Ευχαριστώ (thank you) Cyprus and Jet 2!

We’ve just returned from our third family holiday with Jet2 and, once again, nothing could beat it.

From the warm welcome at Bristol Airport to the upbeat, helpful service throughout the journey, this company continues to set the bar for package holidays in our eyes.

Shortly after stepping on board, the pilot gave us a cheerful take-off and flight update, and Jess Glynne’s Hold My Hand played softly through the cabin — the perfect signal that our holiday had officially begun.

We stayed at the Narcissos Waterpark Resort in Protaras — a little rough around the edges, if we’re being totally honest — but it suited us just fine.

The pool was large and never felt crowded, even in peak July, and with just 124 rooms, the resort had a relaxed, spacious feel that's often missing in bigger complexes.

Meanwhile, the food — always a challenge with our fussy bunch — was a pleasant surprise. Each night brought a different theme, with plenty of variety and reliable kid-friendly options. It wasn’t gourmet, but it was tasty, well-stocked, and more than enough to keep everyone happy all week.

I must make a special mention here of the waiting staff, who could teach some price UK restaurants a thing or two about genuine hospitality — attentive, kind, and effortlessly polite.

The evening entertainment won’t be winning awards, but it kept the atmosphere lively. Resident MC (Super) Mario had everyone smiling with his infectious energy and signature shout of: "Shaky, shaky… wakey, wakey!" — a phrase we’re still laughing about now.

This was our first time on the island, and within days we were wondering why we hadn’t been sooner. The people were warm and welcoming, and the landscape was simply stunning. That vivid turquoise sea isn’t just beautiful — it’s captivating. We spent hours in and around the water, and I genuinely considered bottling some to take home.

One of the highlights of the trip was a private boat charter with Protaras Medusa Boat Trips. Their Medusa I boat normally holds 40 people, but we decided to treat ourselves and have it all to ourselves. For €450, we had three glorious hours out on the water with a fantastic three-person crew — including the brilliant Captain Johny, who made the whole experience feel special.

We swam in the Blue Lagoon, sunbathed on deck, and drifted along the coast soaking up Cyprus from its best angle. For a group of five, a shared trip would’ve cost around €390, so the private option was well worth the upgrade.

Still buzzing from the boat trip, the next day we hired buggies from The Brothers Takos. One of their team picked us up from our hotel and took us straight to their base — no fuss, no stress. We spent half a day off-roading across the island, tearing down dusty tracks, finding hidden coves, and discovering villages we’d never have found otherwise. What started as a spontaneous idea quickly became one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

Sadly all good things come to an end and we packed our cases with a unified heavy sign.

But as we headed home, the Jet2 staff did their best to ease our pain. Their ground team were once again all smiles and helpful hands — from check-in through to boarding. One of them even slipped us a great tip for cooking with ouzo, which we’ll definitely be trying back home.

So here it is:
Thank you Jet2 for making travel easy and enjoyable.
Thank you Cyprus for stealing our hearts.
Thank you Captain Jonny and the Medusa crew for a day we’ll never forget.
And thank you to The Brothers Takos for the island adventure we didn’t know we needed.

We’ll be back. No question.