Christmas is a truly special time in Cyprus, from magical Christmas decorations in the towns and villages to a skiing trip in the Troodos mountains, Cyprus is wonderful all year round and most certainly deserves a visit at this, the most magical time of the year. There’s also one thing you can always be sure of during the festive season, and that’s a wealth of delicious sweet treats and wonderful seasonal dishes to tempt your taste buds! A visit to Cyprus over the Christmas season brings with it so many fantastic opportunities and experiences. While you’re here, look out for these festive delights that are unlikely to be available when you visit during the summer months…
Kourabiedes
Nothing says Christmas quite like these delicious little balls of almond shortbread. Made with brandy, vanilla and sometimes a little rose water, they are baked until the point at which they’re turning golden brown, then while they’re still warm from the oven they are coated in icing sugar. The sugar caramelises into a rich buttery layer which gives kourabiedes their distinctive sweet taste.
Melomakarona
All the traditional flavours of the festive season are combined in these cookies. Sweet with honey, stuffed with dates and nuts, and further enhanced with cognac, cinnamon and orange zest. As if that wasn’t enough to tempt you into trying these delicacies, when they have been cooked, they are then soaked in a syrup of hot honey and rolled in ground almonds. Truly delectable.
Egg lemon ‘Frumenty’ soup
In Cyprus it is traditional to attend a church service on Christmas morning. After the service, everyone returns home to enjoy a delicious dish of soup. This soup is tasty, yet light enough not to spoil the appetite for the upcoming Christmas Day lunch!
Gennopitta
Genopitta is a traditional sweet bread that is made on Christmas Eve to be eaten on Christmas Day. The bread has religious meaning and is often decorated with the symbol of the cross.
Souvla
There are some dishes that are simply a must-have on the Christmas Day dinner table, and one of those is souvla. These are the most wondrous skewers of lamb, pork and chicken cooked over charcoal.
Vasilopitta
Vasilopita is a traditional New Year’s Day cake. When the cake is made, a coin is dropped into the mixture and baked inside it. When it comes time to eat the cake, the person who finds the coin in their slice is said to have good luck all through the coming year.
Book your magical Christmas break in Cyprus today
Choose an Imagine Villa to enjoy Christmas in luxury and comfort. Visit our website to find your perfect winter hideaway, a place to relax and unwind, truly getting away from it all, and a wonderful base from which to explore the island and all it has to offer in the wintertime. Make your booking today to ensure availability and the lowest prices.
