Cyprus/ Croatia

alexiadexia

Hey!!

Can anyone tell me what either of the above are like for a holiday for an Irish couple in their 20s in August?? We would like somewhere hot/ cheap(er than Ireland), with nice beaches/ things to do.. And not full of lager louts but a bit of craic..

We just can't decide where to go & these have both been recommended..

delop

Cyprus Is very cheap to get to but shockingly expensive while there, the exchange rate to euro is very poor for the euro..

If you do go, get an all in package that includes meals in your hotel....

alexiadexia

Sounds like a plan, must have a wee look..

Any suggestions on where to start looking?

Also what part/s of Cyprus are best?..

delop

I lived there for a few months and found Paphos to be the best spot for boozing hanging around, Corel bay has a nice beach, if you are looking for a nice sailing trip go down to the marina and look for the large Cat and ask for Gary, tell him his Buddie from Ireland sent you, he might give you a cheap trip....

Try a bar on 'Bar Street' called Aces run by a mad Ozzie

TravelJunkie

Cyprus is actually in the euro now. So you don't have to change money.

I would agree that Pafos is great.

Pythia

I went to Paphos last year. You can't get direct flights from Ireland, you have to go through UK or fly to other side of island and drive. We thought it was great but found it as expensive as Ireland if you wanted quality restaurants. We stayed in Pioneer Beach Hotel which I would recommend as it's child-free. Paphos does have quite an old average age though.

The Lovely Muffin

I've never been to Cyprus so can't comment on it. I have been to Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Dubrovnik is expensive, just as, if not more, as expensive as Ireland. There is also no beaches in Dubrovnik.

I think it's expensive because it is a very tourist-y area. I also found it boring. I wouldn't go back there.

If you like history and cultural stuff you might like it.

Apparently other areas of Croatia (Zagreb, Split etc) are meant to be cheap and have nice beaches, but as I wasn't in any of those areas, I can't be 100% sure.

Wheelsonthebus

Went to Croatia a few years back and really enjoyed it. It's a great holiday. Cheap for the most part too.

Dubronik is the most beautiful city I've ever been too. Fair enough it's a bit touristy like a previous poster said but it's no more than you'd expect. I didn't find it more expensive than Ireland. Accomodation was fairly cheap there too. Bars are great craic. Like any other city though after 2/3 days you've had enough.

Best bet is to get out to the islands. The islands there are amazing, really beautiful. Plenty to see and do on them and there's a good buzz on most. There's no crazy lager louts etc. but a good mix of backpackers and 2- week holidayers so there's a nice mix and you usually end up chatting away to someone new each night. Hvar and Korcula I'd really recommend. It's just really laid back there, perfect for couples. Just be aware that Croatia doesn't really have sandy beaches, more pebbles and rocky coves but still lovely. One of the best holidays I've been on.

clint_eastman

We spent 10 days in Croatia last summer with another couple and I loved it. The weather is fantastic (early August) although maybe too hot. Flew in and out of Split but did a bit of touring which was all very easy. Went from Split to a few Islands for a few days each, Hvar, Korcular, Vis before heading back to the mainland at Dubrovnik for a few days and then back to Split via the coastal roads. All in all it was relatively cheap except for Dubrovnik which is the same if not more than Ireland. I'd definitely reccommend getting out to the islands for a few days, they were the highlight for me.

old hippy

Croatia, my friend. Went there in late Sept & still warm and beautiful. Like the people. We stayed in Hvar (island) and Split. Cannot recommend it highly enough.

dresstoimpress

Croatia from me too. Agree that dubrovnik is a stunning looking city. We didn't find it too expensive. Lived on pizza's and pasta's that were cheap, and the local beer was yum!!
There is a rocky beach there, water is beautiful!! Very salty ( easy to float ) and very cold despite the 38 degrees temp
There is another beach in the newer part of dubrovnik, lepad. Its a stone beach too, but water is shallower here, and restraunts less expensive.

madrabui

Haven't been to Cyprus so I can't comment. But I loved Croatia. I thought Dubrovnik was expensive, but once you get 5 miles out of the town it's cheap. I did a day trip to Cavat near Dubrovnik and I couldn't get over how cheap it was compared to main towns Dubrovnik, Spilt and the Islands (Hvar and a few others). Just walk off the main tourist trail and it can be very very cheap.

Great people, great country. I can't praise it enough.

seanin98

Thought Croatia was the best holiday i've ever been on ... Dubrovnik is beautiful and you can take a different boat trip every day to see the islands etc ... No problem killing ten days ... No real beaches so you will have to get one of the hotels by the sea - Neptune in Lapad has a huge lounging area outside with two pools and you can dive straight into the sea ... Didn't find it any more expensive than Ireland ... Great country and can't wait to see more of it - i havn't spoke to anyone who has been to Dubrovnik and didn't love it.

consultech

delop wrote: »

the exchange rate to euro is very poor for the euro..

delop

consultech wrote: »

Thats ok, take a deep breath and relax, we all get confused sometimes :-)

consultech

delop wrote: »

Thats ok, take a deep breath and relax, we all get confused sometimes :-)

Like when we think you have to change our currency when travelling to Cyprus?

delop

consultech wrote: »

Like when we think you have to change our currency when travelling to Cyprus?

Aha, I seen now why you were confused, Ill clear it up for you, Cyprus joined the Euro on 1 January 2008
;-)

figrolls

I'd definately recommend croatia, haven been to Dubrovnik about 7 or 8 times over the last number of years and never get bored.

It is very hot in august though and theres no beaches in dubrovnik itself.
We got a lovely day trip out to the islands the last time we were there and it was amazing, theres beaches out there by the way.

Some lovely restuarants and bars to drink in. Amazing Ice cream aswell!

Can give you a list of bars/ restaurants that are worth a visit if you want.

Oh by the way I went with my boyfriend last year and we're both in our 20's, so its a good spot for couples!

consultech

delop wrote: »

Aha, I seen now why you were confused, Ill clear it up for you, Cyprus joined the Euro on 1 January 2008
;-)

You seen now did you?

Stop bein a plank. You didn't know Cyprus was in the Eurozone, I called you on it, now you're doing some weird patronizing high ground routine that is leaving me equally as confused.


That aside; 8 of us are considering a villa in Ayia Napa for July. Getting quoted about €700-800 for flights and villa for 10 nights, which is ok. We'll have to make our own way from Larnaca though, which isn't all that difficult.

Can anyone tell me how far Nissi beach is out from the main square/strip?

Eoin

I went to Ayia Napa about 6 years ago, and thought it was really nice but pricey. It seemed to have something for everyone - nice enough restaurants and bars, plus clubs that open all night if you want them.

Can anyone tell me how far Nissi beach is out from the main square/strip?

I am pretty sure we walked it handily enough. I hope it's still as nice as it was then - gorgeous beach, and the water is waist height for a good bit out, which is nice for those of us who aren't too confident swimming in the sea.

adamski8

delop wrote: »

Cyprus Is very cheap to get to but shockingly expensive while there, the exchange rate to euro is very poor for the euro..

If you do go, get an all in package that includes meals in your hotel....

What are you on about!!!

Anyway, id say croatia, ryanair cheap flights to zadar which is small but really nice, only a couple of hours journey to split which is pretty much always warm and sunny, lots of ferrys go outta split to various islands. bill gates was moored there last year when i was there.

My uncle lives in cyprus but have never been, it seems like if you like the near unbearable heat. form what my family say you either got the club scence or cyprus is very boring package holiday thing.

TravelJunkie

consultech wrote: »

You seen now did you?

Stop bein a plank. You didn't know Cyprus was in the Eurozone, I called you on it, now you're doing some weird patronizing high ground routine that is leaving me equally as confused.


That aside; 8 of us are considering a villa in Ayia Napa for July. Getting quoted about €700-800 for flights and villa for 10 nights, which is ok. We'll have to make our own way from Larnaca though, which isn't all that difficult.

Can anyone tell me how far Nissi beach is out from the main square/strip?

Nissi beach is about a 15 - 20 minute walk from the square, not far, but there are frequent enough buses that go up and down if walking is a problem.