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April 24, 2016 • SUNDAY MAIL Travel

Although new destinations are becoming available, remains popular, especially for short trips

A growing choice of destinations

ith more nationals, with Cypriots us- Transavia is another low fl ying into and out ing up a mere 12 per cent of budget which is tak- of the island, out- With the opening of new routes and seats. This is in line with the ing advantage of a niche. Wbound tourism in fact that less Cypriots now They offer two weekly di- is changing. While travel to the UK. The num- rect fl ights to Amsterdam, it is a long time since there airlines there is more choice than ever bers have dwindled from formerly served by Cyprus were few fl ights beyond the 311,119 in 2012 to 186,857 in Airways. main markets of and before for people in Cyprus looking to get 2015. But while the public are the UK, there are now direct “There are now less stu- taking up the cheap fl ights fl ights to 49 destinations dents in the UK,” Kelepeshis offered by the new airlines, from Larnaca and an addi- off the island.Annette Chrysostomou explained, “and so less fami- not everybody is fond of tional 27 from Paphos. lies go to visit them. There budget airlines. And the fact that many of are also less expats living “After the closure of Cy- these new fl ights are operat- looks at the changing landscape here than before who used prus Airways, other airlines ed by budget airlines means to go back and forth.” took advantage of the situ- more people are able to take Cypriots are also keen on ation and gave people no advantage. “People travel a is increasing its travel to other places. “For choice and only had crappy lot, in winter and summer as presence in Cyprus long weekends, people tend- seats so it’s good that there we are an island,” Akis Kel- ed to travel mainly to Ath- are now other choices,” fre- epeshis, executive president ens and Thessaloniki,” As- quent fl yer Andreas Geor- of Top Kinisis travel said, tero Efstathiou from Louis giou commented. “now they take advantage of Tours said. “There were not He recently fl ew from Ath- low budget fl ights and other many destinations avail- ens with Emirates. “The fl ights depending on the cost able. Now, there is a bigger fl ight was less than an hour,” and the cost for hotels. choice and people can travel he said, “I couldn’t believe it “In winter they make more further and get good deals, when the captain announced short trips and in the sum- especially if they book well we were going to land in 10 mer they will go for around in advance.” minutes.” It was not only two weeks. Around 300,000 The changes have also af- fast, he recalls, but also very travel twice or three times fected travel agents. “The comfortable. “The economy per year,” Kelepeshis added. budget airlines mean that class was better than the The bulk of people still go to internet sales have soared,” fi rst class of other airlines,” Greece, even more than used Efstathiou said, “whereas he added. Emirates also offer to traditionally, although over a few years back people fl ights to Dubai and Malta. the years the total amount of booked hotels on the inter- “It’s OK (to fl y with budget trips by Cypriots remained net, now they book the whole airlines) if you book ahead roughly the same overall at journey. This gives people and you choose the dates around 1,200,000 per year. more freedom, though it af- carefully,” Anna Lantidou, Whereas in 2013 360,027 trav- fects us.” who recently used a budget elled to Greece, the numbers fl ight to Athens is full,” Pav- conducted for Hermes air- of outbound fl yers with Ryan , scheduled to airline to spend an extend- swelled to 466,086 in 2015. los Ioannou from Blue Air, ports shows a preference for Air are from Cyprus, and only start operations from June, ed weekend in Belgium, This is something that is re- a relative newcomer to the certain budget airlines by 36 per cent are from other is set to roll out entirely new summed it up “if you are fl ected in the routes offered island said, adding “mostly Cypriots. According to the countries. routes to Europe, Asia and careful you get really good by airlines. they stay in Athens and survey, 83 per cent of travel- This doesn’t hold true to the Middle East using an deals. If you just want to get “We fl y to Bucharest, Ath- Thessaloniki between three lers on outbound fl ights by all budget airlines, however. initial fl eet of fi ve Airbus jet- somewhere and you don’t ens, Thessaloniki and Con- days and a week.” Blue Air are Cypriot nation- Thomson Airlines for one is liners. Their intended niche care about food and taking a stanta in Romania. Every Indeed, a profi ling survey als. In addition, 64 per cent frequented more by foreign market includes China. lot of luggage it’s fi ne.” 19 SUNDAY MAIL • April 24, 2016 Travel 20 Travel April 24, 2016 • SUNDAY MAIL A look into Cobalt, Cyprus’ new airline

Cabin crew at the press conference held by the airline last week

Promising a low cost model with a wide range of destinations, Cobalt is due to start operating an impressive timetable by July

YPRUS’ economy is that Cobalt, a Cypriot com- blemished safety record for ful airlines, as we can see a secrets from the competi- healthy airline should allow evidently recover- pany after all, strives to the former national carrier, trend in which for most, air tion.” Moreover, Pyne added Cypriot residents to travel ing. And with various retain a Cypriot identity. Cobalt looks to take on that travel becomes less about that “we will treat passen- to popular destinations Cunfortunate circum- There are however obvious title on itself. ‘Cyprus’ new comfort and luxury, and gers as our customers and without having to break stances plaguing nearby foreign components in the national carrier’ is the vision more about the comfort of not as a commodity” hint- the bank. Should the airline competitive tourist destina- company. The airline’s man- promoted by the chairman. our pocket. Ryanair for ex- ing that Cobalt’s customers succeed, the island would tions, all activity so far indi- agement team is a group of The company intends to es- ample, is set to overtake will be treated more agree- have much to gain, includ- cates that 2016 will be one aviation experts previously tablish the same emotional the Lufthansa Group as ably than those of compet- ing macroeconomic growth. of the greatest years for the involved in consulting and connection that many Cyp- the biggest airline in Eu- ing low-cost carriers. Pyne characteristically re- island’s tourism sector. The managing low-cost carriers riots previously had with rope this year. In terms of The benefi t of a Cyprus- fused to mention the exact gap left by the fall of Cyprus in much larger markets like Cyprus Airways. extra benefi ts that Cobalt based low-cost carrier is size the of the foreign invest- Airways and the rise in de- Russia and Hong Kong. For There is certainly a great fl yers will have, the CEO clear to most Cypriots. It’s ment for Cobalt, but noted mand for travel to Cyprus them, Cobalt is a chance to deal of promise shown so has mentioned, “innovation choice. It will add choice to “it is a mega investment for has generated great inter- capitalise on an opportu- far, with the carrier set to and technology will be in- a currently disappointing Cyprus, certainly the fi rst of est for the aviation industry. nity identifi ed through their commence with a fl eet of volved” but avoided going set of options for travelers its size since the 2013 bail- Several existing airlines com- industry experience. Finally, fi ve Airbus aircraft, namely into detail just yet, in order with discouraging prices in…. potentially hundreds pete for market share, while to complete the formula of A320 and A321. According to “protect the company’s to consider. A fairly priced, of millions of Euros”. new ones have sprung to fi ll Cobalt’s formation, the com- to the airline’s plans, by the void. One such newcom- pany is backed by a large July 2016, Cobalt will be fl y- er is Cobalt, whose chairman Chinese corporation, based ing from Larnaca to Athens, is Gregory Diacou. in Hong Kong. “A Fortune Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Apart from Diacou, who 500 company” as quoted by Chania, London, Manches- represents Cypriot own- the Cobalt team. ter, East Midlands, Glas- ership and authority, Co- Cobalt, being a privately gow, Cardiff, Dublin, Paris, balt has announced that owned airline, plans to avoid Beirut, and Tehran, they have hired almost 100 the costly mistakes made with more destinations to be added by October 2016. The airline’s future plans include long-haul fl ights to ‘A fairly priced, healthy airline the Far East and America. With regards to regulation, should allow Cypriot residents the company’s CEO, An- drew Pyne, said “we expect to secure the AOC license to travel to popular destinations any time soon.” According to sources, the company’s without having to break the bank. fi rst plane has recently ar- rived, which was one of the last remaining obstacles Should the airline succeed, the for their license to be ap- proved. island would have much to gain’ Cobalt’s tagline ‘The Jour- ney is the Destination’, hints that the airline may hold some extra perks for former Cyprus Airways em- by Cyprus Airways, while passengers. Yet, Cobalt has ployees to occupy cabin, adopting all that was posi- declared that they will be crew and other important tive. On top of employing the operating a low-cost model. positions – including a large same cabin crew that main- This seems like the leading number of pilots. It is clear tained a very proud and un- choice for modern success- 21 SUNDAY MAIL • April 24, 2016 Travel 22 Travel April 24, 2016 • SUNDAY MAIL What to do in Amsterdam With its picturesque ‘Venice of the North’: Amsterdam canal network, rich history and vibrant cultural scene, the capital of the Netherlands is one of the world’s most unique city destinations HERE’S a never end- dling pool to dip your toes ing selection of things into on warmer days. In the to do in Amsterdam winter months, the square Tin any weather – so transforms with a vast out- whether you’re visiting for door ice rink. the weekend or for a fort- night, here’s your essential checklist of the best Am- Take a canal cruise sterdam attractions and Created in the 17th cen- unmissable experiences in tury to keep the sea at bay, the ‘Venice of the North’. Amsterdam’s UNESCO protected canal belt is the quintessential picture- Hop on your bike postcard vision of Amster- There are over 800,000 bi- dam, and an unbelievably cycles in Amsterdam. That’s pretty sight by both day more bikes than people! Cy- and night - when the bridg- cling in Amsterdam is a way es are lit up by fairy lights of life, made easier by the and the whole area takes city’s unbeatable network on a magical feel. Floating of cycle routes and fl at land- along the canals by guided scape. Amsterdam regularly boat tour is a great way to comes out on top in lists get under the fabric of the of the world’s most cycle- city, and you’ll learn lots friendly cities, and there’s of fascinating facts along no fi ner way to explore the the way – such as why the Amsterdam’s city’s streets, canals and tilting homes along the ca- A visit to the attractions than by pedal nals are known as ‘dancing UNESCO power. Cycling in Amster- houses’. There are many protected dam is safe, enjoyable and different canal cruises to Amsterdam canal belt invigorating - so join the lo- choose from, from hop-on- cals and hop on your bike. hop-off sightseeing tours to atmospheric candlelit Tulip Museum night time cruises with Soak up some culture food and wine. in the Jordaan in Museumplein Home to the Rijksmu- Visit Anne Frank House seum, the Van Gogh Mu- Refl ect on the atrocities is a must seum and the Stedelijk committed against the Museum of Modern Art, Jewish people during World Museumplein is the cultur- War II at the Prinsengracht al beating heart of Amster- house where diarist Anne hid with. Waiting times are dam. Having recently been Frank and her family hid often lengthy; so visit early renovated to a world class from the Nazis for two in the morning or book on- standard, the leafy 19th years after feeling perse- line in advance to beat the century district of Oud- cution in Germany. The queues. Zuid is an art lover’s uto- front of the house is now a Go beer tasting at a pia, and the open square thought-provoking muse- between the buildings um but the back annex has windmill pulses with activity all day; been preserved to give an There are eight remain- with open-air exhibitions, idea of what life was like for ing windmills in Amster- visit being de Gooyer in mous tulip fi elds (Bollen- ing countryside you’ll also markets and a large pad- Anne and the families she dam, the most easy to the Oostelijke Eilanden streek) – stretching out fi nd plenty of old castles, (Eastern Islands) neigh- in colourful stripes across fortifi ed towns and ruins, bourhood. And this isn’t miles of lowland fi elds be- of which Muiden is one of just any windmill – for un- tween Harleem and Lei- the most spectacular ex- der the sails of this strik- den. To understand more amples. ing landmark is Brouwerij about the Netherlands’ ‘Tij; an award winning ar- long love affair with Tulips, tisan microbrewery with a a visit to the Amsterdam Visit a market in large outdoor drinking ter- Tulip Museum in the Jor- Amsterdam race and 30-minute guided daan is a must. Whether you’re looking tasting tours. to snag a bargain, try some Take a day trip from local delicacies or just soak Wake up and smell the up the atmosphere, visiting Amsterdam one of the many markets tulips If you’re in town for more in Amsterdam is a unique Yes, they’re as clichéd as than a few days, then head and unforgettable experi- clogs, but Tulips are a de- out of the city to explore ence. Markets selling eve- fi nitive symbol of Dutch the diverse attractions of rything from antiques to culture, and a trip to the the surrounding area. Just books and artisan food to Netherlands wouldn’t be a short hop from Amster- vintage clothes are held complete without feasting dam lies a rich landscape all over the city every day. your eyes on these beauti- of gorgeous countryside, Some of the most popular ful blooms. The most fa- beaches, castles, windmills Amsterdam markets in- mous place to buy tulips and historic towns – all eas- clude the Albert Cuypmar- and bulbs in Amsterdam is ily reachable from the city ket in De Pijp (Mon - Sat) at the Bloemenmarkt – the centre. Just 20 minutes Westerstraat market in the world’s only fl oating fl ow- from Amsterdam Central Jordaan (held on Monday er market which lines the by train, the picturesque mornings), the fl oating Singel with colourful fl ow- city of Haarlem overfl ows fl ower market on the Sin- er stalls. If you’re visiting with history and culture, gel (Mon - Sat) and the Amsterdam in spring, then plus a great selection of Waterlooplein fl ea market take the short 20-minute shops, cafes and restau- (Mon – Sat) near the Rem- Tulips are a defi nitive symbol of Dutch culture, buy them at the Bloemenmarkt trip out to the world fa- rants. In the surround- brandt House. 23 SUNDAY MAIL • April 24, 2016 Travel

Amsterdam

from € Book now at 75 transavia.com one-way

Flights to Amsterdam are operated from Larnaca and Paphos.