Fitzgerald EstatesPaphos Digest

December

Fitzgerald Estates (Cyprus)www.fitzgeraldcyprus.com

Why Fitzgerald's?

We aim to bring you the BEST VALUE properties in Paphos and now they are even better value... * A Safe Investment

* No VAT charge to pay

* Fully equipped

* You can move in NOW

Most of our properties either have the Title Deed issued, available or are in the final stages of Land Registry approval. Fitzgerald Estates only list properties that are safe to buy and have a full record of any encumbrances on each property.

Featured Property

This villa is one of the most impressive and imposing examples of traditional domestic architecture . The setting is ideal. One of the largest tranquil villages in Cyprus, Pachna features a treasure trove of historically significant homes, a time capsule of the best of village lifestyle past.

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We continue to advertise our world class website on the famous British property website ‘Rightmove’, the Cyprus Mail, Essential Paphos magazine and the Russian magazine ‘My Island’ (Moi Ostrov) attracting sellers as well as buyers.

We are seeing consolidation of prices at current realistic levels. As more people wake up to the fact that this is a wonderful opportunity to buy villas, prices will increase however prices for apartments will continue to be soft because there is a big oversupply of these types of properties.

Fitzgerald EstatesSolomos Court74 Apostolos Pavlou AveKato PaphosCyprus 8046Tel: +357 26 930345Fax: + 357 26930929e: contact@fitzgeraldcyprus.comweb: www.fitzgeraldcyprus.com©2010 Fitzgerald Estates

Prestige Properties!Fitzgerald Estates continual commitment to market great quality properties at prices reflecting the local market conditions and trends is receiving a great deal of public attention. Having the courage to remain focused on this core niche, Fitzgerald’s have grown into a very successful business. The success of this strategy speaks for itself as Fitzgerald’s have achieved a higher Google ranking than even the biggest property companies in Cyprus - a strategy built on the expanding word-of-mouth recommendations and targeted promotion and advertising campaigns.

Staying attuned to market trends and changing market demands, Fitzgerald’s have launched a new website www.fitzgeraldprestige.com to meet the growing demands for prestige property investments. This website is the Lexus of Toyota or the Audis of Volkswagen and has proved so popular that it is already in the Top 10 in Cyprus and Paphos.

What makes a property Prestige? At Fitzgerald’s, ‘Prestige Property’ means

far more than just the price tag. The new strategy is to feature properties that are ‘Prestige’ ie., have special attributes which make the property ‘stand out’ in the local market place, fully appreciating that we are covering the Cyprus, and particularly Paphos market, and not Kensington, for example. What makes a ‘prestige property’? The property can be big, medium or small, but it needs to have a great location, quality build and high class finishes, appropriate space inside and out and maybe, views of the sea. The niche ‘Fitzgerald Prestige’ properties carry the combination of these qualities. The properties featured on www.fitzgeraldprestige.com easily stand out in the local market place giving the buyer an instant up-to-date preview of memorable properties – properties that satisfy the growing demand.

Cyprus Credit RatingYou may have read that the credit rating for Cyprus has been downgraded from A+ to A taking us from the group

including Chile and China to the new group including Bahrain, Czech Republic and Oman. The reason given is due to Cyprus’ exposure to the Greek government, customers and corporations which could negatively impact public finances. The Cyprus banking system is very strong as it is based on strong deposits and conservative lending. At the moment, The Cyprus Government is taking steps to reduce the GDP deficit by the end of 2011 enabling them to achieve the EU goal of 4.5%. Of course, none of the

measures taken will be popular with everyday folk, but as in virtually every other country - needs must. The Cyprus Civil Service is coming under fire for having a “job for life” mentality and cuts in their wages are proposed. Tax evasion is being looked at in the private sector and consumers may be hit with increased taxes on tobacco – though some will say that’s a good thing!! However, Cyprus is still the place to be for rest, relaxation and a relatively cheap way of life – and don’t forget – we have the sun!!!!!

Cyprus TourismCommerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Antonis Paschalides has said Cyprus is prepared to lose a certain percentage of the German tourism market rather than spend “excessive amounts” of money trying to lure them back. During his speech to the Annual Conference of the Euromed Academy of Tourism in Nicosia, he said the strategy on tourism – planned up to the year 2015 – envisages the enrichment of tourist experience and the enhancement of the quality of services offered.

The minister said Cyprus was having difficulties closing the gap in the German market following the demise of Eurocypria. While arrangements made to cover other markets that were affected by the closure of Eurocypria had been successful, there were still some problems with the German market.

The minister said he wasn’t sure of the exact number of German tourists that

had been affected by Eurocypria closing down, we can’t be 100 per cent certain about the possible number. In the end, it might be zero.”

German tourists for a long time have generated a steady supply of income, coming in second after the UK. The market, which peaked in 1997 when some 250,000 German tourists came to the island has however declined in recent years. Last year only 131,000 German tourists visited the island, and so far this year around 120,000 by the beginning of November.

One of the reasons the government does not appear too concerned with possible losses in the German market, is probably to do with the increase in the number of Russians visiting the island in the last three years. This year the number of Russians surpassed the number of Germans, making it the island’s second biggest source of tourists with over 213,000 arrivals between January and October. “The Russian market seems to be very strong and active, not just now, but for next year too,” said the minister. “Everyone is already preparing for this expected increase in arrivals from Russia next year, so that we are ready to welcome them.”

St. Michael's Hospice Christmas PartyThe annual Christmas party in aid of the St. Michaels Hospice project took place at the Alexander the Great Hotel on Friday 3rd December. This event is always well supported and this year was no exception with tickets being snapped up like hot cakes.

The organisers pulled all the stops out with a superb range of entertainment including singers and dancers while the guests enjoyed their meal.

There was even a Manchester United Shirt signed by the team members up for grabs in a prize draw. The event raised over €6,700 for the Hospice making it the most successful so far.

Featured PropertyThis villa is one of the most impressive and imposing examples of traditional 19th century domestic architecture . The setting is ideal. One of the largest tranquil villages in Cyprus, Pachna features a treasure trove of historically significant homes, a time capsule of the best of village lifestyle past.

Enjoying a large plot of 483sqm, the original cottage was built over a century ago. The restoration and significant extensions have been undertaken by the famous local

architect Mr Economou in 1984 and follow closely Cypriot folk architecture which called for a house to be within fortified walls. Further improvements including central heating were added since then.

The villa was commissioned by the then Under Secretary General of the United Nations to be his idyllic personal and family sanctuary. Featuring a substantial formal living room, a separate open- plan kitchen with dining area, 3 bedrooms in the main building and an annex, the villa

also has a guest bedroom suite. Wide porches span the main residence supported by graceful pointed arches on the ground floor and traditional Greek columns on the first floor. The first floor verandah flows to a substantial terrace which envelops the master bedroom. You’ll love the panoramic scenery of the countryside the view of the sea from here and indeed the whole first floor.

High stone walls screen the property from the road and access to the property is through a stone ‘gate house’ with a deep semicircular archway leading to a broad lower garden courtyard.

Mediterranean lifestyle revolves around outdoor living with the central courtyard often regarded as a natural extension of the living room and this villa design faultlessly echoes the tradition. The design neatly incorporates wide outdoor stairs connecting the floors. Each floor features main door entry with internal connection between the rooms on the individual levels.

The orientation of the entire home is towards the central courtyard, a serene tree lined and fabulously private haven, a blissful environment where conversation flows freely and entertaining is an absolutely private affair, far removed from the pressures of any demanding work schedule.

Neither words nor pictures can adequately describe the sheer magnificence of this estate. It is truly something very special – viewings are a must!!!

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Dad's Army

Fitzgerald Estates is proud to have been the sponsor for the latest production at the Emba theatre in Emba village. The Stage One Theatre Group performed a stage version of Dad’s Army based on the highly successful TV show. The performance from 29th of November to the 4th of December played to full houses.

The Stage One Theatre Group is a group of primarily ex-pats who get together and perform in public, usually 4 times a year and generally have a lot of fun doing it. With a steadily growing membership this group has built a solid reputation in Cyprus for its quality and range of productions including comedy, drama, musical and pantomime. The next production in March 2011 will be 'The Sound of Music'. The Stage One theatre group has come a long way in the last 25 years, with excellent lighting and sound consoles, the floor carpeted, new seating and the theatre is now able to seat an audience of 230.

For all you budding Torvill and Deans!We can now go outdoor ice-skating in Paphos. A 200sqm temporary rink has been constructed by Paphos Municipality in the Town Hall gardens.

The rink is open from 2nd December until around 10th January. Entrance is free and if you need lessons, the cost ranges from €10 for group lessons and €20 for individual tuition. You don’t need to have your own ice skates as these will be available for hire. The Paphos Figure Skating Club has recently been formed – the athletes train at the ice rink in My Mall at Limassol.

So next time you’re coming to Paphos during the Christmas holiday season, as well as packing your swimwear, don’t forget your skating gear.

Cyprus at ChristmasHere in Cyprus the Christmas season starts on December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas, and will last through January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany.

Christmas in Cyprus has been traditionally a solemn, religious holiday, and the Cypriots love nothing better than to celebrate their holidays with food.

While western culture has Christmas elves, the Cypriot equivalent is not so benign. Mischievous and even dangerous sprites called "Kalikantzari" (or Calicantzari) according to the old myths prey upon people during the twelve days of Christmas, from

Christmas Eve to Epiphany Day, on January, 6th. On the night on the 5th of December, it is traditional to lay out an offering on the doorstep traditionally a plate of loukoumades (sweet honey balls) to appease the kalikantzeri, and make sure they do not trouble you through the coming year.

The Cypriot version of ‘Santa’ is Ayios Vasilis (St. Basil) and he comes on New Years Eve bringing one present. In these modern times many of the western facets of Christmas have crept into the culture making for some very lucky kids who get two Santa's St Nicholas and St. Basil and hopefully two sets of presents!

On New Years Eve Cypriots make a cake, called a Vasilopitta, which is cut at midnight. Everyone takes a piece and hopes to find the coin that has been baked into it-as this indicates luck for the coming year. The cake is cut into many pieces but the first two pieces are not eaten, they are one for Jesus and one for the house in which they live, then a piece is cut for every member of the family and finally a slice for absent family members.

Epiphany Day (6th Jan) is great feast day. The whole family get together for another day of lots of food and drink. Traditionally they would wake up, go to church, then come home and cook. Grandfathers and grandmothers "ploumizoun" (give money) to their grandchildren on the morning of Epiphany Day. Children go to their grandparents or aunties and uncles early in the morning and say 'Kalimera

ke ta Phota ke tin ploumistira prota" (Good morning on this day of light and let us have our gift first). The grandparents will be pleased and give them their gift (traditionally money).

Cypriot CuisineLoukoumades

Loukoumades are traditionally a part of Christmas in Cyprus but can also be found at other times of the year, especially around religious festivals. Try this recipe to get you into the Chrismas spirit.

Ingredients2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast1 cup warm water1/2 cup warm milk1/4 cup white sugar1 teaspoon salt1/3 cup butter, softened3 eggs4 cups all-purpose flour1/2 cup honey1/2 cup water4 cups vegetable oil, or as needed2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

DirectionsSprinkle the yeast over the warm water in a small bowl. The water should be no more than 100 degrees F (40 degrees C). Let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam. In a large bowl, mix the warm milk, sugar, and salt, and mix to dissolve. Pour the yeast mixture into

the milk mixture, and stir to combine.

Beat in the butter, eggs, and flour until the mixture forms a smooth, soft dough. Cover the bowl, and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes. Stir the dough well, cover, and let rise 30 more minutes.

Mix honey and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat and let the honey syrup cool.

Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Oil should be about 2 inches deep.

Place a large table or soup spoon in a glass of water near the batter. Scoop up about 2 tablespoons of dough per puff with the wet spoon, drop it into the wet palm of your hand, and roll it back into the spoon to create a round shape. Do not overhandle the puffy, soft dough. Drop the dough balls into the hot oil in batches, wetting the spoon each time you make a dough ball. Fry in the hot oil until golden brown on the bottom, and roll them over to cook the other side, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Gently set the loukoumades aside to drain on paper towels.

Place the loukoumades on a baking sheet, drizzle them with honey syrup, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve warm.

Paphos Office HoursOffice hours are 9am to 5.30pm 6 days a week with no break for lunch. So if you only have your lunch break to see us, you are welcome! If you have a property of any kind to sell in the Paphos area with Title Deeds in your name please come and see us.

Contact Us CY + 357 26 930 345

Finding Fitzgerald'sThe office is walking distance from the Tomb of the Kings area and Kato Paphos. And is situated on the road from the Begonia Garden Centre to the Harbour.