Malta or Cyprus

[onthetrain]

Originally Posted by rustuk

My folks lived in Cyprus for 14 years so I went there a lot, and to be honest I got really sick of it, it's like Full English breakfast and kiss-me-quick hats these days...
Malta is great though - it's like Cyprus used to be before it got cheap and chavvy.
I'd look at Madeira too (yeah yeah Saga holidays and all that..) but went there last year and it was one of the best holidays I've ever had.. Top place.
And the diving was nice too....

Agree with what you say up to the comment about Cyprus being cheap...

It's the most expensive place I've even holidayed..... Especially with the exchange rate as it is at the moment

[GaryC]

Originally Posted by Tricky

Ok, so not necessarily looking for diving related info for these destinations, but they're being considered for the Tricky family summer holiday. Can anyone recommend any reasonably priced accommodation in either, or have any pointers on where to stay town/resort wise? Ideally looking to stay somewhere not too hectic, with a few bars and enough restaurants to see out a week without visiting the same place twice. Also, sources for cheap flights. We're looking at the first week in July.

I have been to Cyprus quite a few times and the one good thing it has is the zenobia. However the resorts are overpriced and basically crap. Cyprus does or used have really good restraunts and bars in the little villages. This is where locals go. These are usually very cheap and have a good atmosphere. If you go to places on the strip (road out of larnaca to Ayia Napa sort of place) then they are priced for tourists. They even charge you a tourist tax on food.
There is not much diving in Cyprus except for the Zenobia. HMS Cricket is worth a dive and the scenic stuff at cape greko?? a diver or two but not much else.

I found Gozo much more relaxing and easier to eat out and enjoy and little in the way of roudy behavior (except our club) However none of the wrecks re a patch on the Zenobia. Most of them have been sunk on purpose and you can tell.

So I would say the deciding factor is whether you want to do the Zenobia or not. If you dont then go to Gozo. There are wrecks there and some fairly good scenic stuff. The azure window is a must. And it is relaxing.

Regards

Gary

PS My partner and i did a cheapy to Nice with Jet 2 and the diving was pretty good (we actually did the area near St Tropez) the food was fairly cheap and quite enjoyable. All the dives were from a RIB.