Information sheet about Sophie’s House, Pissouri, Cyprus

Information about Cyprus and Pissouri and Travel

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When to Go	The Village of Pissouri	Environs/Things to do.
Air Travel	Charter Flights	Currency Converter
Car Hire	Two Three & Five Day Cruises	Websites/Phone No's

When To Go

The sun shines for 340 days out of the year. That is more than any other Mediterranean island. Winter - December to February is preceded and followed by a short Autumn and Spring of about 6-8 weeks. Even in winter the sunshine average is 6 hours per day though the rain is periodically heavy. April has maximum day temperatures averaging 23C (water temperature 20C). October averages are 27C (water - 24C) and November 23C (water - 21C). Between those dates temperatures climb in August to about 32C (water - 27C!). Rainfall is virtually non-existent mid-May to mid-October and rises to a peak in winter months. So virtually any dates from March to November will guarantee sunny and pleasant weather (and remarkably green countryside despite the low summer rainfall). Even winter months are pleasant and warm compared to the U.K with average daytime temperatures usually in the low 60s Farenheit (17C) and some warmer days. Throughout the summer there is a cooling onshore breeze which builds during the day and subsides at night. (You can spot the pattern on the weather history via the main page.)

The Village of Pissouri

Pissouri is a traditional Cypriot hilltop village sited almost exactly midway between Paphos and Limassol. The panoramic views over the vineyards - the main local employers - to the Troodos mountains beyond and, close at hand, down to the sea are spectacular. The population is maybe 1,500. Local services are good (including two well stocked mini-markets, two bakers, a butcher, two gift shops, three taxi firms, a couple of banks, two car hire firms, an ironmongers, a petrol station, a pharmacy, and a police station). At the last count, there were ten tavernas and restaurants, three bars and three take-away pizza/kebab houses in and around the village. Down at the beaches and elsewhere nearby there are perhaps another ten restaurants. The village restaurants tend to be better value than those at the beach. The village still retains its ethnic routes and has small-holdings and goat farms dotted about among the houses new and old. It is a Cypriot village with tourism grafted on not a resort town or village. The beach and its infrastructure are creatures of tourism but they are largely unspoilt and are more quaint than commercial (though neither adjective entirely suits). Small-scale enterprise and hard work are the real hallmarks of the local community.

Sophie's House is on the hillside just below the village centre with a gentle slope for about half the five minute walk into the village square. The front of the House faces south-east and the gable end southwest onto the cul-de-sac where you park. You have unobstructed access to the sun from dawn (and what a dawn!) to dusk. The front and rear patios are shaded by late afternoon but the sun is still there on the gable end patio and through the livingroom windows if you have not had enough of it. The hillside above the House gives livingroom views up to the top of the village (You have a 300 degree panorama from the livingroom but you are not overlooked). The weather in Cyprus changes accommodation priorities. The neighbours have their washing machine permanently installed in an enclosure in the garden! The livingroom of the House has a vaulted ceiling into the roofspace to keep it cool. The tiled patios dissipate the heat. You can always walk on them with bare feet at any time of day. Breakfast and lunch can be taken on the large balcony admiring the view. The orientation of the House and extensive windowed area make it possible to bathe the rooms in warm sunshine in cooler months. Leaving windows open but shutters closed in high summer has the reverse effect aided by the onshore breeze. There are gates and walls on the House boundaries and the quiet cul-de sac alongside the gable end gives "open aspects" on three sides. Most eating out is done al fresco in the summer. No need to book. Just stroll into the village and make your mind up about where to eat as you walk. But do make a beeline for the tavernas in the village square on a Wednesday in summer to get your free cabaret of professional Cypriot dancing as you eat. (Click on More Villa/Pissouri photos to see what I mean.)

The Environs/Things to do.

For a major shopping expedition you have only to join the motorway which is a little over a mile inland from the village and drive for 20 minutes to the first exit at Limassol where you will find a hypermarket called 'Orphanides' right on the junction. For a spot of more leisured "retail therapy" both Limassol and Paphos have substantial shopping centres. If you get fed up with the beach day trips can easily be made to Limassol and Paphos, Latchi and the West Coast, or the Troodos mountains. There is an amphitheatre at Curium, and a Crusader Castle at Kolosi which together make a good half day out, and there are Roman Mosaics at Paphos which can occupy you for days. There are day or half day boat trips from Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca and Latchi. A visit to Latchi and boat trip round the Akamas (either on a 50 foot tour boat or a self-drive outboard) and/or a late lunch at a harbourside restaurant and a drive home via hilltop views down to Coral Bay is a our number one recommendation for a day out. Other things to do.

Air Travel

School holidays (particularly Whitsun and October half term) see demand exceeding supply and prices rise accordingly particularly if you book late. You are strongly advised to book early for these holidays. Early September is still high season and best booked early. Outside these periods cheap charter flights, particularly at short notice, are usually available after a bit of searching. At peak times scheduled flights become cheaper than charter flights and are well worth checking out. Scheduled services are available from:-

Air 2000

They have several flights each Wednesday (and one other day, usually Sunday) from Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle They also have flights to Larnaca. It is best to book their flights via the First Choice website or via a travel agent or tour operator. Summer fares (inclusive of all taxes) start around £220 but rise in mid-summer. There are child discounts. Late bookings for these flights can be made by searching the First Choice Late Bookings section which list cheap holidays about two months ahead.

British Airways

To Larnaca - Daily flights from Heathrow - sometimes twice daily and feeder flights from other UK airports. You will need to stay over a Saturday to get a good ticket price.

Cyprus Airways

To Paphos - Sat - Manchester, Tue - Heathrow & Stanstead, Wed - Gatwick.

To Larnaca – from Heathrow daily (sometimes longhaul en route to the Middle East), Wed & Sun - Gatwick, Tue, Fri & Sun - Stanstead, Wed a.m.& overnight Thu/Fri – Birmingham, overnight Wed/Thur Manchester

Pex fares start at £175 (Heathrow - Oct-March) but rise by about 50% mid-summer.

If you are booking early tour operators will have block bookings on their flights that they will sell to you. Their prices will be cheapest.

Olympic Airways

Fly via Athens from Heathrow daily and Manchester four times per week. Also flights to most Greek islands direct or via Athens. Useful if you want to tag a visit to one of these onto the beginning or end of your holiday.

Charter Flights

Charter flights are the most common source of travel tickets. They are easily found and booked via a flight search engine but most travel agents can also help (and often give you a better price). Almost all charter airlines fly into Cyprus (JMC, Airtours, Unijet etc, etc). Late booking deals are available from many websites and teletext. If you are prepared to go almost the next day (and sometimes in low season) they can get to be as low as £69. Booked say 6 weeks or less before departure you should get reductions. But beware, at busy times (Christmas, Easter, Whit & October half term) you are unlikely to find last minute bargains.

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Every charter airline runs at least one charter flight to Cyprus Wednesdays from May to October. That is definitely UK arrival day at Paphos and Larnaca. Sunday is the other popular day. Of the "scheduled" flights described above British Airways cheapest flights are quite affordable (provided you stay over a Saturday) but get booked up quickly in high season. Air2000 have up to 3 flights each flight day from most airports some or all of which are at civilised hours (but prices rise for the best flight times) and their flights can often be picked up via search engines. Most Cyprus Airways flights are at civilised times and, in our view, the food is better. You can now book them via the web but until they sort out the gremlins it may be beter to book them via a travel agent/tour operator. Their Apex tickets go quickly. All these scheduled airlines (perhaps not British Airways) have block bookings of seats to tour operators.

Some Helpful Hints When Looking for Flights

Wednesday flights are cheaper and more plentiful.

Book early to get the best prices at peak holiday times.

Check what is available via the websites below then try a tour operator or travel agent for a more convenient or cheaper flight.

Consider the reliability of the airline. (Scheduled are better than charter. Brittania have fewer delays than JMC or Airtours etc, etc.)

Flights to Paphos are more relaxing (15 minutes away) but Larnaca is not much further.

On average you will save at least £550 per week renting Sophie’s House compared with two adults and two children staying in two bedrooms elsewhere via a package.¹

Car Hire

We can arrange car hire with free delivery to Paphos Airport through Nicos Xantris, a local car hire business. Nicos will meet your flight at the airport in your hire car, drive you to Sophie’s House then walk himself home (He lives 200 yards away). For 2003 an Escort size car (Mazda 323, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Almera or similar) will cost CY £18.40 per day including vat and comprehensive insurance. An Escort size car with airconditioning and the option of automatic transmission is £20.70 per day. (All prices High Season, 7-14 days) (One single charge of £20 covers both legs from and to Larnaca). He also does 4 wheel drives and other cars. His prices are very competitive. You may have to empty the ashtrays yourself but, in our experience, the vehicle will be mechanically reliable. (Hire cars are by law MOT'd twice per year unless very new). By way of comparison a taxi from Paphos Airport will cost around CY £12-15 and from Larnaca about CY £30-40 - The higher figure at night. (The rate of exchange will vary slightly but CY £1 equals about £1.10 sterling.) Petrol is very cheap and diesel even cheaper. For those that do not know, Cypriots drive on the left just like us.

Two, Three and Five Day Cruises

Two and three day cruises are available to Egypt, the Holy Land and Lebanon. There are also five day cruises of the Greek Islands. All depart from Limassol. You can book them in the UK via some travel agents such as Delta (see below) or, if it is a last minute booking, via most travel offices when in Cyprus including National Tours (25-327343)and Athos Travel at the beach. There are two operators. Their websites are listed below.

Dawn from the balcony of Sophie's House 24th May 2001.

Websites/Phone Numbers/Flight Searches

Delta Travel	0161 2737511	Specialist Cyprus tour operator. Agent for Cyprus Airways, Air 2000, British Airways. Good charter flight search facilities.
www.deltatravel.co.uk		Website for above - fairly basic (no online booking) - lists Cyprus Airways flights/prices.
www.flightline.co.uk	0800 0360777	Flight search engine - works well - good prices - excellent selection. Based in Essex.
www.cheapestflights.co.uk	0800 0151345	Flight search engine- Good reports from others - good selection. Based in Stockport.
www.just-flights.co.uk	0870 7475747	Flight search engine - some on-line booking - Have used them - no complaints. Based in Bolton.
www.justflights.co.uk	08707 469080	Flight search engine - Not the same as above. Based in Blackpool.
www.airparade.co.uk	0870 7579777	Flight search engine - easy to use - requires telephone call for booking.
www.a1travel.com	0871 8550055	Flight search engine Allows you to search Paphos/Larnaca flights together.
www.firstchoice.co.uk	01293 588680	Flight search/book on-line for, usually, Air2000. Prices less than main brochure. Late bookings section.
www.britishairways.com/bookonline	0345 222111	Schedules, prices & online booking up to one year ahead. Prices very good - sometimes.
www.air2000.com	01293 596620	Scheduled flights, prices. Site now looks anaemic. Better to use the First Choice site
www.cyprusair.com.cy	0208 3591333	Website has flight schedules but no prices
ITV Ceefax p231/2		About 200 pages of cheap flights to all destinations. Some helpfully list prices by month. Many refer you on to a website.
www.cosmosnet.net/azias/cyprus		General information about Cyprus and travel. Take your time. It's all there somewhere!
www.cruisecyprus.com		Cruises to the Holy Land, Egypt and the Greek Islands. You can email your booking.
www.louiscruises.com		Cruises to the Holy Land, Egypt and the Greek Islands. You can book online. (Note - their Greek Island Cruises are meant for greek nationals.)
www.cyprustourism.org		Official site of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.
www.club-europa.com		European Search engine (see banner backlink above)

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^{1Updated comparison made 8/12/02 for late July 2003 booking comparing flight only + rental with packages on the web departing Manchester. Exact comparisons are difficult but e.g. (a) Columbia Beach Hotel Pissouri (3+ Star B & B terms) Total Price - £3,004 c.f. £1,490 saving £757 p.w. (b) Kephalonitis Apartments (3 Star self catering in Paphos) - Airtours Summer Sun 2003 2nd edn. - Total Price £2,660 c.f. £1,490 - saving £585 p.w.}