Ten tips to make your pound go further in Paphos & Cyprus

 

**Newsflash - May 2010** - Time to Return to the 'Eurozone' - Things have changed, read here

Everybody wants to enjoy a sunshine holiday. You’ve worked hard, the UK weather remains disappointing, and now you want some fun and sun!

Here’s ten tips to help you make your holiday money go further this summer in Paphos & Cyprus:

1.Change your pounds into Euros wisely. The Pound to Euro exchange rate is better now than it has been (and it keeps on slowly but surely improving), but even so your Pound just won’t buy you as many Euros as it did in 2008. Change your money in a bank rather than a hotel to get the best rate. If you use ATMs to get your Euros, watch out that every transaction has a service charge applied.

2.Stay in a self-catering villa or apartment rather than a hotel. Independent research shows that on a per person basis, a villa holiday typically costs 50% of a comparable hotel holiday. Add to that hotel prices in Cyprus have rocketed over the last two years, whilst at the same time the cost of villa and apartment rentals has stayed much the same. For value, you can’t beat a villa holiday. Not only will you get more for your money, you’ll be able to cook (or better still barbecue!) for yourself to save a bit more.

3.When eating out, seek out tavernas the locals go to. You’ll enjoy the experience more and it’ll be better value. You’ll be able to enjoy real Cypriot cooking with fresh ingredients rather than another steak out of the freezer.

4.Avoid the cafes in the prime tourist locations when stopping for a coffee. A coffee by the harbour in Paphos will have a great view, but it’ll cost you twice as much as one in the shopping streets of Paphos. And you’ll probably half the cost again in the café’s in the villages like Peyia or Tala.

5.When self catering, buy from the bigger supermarkets rather than the corner kiosks and supermarkets. A trip round Papantoniou, Orphanides or Carrefour in Paphos will save you a lot of money and the choices are much better. For fruit and vegetables, try the fruit markets – they’re a fantastic experience and you’ll get some great bargains.

6.Eat like the locals. The Cyprus climate means that fruit and vegetables are in abundance. They taste great in comparison with the products you’ll buy in a UK supermarket, even if they do sometimes look a bit odd! Also chicken and pork are both great value in Cyprus.

7.Get around in a hire car. Whilst taxis and organised coach trips have become expensive, renting a car can still be great value. Don’t rent at the airport – find a local supplier and you’ll be able to get around easily and cheaply. Don’t be put off by stories of Cypriot drivers – use common sense and you’ll be able to explore widely. For great deals visit our preferred supplier Economy Car Hire.

8.Get off the beaten track. Kato Paphos is much like any other Mediterranean holiday resort. To enjoy Cyprus at its best, stay in Peyia, Coral Bay, Sea Caves, Agios Georgios or Secret Valley. With a car, you’ll be able to pick your beach, pick your scenery and you’ll save a fortune over the prices in the tourist hot spots.

9.Bring your suntan lotion with you. Cyprus is an island, so everything that’s not made or grown in Cyprus gets shipped in – and that can make some things expensive.

10.Plan your days out. The Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark is great fun for kids of all ages but for a family of four expect your day out to cost more than €100. Watch out for discount vouchers in supermarkets, local magazines and other outlets to help with this and take the free shuttle bus which runs from Coral Bay and Paphos every day throughout the Summer. Balance this out another day by taking a walk around the world–renowned Paphos Archaeological Park or fascinating Tombs of the Kings and you’ll get change out of €15 for the same family of four. Always have a good breakfast before you go out.

Check out the lastest Euro exchange rates at XE.Com

**Newsflash - May 2010** - Time to Return to the 'Eurozone' - Things have changed, read here