Crystal-clear turquoise waters changing into deep blue early in the morning and turning into an amazing azure just before dusk, sandy beaches against a ragged landscape, incredible sunsets, romantic tavernas just a breath away from the call of the sea. Boats restlessly come and go into the fishing shelter, loaded with fresh kalamari, sea bream, red mullet, red snapper, sorkos, fangri or tsipoura. You can either buy the fish from the fisherman's boat or taste them in one of the many fish tavernas. Protaras is located on the outskirts of Paralimni situated in free Famagusta, at about 50 km east of Larnaca. That's where I spent the weekend - a blissfully relaxing weekend - at the Golden Coast Hotel - the jewel of Protaras - situated on the best sandy bay in Cyprus just next to the fishing shelter.
The Golden Coast Hotel
Ayios Elias - a glorious sunset!
The Golden Coast Hotel
After a hectic school term loaded with extra lessons and exam reviews, this brief getaway to my favourite holiday resort in Cyprus was all I needed to relax and unwind before issuing exam results and final reports. All I wanted was to lie in the sun, swim in those amazingly divine waters of eastern Cyprus, read, listen to my favourite music on my ipod and look forward to meeting my hard-working husband at the end of the day.
However, Protaras caters for all tastes. For those of you who would like to sip your international cocktail instead of ouzo or zivania or taste your international food instead of fresh fish and souvla (barbecue), there is a great variety of excellent ethnic restaurants as well as the traditional British pubs. Late at night (just after 1:00 am ) , try one of the many clubs - many are situated right on the sandy beaches where you can dance barefoot on the sand, under the stars of the eastern Med and where the murmur of the sea mingles with the many decibels!!
The Windmills, Protaras
At Protaras you can simply indulge in anything - you can sing, dance, eat, drink, sunbathe, swim, practise absolutely all water sports and / or extreme sports and make merry to your heart's content...Or you can simply fall under its magic spell ! Just like me!
This is a so beutifull place, Anastasia. It remind me of our Porto Fino which is combining the wild nature and well organized sandy beaches. It really looks a magic place and I am glad you had the time to relax for a while. Abbraccia e bacia - Lisa
Posted by: Lisa A | June 16, 2009 at 08:55 PM
This is the kind of holiday I've been dreaming of for some time now. I guess it feels like heaven!
Posted by: Andy | June 16, 2009 at 09:23 PM
Well, you very much deserve your time off!! I can see from the way you write about Protaras, how much it is "under your skin" and in your heart. :-)
Posted by: Tina | June 17, 2009 at 03:45 AM
Although I visited many places in Italy including a visit to Genoa, I've never been to Portofino. I visited Genoa 10 years ago and spent 3 days there exploring the medieval city which, I think is the biggest in Europe. Filakia!!!!
Posted by: Anastasia | June 17, 2009 at 01:11 PM
Andy, to me Protaras is a small paradise on earth. There are still so many secluded beaches accessible only by boat while, on the other hand, you can enjoy all the facilities offered by many other sandy beaches which have been awarded the Blue Flag by the European Union.
Posted by: Anastasia | June 17, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Oh yes, Tina! I did need some time off and was glad to leave on Monday morning and go directly to work! Thank God, I had packed some ...decent clothes as well!!! It's true that Protaras is in my heart - to me its beauties are beyond compare.
Posted by: Anastasia | June 17, 2009 at 01:30 PM
I love this summer look of your blog which has put me in the holiday mood. Protaras looks the perfect place for a great summer holiday and hope to be able to visit it one day. I haven't planned anything for my summer holiday ...yet! But I hope to get away for a few days in August.
Posted by: Christina | June 17, 2009 at 07:25 PM
I'm sure you'll love Protaras, Christina, and I'll be very glad to meet you and show you around. I haven't planned a holiday either this summer due to Alkis' new duties at work but we'll certainly make time to get away for a couple of days at the weekend.
Posted by: Anastasia | June 17, 2009 at 08:22 PM
Mostly out of professional curiosity, I had a look at the Golden Coast website. It looks really fantastic! I think you largely deserve your time off. I suppose you will soon have your long summer holiday and take the time to get a good rest. Kalo kalokairi
Posted by: Karolina | June 18, 2009 at 11:24 AM
The Golden Coast Hotel has been my favourite hotel in Cyprus for years now - actually since its opening in 1988. It has recently been renovated. I love the new minimal decor. I wish I had taken more pictures of the new look but my camera ran out of battery. My ...not so long summer break starts on Saturday June 27 and ends on August 23rd. I know you'll be working in the summer but I am sure you'll make time for a visit to the beach. Καλό καλοκαίρι και καλή δύναμη.
Posted by: Anastasia | June 18, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Yes, Anastasia, Genova's centro storico as we call it - the historical center - is the biggest in Europe. There are many small roads , the caruggi, which will take you to a great tour of the medieval city center. Also Genova is a very rich in art and you can see great paintings at the Palazzo Ducale from Luca Cambiasco to Magnasco.
Posted by: Lisa A | June 18, 2009 at 10:12 PM
I'm sure Zeus will change his mind after this blog!
Well..you know what I mean, my Greek semi-goddess! Wishing you yet another great weekend. Filakia!!!!
Posted by: Jeff | June 20, 2009 at 02:06 AM
Good morning my dear Anastasia. I am very glad to hear that you found the time to relax for a while. Thanks for the photos. Protaras sounds like a really wonderfull place to spend a holiday. Ohhh that beach looks very very inviting!
Posted by: Haruko | June 20, 2009 at 02:31 AM
Hmmm...still waiting for Zeus to promote me to the very divine status of a Greek goddess. Hera won't let him !! Filakia !!!!
Posted by: Anastasia | June 20, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Good morning Haruko. I'm glad you liked the pictures. Actually I'm going to Protaras again next weekend. It's the ideal place to start my summer holiday. Take care and enjoy your weekend. Filakia !!!
Posted by: Anastasia | June 20, 2009 at 09:32 AM