Who: Jacqui Ainlay-Conley from Arvada
Where: Limassol
Best meal: Eat in the many tavernas and sidewalk cafes. Cyprus is known for its wonderful fruits and vegetables and fresh meat. The grapes are a must, and the potatoes reported to be the best in the European Union. There is plenty to eat for vegetarians – try the houmos, vegetable kabobs, yogurt and, of course, chips. The national cheese of Cyprus is halloumi, a delicious mozzarella-type cheese made out of sheep’s and goat’s milk and stored in brine. Halloumi can be eaten raw or cooked and is virtually indestructible; it can even be fried or grilled.
Best deal: Shopping on Saint Andrews Street in Limassol. Limassol, the second-largest city on Cyprus, has a busy port, giving it a more industrial feel than other tourist destinations, but this is the place to go to buy the lace and other goods Cyprus is known for. Vendors sell fresh orange juice, and the Limassol Castle is nearby, making it worth a day trip.
Best time to go: May, June, September and October. July and August are too hot. Cyprus does get windy in the winter, and at that time of year it is too cold to swim in the Mediterranean.
Best travel tip: Don’t be afraid – Cyprus is safe. The crime rate is low. The majority of Cypriots are bilingual, speaking mostly Greek and English. Finally, Cypriots are laid back, and this is nowhere more evident than through the postal service: Drop your cards and letters off at post offices instead of posting them in mailboxes on streets and in villages. It can save weeks on delivery time!
