Athens, the capital of Greece, is a really fun city. We were once there for a week, then visited again during a cruise to Greece from Cyprus, and we are already waiting for the next time we get to go.

We got to stay in two hotels: one was a luxurious boutique hotel and the other was a simple one in an excellent location near the market.

I decided to ask some of my fellow travel bloggers from all over the world and get their recommendations for hotels in Athens out of their personal experience. The last six hotels in this post are recommendations of these bloggers and the first two are out of my experience with hotels in Athens.

Coco-Mat Hotel, Kolonaki – A 5-star boutique hotel

Coco Mat Hotel is located in the Kolonaki area. In a 15-20 minute walk from the hotel you reach the Plaka area (the central area).

I really liked this area. It is full of modern cafes, boutique shops, and classy restaurants. The prices of the restaurants and cafes are a little more expensive, though not by much, because the area is considered one of the most sought-after and prestigious shopping streets in Athens. Its atmosphere is romantic and magical, and the hotel fits exactly that tone.

The entrance to the hotel is actually to the Coco Mat store, which is a chain of beds of the highest quality, and these are the beds that are in the hotel’s rooms.

The reception is on the floor below the store and when we arrived at 12:00 our room was already ready. The reception is also next to the dining room, which is also the lobby. The design is extremely relaxing and gives a homely feeling. Another really nice thing that the hotel offers is pillows of a really high quality, and there is even a pillow menu where you can change to another option if you want.

The breakfast selection is not too big, but that’s how things are in boutique hotels. There is a more limited selection but at a higher level. On the last floor of the hotel there is a lovely balcony.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

P.S. For those looking for a boutique hotel with a pool, Coco Mat has another hotel in Athens called Coco-mat BC, which also has a pool.

Athens Square Hotel – A 3-star hotel in a central location

The second hotel we stayed in was the Athens Square Hotel, a centrally-located hotel in the Psiri area, adjacent to a local food market.

The hotel has a roof terrace with sunbeds and tables with chairs. We went up to the balcony at sunset with coffee and enjoyed the view of the Acropolis. While we were doing that, some local photographers came to take pictures of the sunset from the balcony, because it’s really beautiful there.

Breakfast is a varied buffet with a selection of cheeses, sausages, breads, pastries, desserts, fruits and more. There is an area of gluten-free food that includes breads and crackers, and there is a coffee machine.

For those looking for a hotel at a good price and in a central location, this one will be suitable.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Green Suites Boutique Hotel – A 5-star boutique hotel 

Recommended by Tamara Williams at My Elated Odyssey

If you’re looking for an excellent boutique hotel in Athens, book a stay at Green Suites Boutique Hotel! This 5-star hotel offers the perfect blend of luxury and an eco-friendly environment.

Green Suites Boutique Hotel is in the Ano Patisia neighborhood. The best way to reach the hotel by public transportation is using the metro, as it’s close to the Agios Eleftherios station. 

If you have a rental car, the hotel offers paid parking. However, the parking garage is cramped and narrow, so you must be cautious. You can also reach and travel from the hotel by taxi and order them with the Uber or FreeNow apps.

This hotel is an excellent choice in Athens for travelers traveling solo, with family, or with friends. If traveling with children, those under 12 are not permitted.

One of the hotel’s best features is its rooftop area, which has an outdoor pool, bar, and a panoramic view of the Acropolis. When you arrive, they will treat you with a welcome drink at the rooftop bar. 

Other amenities include a spa, sauna, and small gym. A delicious, complimentary breakfast buffet features Greek and other international cuisine and is available daily.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Wyndham Athens Residence – A 5-star hotel 

Recommended by Ossama Alnuwaiser At Awesome Travelers

Wyndham Athens Residence is suitable for family retreat. It offers some luxurious and comfortable accommodation. What I like about it is that the hotel is very convenient because it is close to many eateries and attractions. You can enjoy some espresso at the rooftop bar and eat at nearby restaurants. 

There are many legendary attractions that are at a walking distance from the hotel, such as Parthenon, Acropolis, and National Archaeological Museum. Once it gets dark, you can also enjoy the night life as it is close to Athens downtown, which is filled with bars, restaurants, and theaters. 

Located in the central of the historic city, the Wyndham Grand Athens Residence is near the Metaxourgio Metro station, so you can get to it by taking a bus from any part of Athens, and then walk to the hotel. The hotel is also close to Athens International Airport (ATH), so you can easily rent a car or take a taxi to the hotel.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Brown Acropol (member of Brown hotels) – A 4-star hotel

Recommended by Lizet Wesselman at A wander food world

I randomly stumbled upon the Brown Hotel and booked it before I even knew all the details. As a solo traveller, a hotel already wins when it offers decently priced solo rooms! I knew it has a wellness and a rooftop with jaccuzi’s with an Acropolis view, but I didn’t realize it’s all free. Making it the best € 80 I ever spent on a hotel room.

I only had one night and made the most of it. You can pre-book the wellness to have a sauna and steam room to yourself for a full hour. Afterwards, I settled on the rooftop terrace with a (bit pricey) glass of wine and a good book. After enjoying the sunset over the Akropolis, the staff kindly offered me a reading light so I could continue my book. The staff took this hotel to the next level, with small details like this.

The rooms are great, modern but with a 70’s vibe. It’s centrally located, only one minute away from the subway station Omonia, where you can take two subway lines. It’s two minutes to the city centre and Akropolis or a 15-minute walk. The area also offers plenty of restaurants and shops, mostly more local and unique than you’d find in the centre.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Plaka Hotel – A 3-star hotel in a central location  

Recommended by Dr Charlotte Russell at The Travel Psychologist

Hotel Plaka is a 3-star hotel located in central Athens, in the historical Plaka district, and counts with an amazing choice of restaurants, cobblestone streets, and shops. The real ‘icing on the cake’ with this hotel is the incredible view of the Acropolis from the rooftop terrace.

This hotel is always my first choice in Athens due to its close proximity to Monastiraki Square, around 200 meters away. Not only is this a bustling place to visit, the square has a metro station with direct lines both to the airport and Piraeus port, making the Plaka Hotel super convenient for waking up in the early hours and boarding a ferry to one of your favorite places in Greece.

I’ve stayed several times and it has always been a comfortable and quiet stay, despite being in a busy area. I’ve found the buffet breakfast to be very good, with a wide selection and nice quality food and coffee.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Adams Hotel – A budget-friendly hotel

Recommended by Aimee at Snap Happy Travel

Adams Hotel is a fantastic budget-friendly choice for travelers to Athens and the best thing about it is that the shared rooftop terrace (and some rooms) offer spectacular views of the Acropolis.

This 2-star hotel has a 24-hour front desk and on-site snack bar. And the rooms are comfortable and spacious – as I said, some offer views out to the Acropolis. It’s also conveniently located just a two minute walk from Hadrian’s Arch. 

I stayed here for 4 nights during my 6 week tour of Greece and I was delighted to be upgraded to their terrace room, which boasts a huge terrace.

I would recommend this hotel to couples or solo travelers. Families may not enjoy it as much, due to the lack of facilities such as a swimming pool or on-site restaurant.

In saying that, Adams Hotel is close to many excellent restaurants including Electra Roof Garden and 7 Food Sins.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Downtown Athens Lofts – The Acropolis Observatory

Recommended by Michelle Jensen at Travel HerStory

Downtown Athens Lofts is less than a mile away from the famous Acropolis of Athens, hence its nickname, The Acropolis Observatory. This aparthotel is great for friends and families as its rooms are spacious enough for multiple people to spread out and relax. Those with mobility issues will also appreciate the elevator at this accommodation.

With seven rooms available, each equipped with a sofa, work desk, kitchen, washing machine, TV, luggage storage, and dining area, Downtown Athens Lofts offers a comfortable and convenient stay. What truly sets this hotel apart is its proximity to Athens’ main attractions and the breathtaking view of the Acropolis from its rooftop terrace and some loft rooms. 

To get to Downtown Athens Lofts, the closest bus stop is Klavthmonos, which is a 10-minute walk. It is also a 5-minute walk to the Thisseio metro stop.

While the ground-level loft we initially stayed in wasn’t as soundproof as they claimed, the staff were quick to address our concerns and moved us to a loft higher up, where the noise was significantly reduced. This proactive approach to guest comfort, coupled with the comfy beds, clean rooms, and pleasant staff, made our overall experience positive.

For more reviews and booking the hotel

Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them there or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Athens? I have more posts about Athens and more posts about Greece on my blog.

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Protaras is one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Cyprus, located on the country’s south east coast. About a quarter of an hour drive from Ayia Napa and an hour drive from the airport in Larnaca. In its central street you will find many bars, restaurants, cafes and shops. It is considered a family resort and is located near one of the best beaches on the island, Fig Tree.

In the post I wrote recommendations for things to do in Protaras with kids as well as in Ayia Napa ( a short drive between them).

Attractions in Protaras: Promenade, a street of bars and restaurants, sailing with mermaids, an amusement park, a church inside a mountain, a beach and a fountain show.

Attractions in Ayia Napa: Amusement park, Cape Greco nature reserve, yellow submarine cruise and water park.

How do you get to Protaras?

There is no airport in Protaras. The best option is to land at the Larnaca Airport and from there take a taxi or rent a car. I personally recommend renting a car. Even if you want to go just for a belly vacation, there are many things to do in the area and the most convenient and cheapest option is to get around by car.

There is no direct bus from the Larnaca Airport to Protaras, so if you decide to travel by bus, you will have to change lines in the city of Larnaca and from there take another one; this whole journey will take you about 3 hours, but it is also the cheapest option.

You can search for a car in the search engine Paapm Paapm. I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of having to go to several websites) and they have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies.

A special benefit for blog followers: I recommend renting a car from the company Cosmos. I got a 10% discount coupon for ordering online for my followers. To order a rental car for Cosmos (don’t forget the paid coupon code: trvbox). Complete information on car rentals in Cyprus.

Where to stay in Protaras

We have been on vacation four times in Protaras.
On three of those times we stayed at the Louis Althea Hotel, and one time at the Louis St. Elias Hotel. Both are 4-star all-inclusive hotels and we liked them both very much. Hotel Luis Altea is located near the beach. The daily routine in Louis Elias is that there are water slides for children in the pool. Both hotels are excellent and the entertainment teams are complete with the cost for the whole day and in the evening there is a mini disco for children. There are large bedrooms and living rooms that make these hotels very good options for families.

The main street in Protaras

The truth is that I was really surprised by the main street. I think it rivals the Ayia Napa area in terms of the nightlife there. Full of restaurants, cafes and a really lively atmosphere.

If you want to go out for fun in Protaras, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed with its street. If you are going by car you will have to find parking right next to the fountain there (Directions).

Cruise with mermaids to the Blue Lagoon

A 3-decker yacht cruise departing from Protaras and arriving at the Blue Lagoon in Ayia Napa. The cruise starts with a story time with a fairy and a pirate and when you reach the blue lagoon you meet two mermaids. You swim with them in the water and after that you can talk to them, take pictures with them and hug them on the deck of the yacht. There is also face painting and a mini disco. The cruise’s Facebook page. Cost is 30 euros for an adult and 20 euros for a child.

The promenade in Protaras

There are restaurants and bars along the boardwalk and it is generally recommended to take a walk during sunset because it is simply magical and really calm. The promenade is very calm and there are not many people compared to the main street.

Louis Althea leads straight to the beach and the boardwalk and along the boardwalk there are many hotels.

St. Nicholas Church

A famous convention in Protaras and when you see in the picture what it looks like, you will understand why it has its fame. The small church of Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos) is located on Loma Beach, right next to the picturesque fishing port of Protaras. It maintains the traditional Greek colors, white and blue, with a sea background (Directions).

Fig Tree Beach

It was ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is surely one of the most stunning in Cyprus. If you are in Protaras it’s really worth going there.

Agioi Saranta Cave Church in Protaras

It was featured in MailOnline UK’s Travel News section as one of the strangest churches to visit in the world. Arrival instructions. We went there together with Maya and Sophie and we really enjoyed the place. It’s a really quiet place at about a ten-minute drive from the hotel. There is a short climb up the stairs to the church. Maya really enjoyed exploring the church inside the mountain and the view there was lovely. There is a bench outside the cave that is just nice to sit on and enjoy the peace and beauty that can be seen from it. After that we liked taking a little walk outside the cave. I think this is a nice activity for children and adults.

Dancing fountains in Protaras

Fountain show with lights and music at 21:00 in Protaras. The show also combines a laser and fire show.
If the day is windy, it is recommended not to sit with small children in rows 1-3 because the water may splash on you. You should arrive about half an hour before the start of the show.

Buying tickets for the dancing fountains in Protaras

Luna Park in Protaras

This Luna Park is really cute and though it is smaller than the amusement park in Ayia Napa, I think it has enough facilities for the children. If you have children aged 2-7, then it is completely enough to just go to the amusement park in Protaras and you don’t need to go to Ayia Napa. But for ages 7+, Ayia Napa is better.

The amusement park has a giant wheel, roller coasters for children and adults, a horse carousel, a trampoline for high jumping, and more. Each facility costs between 2-4 tokens. 12 tokens cost 10 euros. We spent an average of 30 euros on the two girls (Maya four-and-a-half-years-old and Sophie almost two). There are several food and drink stalls there. Directions.

A restaurant in Protaras that is suitable for children

The truth is that this is a section where I have almost no recommendations because we have always stayed at all-inclusive hotels that have excellent food, so we’ve only wanted to eat at the hotel. The only restaurant we have been to is the Doma restaurant, which was a three-minute drive from Louis Elias Hotel and it turned out to be an excellent choice.

I’ll start with the fact that there is a small playground there, which is already excellent for those who come to the restaurant with children. In addition to this, the service was one of the best we’ve received in Cyprus. A fast and kind service and Maya was given a free ice cream and watermelon dessert.

We ordered a mussel dish and an avocado shrimp salad, which were really delicious. In short, a restaurant with good food and great service, so I definitely recommend it warmly.

Yellow Submarine Ayia Napa – A cruise to the blue lagoon

A cool attraction an hour-and-a-half away from the port in Ayia Napa. Goes out every day three times during the season at 10:30, 12:30, 14:30.

Getting to the port from Protaras is about 25 minutes by car. There is parking very close to the port at a cost of 3 euros (payment only in cash).

It is recommended to call and reserve a place because there is a limit to the number of people. After the start of the cruise, you go down for a 10-minute show of fish feeding by a diver. It is an area with transparent windows and you can see everything that happens under the sea level.

After about 20 minutes you reach the sea caves in Ayia Napa in the Blue Lagoon and then you can dive into the water (there is a jump at the top) or slide into the water (there is a cool slide) or simply enter the water by going down the ladder. The stop is for about an hour, which is enough to enjoy the water. You can also swim to the sea caves and explore the area there.

It is possible to buy snacks or ice creams and beer on the cruise. The cost is 15 euros for an adult and 5 euros for a child (free for children under two-years-old). Link to the main website.

Luna Park Ayia Napa Parko Paliatso

We have been many times to a Luna Park in Ayia Napa and we really like it.

The amusement park is open from 6 pm to midnight during the tourist season. The entrance is free and you can pay for each facility separately, a ticket for most facilities, or a ticket for all of them. We always prefer to pay for each facility separately because the girls can’t do around half of the facilities yet because they are too young. Aside from the facilities there are also drink and food stalls and there is also a cafeteria and all kinds of stalls for competitions to win prizes. The facilities there are mostly suitable for ages three and up, but there are also 3-4 that are suitable for two-year-olds.

There is a huge free parking lot next to the Luna Park.

Cape Greco Nature Reserve Ayia Napa

This is a stunning nature reserve that we have been to several times, which has hiking trails, picnic tables, a view of the sea (there are also many party and tour yachts there because the waters are amazing in a clear turquoise color). There is the famous bridge, the love bridge, which you may have had the chance to see pictures of in the past because you come there for photos.

Ayia Napa Water Park

There are three water parks in Cyprus. One of them is in Ayia Napa. This is a fun water park that is suitable for both children and adults. You can buy tickets at a discount through the forms website of the water park. You will find slides for all ages, various facilities for the little ones, a wave pool and more. There are food, ice cream and drink stands. They don’t allow outside food.

Buying tickets for the water park in Ayia Napa.

In conclusion, Protaras is an excellent destination for a family vacation, as well as for couples. It is beautiful and calm, with stunning beaches and good hotels. And it is just a short drive from the livelier Ayia Napa, so those who want a little more action can easily combine the two destinations.

Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them there or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Cyprus? I have more posts about Cyprus on my blog.

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When we were on vacation in the Golden Sands, we visited the city of Varna twice. Varna is a really cute city that is stomach-friendly and has a broad offer of restaurants, cafes, shops and various attractions.

If you are looking for all-inclusive resorts or family hotels, then it would be better for you to stay in the Golden Sands area, which is about half an hour’s drive from Orna. Later in the post I will also provide details about hotels in the Golden Sands, but if you are actually looking for boutique hotels and more of an urban experience, then the accommodations in the city of Varna will suit you better.

Another advantage of staying in Varna itself is that you can visit it all year round, in contrast to the Golden Sands, which is an area that is only suitable from May to September.

I wrote a post with recommendations for things to do in Varna (in the post you will also get ideas for day trips outside of Varna) in addition to recommended restaurants there.

I decided to write you a post about the recommended hotels in Varna and the Golden Sands based on research I did from guest reviews and recommendations from friends.

Graphite Gallery Design Hotel – 5-star hotel

The Graphite Gallery Hotel is a modern 5-star hotel located 400 m from the beach.
There you will find an indoor pool with panoramic windows, a gym and a sauna.

It has a restaurant that serves Bulgarian and international cuisine as well as a cafe (where in the evening you can sit and enjoy alcohol as well).

Outside the hotel there is a bus stop from where you can take a bus directly to the Golden Sands.

To book the hotel and more details

Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel Varna – 4-star hotel

Rosslyn Hotel is a 4-star hotel located 1 km from the center of Varna and about 500 m from the beach.

There you will find a spa center with a heated indoor pool in the summer, a sauna, a gym and a relaxation area. There is a restaurant with a changing international menu. The advantage of this hotel is that it has underground parking. So those who rent a car will be comfortable staying in this hotel.

To book the hotel and more details

Panorama Hotel – 4-star hotel

The Panorama Hotel is a 4-star hotel located near the beach in the center of the popular Primorsky Boulevard.

There you will find a bar, a spa and a sauna. In a 3-minute walk you will reach the main shopping street.

The central location of the hotel makes it especially attractive for both couples and families. In addition, there is a parking lot for charging electric cars, which is excellent for those who plan to rent one of these.

Right outside the hotel there is a bus stop with a direct bus to the Varna Airport.

To book the hotel and more details

Bizarre Boutique Hotel

Bizarre Boutique Hotel is in a central location and a kilometer away from Varna Beach. A new and modern hotel that is mainly suitable for couples. Parking is available for an additional fee.

According to the reviews, they have a charming and kind staff and large rooms with comfortable beds. The hotel is within walking distance of the central train station in Varna.

To book the hotel and more details

Reverence Boutique Hotel

Reverence Boutique Hotel is located in the center of Varna, 400 m from the beach.

A modern hotel and some of the rooms have a balcony. In addition, the hotel has a spa area with a sauna and Jacuzzi. Outside the hotel there is a bus stop with a direct line to the airport and the Golden Sands.

According to the reviews, the place is really nicely decorated, the staff is lovely, and the rooms are comfortable and very clean.

To book the hotel and more details

Modus Hotel

Modus Boutique Hotel is a modern and contemporary-style hotel. It is 200 m from the beach and offers free bicycles to its guests. It is a minute’s walk from restaurants, cafes and shops. The hotel provides a very high-end experience with bathrobes in the rooms and a Nespresso machine and goose down blankets in the suites.

In the hotel you will also find a gym and a sauna. And it has an underground parking garage. Outside the hotel there is a bus stop with a direct bus to the airport and to the Golden Sands.

This establishment has a very high score in the guest reviews and everyone says that it is in a great location with a great staff and a special design.

To book the hotel and more details

Recommended hotels in the Golden Sands

If you are looking for an area with all-inclusive resorts, a boardwalk full of attractions for children and adults, and restaurants and bars, then the Golden Sands area will suit you perfectly. I wrote an extended post about things to do in the Golden Sands.

HVD Viva club all-inclusive hotel

Viva Club Hotel is the hotel Roman and I stayed at. A 4-star hotel with a free shuttle to the hotel’s beach. The hotel has an outdoor and indoor pool.

You can book the hotel on an all-inclusive basis, which includes three meals a day, snacks in between, and free drinks, including alcohol. The hotel also has two restaurants for dinner for an additional fee (not included in the price): an Italian restaurant and a barbeque one.

The hotel has a gym (small and not ventilated so we went to work out in a gym on the boardwalk).

The staff is very kind and helpful. The hotel has an excellent entertainment team. During the day there are many sessions for children and adults and every evening there is something different. While we were there, they had a bingo night, an Oktoberfest night, and there are more themed events.

I wrote an extended post about the hotel and our opinion.

To book the hotel and more details

International Hotel Casino & Tower Suites – 5-star hotel

The International Casino Hotel, as its name suggests, is a hotel that also has a casino with live games, poker tables, and slot machines. Its location is excellent, right on the boardwalk in the center of Golden Sands. 

It features a Skyfall infinity pool, with bar 21 open from June to September, as well as two à la carte restaurants serving fine cuisine, one open all year round and one seasonal.

It has a new kosher restaurant called “Tahina”.In the hotel you will find a spa center with an indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and gym. It has covered parking and a shopping area within the hotel itself.

To book the hotel and more details

Melia Grand Hermitage 5-star all-inclusive hotel

The Malia Hotel is a 5-star all-inclusive hotel located on a small hill 100 meters from the beach.

It is considered a luxury hotel with a spa area spanning two floors with an indoor and outdoor pool. Turkish bath and gym. Jacuzzi and sauna.

The hotel has a private beach and a view of the pool and the sea from the rooms. It boasts a total of 5 restaurants and 5 pools.

According to the reviews, the service at the hotel is excellent, the rooms are comfortable, and it is very suitable for those visiting with children.

To book the hotel and more details

GRIFID Vistamar Hotel – 4-star all-inclusive

GRIFID Hotel is a 4-star all-inclusive hotel with a private beach.

It has an infinity pool and is just a few minutes’ walk to the private beach.

The view from the rooms is to the sea or to the park. There is a spa center with a gym and sauna. The hotel has additional restaurants beyond the all-inclusive buffet that is open for those staying at the hotel for more than four nights.

Guests can also enjoy free access to GRIFID Aqua Park.

There is an entertainment team that does activities throughout the day for both children and adults. The establishment has a very high score among guest reviews.

To book the hotel and more details

In conclusion, in Varna you can find excellent hotels, though these are mainly boutique ones. The accommodation in Varna is mostly suitable for those who are looking for an urban experience combined with a backpack, for those who are looking to explore the area and make trips, and for those who plan to visit during the off-season, in the months of October-April.

I hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Bulgaria? I have more posts about Bulgaria on my blog.

I arrived in Milan with my siblings after a four-day trip to Lake Maggiore. We had had an amazing time on a quiet trip in a small village by the lake and suddenly we arrived in a big and busy city and it felt a little strange at first. Just an hour passed before I realized that I fell in love with the Milan and it’s a shame that we only got to be there for two days. I am sure I will visit again and explore more. I decided to write a post with my recommendations for things to do in Milan. In this post you won’t find the usual recommendations you’ll find elsewhere, but special things you can do in Milan. I would appreciate it if you responded to me at the end of the post if you liked the recommendations 🙂

Summary of our trip in Milan

Who? Four adults
When? End of May, beginning of June 2024
How long? Two days
Where did we stay? MagVille Boutique Hotel. A lovely boutique hotel in a quiet location but close to decent cafes and good restaurants.
Mobility? We rented an electric car through Hertz from the Malpensa Airport. Equivalent prices can be found through Papam Papam, the search engine for car rentals. There is no need for a car in the city itself, but because we had also gone to Lake Maggiore, we already had one we had rented at the airport. In the city we parked in the parking lot next to the hotel at a cost of 18 euros per day.

Secrets of Milan Tour

I will actually start with something I did on my second day in Milan, because in my opinion it is a really special tour. On this day, which was the last day of the whole trip, my siblings had to leave in the morning for their flight and I had a few hours alone in the city. Because I really like tours, I booked one to hidden places in Milan the day before through the Airbnb experiences website. Link to the tour.

There were five people on the tour (me and two other couples) and our guide’s name was Daniel. He and his partner are tourism journalists and they travel all over the world when they are not in Milan (about five months a year). They conduct these tours for fun and the truth is that I fell for Daniel. He is funny and full of interesting stories and aside from that, he really knows special places in Milan and gave us a lot of worthwhile tips. During the tour we visited a church that had been closed since World War II and was only reopened in 2017.

What is special about this church is that there is an entire area behind it that was only intended for nuns and is now also open to the general public. One of the artists who painted there did not think that these paintings would ever be revealed to anyone other than the nuns, so he felt free to also paint strange things, for example in the painting of Noah’s Ark, he added unicorns:) And there are also three dogs instead of two because one of the dogs is actually the dog that belonged to him. Daniel told many more funny and witty stories in this church.

After that, Daniel took us to the oldest coffee shop in the world, which it turns out the Ferda company bought a few years ago but left it as it is. We had a coffee there called Marocino, which is a cappuccino with some foamed milk and cocoa powder on top.

We also went to a statue that, when you see it, it’s hard not to smile and wonder how there is such a statue in Milan. It’s a sculpture of a triangular finger built by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan 11 years ago during the design and art week in Milan. The statue was built in front of the stock exchange and the artist created it as a symbol against fascism.

Of course, we went to other places and there were many more stories, so I really recommend joining their tour if it is available when you visit Milan.

The tour lasted about two hours, suitable even for those who are not in good shape because they don’t walk much.
The cost of the tour was 35 euros per person.
The tour starts at 11 am.

The coolest street there is

I only discovered this street thanks to the guide, Daniel, on the walking tour I recommended above. When he showed pictures of this street, I knew I had to take a taxi to it immediately after the tour.

The art on the houses was painted by the artist Maurizio Cattelan, who also built the statue of the triangular finger in front of the stock exchange. (Arrival instructions).

On this street is the Toilet Paper Magazine store, where you can buy magazines created by Cattelan.

Unfortunately, I was alone on the street and without a tripod, so the photos didn’t turn out well enough, but this is definitely an excellent spot for worthwhile Instagram photos. I also didn’t have time to enter the store itself, which I’m sure is really cool. I only got to jump to this street very briefly because I had to make it to my flight, but I’m sure I’ll return to it for a return visit.

Thai spa that is especially worth it

I’ve been to a lot of Thai massage places, but I’ve never been to a spa with such a design that really feels like a Thai palace. This spa is called One Season. Arrival instructions.

In addition to the fact that the design of the place is amazing, there were a few other advantages:

• We were four people who arrived with an hour’s notice and they had a spot for us.
• The place is huge and each one of us had their own massage room.
• The prices were really reasonable, about 60 euros for an hour of massage or 35 euros for half an hour.
• The massage was amazing! We all left satisfied.
• The service was great and it was fun to sit down for tea at the end of the massage.

In short, if you are looking for a treat after all the walking in Italy, this is the place I recommend for a massage.

Matching tattoo

After years of planning between me and my siblings, the idea for a joint tattoo finally came to fruition. This is an idea that my sister came up with five years ago and on our previous trips we hadn’t managed to do it, but this time it finally happened. Two weeks before our arrival, I looked for a tattoo parlor for us to coordinate our date. I found the institute IL CIRCO NERO TATTOO Milano (their Instagram). I contacted them on Instagram and there was a quick and professional response. We decided to arrive at 4 o’clock and they prepared the sketches we requested in advance. The place was sterile and the girl there gave us one tattoo after another, quickly and professionally. The cost of the tattoo was 120 euros per person.

If you are taking a trip as a couple or as a family and you want to do something a little crazy, then here is an idea that will leave you with a lifetime souvenir 🙂

A perfect cafe

Wow, wow, what an excellent cafe. A must-visit if you are in Milan. This is a cafe with such delicious pastries and such good coffee that you simply cannot miss it. We went there twice and if I had stayed in Milan for a few more days, there is no doubt that every day I would have gone there again. Cafe Loste directions. This cafe has fresh pastries that are baked on the premises and excellent coffee. We tried the chocolate pastry, the cinnamon pastry, bread pudding, and a cherry tomato savory pastry and everything was great. Keep in mind that there is a queue on Saturday morning.

An unforgettable restaurant

For our last evening of the trip we wanted a special restaurant that would have Italian food but something more modern and lighter, and my brother found us the Remulass restaurant just for this. Directions. It’s a modern bistro with a limited and precise menu. We booked a place for four people for half past seven in the evening. The menu had four starters, four first courses, three main courses, and two desserts. 

How many dishes do you think we ordered? We ordered the whole menu, so I can tell you for sure that everything there is delicious. Every dish was flavorful and surprising. There were special combinations of different raw materials and the wine was also great. 

In short, if you are looking for a good restaurant, this is definitely the recommendation for you. In addition, the prices were not too expensive and we ended up with a bill of 170 euros for four people for the whole menu including a glass of wine per person. 

It is recommended to reserve a place in advance because there are not many tables and the restaurant is in demand. Link to book a place.

Both the restaurant and the Loste cafe were a few minutes’ walk from the hotel where the MagVille boutique hotel was located.

Questions and answers about Milan

How do you get from the Malpensa Airport to the city?

There are several options either to rent a car or take a taxi (around 120 euros for a taxi to the city center) or a train. If you are going as a group, then the taxi or car option is excellent; if you are just a couple or alone, then the train option is definitely the most convenient. 

On the way back, I returned alone, so I chose to return by train. I took a taxi from the hotel to the central train station for 15 euros and from there I took a train to the airport (get off at a five-minute walk to terminal 1 or 2 – check in advance which terminal you need). Make sure to check which airport you need. I needed to go to the Malpensa Airport. You can purchase tickets in advance online or at a machine at a train station or at the ticket office of the train company. The cost of a one-way trip is 13 euros per person. Buying tickets online for the train to the Malpensa Airport.

How are taxis in Milan?

From what we got to experience, there is not a high availability of taxis in Milan, so you have to take into account that it may take a little longer to get from one place to another. We used the Uber app several times, and in central places there are taxi signs. Even if there is no taxi at those locations, go stand there and a taxi will arrive relatively quickly. Taxis are required to accept credit cards, but it is recommended to say in advance if you want to pay with this method.

Where is it recommended to stay in Milan?

The central area of ​​Milan is the area of the ​​Milan Cathedral (Directions). This is a lively area of ​​bars, restaurants and shops. We stayed at the MagVille boutique hotel in a quieter but charming area at a 35-minutes’ walk from the central area (you can also get there by metro, bus and taxi). There is a beautiful park a quarter of an hour’s walk away. A delicious breakfast is served in the hotel itself and if you happen to have nice weather, it is recommended to sit and have breakfast outside. The rooms are spacious and clean, with a comfortable bed and a coffee machine.

Where is it recommended to shop in Milan?

If you are into luxury brands, you can find all the brand stores such as Freda, Chanel, Versace and more, on Via Sant’Andrea MI street.

If you are looking for brand stores at more popular prices, then close to the cathedral you will find Zara, Bershka, H&M and more… Directions

In addition there is an impressive children’s play store called Hamleys ? Directions

How do you know if the ice cream is of high quality in an ice cream parlor in Milan?

Our guide on the trip explained that there are two ways to see that the ice cream is of high quality 🙂

According to the color of the pistachio flavor, if it is green, it means that it is not a good ice cream; the color of pistachio ice cream should be more of a brown tone.

If the ice cream looks like a high hill, it is also a bad sign. This shows that the ice cream has chemicals and is not of high quality; good ice cream should be concave and low.

Other recommended attractions in Milan

The guide for the tour I was on strongly recommended going up to the roof of the Duomo di Milano cathedral and watching the view there

Buying tickets to the roof of the cathedral without entering the cathedral itself

Buying tickets for a guided tour of the cathedral and going up to the roof of the cathedral

A hop-on-off bus is an excellent way to explore a big city for 24/48/72 hours

Buying tickets for a hop-on-off bus

Additional walking tours

Buying tickets for a two-hour evening walking tour
Buying tickets for a walking tour of the city including the cathedral
Buying tickets for a city tour on an electric bike

In conclusion, Milan is a city of fashion, architecture, excellent restaurants, shopping, nightlife and a lot of beauty, and in addition to all this, it can be a combination of a trip between an urban experience and an experience in nature by combining it with lakes such as Lake Como or Lake Maggiore.

Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them there or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Italy? I have more posts about Italy on my blog.

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From time to time I am asked about recommended car rental companies in Cyprus. Although I live here and do not rent a car regularly, I have had the chance to do so several times while here (for both long and short periods) and I also receive updates from my readers about their experiences, so I decided to write a specific guide to renting a car in Cyprus.

Do you need to rent a car in Cyprus?

Public transportation is relatively limited and I will detail it later in the post for those who are interested.

If you land in Paphos and intend to only stay in the city, you can probably forego a rental car. This is also true for those who land in Larnaca and do not intend to leave it, or for those who plan to stay for the entire vacation in and around the hotel and not travel around.

If you only plan to go on guided tours with a local guide, you can arrange transportation as part of the service. If you plan individual trips to relatively close places, you can take a taxi or bus.

But, if you arrive in the mood to explore Cyprus or travel at your own pace and stop at points spontaneously, a rental car is the way to go.

Most travelers who come with children on a trip to Cyprus like to take a rental car straight from the airport and get around with it. In general, you can find parking everywhere, even in Limassol or Nicosia, although it is better to choose accommodation that includes parking. I will detail parking options later.

If you plan to go to the villages in the Troodos Mountains, or move between several destinations during your trip, then you must have a rental car, and in my opinion, getting around with one is much easier, especially with children. You can leave the equipment in the car and not have to carry it from place to place.

Even if you are short on time for your vacation and want maximum flexibility, renting a car or using taxis will be the most effective.

Also keep in mind that taxi prices are expensive. A trip from Larnaca to Limassol costs around 60 euros by taxi one way. Even within the city, each trip is at least 10 euros and usually ranges between 10-20 euros for distances of 10-20 minutes.

A recommendation for the summer of 2024 and a benefit for blog followers

Local and recommended Cypriot car rental company

Cosmos Car Rental (to order a rental car directly from Cosmos don’t forget the 10% coupon code: trvbox) is a company that provides rental cars all over Cyprus.

What I like about them is that they provide a delivery service for a nominal fee to almost any destination in Cyprus, so you can start or end the rental from any hotel and not have to pick up the car and return it at that point.

They have a main office in Larnaca, so if you are nearby you can come and pick up or return the car from there at no extra cost, but you really don’t have to do even that – they provide a free delivery service to any hotel or other point in Larnaca, which is really convenient if you don’t take the car. You can just choose a pick-up point called Larnaca City and then you adjust exactly where they should deliver the car to you.

They have really good customer service and they don’t try to insist you into buying all kinds of insurance.

Car insurance at Cosmos

When renting from them, you can add such extended insurance that will reduce your participation fee by at least half (40% to be exact compared to their normal participation fee). For example, for a sum of about 100 euros for small family vehicles instead of 250 euros or for 350 euros for a van with 8/9 seats (instead of 900 euros). You will see the details during the order after choosing the vehicle and you can choose then.

It is also possible to additionally or only purchase windshield and tire insurance at a lower price of about five euros per day so that you do not pay at all for any damage caused to these items.

If you don’t want to upgrade to their insurance (for example if you take out external insurance) then the deductibles are generally fair and you can ask for the refund from the external insurance you took out, for example in the travel insurance abroad or through another insurance for a car rented abroad as I detailed in the post about renting a car abroad.

In terms of payment and deposit – they allow payment in cash so if you don’t have approx. Credit can still be rented from them and leave a deposit in cash.

A safety seat

If you are traveling with children, they provide you with baby and child car seats for free!

Crossing Turkish Cyprus with a rented car

Crossing Turkish Cyprus/Northern Cyprus with a rental car – most companies do not allow this, and the guys at Cosmos would also prefer that you not cross with the car, but if you need to, you can coordinate it with them. In general, they warn that they will not be able to provide you with road services or help in North Cyprus and you will have to deal with breakdowns on your own and bring the vehicle back to the border with Cyprus yourself and at your own expense. In addition, you must pay at the border crossing for a special insurance that will allow you to pass with the vehicle to Northern Cyprus. You can talk to them in advance and find out these details – and write to me where you are going to North Cyprus because, to be honest, I haven’t had the chance to travel there and I don’t know the area.

The bottom line is they really try to provide good service and I recommend them, and I would love to hear in the comments or if you write to me how it was for you.

Ordering the vehicle through the Cosmos company and a discount coupon

The most worthwhile part – you can order a car from them in two ways:

Order online with prepayment that gives a 10% discount on the price. But keep in mind that you can’t cancel with this option.

Order online with no advance payment at all and free cancellation.

And I received from the owner a 10% discount coupon for ordering online without prepayment so that you actually earn both an order without prepayment on the credit card and free cancellation as well as the discounted price.

To order a rental car directly from Cosmos (don’t forget the 10% coupon code: trvbox)

To compare prices from all rental companies in Cyprus

Which rental companies are recommended?

All in all, all the companies that operate in Cyprus are usually fair and do not try to charge you for all kinds of damages or unfair payments. In several of my rentals, even when I didn’t take extended insurance from the rental company, I didn’t feel like I was being “searched” when returning the car like they have done to me in other destinations in Europe.

All companies, even the small ones, have the option of giving you car seats for babies or boosters for older children at affordable prices. You can also buy a small jumbo booster without a back for 8 euros.

In the big cities there are quite a few local rental companies that operate mainly in the season; some are not even active outside the summer so the supply is small then. On the other hand, so is the demand, so it’s fine.

My recommendation is to also check reviews of the branch through Google Maps – where customers will usually share their experience.

If you compare prices in the Papam Papam search engine, you will be able to filter and see only offers from recommended rental companies according to the score they have on Google Maps. The rental prices in Cyprus are also very cheap. If you take a manual car, it will of course be cheaper in most cases. In the off-season you can rent a small manual car for less than 25 euros per day.

Driving in Cyprus and driver’s license

Driving license when renting a car in Cyprus

To rent a car in Cyprus you need a valid driver’s license and all companies ask that you at least hold this license for about a year.

If your license is issued outside Europe, there will be rental companies that will also request an international IDP license.
The reports based on actual tourists in Cyprus show that there is no need for an international driver’s license (PaapmPaapm also checked the laws in Cyprus and confirm that Cypriot law allows non-Europeans to drive without the need for an international license) so you can skip it and drive with your home country license alone. Here is what they published about drivers’ licenses in Cyprus.

The driving experience in Cyprus

There are highways between Larnaca and Paphos that are very convenient and the roads to the mountains are generally pleasant and have wide margins. There are many gas stations along the way (the price of gas as in other European countries) and convenient stopping points. It is important to know that driving is done on the left side of the road (like in England), but you get used to it quite quickly in my opinion and from what other travelers have written to me.

Parking in Cyprus

In terms of parking, there is absolutely no reason to fear that you won’t find parking. In most places there is no problem finding a spot and all the big hotels have private parking lots. If you go to the more touristic areas such as the old town in Limassol, or the marina area in Larnaca and Paphos, you will find many parking lots that cost 2-3 euros for two to three hours. Please note that two yellow stripes on the side of the road mean that you are not allowed to park there even if the curb of the sidewalk is gray.

Public transport in Cyprus

For two years we lived in Limassol in an apartment close to the boardwalk where line 30 passes, the main line that runs from the remote part of the resorts like Parklane and Amara and reaches the other side where the mall is. The line runs frequently and is usually not busy. I traveled by bus a lot with Sophie when she was a baby (she didn’t like being in the car and I preferred to travel with her by bus when I could). But if I had to go to places where the bus does not go, I would take a taxi or drive my car. The buses in Limassol and in general in all of Cyprus do not reach the more distant places and taxis are not that easily available.

There are two apps through which you can order taxis, but keep in mind that many times you won’t find one through them and it would be better to coordinate with a driver in advance or call a taxi company: the Bolt app and the CABCY app.

Each city has its own bus company and they also make intercity trips.

Website for information on all bus lines in Cyprus

In Paphos you can find the official website of the local bus company Osypa where you’ll have information about all the lines in English, including timetables and a detailed map of the route. There are dedicated lines to attraction points such as line 622 to the Aphrodite baths and of course a bus from the Paphos Airport to the city center. There is also an interactive map where you can click on stations and see when the nearest bus arrives and where each bus goes in real time.

Children up to the age of five travel for free. A single ride costs €2 and a daily free ticket €6.50. For prices on the website.

Personally, I find it most convenient to use the Moovit app to find the line I need wherever I am in Cyprus. For the most part, the application is quite accurate.

Larnaca and Ayia Napa also have buses that travel along the promenade.

In conclusion, if you are coming to Cyprus for a short backpacking vacation, you do not have to rent a car, but if you want to travel around the villages or go to several destinations, I definitely recommend renting a car. Taxi prices are expensive in Cyprus and they are not always available, and the bus lines run almost only in the tourist areas and can be busy in the summer.

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At the end of May, the trip that my siblings and I had been waiting for, for a long time, finally came. I live in Cyprus, my two sisters in Israel, and my brother in the United States. Five years ago we started the tradition of a trip with siblings and so far we have been together in Madrid and Vienna, and now it was time for our trip to the north of Italy. We all landed in Milan at the Malpensa Airport and from there we continued to Lake Maggiore, which is north of Milan.

Because we traveled at the end of May, which is not the peak of the season, places weren’t crowded anywhere. Maybe in July and August it feels different.

Before I continue to tell about this trip, I will remind you that a few years ago I took a trip with Roman to Lake Como, which is also in the area. So if you’re looking for recommendations there, it’s worth going through the posts I wrote about Lake Como.

General information about the trip we made to Lake Maggiore

Who? Four adults

When? End of May 2024
How long? 4 days
Weather? Between 18 -24 degrees a day and there were two days with some rain
Where did we stay? In the town of Agra I rented a villa through Airbnb
Rented a car? We rented an electric car through Hertz at the Malpensa Airport. Equivalent prices can be found through Papam Papam, the search engine for car rentals.
Flights? My sisters flew from Israel with Wizzair and had a four-hour flight. I arrived from Cyprus with EasyJet.

How do you get to Lake Maggiore?

We arrived at the lake with a car we rented from Hertz. We picked up the car from the Malpensa Airport in Milan.
The process of receiving the car was easy and pleasant. The Hertz counter is in Terminal 1, where our flights also landed.

The representative offered us to purchase additional insurance to cancel the deductible, but we politely refused and settled for the basic insurance we had with the reservation.

It was approximately an hour-and-a-half drive to the town of Agra, where we stayed.
To search for a car, you can use the search engine for comparing car prices, Papam Papam.

At first we were worried about the electric vehicle because we didn’t know how far we could drive it before the battery ran out, and we weren’t sure where we could charge it either. 

In practice, there are many charging points along the way and in the villages. In the town of Agra, through Google Maps, we found the charging point next to the villa and when we went to Dumenza for dinner, we directed Google Maps to the charging point in the center; that’s how we also earned free parking while charging. To find the charging points we simply searched on Google “EV charging” and it showed us where there are such points. To charge you have to download an app called “Be Charge” and you can create an account or register as a temporary guest.

The lake can also be reached by train from the central station in Milan.

The villa we stayed in at Lake Maggiore

We stayed in the town of Agra, which is located up the mountain (about a quarter-of-an-hour round trip in the mountains) and we had a special villa designed by the architect Carlo Molino (a well-known architect in Italy). The main advantage of the villa was the crazy view from it. Just a feeling of living openly. The location of the villa is in a relatively isolated location, but by walking for about fifteen minutes you can reach the center of the town, which has two restaurants and a grocery store.

Those who love peace and quiet will surely love the villa.

The downside of the villa was that it is not maintained well enough. Everything was clean and the bedrooms were great but in the living room the furniture was old.

The villa had three rooms, a shower room, and a kitchen and living room. There were two more bedrooms also in the lower part of the villa but there was a very suffocated feeling and I would not recommend sleeping there.

My sister is a Pilates trainer so in the morning she gave us a Pilates workout in the garden and with the view of the lake we felt like we were at a retreat. We would prepare the breakfasts in the villa with ingredients we bought in the market and supermarket in the town of Luino and really enjoyed the experience

In short, we really liked the villa especially because of the view, but in the pictures on the Airbnb Villa website, the rooms and living room seemed of a higher level than they really were.

Link to the villa

Where to sleep in Lake Maggiore?

In Lake Maggiore there are many towns and in general I think it’s nice to stay in all of them. We stayed in a small town called Agra, which is above the town of Luino. If you prefer to stay close to the lake, then I think the town of Luino is a great option because you can get to other towns from it by ferry or by car and it has a nice selection of cafes, restaurants, shops and supermarkets.

A hotel located on the lake Relais Villa Porta – link to the hotel

A hotel with a view of the lake Camin Hotel Luino – link to the hotel

Agra 

The town where the villa we stayed in is located. It is a very small town with only two restaurants and one grocery store. If our villa wasn’t there then I wouldn’t have particularly visited this place. But if you stay in this town or close to it, there is a nice restaurant that is open until late called Ristorante – Pizzeria Tio Pepe di Valentini Paolo & C. From the villa it takes about fifteen minutes to walk to the restaurant.

Luino 

A town near the lake. We went several times because it was on the way to our town.

It’s a pretty touristy town and if you rent an apartment on the lake like we did then there are some big supermarkets. We also bought wine there at a store called Enetoca 25 12.

We had dinner there but the restaurant was not of our liking, so I will not recommend it. However, the alley where the restaurant was located was really beautiful, so I am attaching directions for you to go to this alley.

Cafes Coffee in the town of Luino

A nice cafe with delicious pastries but no view of the lake: Caffe Teatroi.

And Cafe Clerici, a cafe located by the lake, where the coffee is just reasonable but the view is lovely and if the weather is nice then it’s totally worth sitting there.

Local market on Wednesdays

Every Wednesday there is a local market in the town. The market is touristy and I would not define it as a mandatory recommendation but if you are already nearby, it is nice to walk around there, especially in the food area. We bought bread for our villa and some cheeses and sausages both for the villa and to take back home with us.

The market has all kinds of things: clothes, bags, games, shoes and also local produce of cheeses, sausages, fruits, vegetables and more…

The Mercato di Luino market is open every Wednesday from 08:00-17:00. Arrival instructions.

Ferry to other towns on the lake

From Luino you can take ferries to other towns around Lake Maggiore.

We took a ferry from there to the town of Canobbio (located on the Italian side). We got to the ferry exactly two minutes before it left and bought tickets from the box office at the entrance.

Directions to the ferry.

Canobbio 

How do you get to the town of Canobbio?

A magical town that we arrived at by ferry from Luino – we paid 32 euros for 4 people for a round trip ticket. The cruise was about 25 minutes. Canobbio can also be reached by car or taxi from Luino, but it’s about an hour’s drive.

Wander around the town

This town is so beautiful that you can spend hours there just walking around and going into different shops. There are nice boutiques as well as various brand shops like the Swiss “On” shoes.

A cafe in Canobbio

We sat there in a cute cafe called Forno Zaccheo that had good coffee, pastries, and desserts.

My siblings ordered a tiramisu and said it was delicious and I opted for an apricot jam cookie. There are all kinds of cookies, pastries and cakes.

Take a dip in the lake

It wasn’t hot enough to get into the lake but there was a stunning spot with a descent to the lake where we just laid there on the grass and talked – directions. If you were to go in hot weather, I recommend bringing a bathing suit because it looks really fun to get into the lake. Arrival instructions.

Ice cream

The truth is that I’m not much of an ice cream fan, but my siblings had ice cream at an ice cream parlor – Gelateria il bacio di Tonsi Nadir and said it was great 

Orrido of Saint Anna gorge

Unfortunately, due to lack of time we didn’t get to this place but it looks amazing! This is a gorge with crazy views. The problem is that walking there from the center of Canobbio is 40 minutes and we couldn’t get a taxi. If you are arriving by car, this seems to be a place that is definitely worth going to. Arrival instructions.

Locarno 

At first we thought of going to Lugano but then my sister, Usherat, found a spa of heated natural salt water pools with an amazing view in Locarno so we changed our minds and went there, and it was an excellent decision!

How do you get to Locarno?

We drove with our car for about 50 minutes (from the town of Agra). It is a flat ride around the lake and no traffic jams so it was a great ride.

Hot salt water spa Termali Salini & Spa Locarno

One of the highlights of our trip. That day the weather was gloomy and a little rainy and this place is perfect for such weather.

You can order tickets online but we paid at the entrance. The payment is in Swiss francs but you can also pay in euros. The cost of entry to the baths only is 38 euros. If you also want a towel, then it is another 7 euros.

If you also want to enter the sauna, there is an additional fee (note that the entrance to the saunas is fully nude only). Spa treatments can also be ordered. My brother took a 20 minute massage and felt it was unnecessary.

From the moment you enter you feel like you’re in a relaxing dream. The spa is located right in front of the lake.

There are changing rooms with lockers where you can leave all your things. It is forbidden to take pictures or use a cell phone there! (So unfortunately I don’t have any photos from the place). At the entrance you get a bracelet with which you can open and close the locker as well as buy food and drinks in the restaurant inside (you pay at the end before leaving).

There is a heated pool inside with natural salt water and Jacuzzis but the highlight is the natural salt water pool outside. You can go out to it from the pool inside and enjoy the perfect view. When we were in the pool it was raining and it was an amazing experience to be in the water at a temperature of 34 degrees while it was raining on us.

At one point we went to a restaurant and ordered fruit smoothies and sat on the sunbeds inside and read a book.

We were there for about five hours and there is no doubt that we could have stayed there for a whole day if we didn’t want to get a few more things done. Link to the spa’s official website.

Arrival instructions

A cafe shop with perfect coffee

My brother found a small cafe that only serves coffee! The place looks like a small office with two benches, a coffee machine, and coffee-related products. The place is run by a lovely couple (the woman is from Bolivia and the man is from Switzerland) and they specialize in coffee from Bolivia. I had two cappuccinos because the coffee was so good and they have different flavors of coffee beans. I tried the two types they offered and was really impressed. If you are a fan of good coffee, this is definitely a recommendation you shouldn’t miss. Muyu Cafe. Open only in the months of March – September between the hours of 09:00 and 16:00.

Japanese tea up the mountain

My brother found another recommendation and this time it was for Japanese tea in a special place. We decided we had to try it. This recommendation is less mandatory for me since the tea and the place did not live up to my expectations, but if you have some free time, you can definitely try it.

This is a place that looks like a Japanese botanical garden and is very beautiful to walk around. Inside there is a tea shop and a place to have Japanese-style tea. You can order any type of tea you want and wait for it to be served. It might be worth making a reservation in advance because when we arrived there were relatively many people. My brother ordered matcha, I ordered ginger tea and my sisters jasmine tea and chai tea. The tea was nice, nothing special. The atmosphere was more special than the tea. The place is called Casa del Te.

Street food festival

Coincidentally the day we arrived we found out there was a street food festival by the lake just outside the spa we were at. The festival is three-days-long days and is held once a year. You can check on their Facebook page when the next festival will be.

The festival was very nice, with over 45 food stalls from all over the world. What’s more, because this is the Swiss region, the prices are according. The prices of the dishes were between 7 euros and 13 euros for small dishes and 13 to 18 euros for medium ones.

Facebook page Streetfood Festival Locarno.

Macagno 

How do you get to the town?

We got there by car, through an about 10-minute drive from Luino but you can also take a ferry. The ferry to Canobbio stops first in Macagno.

What do you do in Macagno?

It’s another charming town that’s fun to wander around and in addition there is an area of grass with trees so there is shade and there is also a playground and a café. In addition to this, in the summer there are water sports and you can get into the lake. Arrival instructions. We didn’t get to walk around the town much because just as we arrived, it started to rain. But if the weather is pleasant or warm then of course the town is worth a visit.

The best restaurant we’ve been to in Lake Maggiore

On our second evening in Lake Maggiore we went to a restaurant in the town of Dumenza, at about a 5-minute drive from Agra where we were staying at, and the truth is that the restaurant was amazing. We loved everything, from the food, the wine, and the view from the restaurant. If the weather is nice, I recommend booking a place to sit outside because the view is lovely.

We parked at a quarter-of-an-hour’s walk from the restaurant because we left the car to charge at the electric car charging station (directions) and the road to the restaurant was really beautiful.

We ordered quite a few dishes and each one was tasty and a success with us. We ordered several starters, minestrone soup, a rabbit dish with polenta, pasta with truffle mushrooms, ravioli, and for desserts we ordered cake and cream borla. Everything was really flavorful and the service was great. The menus are only in Italian so we used Google Translate to translate it into English (this is what we had to do in most restaurants because the menu was only in Italian).

Ristorante Smeraldo.

Things to do in Lake Maggiore with children

Although we weren’t at the lake with children, it was just the four of us, I saw some great recommendations for the lake for those who come with children, so I’m adding the ones I think that are worth checking out.

The Wonderwood ropes and climbing park is suitable for all ages with different degrees of difficulty. Free entry up to the age of three. The park has rope and climbing routes, swimming pools, and various attractions such as children’s vehicles.

Link to purchase tickets to Wonderwood

Spa with a waterpark. Splash e Spa Tamaro can be reached by train to the Rivera-Bironico station or by car. This is a spa that also has pools and slides. link to website

Ropes park. The Adventure Park Monte Tamaro ropes park is close to Splash e Spa. You can visit both places in the same day or in two days. This one is a rope park with ropes, a roller coaster, a cable car, and a playground. link to website

Additional attractions in Lake Maggiore

We didn’t get to try the following attractions but they look like something worth checking out

Hop-on Hop-off tourist ferry to three islands in Lake Maggiore – link to purchase tickets
Visit to the winery and wine tasting in Lake Maggiore – link to purchase tickets
Cooking class at Lake Maggiore – link to purchase tickets

Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Italy? I have more posts about Italy on my blog.

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I’ve been in the United States several times but up until this last trip, I had only traveled to New York, Las Vegas, and Florida. So, when we had the opportunity to fly to the California area, we were immediately excited.

We went for a 16-day trip that started with 6 days in Los Angeles then went to San Diego for 3 days and after that to the town of Loreto, in Mexico, for 6 days.

Information about Los Angeles

Los Angeles is considered the entertainment capital of the world and is a paradise of idyllic weather. It is an international center for business, commerce, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, technology and education. It is a very fascinating city with plenty of things to do.

How do I get there?

We arrived on a United Airlines flight with a stop in San Francisco. The first flight was 15 hours to San Francisco and then another 2-hour flight to Los Angeles. It was a long journey but well worth the effort.

Disneyland

Well, it’s no secret that one of the most famous attractions in the city is Disneyland. When I was a child, I visited Disney World in Orlando, so I was really excited to go back to another version in Los Angeles. This is an attraction suitable for both children and adults. We were a couple without children and we really enjoyed ourselves. There are many types of facilities there, and if you buy a ticket with the option to skip queues, in some facilities you can go straight on without waiting in line. There are facilities for children, for the whole family and extreme ones. This is an attraction for a whole-day trip or even for two days in order to have time to do all the facilities.

Tip: There is a check at the entrance and you are not allowed to bring in selfie sticks or GoPro sticks, so if you planned to do so, keep in mind that they’re not allowed.

In addition, from the parking lot there is a train that takes you to the entrance of the park itself. It is recommended to come with comfortable walking shoes since it is a large park and you have to walk a lot from facility to facility and also time spent waiting in lines (standing). It is recommended to arrive as early as possible in order to have time to make installations without much waiting time, and it’s best to go on days that are not too hot.

Book tickets to Disneyland

Universal Studios

Another place that is an attraction where you can spend the whole day and, like Disneyland, it is a place that makes you feel like you are in a movie. There are fewer facilities than Disneyland, but there are also all kinds of shows that we really, really liked. In addition, the setting is very impressive. My impression was that Universal Studios is more suitable for youths and adults and less for small children, if compared to Disneyland, where there are many facilities that are also suitable for babies and small children. At Universal Studios, most of the facilities are more challenging, involving lots of roller coasters.

Book tickets to Universal studios

A tour of the homes of the famous

This was one of the tours I was most excited about. There are tours from the Star of the Stars that depart every day several times a day, which are for 10 people, in a large, open vehicle. The driver is also the guide and with the help of headphones you can hear his explanations throughout the trip. Our driver/guide was super funny and told us lots of stories about the celebrities and their homes. You don’t see too much of the houses themselves, except for Leonardo DiCaprio’s Doge’s house, where we only saw a gate because there are guards who don’t allow you to go any further, but I really liked hearing the stories about them. In addition, the guide put on music according to the movies he was talking about, which created a fun and light atmosphere for the tour.

The tour was about two hours and we did it through the Starline company.

Buy Tickets to Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Bus tours

Farmers Market and Grove

This is a very nice area that has both a shopping complex and a market with many food stalls with cuisines from all around the world. The shopping complex itself is very beautiful and includes a movie theatre . This is an area that is not too busy and has a pleasant atmosphere, so you can also just walk around without even doing any shopping. Directions.

Beaches in Malibu

One day it was decided that we would go to El Matador beach in Malibu. The trip was about an hour long and was really fun because it is along the sea, so you see both that and vacation homes with interesting architectures all along the way. From the right side there were views of mountains and blossoms, so we also stopped on the way to enjoy the view.

There are several beaches in Malibu but our host, Christian, recommended El Matador, which is considered one of the most beautiful and special in the area. To get to the beach you have to park on the side of the road and walk a few minutes on a marked path, and from there you go down to the beach. The descent is not difficult, but it is not very recommended for people with disabilities.

The beach itself is full of rocks and cliffs and even small caves and it is undoubtedly a really beautiful beach that is worth going to if you are a beach lover.

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is considered one of the most famous places in the city and has been a filming location for many scenes in movies and series. At the pier you will find street performances, several stalls, an amusement park with a giant wheel, an aquarium, and a video arcade. There is also a beach there and it is very nice to come and watch the sunset from there. Directions.

Griffith Park viewpoint

Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America. It has many hiking trails and you can go for a picnic, a walk or just to enjoy nature. Unfortunately we didn’t get to roam around in it since we had a lot of other activities, but we did get to watch the sunset from its observatory. This is a very popular place to come to watch the sunset and take photographs since it offers a view of the entire park and the city of Los Angeles. In addition, it is one of the best vantage points to view the Hollywood sign.

From the parking lot to the observatory there is an uphill walk of a few minutes but it is worth it. There are many lawns and you can come with a sheet or a mat and sit there for a nice picnic and watch the sunset and the beautiful view. Directions.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

It is a collection-based educational and research institution founded by Henry A. Huntington (1850-1927). This is one of the most magical and relaxing places we got to visit during our stay in Los Angeles. It is a huge place! I recommend arriving at opening hours, at 10 in the morning because the place closes at 5 and even so, it is most likely that you won’t be able to see everything there, anyway. 

The thing I liked the most was the wide variety of botanical gardens: Japanese, Chinese, rose gardens and more. You can walk there for hours and just enjoy the special beauty of each and every garden. The place is very well thought out and clean, and it is not crowded with people, either. The museums were also particularly interesting. In the museum about the works in Europe, you also get audio and so you can learn about the different paintings displayed there. We were very surprised by the place and did not expect something so beautiful and special. I highly recommend it for garden and art lovers.

Tip: This is a very photogenic place for Instagram so it’s worth investing in nice clothes and accessories 🙂 But of course come with comfortable shoes since the place is very big and you’ll have a lot to walk there. In addition, there are various restaurants scattered among the gardens and at the entrance. The Japanese restaurant in the Japanese gardens is recommended as well as the main restaurant at the entrance, which has a delightful Mexican stand. official website.

Rodeo Drive

One of the most famous streets in the world and also one of the most expensive in the world, with more than 100 world-renowned shops and luxury hotels. Chances are you’ll get there and you won’t even be able to buy a pen, but still the street itself is beautiful and it’s easy to get lost in its charm and splendor. It is recommended to visit the Four Seasons Hotel there. This is a very famous hotel that has been home to many iconic personalities, including Warren Beatty, John Lennon and Elvis Presley. Today, it is affectionately known as the “Pretty Woman Hotel” because it provided the backdrop for some of the scenes from the classic film “Pretty Woman”. In addition, it is recommended to visit the shopping center located right in front of the hotel, where you will find luxury stores such as Versace, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin and Tiffany & Co. as well as the Urasawa sushi restaurant, which is considered one of the most expensive sushi restaurants in the United States.

Hollywood Star Walk

Apart from doing the tour of the houses of the celebrities in Hollywood, of course, before that, you have to go through the Hollywood Walk of Fame and see the stars of your favorite celebrities. You will also find all kinds of people dressed as movie characters who will offer you to take a picture with them in exchange for a tip. There is no doubt that this is a super touristic attraction and it is a must for anyone visiting Los Angeles for the first time.

Since we only had 6 days to be in the city and 2 of them were in Disneyland and Universal Studios, we only got to see a small part of the city, but for a first time there, I felt that we saw a lot of the famous places that are generally recommended for a first experience. Los Angeles is huge and you need much more than a few days to explore it, and it left us with a desire for more. The advantage of being with Christian, the host on the trip, was that he knew where to go, where to park and recommended the things we should see the most.

Recommendations for things worth doing in Los Angeles for those visiting there for the first time. We were in the city for 6 days as part of a private trip through an American company. Every day we did a different activity and we got to do familiar tourist attractions like Disneyland and Universal Studios and visit special places like El Matador Beach in Malibu and an observation point in the city of Los Angeles.

As part of our trip to California we spent some time in San Diego.

We were in the city for three days and the truth is that we needed more time for her. There are lots of cool things to do and see there. It is suitable for nature lovers as well as for those who are looking for a more relaxed city life.

How do you get to San Diego?

We arrived by car from Los Angeles. The trip includes a host who stays with you at home and drives you to attractions and from place to place. So our host, Christian, took us from Los Angeles to San Diego. About a three hour drive.

San Clemente

It’s a cute town on the way from Los Angeles to San Diego.

We stopped there for a delightful breakfast at the Pierside Bar-Cafe .Directions.

I ordered toast with avocado and an omelet with seasoned potatoes on the side and it was a great dish. Roman ordered a pear benedict with avocado and that too was really good. In short, if you are looking for a place to eat in San Clemente, I think this is a great option and if you sit outside there is a view of the sea.

After breakfast we went for a walk on the platform and in the town itself.

Coronado Island Peninsula

The trip to Coronado is an experience in itself because you cross a bridge from which you have an amazing, picturesque view of the harbor, sailboats, blue water and more. There are shops and cafes in the port area. I really liked the shops because they don’t just sell souvenirs; they also have cool clothes at good prices and accessories such as for the beach, bags and more.

From the port we took a ferry to the convention center which is an area that has one, but is also full of shops, restaurants and hotels. You can rent a bike there to get around or just walk and enjoy the view of the sea and the luxury yachts that are moored there.

The cost of the ferry is 5 dollars per person one way and 10 dollars both ways.

The ferry ride is short, about 10 minutes, but it’s a cute experience.

In addition, it is highly recommended to visit Hotel Del Coronado. (arrival map) This is a historic hotel that looks like a castle from the outside. It was considered the largest resort in the world when it opened in 1888 and hosted the biggest names there such as Marilyn Monroe and Prince Edward.

Cabrillo tide pools and lighthouse

This is a very popular and really magical area. I recommend coming with sandals that can get wet because if you want to look for cool things you will have to put in the effort in the search and get your feet a bit wet.

This is a place that is very suitable for children who can search for hours for different creatures among the rocks such as crabs, octopuses, lobsters, fish and more.

We got there in the afternoon in April and it wasn’t too busy but I have the understanding that it can get very busy. If you are a photographer, it is worth coming with macro lenses because you can take great pictures there.

Regardless of the search for surprises in the rocks and pools, this is also an area that is really nice to just sit in front of the sea or go visit the lighthouse that is up the hill.

In the lighthouse you can also see how they used to live there and there is also a small museum that shows how the lighthouse worked. There is also a small observation point up the lighthouse (on the third floor). When we were there, there were relatively many people and only three persons could go up per time because the stairs are very narrow.

In addition to the way to tidal pools, there are also hiking trails that can be done and there is also the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. This is a huge federal military cemetery that cannot be missed.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

This is a place that is difficult to see everything it has to offer even dedicating a full day to tour it. San Diego zoo park is one of the biggest and most famous attractions in San Diego. The place was opened in 2010 and it covers 1,800 dunams!

It has a wide variety of endangered animals, including species from Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia.

It contains over 2,600 animals representing more than 300 species, as well as 3,500 plant species.

There are various shows there such as a bird show (we really enjoyed it) and there are also various attractions such as omegas (with a rather expensive additional charge).

I really liked the train ride in the area of Africa, where the guide tells a bit about the animals on the way.

Basically, getting around the park is on foot, so it is recommended to come with comfortable shoes and be prepared for a lot of walking, but in the African region there is the train ride (which you usually have to wait in line for about 40 minutes or reserve a place for a fee to get in without queuing).

There is also a short scene of a cheetah running after a doll. Why is the show short? Because the cheetah runs so fast, you only see it for about two seconds, but it’s very cool, nonetheless.

There are many restaurants in the park. We ate at The Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook, which has an amazing view of the African region and while you eat you can see giraffes.

Book tickets to San Diego zoo safari park

In short, there are many things to do in San Diego, but due to only having a short time to do so, we only managed to do a small part of them. I am sure that in the future we will return to explore it more.

Cyprus is a perfect destination for a vacation with children. The most recommended months are May – September when it is already warm enough to go to the sea and the pool. But even those who decide to come to Cyprus with children in the fall and winter seasons will find enough things to do here. I wrote an extended post about what you can do in Cyprus in winter.

What is convenient in Cyprus with children is that there is a wide variety of all-inclusive hotels, water sports, various attractions such as sailing, jeeps and rope parks. There are attractions suitable for babies, toddlers and older children.

Tips before flying to Cyprus

SIM abroad

I personally recommend using an ESIM, which is an electronic SIM, and recommend Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. I wrote more about them in an extended post on the subject of taking a SIM card abroad and also about other options such as buying a local SIM card.

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.

The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How can you know if your device supports the electronic card? Very simple: go to this link and you can see. Link to which devices support ESIM.

Car rental in Cyprus

There is no convenient public transport in Cyprus. For those who only come for a backpacking vacation, buses and taxis will provide a good enough answer, but if you also want to travel, I personally recommend renting a car. It is true that lanes go in the opposite direction, but as someone who lives here, I can say that you get used to it quickly. Car rental prices in Cyprus are quite cheap compared to other places in Europe, especially if you come in winter. You can search for a car in the Israeli search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through them because they save me time (instead of going to several websites) and they also have the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies.

Attractions in Cyprus

There are two websites through which you can find various attractions in Cyprus such as wine tours, jeep tours and more. I recommend searching on the following sites: Get your guide and Viator.

Outdoor activities for children in Cyprus

Larnaca

• Fun factory playground – a large playground that is suitable for both small and older children, especially between the ages of 2-8. The playground can be busy on the weekend, especially if someone is celebrating a birthday there, so it is recommended to come in the middle of the week.
• Bowling at Rock N Bowl Bowling Center is open from noon until night.

Paphos

• A large Cosmic World kid’s entertainment playhouse with games for children and little ones. There is also bowling, crashing cars and computer games. On weekends it can be very busy there, especially during the winter, but it’s still a great place to spend time there.

• A small playground inside a bistro on the boardwalk Captain’s Bistro Kids Playground – we haven’t had the chance to go there but maybe it would suit those who want to eat on the boardwalk and the kids will have something to do there.

  Limassol

• Playlounge Agora – suitable mainly for babies, toddlers and children up to 5 years old.
• Hunnies and Bunnies playground – a new playground located in the mall area and there are wooden games, games for babies and toddlers and role-playing games, there is also a nice cafe and a yard with a playground.
• Bubble Park playground – a playground suitable for children aged 3-8 because there are also trampolines outside, colliding cars, motorcycles and a rope maze.
• Bricks4kids Lego playground – a pure Lego playground with lots of Lego parts that range from the smallest sizes to the really big ones. There is also a trampoline, a creative area, a small climbing wall and a dance room, as well as a fast food restaurant in the shape of a Lego. Suitable mainly for toddlers and children up to the age of 10.
• Masterland playground – a playground with a trampoline and a play maze, there are outside role play rooms such as firemen, babies and more. The playground is open to the public only on weekends and is usually busy because birthdays can be celebrated there, so it is recommended to come in the afternoon as there are no reservations for those between 13:00 and 16:00.
• Bowling – inside the mall on the 1st floor there is a bowling alley open from morning until night.
• Ice skating in the mall – suitable for children from the age of 4.

Golf in Paphos

At the Minthis resort you will find golf courses and you can rent equipment and take lessons with the children.

Water parks in Cyprus

There are three water parks in Cyprus, in Limassol, Paphos and Ayia Napa. The parks are quite similar so there is no need to travel specifically to one park if you are already in a destination that has one. 

Water parks have lockers, a tubing track, a wave pool, an area for babies and toddlers, slides for adults, a fast food restaurant, a coffee and ice cream stand, and lots of sunbeds. Most of the water parks are not crowded, but in July and August they may be busier, especially on weekends. So my recommendation is to visit in the middle of the week if possible.

Apparently food and drinks are not allowed but when we brought water and snacks for the girls they didn’t say anything to us, however, I heard from those who checked their bags who were asked not to bring that kind of stuff.

We are subscribed to a water park in Limassol because we live here and the subscription price is much more affordable for those who plan to come more than two or three times. You can subscribe for its whole season (usually May to October) or for three months.

Buying tickets to the water park in Limassol

Buying tickets for the water park in Ayia Napa

Buying tickets to the water park in Paphos

Huge children’s park with inflatables and glamping

A huge inflatable park that opened in 2023, called Greenland. Beyond the park there is also a glamping complex, a restaurant that serves Russian cuisine, a small cafe, a fishing pond, an outdoor swimming pool (for those who stay in the complex) and a spa complex.

The park is is about half an hour’s drive from the center of Limassol towards the mountains. It can only be reached by car or taxi (there are no buses there). It is open from Wednesday to Sunday, but it is recommended to call before and make sure it is indeed open.

Activities with animals in Cyprus

Zoo in Paphos

Paphos has a relatively large zoo. I don’t like zoos much, but this one offers some nice things like feeding the teachers (an additional fee of 5 euros per person), feeding a fillet (which was rescued from Bangladesh and rehabilitated in a zoo) costs 50 euros for a group of up to 5 people, feeding fish (you can buy food for them there) and a free 15-minute parrot and owl show (need to check show times).

Buying zoo tickets

Animal protection organization

An organization called Animal Rescue Cyprus that rescues abandoned animals and takes care of them. The children can pet donkeys, dogs and cats there. Entry is of course free. It is recommended to call before and find out if they are indeed open. And of course you can also donate any amount of money to help.

Directions to Animal Rescue Cyprus

Camel Park

The Camel Park is between Larnaca and Limassol. In the park you will find camels ? and you can ride them. The complex also has an outdoor pool that you can use, there are several other animals that you can feed and there are computer games. There is also a restaurant in the complex.

Donkey Park

The Golden Donkeys Park is also between Larnaca and Limassol and is entirely dedicated to donkeys (there may also be a few goats around). There is a restaurant and a bar and a playground. You can feed the donkeys with carobs that you buy at the entrance and there is also a whole store of products made from donkey milk. It is recommended to come on days that aren’t too hot because there is no shade.

Zoo in Limassol

The zoo is small, but you can spend an hour there with the children. It also has a small playground and cafeteria and is near the municipal garden and the beach. Arrival instructions.

Recommended hotels to go with children in Cyprus

Hotels in Limassol

The Parklane Hotel has the most expensive kids’ club we have come across. With a huge and fenced area just for children as well as an indoor area for children’s creations, games and movies. Parents can stay with the children in the open area or leave children over 3 years old with supervision.

St Rapahel Resort – convenient because it is possible to stay on an all-inclusive basis, there are large lawns, it is near the beach and there is also a children’s club.

Extended post on recommended hotels and resorts in Limassol

Hotels in Paphos

Olympic Lagoon – a 5-star all-inclusive hotel that we really like, located by the sea and with a small slide for children. There is a children’s club where children and babies can be left under supervision and there is also a youth club. Every evening there is a mini disco.

Sofiana Hotel – an all-inclusive hotel near the port with a pool facility with a slide, a kids’ club with parents and evening shows.

Extended post on recommended hotels and resorts in Paphos

Hotels in Ayia Napa

Olympic Lagoon – like the hotel in Paphos with the difference that there is also a fun tube course.

Hotel Nissiblu – a hotel that opened two months ago near the famous Nissi beach. It has a kids club and is by the sea.

Hotels in Protaras

St Elias Hotel – 4-star all-inclusive hotel with an excellent entertainment team for children all day and in the evening there are activities for children. There is a children’s club where you can leave children under supervision or stay with them and there is a water park in the pool with several slides. Please note that the entrance to the slides is only from the age of 6+ and they are attentive to this. There is also the advantage of being able to have rooms with one or two bedrooms (very good for families).

Althea Hotel – a 4-star all-inclusive beach hotel with an excellent entertainment team for children all day and in the evening there are activities for children. There is a children’s club where you can leave children under supervision or stay with them. There is also the advantage of being able to have rooms with one or two bedrooms (very good for families).

Luna Park

A large Luna Park in Ayia Napa

In Ayia Napa there is the amusement park, Parko Paliatso, which is open most of the year (you have to make sure before you come because it is usually open from March to November but it changes). We absolutely love this amusement park and every time we are in Ayia Napa we go there with the girls. There are facilities suitable for both toddlers and older children. You can pay for each facility separately or buy a ticket for all. We pay by facility because there are only a few that are suitable for small children, about 5-6 of them, but that is completely enough.

The price per facility ranges from 1-3 euros and the parent accompanying the child does not pay for it.

Arrival instructions

A small Luna Park in Protaras

The resort town of Protaras has a small amusement park with some facilities for the little ones and some for the bigger ones. The payment is according to the specific facility. Arrival instructions.

Recommended beaches to go with children

Recommended beaches in Limassol

Recommended beaches with children: Desudi Beach (directions) a beach with a playground and restaurants, Vouppa Beach (directions) a beach that also has sand games for children, Panagies Beach (directions) a beach with sand and no stones.

A recommended beach in Protaras

A beach that is considered one of the most beautiful on this island Fig tree (directions)

A recommended beach in Larnaca

Finikoudes Beach (directions)

A recommended beach in Paphos

Coral Bay Beach (directions)

Extreme experiences with children

Jeep trips

We haven’t had the opportunity to do Jeep tours yet, but there are some available in both Ayia Napa and Paphos. But here is a nice option I found: Jeep trip to the Blue Lagoon in Paphos

Rope parks

There is a ropes park in the Troodos Mountains called Sparti, as well as a ropes park at the City of Dreams hotel in Limassol that you can enter for a fee even if you are not a hotel guest.

Water sports

In Ayia Napa, Limassol, Paphos and Larnaca you can find water sports to play along the beaches. The water sports include: paragliding, banana, lying down tube, pedal boat with slide, Jet Ski and SUP.

Cruising with children

Special cruise with mermaids in Protaras

A cruise that starts in June and leaves every Saturday from the port of Protaras. A two-and–a-half-hour cruise that includes an interactive story time, a meeting with mermaids in the water and a mini disco. Link to an extended post about the cruise I did with Maya.

Cruise in the Yellow Submarine

Yellow Submarine Cruise in Ayia Napa. A well-organized family business. There is a stop on the cruise in the caves and you can swim inside them. There is a diver that goes down and feeds the fish and you can see it from the windows of the submarine. There is also a water slide which is fun. Refreshments are available and the staff is friendly. Open from March to November and works on a daily basis with three sailing dates. Link to the Facebook page of the Yellow Submarine.

Yachting

It is possible to go on yacht trips from Paphos and Ayia Napa. The yachts go to the Blue Lagoon and there is of course the possibility to enter the water and to snorkel. Some yachts also serve refreshments.

You can find yachting in both Paphos and Ayia Napa

Buying tickets for a cruise to the Blue Lagoon from Paphos

Buying tickets for a cruise in Protaras in a transparent boat

Purchase of tickets for a Ayia Napa yacht cruise

Pirate ship cruise

Cruise in Paphos on a pirate ship – including refreshments, a stop to swim and snorkel. The length of the cruise is about 4 hours.

Buying cruise tickets

Dancing fountains in Protaras

Fountain show with lights and music at 21:00 in Protaras

You should arrive about half an hour before the start of the show.

Book tickets to the Dancing fountains

Castles in Cyprus

In Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos you can find medieval castles that have been turned into museums. Maya really likes to run around in caves and look for hidden places there. I think this is a great activity for about half an hour to an hour. The entrance price is symbolic, so if you’re in the area, I think it’s worth a visit. All the castles are located in central places near the promenade.

In addition, in Limassol there is a castle called Kolossi Castle which is bigger than the others (directions).

Directions to the castle in Limassol

Directions to the castle in Larnaca

Directions to the castle in Paphos

Skiing and sledding in winter

Usually in February though sometimes also in March it snows in the mountains of Cyprus. If you happen to go on a winter trip when it’s snowing then it’s definitely worth the trip (about an hour’s drive from Limassol). You can rent ski equipment or just sleds and enjoy the snow for a few hours. I wrote about our personal experience and more information in the post about Cyprus in winter.

Recommended villages with children

Kakopetria is in the Troodos Mountains and has a small waterfall, computer games for children and it’s just a really nice village to walk around.

Lefkara village – a touristic village that specializes in lace and silver and gold products. It is a beautiful village that is just fun to wander around. There is also a magical olive farm nearby and a dam. You will find an extended post about a vacation in the village of Lefkara.

Zigi – a fishing village between Limassol and Larnaca that is also close to the camel and donkey parks I mentioned above. It has fish taverns, a beach and a nursery that is like a maze with a small playground. You can read about this village and several other ones in the area in the post about trips and villages in Limassol.

Nature reserves to visit with the children

Cape Greco Nature Reserve

A lovely reserve located in Ayia Napa (about half an hour’s drive from Larnaca). There are hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, there is a beautiful natural bridge and there are places to have a picnic. Definitely worth spending a day or half a day there. You can also do jeep tours there. And there is also the Blue Lagoon, which can be reached by boat.

Book a guided tour in Cape Greco from Larnaca

Akamas Nature Reserve (Akamas Peninsula)

About an hour’s drive from Paphos. In the western part of Greek Cyprus, one of the most spectacular sites on the island, it is a highly recommended destination for travelers looking for a trip to Cyprus in nature. The reserve is stunning and has many hiking trails and a Blue Lagoon with the clearest water there is. The Blue Lagoon can be reached by Jeep trip or by boat.

Summary of Cyprus with children

In conclusion, in Cyprus there are many activities related to water: beaches, water sports, sailing with snorkels, water parks, hotels with pools. In addition, there are playgrounds, jeep tours, rope parks, amusement parks, magical villages, nature reserves and more. I decided to write briefly what you can do in the entire city so that everything is in one place for you.

Limassol with children

A castle on the boardwalk, a Colossi castle, Paradox – a museum of illusions, a car museum, a water park, water sports along the beaches, beaches, a shopping mall, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a camel park and a donkey park. Extended post about things to do in Limassol with children.

Paphos with children

Cruise to the Blue Lagoon, water sports, cruise on a pirate ship, castle on the boardwalk, indoor playground, shopping mall, tombs of the kings, Jeep tours, beaches and water park. An extended post about things to do in Paphos with children.

Ayia Napa with children

Cruise to the Blue Lagoon, water sports, water park, amusement park, Cape Greko nature reserve and beaches.

Protaras with the kids

Beaches, a small amusement park, sailing, a promenade and a fountain show.

Larnaca with children

Beaches, water sports, playground, salt lake and a castle on the promenade.

Bonus for blog followers

If you are planning to come to Cyprus and are looking for someone to plan trips for you that you can do independently with a car (minimum for 3 days) or you want to do a private trip with a driver (also suitable for large groups) then I strongly recommend contacting Roni Schwartz. We met not too long ago and I was very impressed by his knowledge of Cyprus (he has lived here for 5 years in Paphos) and beyond that he is really charming and has been planning trips for many years.

Link to Roni’s WhatsApp for contact

If you order one of Roni’s services and say you came through me, you will get a discount.

If you book a “private trip” for a family, or a small group, Roni will make for you a “detailed plan for a sightseeing day, with a culinary emphasis”, in Paphos, Larnaca, or Limassol, including warm recommendations! A program like this normally costs 50-40 euros, but you will get it for free.

If you order a trip planning you will get one day at my expense, pay for three days planning and you will get four.

If you book a trip for a group of over 7 participants, you will receive a shuttle to the airport and back at an attractive price or a detailed culinary trip planning for an independent trip for free.

Hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or write to me on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Cyprus? I have more posts about Cyprus on my blog.

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We moved to Cyprus in May 2021. We decided on the move a few months before that because we wanted to have a new family experience, because of financial issues, and because we had a desire to slow down in life. Roman and I work remotely and I have a Portuguese passport (I picked it up from Portugal in April 2021), so we could move to any country in Europe and we chose Cyprus.

The truth is that many years ago, Roman proposed the idea of moving to Cyprus and I rejected him outright!

For me there were much more fun countries in Europe such as Spain and Portugal, and Cyprus was of less interest to me. I felt it was a nice vacation destination and that’s it. But then Mayush was born in 2019 and our priorities changed. With Maya, I realized that I needed a place that was as calm and simple as possible for raising children and I was less interested in the destination being full of life, with multiple travel options.

If we didn’t have children or if our children were older, we might not have chosen Cyprus, because in the end Cyprus is a small island (about half the size of Israel) and there isn’t much to do here. It is still not advanced enough compared to other European countries in terms of culture, culinary, tourism, and more… But, with a baby girl and thinking of another child in the future, we decided that relocation to Cyprus was the best decision (by the way, I gave birth here in October 2022 and had an amazing experience).

It is also important to note that Cyprus has developed a lot in recent years and is constantly changing. New places are opening and you can see a big change throughout. Now I think that Cyprus is more attractive destination for relocation than when we came. It is important to note that because Cyprus has gained momentum in recent years due to the low taxation and the war between Russia and Ukraine (many Russians and Ukrainians came here), the prices have increased significantly and there are also large waiting lists for schools and kindergartens. But, on the other hand, it brought opportunities for very good real estate investments and for greater growth in restaurants, hotels, and new attractions.

So, is it worth living in Cyprus? 

My answer would be yes, but it depends. It depends on if you have children and what their ages are, because you will have to find a suitable setting for them and now with the waiting lists it is not easy. It depends on if you are looking for a lot of attractions or something more relaxed. It depends on whether you are ready to move to another country at all or if the distance from your family will be too difficult for you.

If you are interested in real estate investments in Cyprus or are thinking about relocating to Cyprus and want professionals to help you in the process, send email to contact [@] trvbox [.] com and they will get back to you from Winest Group.

In any case, I decided to provide you a detailed post with the reasons I think it is worth relocating to Cyprus.

A destination with comfortable and warm weather

I hate the winter and for me one of the advantages of Israel is its weather, so if there is a destination with a similar climate, that is excellent for me; certainly when there are small children, it is a nightmare to be stuck at home with them due to very cold weathers.

Easy to navigate in terms of language

Since there are many foreigners in Cyprus, the signage here is in English and most Cypriots know English. Compared to other countries where the signage and the language can make it difficult and make you feel very alienated, in Cyprus it is very convenient to use public transport, go to the doctors, and overall find your way around here.

Higher quality of life

Living in Cyprus can be thirty percent cheaper than in Israel, and even more than that, depending on where you live on the island and how much you try to save. For example, in cities like Paphos and Larnaca, living is much cheaper than Limassol and Nicosia, and those who live in villages generally have lower costs. Since there are almost no traffic jams here, you can also live about 30 km from the city and still easily get to work and kindergartens and schools. You can live here in a furnished apartment close to the sea or in a private house with a pool, eat in restaurants with high frequency, relax in hotels or B&Bs at attractive prices (especially when it’s not the season), and hire a maid on a daily basis at prices that are not possible in Israel.

A few traffic jams

When there’s a baby in the car, the last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic haha, and in general I’m not capable of standing being in traffic, it feels like a terrible waste of time to me. We happened to be in Cyprus on vacation before the coronavirus at the height of the season and we didn’t get stuck in a single traffic jam. The island is small and the distances here are not great from city to city, without traffic jams, this makes the ability to travel on the island really comfortable and easy.

Calm and suitable for raising children

The atmosphere in Cyprus is very calm, the locals are very kind and nice and the feeling here is always like a vacation. No shouting, no loads, and no pressure. There are about a million inhabitants in Cyprus and its size is half that of Israel, this means that there is no congestion here and if you want to get away from the city, you can reach a calm local village or nature without people in ten minutes.

A good and accessible medical system

I inquired with Israelis who live here before moving and got good opinions about giving birth in Cyprus as well as about the doctors. The doctors here are available at any moment and give their personal WhatsApp for every contact and request, and as parents of a baby girl, this is something that was very important to us. In addition, as soon as residency in Cyprus is settled, you are entitled to government health insurance that covers almost all treatments and visits to doctors. The high availability of the doctors makes it possible to make an appointment for the same day both for specialist doctors and for treatments such as physiotherapy.

In addition, the attitude here is very personal and if you are thinking about getting pregnant and giving birth in Cyprus, in my opinion, this is one of the best places to do so. The gynecologist is also the obstetrician at birth, which is a significant difference, in addition, you can choose who will be the pediatrician who will examine the baby afterwards. The place of birth is determined by the hospital where the gynecologist works. For example, I gave birth in an excellent and intimate clinic. I had two nurses doing exercises with the physio ball and I asked for a private room with two beds. I gave birth naturally and Roman slept with me that night in his own bed.

Cyprus is a safe destination

Cyprus is considered one of the safest destinations in the world in terms of crime rates. In the 2020 report prepared by the travel insurance company Insurly, factors such as crime rates, road safety, violence, terrorism, natural disasters, and general health quality were taken into account, alongside air quality, sanitation, and risks of exposure to epidemics, Cyprus came in at 5th best place in the world.

British private schools and kindergartens

When we thought about moving to Cyprus, one of the things we thought could have a really good effect on our children’s future was the possibility of studying in English settings and actually having English as their mother tongue. We moved to Cyprus in 2021 and now Maya speaks English fluently and baby Sophie is in an English kindergarten and understands both Hebrew and English.

Private schools in Limassol: Foleys, Heritage, Silverline, Pascal, Golden Oak, American Academy, Grammer School, Island Island.

Private schools in Larnaca: Pascal, Med High, American

Private schools in Paphos: ISOP, NOVA, TLC, Aspire, a new school – Lumio

Possibility of living close to the sea and with a pool

I’ve always loved living by the sea, but with children, it’s a huge advantage. You can rent an apartment in a complex with a pool (which is what we do) or rent a private house with a pool. In addition, there are many hotels here and you can come to them and use the facilities such as the pools for a one-time daily price or make a yearly or seasonal subscription (for example, we have a yearly subscription at a four-star hotel close to home and we use the pools, the gym, and the indoor pool and sauna there in the winter).

Attractive taxation in relocation to Cyprus

In addition to all the advantages of living in Cyprus, if you live here for a few years, you can disconnect your residency, which means that you pay tax only in Cyprus and not in Israel, which is a significant economic difference! Taxation in Cyprus is significantly lower than most countries, especially for the self-employed.

It is important to note that the residency process as well as the issue of disconnection of residency should be done under the guidance of a company that specializes in this to avoid problems with residency or with income tax (double payment both to Cyprus and to the country you came from). In addition, because Roman and I are self-employed, the transition is a bit more complicated and requires the accompaniment of a Cypriot accountant, a residency separation lawyer, and an immigration lawyer in Cyprus.

Real estate investment opportunities

Cyprus has developed a lot in recent years, especially the city of Limassol, which has become a destination for many companies due to the low taxation, as well as a casino resort that will open soon and a new cruise port. Despite the rapid development of the city, the prices here still make it possible to purchase apartments at relatively low prices (you can find properties for 200-300 thousand euros) and get a high yield for the price (around 5.5-8 percent). You can make real estate investments even without living here, but it is much easier to make the investment and find a bargain if you live close by ?

We purchased two apartments here at low market prices in the center of Limassol and did a complete renovation for both of them with local architects and contractors. One apartment was for investment (rented from the first day we finished the renovation) and we have been living in the second apartment since the end of 2023. Now we started a new real estate project of building a building.

For several months Roman searched for a suitable area (in a central area and at a low cost for the market). When he found something he liked, he sent me materials to create a presentation with which we approached the investor.

The investor liked the idea and for several months we worked on closing the deal and at the same time we started working with architects on the design of the building. And yesterday the area finally passed the taboo and the project is being implemented ?

The plan is to build a small boutique building of three floors with six apartments in total.

So now the architects are in the final stages of creating the drawing of the building. With these plans we will go to get building permits, a process that, if all goes well, will take about a year. This is a big difference in this respect from Israel, where it takes five to seven years to get construction permits (from bitter experience), making Cyprus a more attractive investment for investors.

Real estate in Cyprus gained momentum during the Corona period, when the world realized that it was possible to work remotely and entire families felt that they needed to change their lifestyle. Cyprus, which is in a strategic location between three continents with similar weather to Israel, provides the answer to that need, for many reasons.

Real estate prices in Cyprus have jumped in recent years by tens of percent and in my view there is still room for improvement because the demand continues to rise every year and not only from Israel, but also from European countries such as Poland, Germany, and France. As you have probably already heard, there is a very large population of Russians and Ukrainians in Cyprus following the war between the countries. The country’s solid economy, high-tech companies that move to Cyprus because of the low taxation, tourism companies like Royal Caribbean that come on a weekly basis in the summer, self-employed people who are tired of paying high taxes and finance companies make Cyprus an attractive destination for foreign investments.

Property prices in Cyprus are significantly cheaper; you can still find an apartment for under NIS 1 million and a house within walking distance of the sea for NIS 2 million. Bottom line, you should come to Cyprus and check if it is suitable for you, too.

I recently got to meet Itai Erez, owner of Winest Group, a company specializing in real estate investments in Cyprus and personal support for investment and/or purchasing a property for private use. I was really impressed with Itai, because he is both very professional in the field, while also very genuine and honest.

He assists in relocations to Cyprus in collaboration with a team of local people in the major cities (Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos), to find the best investment for the clients.

The escorting process is carried out in full transparency with all services under one roof. Starting with a face-to-face meeting for personal introductions (free of charge), then locating the properties, a personal tour of Cyprus, alongside help with the legal aspects of the purchase process, renovations, and even finding a tenant if necessary.

If you are interested in real estate investments in Cyprus or are thinking about relocating to Cyprus and want professionals to help you in the process, send email to contact [@] trvbox [.] com and they will get back to you from Winest Group.

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