Cyprus end of July - would we be mad?

[youcouldnevermakeitup]

Hi

We have been uhmming and ahhing about taking a break during the summer hols for several reasons. However DB who has an amazing apartment in cyprus, has a week available at the end of July (he normally lets it out and therefore family tend to take it at the last minute if it is still available).

Would we be mad to take DS (8) at this time of year? We have been previously in May/June and October when it has always been really hot. I do not cope too well with the heat and I struggled a bit in Turkey a couple of years ago in August, but having said that we always take holidays to hot countries.

I got a bit concerned when a friend said she would never go over the summer and she is from there! Obviously we could do the Siesta thing but we would also like to do sight seeing/horseriding/boat trips etc too, oh and swimming and sunbathing!

Anyone been at this time of year and can tell me I am being ridiculous?

My friend has a house there and said last year 'I thought I was going to die, it was hotter than hell'.

I assume the apartment will have aircon, so if you could hole up during the super hot daytime and be more active early morning/evening, then it won't be all that bad. I have been to super hot places and you do burn to a crisp really quickly, so you need to be careful!

We went end of October last year. Even then, it was so hot, I could feel my skin burning. And I actually grew up in a hot country, so thought I could handle a bit of sun

Sorry, not what you wanted to hear...

Oh dear. We are going on 24th July........
If you are happy with a pool/ beach centred holiday then I think it's fine as long as your accommodation is air conned.
I plan to sit under an umbrella and pop in the pool frequently.

We came back yesterday, at the moment and for the next week it is around the mid thirties. Its fine and lovely as long as you have air conditioning. We had a pool which was gorgeous especially first thing in the morning before the sun got to it and we went to the beach at about five each evening for a swim.

It was gorgeous and I wish I was still there

I'd say it will probably be fine. I've been thinking of the hottest places I've ever been (paleish skinned red haired) and the hottest was well into the 40s in the Pacific. We got off the plane into the airport - effing hot, but I can handle it (thought I) then we went through the doors of the airport - even effingly hotter. Then through more doors (hotter still), past the second outer doors and I thought I had arrived in hell.

We were staying in a hut on the beach but when we went inland it was blisteringly hot but I did manage ok. I only got burnt once - my own fault - towards the end as I got aclimatised to the heat (we used to go away as kids and the heat wasn't a problem for me. We have photos of me as a teenager wearing a jumper in 40 degrees). I stupidly went for a swim without my factor 5 million. I was out for about 10 minutes before I remembered and went inside.

I lived there for 3 years and I used to come home for August as it was too hot but I had very small children and so was a bit confined to the house as it so hot.

But there's always Troodos Mountain to escape to, it's always cooler up there and a lovely area to visit!

Swimming and sunbathing fine, but horseriding - doubtful. The British riding school I volunteered at didn't ride between 9am and 4pm in Jul, Aug and Sep.

Sightseeing will be OK as long as you are sensible about loose clothing / suncream and hats. It's a lot cooler in the Troodos Mountains and Curium / Kings.

The Malls are generally airconditioned and the one in Limassol has an ice rink!

We lived midway between Paphos and Limassol for a year or so, arriving at the start of Jul. To be comfortable you want to be basing your holiday around water and/or aircon!

Love Curium - Chris Blue Beach on Curium beach does a fab kebab!

Oh yes and you can't beat the iced coffee at Lady's Mile beach - I reckon I put on a stone just drinking those!

Thank you ladies for all your contributions. I think the heat here is just about finishing me off and although the aptment does have air con I am not sure we would be able to make the best of what the resort has to offer at this time of year. I am thinking of going now in October, the only drawback would be fact that the pool will not be heated and it will be cold. Still.... should be able to swim in the sea then.....mmmmm......hope everything will still be open at half term. Difficult decision.

Interesting about the horse riding and I suspected as much!

I can see I do not get out enough when I am there - did not know about the ice rink, sounds amazing. Will also have to explore Curium beach and Ladys Mile beach, but just adore Troodos. We have found a place in Platres where you can get the most amazing meze and is a brilliant place to while away a sunday afternoon with a carafe of wine. Urgh school holidays, why can't we just get up and go!

The watermarks generally close at the end of Sep, but if they are having a good summer the can stay open till end Oct. Most things will still be open TBH, and the heat won't be quite so oppressive.

You used to be able to buy weekly passes (and season tickets) for the waterpark at Fasouri. That's a fab day out and actually we preferred it to the beach - no sand or salt! There is also a large market in Fasouri where you can get (amongst other things) all the largest DVD releases 'legally' (no copyright in that specific area).

The new Mall in Limassol (was called Tiffany Mall, now just The Mall I think) is pretty good, but expensive. There is a bowling alley as well I think.

There is a zoo in Limassol, but I prefer the Bird Park in Paphos. Little Plates is an amazing place to eat in Limassol, as is the Youkoso teppenyaki in Paphos.