Help! Christmas/ Boxing day with my son, where can we go?

[singapore1959]

Hi there, my name is Patrick and I urgently need some advice. I really want to make it a special Christmas for my 11 year old son who is coming over from the UK to spend a holiday including Christmas and Boxing Day. We haven't seen each other for six months.

Can anyone suggest where I can take him for a traditional meal, but with entertainment that would interest him and with other children of his age so he can if he wants interact and meet?

I have been told that most local expats just stay at home and there isn't much going for older kids, but I can't quite believe northern Cyprus is a total loss Christmas time for kids.

Any other activities and places would also be warmly welcomed!
kind regards,
Patrick

[Ragged Robin]

Lots of places do traditional Christmas Lunches, but not sure about entertainment fo ll year olds! Try the restaurant section here, and the local English language press.

A picnic lunch on the beach if the weather is good might make an unusual Christmas for him to tell his friends about when he gets back to UK?

The Girne Belediye usually do open air Christmas Party for children with "Baba Noel" (Father Christmas) I think before Christmas. Should be worth a visit anyway.

The English School of Kyrenia usually also do some kind of entertainment by the children for Christmas, and the English amateur dramatic society have done a pantomime some years.

[Ragged Robin]

PS If he is here for New Year you might like to show him a traditional Cypriot meal , and then go down to the Harbour for the bands and fireworks.

[bargainboozeandwines]

Try one of the Nicer Hotels, Merit Royal or Premium and ask what have they got going on over the christmas period. You might be surprised.

[flowerfairy]

Hi Patrick,
myself and my family live here. We have been looking for somewhere to go over the Christmas period.
Unfortunately, as yet we haven't found anywhere suitable to take the children, my grandson is 10 years old, and granddaughter is 4 yrs.
Yes, there are plenty who are providing Christmas stays, and meals.
The problem is children want to be able to play with their gifts, and be able to be on the move. You really can't expect them to sit at a dinner table for hours on end.
The Wild Duck is a good place to take children, as there are usually others' there. I don't know yet what they are doing either before or after Christmas.
If I do find anything that I think will be suitable, I'll post it on here.
By the way, in which area will you be staying?

[woodspeckie]

It would be nice if a family with children in the same age group invited you to spend some time with them during the Christmas period as it isn't celebrated in the NC as it is in UK. There is usually live music in the square near the big car park on New Years Eve followed by fireworks at midnight a great atmosphere, plenty of places to eat before.

[singapore1959]

Thanks to all who responded. Much, much appreciated. I live on the seafront at Karanoglu. I will follow all those leads up... I think Louis is old enough (he is a precocious 11 year old) to take a sit down lunch and dinner provided there is entertainment and some other youngsters around... (it somehow reassures, I think).

I have found out about a kids' only Christmas party on Dec 20 at noon at the Black Olive cafe at Dec... and I have found a family of five (!) children of roughly the same age...and will see what they are doing....

I have booked us in at the Pia Bella for their Christmas Eve Party on Dec 24, there's an entertainer there called Simon Barter and I am told other kids should be present.
And I think I will try the Silver Rocks for Christmas Day lunch, before that there is a Christmas Swim at 11am to watch at Kervansaray Beach.

On the 17th there is also a play at Santoria in Alsancak called Who Sleighed Santa with a three course meal... and on Dec 18 at the Food Lodge a film night at 6.30pm with Its a Wonderful Life with popcorn and soft drinks...... so I am getting there!





Again, kind regards,
Patrick

[Tabby]

The lodge at catalkoy have a child friendly garden so weather permitting is good for families plus they do have entertainment on Christmas Day. You would need to contact them to find out what the entertainment and menu are though as I don't know.