

Elsewhere, an inscription in Greek, which reads "the first wine drinkers", accompanies a mosaic depiction of two shephards quite drunk on Icarius's wine.

In fact, many renowned wines of the worl are made from vines brought to Europe from Cyprus after the Crusades.

Champagne, for example, may have originated from a choice cutting taken from Mount Olympus, in Cyprus.

Today, there is no other better known wine than the Cypriot Commandaria, a sweet, robust dessert wine that is said to be the oldest named wine in the World.

Called 'Nama' in antiquity, it so reminded Marc Anthony of Cleopatra's kisses that he gave the whole island to his legendary lover.

Nama was later renamed after Richard the Lionheart sold Cyprus to the Knights Templar. (The Grand Commandarie itself was the estate of the Knights at Kolossi).

The oversized Commandaria grapes are grown on the high southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains, picked late in the season and sun-dried to enhance the sugar content. The wine is produced by fermentation in open jars.

Several other world class Cyprus wines are produced from indigenous grape varieties.

More then 100 varieties are cultivated in all, more than half of them in the Paphos District. Limassol is the main winemaking city and export centre, and home to the four large wineries, KEO, ETKO, SODAP and LOEL, which all offer guided tours.

Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. International road traffic signs are in use, and placed on the left hand side of roads and motorways.

Distances and speed limits are posted in Kilometres and kilometres per hour ( km/h ) respectively.

The speed limit on the motorway is 100 km/h with a minimum of 65 km/h. On all other roads the speed limit is 80 km/h, unless otherwise indicated.

In built up areas the speed limit is usually 50 km/h, unless otherwise indicated.While Driving, the driver must ensure that his/her hands are free at all times in order to have full control of the vehicle.

• The use of mobile phones without a handsfree device is strictly prohibited.
• The use of Front and Back seat belts is compulsory.
• Children under the age of 5 must not under any circumstances sit in the front passenger seat.
• Children from 5 - 10 years old may occupy the front passenger seat only if an appropriate childs seat-belt has been fitted.

If possible avoid driving west in the late afternoon, as a glare of the setting sun can be disturbing and potentially dangerous.

Because of the intense brightness of the Mediterranean sky, drivers are advise to wear sunglasses.

Driving or being in control of a motor vehicle or motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol above the prescribed limit is an offence.

Crash Helmets are compulsory for drivers and riders of a motorcycle or autocycle on any road.

The Driver of a motorcyle or autocycle may carry only one person over 12 years old, sitting astride behind the drivers seat.

It is strictly forbidden to drive racing motorcycles within the boundaries of all coastal holiday resorts and Nicosia between 20:00 and 06:00 hrs.

17 Year olds may not drive any vehicle except autocycles ( 49cc ).

There are opportunities (at times) to stay away for a day or two in a different part of the island or the Mediterranean.

You can find out about several types of daytrips that are available from your tour operator or the detailed section here on Visitayianapa that is coming soon.

In Ayia Napa you can find several newsagent however what they wont have is updated news regarding what is happening in Agia Napa, right now!

Visitayianapa.com is here to be your first port of call when you want to know when an event is taking place or is going to take place.

The news section of Visitayianapa.com is updated on a daily basis, with news regarding happenings and activities that are taking place, in Ayia Napa, on the East Coast of Cyprus here in the Mediterranean.

Our news section is divided in three distinct sections:

• Current News
• Clubbing News
• Archived News

We hope you can find what you are looking for, if there is something that you need assistance with then please do not hesitate to contact us by using our 'contact us' form by clicking on the link below.

Contact Us

More than 40 airlines including Cyprus Airways, the island's national carrier, operate scheduled flights from and to Larnaca and Paphos international airports.

Where to Stay in Cyprus.

Visitor Accomodation ranges from cosy villas and apartments to 3,4 and 5 star Resort Hotels.

Most Hotels provide modern common areas, contemporary room amenities and a high level of service.

Hotels with 3 stars and over have at least one swimming pool and usually at least one restaurant. Buffet style dining is very popular and combines Cypriot and International Cuisine.

Apartments are particulary popular among those who value independence, budget conscious travellers and guests planning a longer stay in Cyprus.

Getting around in Cyprus.

The best way to get around Cyprus is by car. Hire cars can be arranged either in advance or through a local agency once in Cyprus.

If you do not wish to drive yourself, intercity service taxis and regular taxis are readily available.

Public Transport until mid-July 2010 was available but limited. Now, there has been a complete overhaul of the system and the new bus timetables can be found here.

Also, close to the Centre is the Cyprus Tourist Office for further information and also maps to use for guidance around both Ayia Napa and the rest of the island.

Also, you can always call a taxi from your accommodation’s reception (assuming there is one.) All hotels will work with at least one Taxi provider and will also let you know how long so you can squeeze in a drink before it comes.

Just in case you’re a large family or a group of more than 5 people then there are stretch taxis available.

You can even hire out Limo Taxis for those special occasions or just to enjoy the ride in one!

From Pafos Airport to Ayia Napa it takes around 2 hours nowadays since the network has drastically improved the last few years. From Larnaca Airport it is around 45 minutes.

Larnaca International Airport -

For information please call 77 77 88 33

The distances to the main towns are :

Ayia Napa : 46 Km or 29 Miles
Larnaka : 5 Km or 3 Miles
Nicosia : 49 Km or 31 Miles
Limassol : 70 Km or 44 Miles
Paphos : 139 Km or 89 Miles

Paphos International Airport -

For information please call 77 77 88 33

The distances to the main towns are :

Ayia Napa : 179 Km or 111 Miles
Larnaka : 129 Km or 81 Miles
Nicosia : 146 Km or 91 Miles
Limassol : 63 Km or 39 Miles
Paphos : 15km or 9 Miles

Within Ayia Napa itself, you can find a Golf Driving range, football fields, mini golf courses and tennis courts, Water Aquariums and a Sea Museum. There's also the Waterpark on the outskirts of town and next to it a Go-Kart racing circuit.

Plans for a sports center are now at an advanced stage. 

On numerous beaches, you'll find Jet skies (usually for 15 mins), Speed Boats, Water Skiing etc. Not to forget the Paragliding and Windsurfing facilities available as well on many beaches. 

Should one wish to escape Ayia Napa other forms of leisure such as Day Trip boats, Day Trip Safaris are available. Further interests are also available like Horse Ridding and Fishing for examples.

Where the fairest beaches in the Mediterranean await. Cooling trade winds and warm hospitality ensure the perfect holiday.

An eclectic mix of Mediterranean beauty, history and charm combine to enchant each of the senses.

The Ayia Napa coastline is considered the finest with regard to beaches in Cyprus . Extensive golden, sandy beaches cover the area, which attracts the majority of tourists. The average sea temperatures © in Ayia Napa throughout the year are as follows:

JANUARY 17 Degrees
FEBRUARY 17 Degrees
MARCH 18 Degrees
APRIL 19 Degrees,
MAY 21 Degrees
JUNE 24 Degrees
JULY 26 Degrees
AUGUST 27 Degrees
SEPTEMBER 26 Degrees
OCTOBER 25 Degrees
NOVEMBER 21 Degrees
DECEMBER 19 Degrees

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation supervises the beaches and is responsible for protecting the interests of all tourists. All beaches in Agia Napa have been awarded with the Blue flag for their level of cleanliness and the brilliant facilities offered in line with the uniform. Further more, Ayia Napa has now been awarded (link) as the Top Beach resort in Europe for 2011 and No. 19 in the World.

MAKRONISSOS BEACH

A cluster of bays forms Makronissos beach. The three bays stretch out in different directions, one to the west, the second to the south west where as the third one stretches in a south easterly direction resulting in well sheltered beach area.

LANDA

A 300 meters long beach is found in the middle of Makronissos beach and Nissi Beach – only 500 meters away from each beach.

NISSI BEACH

Only three kilometres west of Agia Napa. These closely connected twin beaches attract thousands of tourists every year. Nissi, which is Greek means “ Small Island ”, gives a new dimension to the beauty of the landscape.

SANDY BAY - VATHIA GONIA

Sandy Bay is found 400 yards east of Nissi Beach . The beach is also fully protected from winds.

PERNERA

This beach stretches up to 200 meters long and is located in between the beaches of Sandy Bay and Katsarka.

KATSARKA

A rocky beach 800 meters long situated about 500 meters west of the fishing harbour, just before the Paenera Beach .

PANTAHOU

This beach stretches from the fishing harbour of Aigi Napa for more than kilometre and follows on easterly direction. Thousands of tourists visit it every year. The fishing harbour of Gaia Napa with its small colourful boats adds character to the view and is a happy reminder of the part.

GLYKY NERO

The starting point of this beach ends and it is extended up to the point where the sea-caves are situated.

AMMOS TOU KAMBOURI

A coastal bay beach found in between Agia Napa village and the remote Kermia Beach .

KERMIA

Situated two kilometres east of Agia Napa on the main road leading to the cape Greco,Kermia Beach is located on the west side of cape Greco. It is private and remote.

KONNOS

Konnos is situated four kilometres east of Agia Napa on the road between Cape Greco and Protaras and it is the last beach which determines the boundaries between Aiga Napa and Paralimni.

It is one of the most picturesque beaches on the island.

SEASIDE PASSION

All along the beaches of Agia Napa faculties for all sea sports are provided including water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing, canoes, pedals, motor boats, scooters, speedboat, paragliding, scuba diving and more.

The pleasures of paradise await in Agia Napa on the sea of dreams.

AGIA THEKLA

Situated six kilometres west of the central of Agia Napa is the beach of Agia Thekla.

It is a small island within walking distance from the main road taking you to Agia Napa.

It has taken its name from a tiny old church in the area.

Also, close to the Center is the Cyprus Tourist Office for further information and also maps to use for guidance.

Within reason, you name it, you can hire it. Scooters, Mopeds, Cars, Jeeps and now especially over the last two years you can hire quad bikes to name but a few. 

Also, for those looking for an alternative set of wheels, some offer bicycle hire too with helmets should one wish to be safer.

There are numerous car hire companies around and most co-operate with either your accommodation or your holiday representative should you need further information.

Ask them for leaflets so you can have in writing all the prices available.

Most offer full insurance and also offer you various damage waivers if you wish to avoid any unnecessary disruptions to your holiday due to accidents which are due or not due to your actions.

The cars range from the lower CC engines to the higher ones including the more luxurious ones.

Also available are Land Rovers for the larger families or two families wishing to go together.

Choose one of the many reputable taverns, and if the menu seems daunting, just order a 'meze', which will allow you to nibble on a full range of traditional specialities, all in one sitting! 'Meze' is short for 'mezedhes', ie tidbits, and is a gastronomic experience that appears in some form or other throughout the Mediterranean region.

Share a meze in Cyprus and you have tasted the true flavours of the island. Depending on the tavern, a meze could include up to 30 miniature dishes! Since they are not all served at once, don't be tempted to finish every dish that arrives on the table, or you may not be able to enjoy the final offerings, which are often the best.

Once your meze is ordered, what can you expect to eat?

First comes the olives, black and green, together with various dips, a basket of fresh village bread and a bowl of village salad.

These are followed by octopus in red wine, snails in tomato sauce, brawn, and pickled capers and cauliflower.

Bunches of green - some tossed in oil and bound with an egg - and roots such as carrots and kohlrabi, precede fish bites of some kind, either sardines, tiny red mullet, or kalamari.

Next comes the grilled Halloumi cheese and slices of smoked Cyprus ham, followed by meatballs, grilled pork Rissolis and smoked Cyprus Sausages.

Now come the hot specialities including meat dishes such as Afelia, Moussaka and Stifado, which lead to the popular 'Souvlaki' pork kebab, the 'Kleftico' which is baked in a sealed oven (along with Potatoes), as well as pieces of chicken, arriving straight from the grill.

Having reached this far, you can safely say that you have experienced your first meze!

The only thing that might still tempt you is some fresh fruit, fruit preserves or a traditional sweet pastry.

Needless to say, a proper 'meze' ia a full-scale feast, best reserved for a special occasion - or a healthy appetite!

Fortunately, for those afraid to try a Traditional Tavern there are always alternatives. Ayia Napa also hosts Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Greek, Indian & even Caribbean restaurants in the area as well as your modern fast food places KFC, SFC, Burger King and McDonald's not forgetting 3 Pizza Hut places too.

Now with thousands of clubbers coming from all over the world to Ayia Napa on the South East coast of Cyprus and for the last 2 years also hosting a Worlds Top 100 Club as voted by the clubbers themselves.

If you are used to clubbing in other Clubbing Centrals like Ibiza etc, you are going to really enjoy the Different Clubber Experience that you can only find in Ayia Napa with so many styles and culture of music.

Larnaca Airport is the closest airport at around 45 minutes drive to take you to Ayia Napa clubbing central which still has an incredible 12/3 nightclubs all within a 1 mile radius!

Over the last 2 years, the Big Names from the Djing world have been over with Ministry of Sound Djs, Ferry Corsten, Alex Kidd (and is returning again for 2011), Mauro Picotto, Tall Paul, Mark Knight, Gavyn Mytchel, Dubfire aka Deep Dish, John Digweed, Fergie and from the RnB and Garage Scene - Sun City, Supa D with Footloose, Kimet, Pioneer, Angie B, Slim Ting, Funky Junky, Candy Shop, Ghetto, Griminal, Tempa T, Wiley, Roll Deep, Spyro, Heartbroken, DJ Total, B.O.D.R, Slick Don, DJ Nightmare, Bass Boy and of course not forgetting Cyprus and Ayia Napa's own Snipper.

As you can see a great range and that is only a few as the DJs are in there numbers again this season, like every season now in Agia Napa. Also seeing a few local Cypriot DJ's, like Mario Chris taking control of the decks on some nights.

The music in Agia Napa has moved from the Garage days, and now Trance and House stand as the main styles with RnB, Hip-hop, Funk and Electro along with some great music from other European cities in themed clubs. 2010 saw the return of Drum & Bass as well as some Dubstep nights.

There are plenty of clubs catering for all genres and ages and these also vary from your 70’s 80’s party discos as well as an open air Reggae club when the nights are warmer as well as a Beach Club on the outskirts of town where Above & Beyond performed in July 2010.

Many of the Ayia Napa Clubs also work with the local bars to provide as a warm up for them and even offer tickets at a lower price than on the door and keep an eye out for the PR’s, they’ll also be selling tickets beforehand but be polite as you are only 1 and they are many, so they don’t know if you already got a ticket.

For the winter tourist, there are still one or two to choose from or you may visit any of the Greek & International clubs, which reopen or swap styles for the winter season.

Let’s not forget there are also a number of Gentlemen/Strip Clubs also in Agia Napa for those who desire to visit or even for a Stag Night.

Many of these bars/pubs/cafés away from the center offer Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for people not wishing to either go to restaurants or stay within the confinement of their accommodation.

Within the center, each bar has its own individuality according to how it feels or depending on what clubs are nearby and/or which clubs they are in conjunction with. There are bars dedicated to Karaoke only, others have a couple of hours only. Some bars concentrate on only one type of music, whilst others play various party anthems. Away from the center, depending on the direction you head in, you'll find numerous bars/pubs dedicated to one Nationality. With 1 Scottish pub, 3 Irish pubs, 1 Scandinavian Bar, 1 Norwegian Bar, 1 Romanian Bar without looking into further details you get the taste of the diversity of the place.

You may also catch one of the local DJ's around the central bars before they head off to one of the clubs they'll be performing in.

Are you planning to go on holidays to Ayia Napa with your family and friends? If so, you will surely find this article very useful.

Here, you will find excellent accommodations such as hotels during your stay here. You need not go through the hassle of searching the internet for hotels and apartments because it's all here in this page. Feel free to read the short article below and find the best hotels for you and your family on your stay here.

A direct guide for your Hotel in Ayia Napa Cyprus.

Our database gives you a list of all the hotels available and if they have a client advert page there will be more details, pictures and pricing.

All of our Ayia Napa hotels are available upon direct request to the owners, Visit Ayia Napa does not deal with bookings at this time.

Ayia Napa hotels fall into the rather than luxury category, catering to a clientèle largely made up of younger holidaymakers.

However, there are a number of great hotel-complexes around the outskirts of Ayia Napa town that are of a more up-market experience.

Starting with the 5 star hotels and going through to the 1 star hotels.

The more the stars the better the quality of the hotel and the more facilities which are available to clients wishing to stay in the hotel available to them. 5 star hotels are open all year round (except when under renovations) that's not to say you would not find lower star hotels open during the winter season.

The Summer season usually begins Late March/Early April and goes through to Late October/Early November with dates depending on Easter and flight weekends.

Many Hotels also offer 24 hour reception service so no matter what time you arrive someone will always be there to meet you when you eventually arrive there even if your flight is delayed. 

All hotels offer regular room service and at least twice weekly change of Linen. In some hotel rooms, a Mini bar may be found and also a safe. Safes are also often rented from the Reception desk on the ground floor.

Furthermore, there are other forms of accommodation such as Hotel Apartments, Apartments and Holiday villages for tourists to stay in whilst on holiday.

Agia Napa Cyprus has more than 20,000 beds, but in high season these rooms can fill up very quickly, so do not leave your planning to the last minute and book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you are looking fora peaceful and relaxing holiday please make sure not to book a hotel near the town centre as it is very busy and can be quite noisy into the early hours.

Look through our list of Agia Napa Hotels and don't forget to say to the owners or managers of the Ayia Napa Hotels that you found them on www.visitayianapa.com

A direct guide for your holiday in Ayia Napa Cyprus.

There is a great selection of Cheap accommodation in Ayia Napa Cyprus.

Our database gives you a list of all the apartments available and if they have a client advert page there will be more details, pictures and pricing.

All of our Agia Napa apartments are available upon direct request to the owners, Visit Ayia Napa do not deal with bookings at this time.

Apartments in Cyprus have 3 grades: A, B and C except if privately owned.

Ayia Napa apartments mainly offer accommodation with separate living room (except in Studio Apartments), kitchenette,  Some bedrooms with en suite, room and Shower/bath/W.C. In each bedroom there are twin or double beds and extra beds can be added etc.

Take a look through our list of Agia Napa Apartments and don't forget to say to the owners or managers of the Agia Napa Apartments that you found them on www.visitayianapa.com.

A class can be compared to a 3 star hotels

B class to 2 or 3 star

C class similar to 1 or 2 star hotels

Nikktas Apartments: 39 Odyssea Elyti Ayia Napa -

It is pleasantly decorated and ideally located in the area of Ayia Napa, within walking distance from the golden beaches of the area and very near to the shops, pubs,clubs, restaurants, banks, supermarkets and much more.

Comfortable accomodation is provided in 12 one bedroom apartments and 6 studios. Each apartment/studio has a fully equipped kitchenette with gas cooker / oven, refridgerator, private bath / shower and w.c. , blacony, twin bedded room.The extra lounge could accommodate one or two extra beds.( Baby cots are also provided).

Each apartment/studio has a fully equipped kitchenette with gas cooker / oven, refridgerator, private bath / shower and w.c. , balcony, twin bedded room.--- fully air conditioned.

Nikitas tourist apartments family run / owned, offer the guest a pleasant and relaxing holiday that will remain unforgettable and unique!

Special Offers

Nikitas Apartments Special Offers Please contact us quoting the reference - VISITNIKITAS1 - for great offers throughout the year in ond out of season with Nikitas Apartments.

The most reverend Metropolitan of Constantia - Famagusta area Mr Vasilios will be the Head of the Divine Service with the presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Enviroment also.

After the Priest has baptised the waters by throwing in the Holy Cross, the first Swimmer to bring out the cross will be awarded a prize. Afterwards, Cypriot and Greek Traditional dances and songs will take place at the harbour by the "Klironomia Sotiras" Folkloric group and the "Paradosi Liopetriou" Cultural Group.

 This event will bring to a close the Christmas events for this holiday period.

Again, the staff of "Visit Ayia Napa" wish you a Happy New Year 2008.