Easyjet Holidays to Larnaca

I was invited by Easyjet Holidays to embark on a delightful holiday to explore the enchanting Larnaca in Cyprus. This trip was to acquaint myself with the local area and discover a diverse array of accommodations, ranging from family-friendly options to luxurious adult-only hotels. The journey commenced with a train ride from Southampton to London Gatwick, where I had the pleasure of meeting the other 16 members of our travel group. Our flight from Gatwick to Larnaca lasted for approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, with the added consideration of a time difference in Larnaca, causing us to touch down around 10pm local time. After passing through customs and retrieving our luggage, we seamlessly transitioned into our transfer vehicle, setting course for the hotel where we'd spend our first night. This marked the beginning of a thrilling adventure filled with exciting discoveries and memorable experiences.

Wow, what a magnificent luxury hotel. The Amanti is an adults-only paradise. Our room was breath-taking, featuring a lovely view of the pool and its picturesque surroundings from the balcony. After a quick change, we joined our group and made our way to Ayia Napa, just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, where we enjoyed an evening of drinks, bars, clubs, and restaurants. Our night led us to the Titanic Club, where we danced the night away.

The following morning, we enjoyed a delightful breakfast, which featured a continental spread with hot food options. There was a great variety, ranging from muesli to yogurt and croissants. Post-breakfast, it was time to check out of the hotel and take a tour to explore its amenities. With four restaurants and three bars, the hotel had a lot to offer. The spa area was particularly lovely, and the pool area was inviting. Moving on from Amanti, we decided to visit the Napa Plaza Hotel. I'd describe this hotel as being right in the heart of Napa's vibrant scene. Like Amanti, it's an adults-only hotel offering both bed and breakfast and half-board options. The rooms vary from those without a balcony, which have an open and airy feel, to the superior suites with balconies.

Next up, we had the pleasure of visiting the Chrysomare Beach Hotel and Resort. This hotel truly impressed me with its spacious accommodations and diverse room choices. You can opt for bed and breakfast or go all-inclusive. Situated right on the beach with direct access, all the rooms offer either a side or full sea view, spanning from superior to deluxe suites for four people. Accessible rooms are also available. There are four distinct pools, including a bubble pool, a children's pool, and an adults-only pool. The hotel boasts a delightful spa area for rejuvenating treatments and an indoor pool.

After indulging in a refreshing drink and a slice of cake, we continued our journey to the Olympic Lagoon, Ayia Napa. This hotel stands out with live evening shows and non-stop entertainment for kids. It features a serene lazy river area, picturesque garden walks, and even hosts weddings. This hotel truly has it all, with all-inclusive packages and a variety of restaurants. The Fishman’s Village area is reserved for adults only.

For lunch, we dined at the Nissi Beach Resort, another family-friendly hotel offering both bed and breakfast and half-board options. The spacious rooms provided a variety of choices, and we savored a diverse array of dishes at the Petra Beach Bar. After lunch, we returned to our lodging for the night, the Sunrise Oasis Sunwing Hotel, a family-oriented establishment with options ranging from self-catering to all-inclusive stays. My studio room, suitable for three people, featured a charming balcony overlooking the pool and the distant sea. We enjoyed a couple of hours of free time, taking a refreshing dip in the pool area and basking in the sun. The evening brought our Team Orange night out, where we indulged in a delightful Mezze dinner at a Greek restaurant, relishing the wide selection of Greek cuisine. We then headed to the bars, where we were treated to a fabulous Rod Stewart tribute act and an incredible Tina Turner performance, ensuring a night of great music and dancing. Our lively evening concluded with a pleasant 15-minute walk back to the hotel.

Following our morning breakfast, we ventured to the Sunrise Pearl Hotel, a splendid 5-star family-oriented property just a short 5-minute drive away. Here, we explored a one-bedroom suite with a partitioned room, complete with two sofa beds and a delightful balcony. This beachfront hotel provides convenient access to the shoreline and boasts a remarkable spa with an array of rejuvenating treatments. Our journey then led us to the Sunrise Jade, a luxurious 5-star adults-only hotel with private, direct beach access. The hotel features a captivating swim-up bar that offers stunning sea views, and its room options range from deluxe accommodations to swim-up rooms. Notably, the hotel collaborates with a reputable diving school, enabling guests to receive basic scuba diving training before embarking on thrilling underwater adventures in the Mediterranean Sea.

Following that, we proceeded to visit the Leonardo Crystal Cove, a charming boutique hotel exclusively for adults – which features a rooftop Gin bar for guests to enjoy. The accommodation options range from standard rooms to Junior Suites with hot tubs overlooking the sea. The hotel offers both bed and breakfast and all-inclusive packages, and it's conveniently located just 15 minutes from Ayia Napa.

Our next destination was the Narcissos Waterpark Resort, a family-oriented 3-star all-inclusive property. This hotel offers two types of rooms: a studio room accommodating up to three people and a one-bedroom apartment suitable for four. The water park within the resort boasts a separate section with slides, a kamikaze ride, and a multi-lane racer. Additionally, there's a separate pool for swimming and a nearby bar for refreshments.

After exploring the hotels, we returned to the coach and headed to Fig Tree Bay, located close to our lunch destination. Fig Tree Bay was simply breath-taking, not only did it have a picturesque beach and a range of thrilling water sports activities set against the backdrop of crystal-clear azure waters - it was a paradise for beach lovers.

Following this, we moved on to the Capo Bay Hotel, an impressive 4-star establishment offering a range of dining options from bed and breakfast to full board. The hotel features a diverse selection of rooms, and we had the chance to view a Duplex Suite with a Garden View and terrace, as well as a Twin Room with an Inland View and balcony. We concluded our visit with a delectable Mezze lunch near the Koi à la carte Asian restaurant, which featured a captivating pond teeming with fish.

Following our lunch, we returned to the coach and made our way to our final destination, the Atlantica Aqua Blue Hotel and Spa, where we completed the check-in process. My assigned room was a Superior room with a terrace offering a delightful view of the pool. It was a truly lovely room. Subsequently, I joined the group during our allocated free time to unwind, enjoying the swimming pools and the kids' splash area, where we couldn't resist taking a thrilling ride down the slides. We then indulged in some pool time, making the most of the two beautiful pools that provided ample space for swimming. Following our pool activities and a quick change, we gathered at the rooftop terrace bar to share a drink before lunch. The meal consisted of a Mezze spread featuring delectable Greek cuisine. As the evening drew to a close, we enjoyed one final drink before retiring for the night, knowing that an early departure awaited us for a catamaran adventure.

On Thursday morning, we completed the check-out process at 8am to reach the Green Bay Water Sports & Wake Academy, where we boarded the Mediterraneo II catamaran. The journey included both drinks and lunch and spending approximately 5 hours on the catamaran was a much-needed opportunity to relax and take in the breath-taking coastline of Protaras. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views of Famagusta, Konnos Bay, and Cape Greco (Blue Lagoon). During the trip, we made three stops to take refreshing swims in the sea. A delightful buffet-style lunch provided sustenance for our adventure on this scorching day, and we made sure to stay well-hydrated with water, while also indulging in a few cocktails. Following this memorable catamaran journey, we proceeded to our last hotel.

We visited the magnificent 5-star Mare Village by Atlantica hotel – an absolute stunner. It's worth noting that this is probably the only hotel where we found it necessary to use a golf cart to reach our room due to its vast size. The Mare Village offers a wide variety of room categories, with direct access to the beach, daily and nightly hotel entertainment, six diverse restaurants, and multi-sport courts. This hotel also hosts weddings, making it an ideal destination for special events. After our thorough exploration of the property, we enjoyed a couple of hours of free time, during which we had access to a room. We refreshed ourselves in a Mare Residences Family Room with Sliding Doors and a Balcony or Terrace.

Subsequently, a few of us decided to change and head into Ayia Napa town to hunt for souvenirs. Being a collector, I was on the lookout for a fridge magnet and a Christmas bauble. The town was a 15-minute drive from the hotel, and we split the €20 taxi cost between the four of us, making it €5 per person. After successfully finding a shop that stocked Christmas baubles, we treated ourselves to a drink before returning to the hotel to complete our check-out. We then met with the rest of the group, where I savoured my final pre-dinner drink, a delightful passionfruit Daiquiri that served as a refreshing end to the day. Dinner was served buffet-style, a satisfying conclusion to our trip, before we headed to the airport for our journey back home.

Every moment of this journey was a joy. Starting as a group of unfamiliar faces and evolving into wonderful friendships over our three-day stay, it truly was one of my most memorable trips. Larnaca offers something for everyone, whether you prefer the vibrant energy of Napa or the tranquil charm of Protaras, which is still conveniently close to bars and restaurants. I extend my gratitude to EasyJet Holidays for providing an unforgettable experience that will forever hold a special place in my heart.

You can find Natasha at our Lymington branch.