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Dive in for festive Cyprus

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Decorating the Christmas tree under water in Cyprus

Take the plunge for for autumn and winter

An island paradise blessed with exceptional weather well into the winter months, #Cyprus still has plenty to offer visitors despite the worldwide pandemic.

According to Larnaka Tourism, holidaymakers can discover an exciting choice of Blue Flag beaches as summer lingers on until end of October and beyond. There will be plenty of time to plan and enjoy beautiful escapes with something extra special, even at Christmas time.

In a region surrounded by beautiful blue seas, it is only natural that Christmas would be celebrated beneath the waves too… and some of Larnaka’s divers do this annually with unique underwater tree decorating.

Nemo Dive Center has been organising annual underwater Christmas decorating at the Xylofagou and Zenobia wreck dive sites for a decade with divers decorating an underwater Christmas tree and videoing the event to send their seasonal greetings.

Aside from the tree tradition, there is always an additional, unique element to the proceedings, such as playing Christmas music under the sea; a visit from Santa with gifts; a simulated Christmas ‘dinner’ set-up.

Festive divers, returning flamingos and views from the Palm Beach Hotel, Larnaka

Alexandros Papandreou, owner of Nemo Divers, along with his students hold the underwater celebration to show that diving is a fun, all-year-round pastime that anyone can enjoy, but you may be wondering how on earth you can decorate a Christmas tree underwater?

Alexandros explains that it takes a lot of preparation and planning to ensure that all the props and decorations are properly weighted to stay underwater and that there is nothing used that could be accidently consumed by the marine life.

It takes nearly an hour to get everything to the bottom of the sea then some time to secure everything properly in place. Once the decorating has taken place and been videoed, everything is then immediately taken back up with great care ensuring that no environmental harm is caused.

The Xylofagou event takes place on November 24 this year with Santa making another underwater appearance, and again at the Zenobia event on December 22 where the team is hoping to cut the traditional ‘vassilopita’ New Year’s cake… if the fish will let them.

A.K.K Larnaka Napa Cruises also holds a tree decorating event at the Zenobia wreck – on December 15 this year. Divers are welcome to participate (free-of-charge) and need to bring their own non-toxic ornament to hang. Crowds of spectators gather to watch the tree lowered into the water where it is decorated then returned to the surface to avoid any environmental harm. A Cypriot buffet Christmas party follows – on dry land, of course.

 Hotels in Larnaca are now back in full swing, including the popular and recently refurbished Palm Beach Hotel, which opens on September 1 and an added attraction is the return of the islands’ iconic flamingo friends, delighting all who catch a glimpse of them.

For more information on autumn/winter events and information on accommodation, contact https://larnakaregion.com

Travel news

Strike while iron is hot

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  • Belton Woods in Lincolnshire
  • Slaley Hall in Hexham

Golf hope group offers thank you break to key workers

Golfers looking to test their mettle after lockdown have a chance to strike while the iron is hot and help give a short break thank-you to NHS or key pandemic workers.

The UK’s largest golf resort operator, QHotels Group, has seen an influx of new members and a massive increase in green fee revenue as the sport’s popularity soars after lockdown – with no signs of slowing down any time soon.

For every one in five breakaway packages booked, the group is donating a complimentary two-night stay to an NHS or key worker to thank them for their hard work during the pandemic.

The group has signed up more than 500 new members across its seven golf resorts, with June seeing 50 per cent of its annual green fee revenue taken in one month at most venues.

The general opinion across the golf industry is that the recent success of the UK market will be short lived, but the QHotels Group is optimistic that it is here to stay – with the current trends across its golf resorts suggesting that domestic UK golf break business is looking strong for the next nine months. 

Belton Woods, in Grantham, Lincolnshire – a stunning four-star resort with two championship-standard courses and an extensive offering of leisure facilities, including tennis and squash courts, spa, swimming pool, gym and even croquet and archery provision – has always been a good barometer for UK demand and is already seeing 2021 filling up fast.

DoubleTree by Hilton Forest Pines Spa & Golf Resort, in Brigg, is a 27-hole championship venue with an enviable reputation for winter golf – with excellent course conditions all year round – and is already filling up nicely for winter. The resort is also home to a first-class spa, health club and swimming pool, as well as an array of dining options, to unwind and relax after a day out on the course, which offers three loops of nine holes.

Slaley Hall, in Hexham, Northumberland, is also enjoying its busiest time. The popular 36-hole golf complex is the perfect destination for a golf break, offering two stunning 18-hole championship-standard courses in the heart of the picturesque Tyne valley, each providing a different challenge, as well as top-quality practice facilities and a spa and health club on site.

And with golf breaks set to be so popular, the group’s top tip is to book midweek, which will be better value, less busy and will provide a better choice of tee times and quicker rounds.

Group Chief Executive of QHotels Group, Richard Moore, said: “With overseas travel still so uncertain, we know that many golfers will be swapping their usual golf trips overseas with a staycation in the UK, and we can already see the trend with bookings quickly filling up across our resorts.

“All of our resorts offer top-notch golf courses in usually stunning countryside surroundings, with an array of other leisure facilities on site, offering a memorable golfing getaway that is better than most local golf clubs – it will definitely feel like a holiday, even if they aren’t getting on a plane. 

“The great thing about golfers staying at one of our resorts is that they will realise how good the offering is and they will realise they don’t need to travel abroad, when they can save time and money staying closer to home and still be able to escape to brilliant courses with their friends or family. The UK golf boom is here to stay and we are delighted that we can be a part of it.”

Other golf resorts managed by the QHotels Group include Dunston Hall, in Norwich; Oulton Hall, in Leeds; Telford Hotel & Golf Resort, in Shropshire; and DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort.

The group has launched a reopening offer across all of its seven golf venues called ‘The Great British Breakaway’, where golfers will be able to enjoy a luxury four-star overnight stay with breakfast, 36 holes of golf, a bucket of beer in their room upon arrival and a packed lunch for each guest, with packages starting at just £93 per person. 

The breakaway package is available for bookings until September 30 and can be booked by calling 0845 074 0064 and quoting ‘GBBGOLF20’.

For every one in five breakaway packages booked, the QHotels Group is donating a complimentary two-night stay to an NHS or key worker to thank them for their hard work during the pandemic.

www.qhotels.co.uk/golf | www.almarosehotels.com