Author Archive for Tim Martins

Cyprus Villas - 3 Great Places to visit in Cyprus

Published
by
Tim Martins
on November 15, 2008
in Vacations
. 0 Comments
by Tim Martins

The Paphos Harbour and Castle the Paphos Harbour in Paphos receives North Cyprus Tourists all year round, who spend time walking along the quay and even visit one of the local fish restaurants, tavernas or pubs. The views are outstanding, with loads of colourful fishing boats bobbing in the Paphos Harbour. The castle is the last remaing fortification of a much earlier castle dating back to 1391, which was eventually demolished by the Venetians.

The Ottomans used it as dungeons and the British as a warehouse for salt! It is accessible via a small bridge over a moat and is well worth a visit just for the view from the top. Opening hours - winter daily 9am to 5pm - summer daily 9am to 6pm - tel 26932841 (Paphos Tourism Office) Cyprus. The Paphos Harbour is also an excellent place to take a boat tour of the surrounding Cyprus beaches and coastline.

Kourion/Kolossi Castle - Ancient Kourion and the castle at Kolossi are both in the Limassol area and can be visited together in a day. They are just two examples of the wealth of history to be found in Cyprus - the Kourion sites dating from the second century AD and Kolossi from the thirteenth century.

The ruins at Kourion are to be found in breathtaking scenery overlooking the sea - this is probably the most spectacular archaeological site in Cyprus. There are actually two sites, the old city of Kolossi and the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates - they are a few kilometers apart. There is also a museum in the nearby village of Episkopi. As it is one of Cyprus’ most popular tourist attractions, it’s worth arriving early in high season.

Kolossi castle was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers - the name later given to the Commanderia dessert wine. Despite changing owners a number of times, the castle is inextricably linked with both the Hospitallers and wine making. Both Kourion and Kolossi are signposted from the Limassol-Paphos highway. Kourion is close to Episkopi village, Kolossi to the village of the same name.

Opening hours Ancient Kourion winter daily 8am to 5pm - summer 8am to 7.30pm - tel 25995048. Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates October to April daily 9am to 5pm - summer 9am to 7.30pm - tel 25995049. Kourion Museum September to June Monday to Friday 9am to 2.30pm - Thursday only 3pm to 5pm - summer 9am to 7.30pm - tel 25934907.

Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke - For anybody arriving at the Larnaca airport, one of North Cyprus’ outstanding places to see and is right next to the airport installations! As you turn left out of the airport you will find the road running along a causeway. On each side you will either see two lakes, or two salt flats, depending on season - Discover the Larnaca Salt Lake and site of the mosque or Tekke of Hala Sultan.

Salt has been extracted from the lake since ancient times and this continues, on a small scale, to this day. If you are visiting Cyprus in lat winter or early spring, look out for the visiting flamingos and other migratory birds. Another salt lake can be found further along the coast of Akrotiri. Peer across the lake and you will see the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque surrounded by palm trees. This is a wonderful place to visit. Opening hours Hala Sultan Tekke winter 9am - 5pm - summer 7.30am to 7.30pm.

About the Author:
Read these Cyprus Property Tips produced by the illustrious Tim Martins and check out his Cyprus Holiday Blog

Cyprus Self Catering Villas - The Elite Club Holiday

Published
by
Tim Martins
on November 13, 2008
in Home & Family
. 0 Comments
by Tim Martins

Self catering villas play a major role in the tourist industry of Cyprus. They are scattered throughout Cyprus and make a relaxing stay for the many visitors on the island. You will find a variety of villa homes and suit everyone whether young, old married or single. These rental homes include vacation villas, holiday villas and luxury villas.

For visitors who prefer to cook for themselves, Cyprus villas are just perfect and provide an excellent self catering service. There is also the additional flexibility for either long or short stays depending on the mood you are in.

The self catering villas come with standard amenities and usually have 2 to 4 bedrooms with the option of either double or single beds. If you should be blessed with a baby then cots are also available. Comfortable dining rooms, living rooms and air-conditioning throughout are also part of the package.

A completely well equipped kitchen allowing visitors to cook on their own is the main attractive feature of Cyprus self catering villas. Among the utilities provided are hobs and fans, ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, toasters, grillers, tea and coffee makers along with full sets of kitchen utensils.

So the question remains then why Cyprus for renting a self catering villa? On the whole tradition dictates that we cook and prepare our own food as a family, so where better than a holiday villa with all the mod cons like there are in Cyprus. The majority of these villas are long term lets from between 70 days and 14 weeks.

Each apartment and self catering property in Cyprus is rated by 3 categories: A, B and C as compared to the hotels, which are rated by stars. This is because the self catering holiday villas and apartments offer accommodation with separate kitchenette & cooking facilities, separate living room and Shower/bath/W.C.

You will always get double beds in the bedrooms and for bigger parties you will find sofa beds in the lounge. In hotels and self catering apartments the charge is fixed per person where as in the Cyprus self catering villas the cost is just on the accommodation. So just another advantage to renting out a Cyprus villa while enjoying that sun on what could be considered as a perfect all round holiday.

About the Author:
Read these Cyprus Villa Tips written by the illustrious Tim Martins and check out his Cyprus Holiday Blog

Cyprus Villas - The Safe Purchase Guide

Published
by
Tim Martins
on July 18, 2008
in Real Estate
. 0 Comments
by Tim Martins

Anyone who has ever tried to set about looking into buying a Cyprus holiday villa whether it be as an investment or just owning your own holiday home, you will know that it is a bit of a daunting task. Many people tend to rush into things and just don’t take the necessary time to look into buying a holiday home in Cyprus properly.

Some reasonable people have put lots of research into the process. They arrange to see several prospective homes through real estate agents, and their purchase goes through quickly and easily. For others, the process is less simple. Unprepared potential buyers often see their hopes of having a Cyprus holiday beach villa turn unpleasant.

A popular property investment that took off in Spain is the purchase of property “off plan” and had been very successful there until many property developers went bankrupt and all of the investors stood to loose all of their money. This has not happened in Cyprus jet but even so their is always some risk involved when you are offered a bargain.

There is nothing dishonest about this scheme of selling property in Cyprus. This method is very prevalent here. The advantage of this scheme is that if you purchase from a sketch there is an excellent possibility that even before you acquire the property as your own, the new Cyprus holiday beach villa will have significantly increased in value. Nevertheless there are certain things that you must check before embarking on such a purchase.

When it comes to developers in Cyprus you need to have a look around and not just base your findings on one offer. You may think you are getting a bargain, but you may care to have a look at areas closer to the sea which may be even better.

The great thing about Cyprus is that you can pick up some really cheap flights to get out there and find your investment home. You may remember that I said that you will need to do your research and I can only make one recommendation and that is the Cyprusinformer blog which is full of factual information on all aspects of living in Cyprus.

About the Author:
Discover these Cyprus Villa Tips produced by the Holiday Critic Tim Martins and check out his Cyprus Property Guide

Tips For Before You Enter The Cyprus Property Market

Published
by
Tim Martins
on March 13, 2008
in Travel Tips
. 0 Comments
by Tim Martins

Buying a second house is what most people do these days. If you’re buying a piece of land or buying a property in Cyprus you’ll find it’s the best investment you’ll ever make or maybe your second. But just how do you pay for your mortgage for that second home?

Another valid consideration on making such an investment is that renting out property in Cyprus has never been easier so you will be able to consolidate your investment with ease. In the peak seasons you will be making a mint although in the winter it is slower, but you will still end up breaking even.

Many people seem to believe that it’s just out of their means to buy a second property, but if the truth is to be known, money is out there for the taking. It is just a question of basic arithmetic really as if your mortgage payment is around 1000 Euro (750 pounds sterling) a month and the rental income is 1000 Euro a week. That equals to your mortgage payment being covered and 3000 Euro left over at the end of the month.

Now you must understand that in winter you might only get one or maybe two of a months rented out, and the rent is lot lower, infact the rent can be halved, so if you work it out a Cyprus winter (which is like a British Summer) last for around 4 months of the year, you would need to have your Cyprus property rented out two weeks a month for four months.

So as we mentioned the summer months is where the money lies and brings in about three times as much as in the winter, so on average you would rake in about 7000 Euro per year and forget that your property would have appreciated in value too. So just look at all the financial benefits you are getting and on top of that you will probably be able to squeeze in a couple of holidays too.

This really is an eye opener for anyone looking for ways of letting their money working for them, so they can work less. If you need more tips and guidance on investing your money in Cyprus, then make sure you listen to what the cyprusinformer.com have say on the matter, as they really do have the right connections to help you on your way.

About the Author:
Find out more about this Content Packed Cyprus Holiday Rental on-line magazine produced by the illustrious Tim Martins and check out this Cyprus Travel Tips Blog

Discover Living In Cyprus

Published
by
Tim Martins
on February 14, 2008
in Travel Tips
. 0 Comments

by Tim Martins

Safe Cyprus enjoys an extremely low crime rate compared to other European holiday destinations and that is why it has become so popular with potential investors who have seen Cyprus as a secure investment when it comes to purchasing property. You will notice immediately the relaxing tone that life in Cyprus endures, where crime is not a day to day problem and some compare the Island to pre war Britain.

Nowadays every European citizen can go and work in EU member countries and Cyprus is no different, so the idea of going to live in Cyprus is that more attractive if you are able earn a living there too.

Those European residents who wish to try a new working life in Cyprus will need to register at the Alien Central Register. Having registered you may either look for work at the local job centre or on your own accord. You are obliged to make an application for a residents permit during the first three months of living there.

If you do purchase a property in Cyprus you may consider making a few economic savings. Solar heating is an cheap alternative and its adoption is relatively inexpensive, having a payback period of approximately 5 years. If you will have a garden, it is advisable to drill a borehole for watering as the water charges rise more than proportionately with consumption. This will cost around 360 for the borehole and the pump, although it will depend on the depth of the borehole. The drilling of a borehole requires a Government permit first.

If you would like to start your own business in Cyprus, purchasing a property for commercial use is not a problem at all. Another advantage in Cyprus for permanent residents is that the income tax rate is one of the lowest in Europe, although you do have to declare your worldwide income, but this is an ideal tax haven for retired people.

Compared with the majority of other European Countries, Cyprus remains on the least expensive places to live in and you will find that it is relatively cheaper as regards living expenses. Many of the previous points outline just why so many people are choosing to come and live in Sunny Cyprus.

About the Author:

Discover this Content Packed Cyprus Holiday Rental on-line magazine produced by the illustrious Tim Martins