Cyprus reviews which is better than pathos or larnaca. Cyprus trip report. Salt lake in Larnaca
It seems completely crumbled, while in the world tourism industry it occupies a significant place. There are many different resort towns on the island, similar to each other and at the same time radically different. Which city to choose for recreation, or, Russian travelers often ask themselves. Let's try to answer it by comparing the resorts for individual items. We will focus on beaches, entertainment and attractions.
Limassol or Paphos - comparison of beaches
Limassol is the first to demonstrate its beach areas, the characteristics are the best - the beaches are sandy or sandy-pebble, the peculiarity of the sand is that it is of volcanic origin. The composition contains flint, so the rest takes place with a slight healing effect. Almost all beaches have a gentle slope into the sea and a well-developed beach infrastructure: jet skis; boating, boats, catamarans; water aerobics.
The beach areas of Paphos lag behind Limassol, there are sandy areas with a convenient descent into the sea for relaxing by the sea. On the other hand, this resort has enough a large number of rocky beaches, on which it is not very convenient to relax and it is difficult to go down to the water.
This is due to the initial orientation of the resort to German tourists, who preferred swimming in the pools to the sea. The locals call Coral Bay the best beach in Paphos, and the tourists who rested there agree with them. Romantic beach scenery can be seen in Lara Bay.
Main entertainment
In Limassol there are entertainments for parents with young tourists, and for adult company and for active youth. Young tourists can, in addition to the beach, have a good rest in local water parks, where a variety of slides, water attractions and pools are prepared for their services.
Adult tourists love Limassol for a huge number of festivals organized in the summer. While relaxing in the resorts, you can become a participant in a large theatrical performance or attend concerts of outstanding musicians. September is not only the "velvet season" in Limassol, but also the time of one of the most interesting cultural and entertainment events - the wine festival.
Sports youth will find their own ways to have fun at this resort - all kinds of clubs, dances, discos, various game sports and entertainment. In Paphos, you can have a good rest, have fun and at the same time get acquainted with ancient sights. To do this, you need to visit the Odeon, a theater that has been preserved since ancient times. Today it is not only a historical monument, but also an active theater and concert venue. A trip to this open-air theater will leave an unforgettable impression. During the performance, you can almost completely immerse yourself in ancient times.
Another important activity for the guests of Paphos is visiting the so-called “Baths of Aphrodite”, according to legend, a beautiful goddess appeared in this place from the foam of the sea. Unfortunately, it is not safe for modern beauties to swim here, but you can visit one of the ancient temples built in honor of the ancient Greek legendary person.
Popular Attractions
There are many witnesses of ancient history in Limassol, a walk around the city will allow you to get acquainted with its architectural highlights, the ruins of the local Acropolis and Christian basilicas. In the vicinity of the resort there are the ruins of two more ancient city-states, whose names history has preserved. Modern tourists can see Amathus and Kourion, or rather, what remains of the former greatness.
Paphos is a place of concentration of ancient shrines, temples and monastic complexes. Many ancient monuments in the city are under the protection of UNESCO. The Royal Graves complex, despite such a sad name, is considered one of the most popular places in the resort. The underground necropolis evokes strange sensations, but the tombstones are made with great skill, almost masterpieces.
A comparative analysis of the individual components of recreation in Limassol and Paphos leads to the following conclusions. Each of the resorts is good in its own way, any traveler will find a hotel to his liking, and entertainment of interest, and sights that he dreamed of seeing.
Limassol is chosen by guests of Cyprus who:
- know about its convenient location and the ability to get to any attraction of the island;
- dream of combining a vacation at sea with a visit to water parks;
- adore participating in various festivals and theatrical and musical events;
- would like to learn about the ancient history of the island, its rich cultural traditions.
Paphos will be chosen by travelers who:
- not afraid of rocky beaches;
- plan to attend an antique performance;
- prefer pilgrimage tourism;
- dream of meeting Aphrodite or her modern counterpart.
What to do in Cyprus in winter and early spring, what to do in the off-season, what to see in Cyprus in winter and spring, where to go, entertainment and beautiful places in Cyprus.
It is generally accepted that in winter and early spring there is nothing to do in Cyprus at all, a small part of tourists generally believe that Cyprus has three summer months, June, July and August. More advanced tourists are sure that in winter in Cyprus you can only walk around wineries and go to restaurants. I will try to dilute the restaurants and wineries of Cyprus with a couple of routes and beautiful places, which it makes sense to get into in winter or spring.
Weather in Cyprus
The weather in Cyprus in winter and spring is beautiful, sunny, 15-22 degrees Celsius and minimum precipitation, which is mainly in January. It is suitable for hiking along the sea, dining at restaurants in open areas and active trips to natural attractions.
You can read more about the weather, climate and sea temperature in the article:
I guess you came to Cyprus for a week, but even in three days you can have time to enjoy the best natural places.
If you have a week - you can see all of the following and even more if you wish, if it's only three days, then it's better not to spray and see the surroundings of the place where you will live -, or. From Limassol it is convenient to explore both the surroundings of Paphos and the surroundings of Larnaca and Ayia Napa.
Cape Greco
One of most beautiful places In Cyprus, located near Ayia Napa. The club capital of Cyprus itself in the off-season is interesting only for seagulls and lonely romantics - most restaurants are closed, locks hang on beach bars, as well as on most clubs.
A few kilometers from Ayia Napa there is a natural park - Cape Greco. This place is worth devoting a whole day to. Firstly, there are a dozen beautiful natural bays and lagoons with aquamarine water. Secondly, the park has many kilometers of cycling routes and hiking trails along the sea with panoramic views. Thirdly, one of the paths of Cape Greco leads to one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches -. Fourthly, it is in the horse of winter and in spring that Cape Greco is buried in bright colors and greenery. In summer, this place is not so bright at all and the impressions will be different.
You can get from Ayia Napa by rented car - 10 minutes drive or by bike, as well as by city bus number 101, which goes to Protaras. Cape Greco has plenty of parking lots - all free.
Salt lake in Larnaca
It is located near the airport and is notable for the fact that pink flamingos from Africa arrive here in February. A beautiful sight. Already at the end of March, the lake almost dries up, although it glares with reflections. Along the lake there is a hiking trail, benches for observing nature and taking off planes.
Getting from Larnaca to the Salt Lake is quite simple, you need to drive in the direction of the airport by car and park along the roadside. Parking is free.
Northern Cyprus
Winter or spring is the perfect time to travel to Northern Cyprus. There are no tourists yet, the border checkpoint is passed in 5 minutes, the weather is conducive to sightseeing, which the Northern part of Cyprus is literally crammed with.
Of the must-see places in Northern Cyprus, you can add up a mini-route. For example from Agia Napa (Ayia Napa) in Salamis (Salamis) - Famagusta (Famagusta) - Hillarion Castle (castle of St. Hilarion) - Kirenia (Kyrenia) - Lefcosia (Nicosia)- We return to Ayia Napa or Larnaca.
Start with ruins of Salamis- they are extremely picturesque in winter and spring due to abundant flowering. It is obligatory to visit the center (medina) of Famagusta - in a small area outside the fortress walls there is a concentration of ancient churches and in general a rather pleasant atmosphere. Stay in the castle of St. Hilarion from the walls of which a magnificent mountain panorama opens up. Plan a few hours in Kyrenia (Girne - Turkish name) - there is a fortress, a promenade and a maritime museum, as well as several pleasant restaurants with Turkish food.
If you have time, return through Nicosia (Lefkosha, Lefkosia) - there is a separation wall, barrels with the abbreviation UN and a huge Turkish flag on the mountain. The division of Cyprus into two parts is its tragic story, which I will tell about separately.
Paphos and surroundings
At the very least, it's worth looking at half sunken ship Edro III- it looks luxurious in the sunset rays and go to Lara beach, aka turtle beach.
Be sure to dine in one of the taverns in the village of Latchi on - many of the taverns are open all year round.
Troodos Mountains and Kykkos Monastery
From Paphos it is also convenient to go to the Troodos mountains, which are full of interesting villages, churches and sights of a lower rank. A detailed route through the Troodos mountains can be found in the article. .
The main attraction point is Kykkos monastery, a must visit even if you are indifferent to this kind of sights and think that you have seen everything. Go there if only for the atmosphere and panoramic mountain views.
Getting there from Paphos you can rent a car, the distance is 75 km. taking into account mountain serpentines (simple) it is overcome in 2.5 - 3 hours. Leave early in the morning to get there before 10am. However, there will be a minimum number of tourists during the off-season.
Kykkos Monastery
Lefkara and Larnaca village
Worth a trip to this village Troodos foothills. She is close to Larnaca and quite picturesque with its stone streets and historic church. In addition to architecture and panoramic views, the village is famous for its lace and silverware.
Worth combining Lefkara and Larnaca from which they usually fly to their homeland, there is a beautiful Embankment, the Church of St. Lazarus and taverns overlooking the sea and Greek delicacies. An excellent ending to the program, I think.
I brought only the most important and beautiful, what is worth seeing in Cyprus in winter and early spring. Summer Cyprus- these are mainly beaches, parties, bars and cafes, given the temperature from 30 to 42 in the shade. Trips to sights in the summer are perceived as a tourist duty and are not pleasing to the eye, but in winter, spring and autumn they bring fabulous pleasure.
How to rent a car in Cyprus
Traffic in Cyprus right-hand - thanks to the British, whose colony was the island, but this is a very small problem. You get used to the steering wheel on the right in about 5-15 minutes. Rented cars have red license plates - local drivers use them to identify tourists and treat them understandingly, giving way. The traffic on the island is correct, the roads are excellent and mostly separate, that is, there is practically no chance to go to the “oncoming lane”.
We rent a car on the Myrentacar website, which brings together most of the local car rental companies. The prices are good, round-the-clock Russian-speaking support, I have used them 6 times in three years. There are no complaints, the conditions are written transparently, so you can always find an acceptable option.
How to book a cheap hotel in Cyprus
AT low season winter and in early spring you can book a hotel at least two days before the trip. Better to do it through Booking.com. Why? If you want to look for a hotel upon arrival, the owner may simply not be there or the apartment will be closed, the prices at the booking office do not differ from the prices at the hotel desk, well, you yourself know this.
In October of this year, I was lucky enough to visit sunny Cyprus, and, as it turned out, this trip took place just in time. While the euro and the dollar are growing, I wanted to remember the moments of these bright days, well, record them for history - so that later I can re-read, remember and rejoice. I am an optimist, and I expect to get into next year to the Eurozone, no matter how fantastic it sounds now :)
This post will be about the place of our deployment - the city of Larnaca. In fact, we chose it quite by accident, having coveted very good apartments (and we did not lose here either), and already on the island itself we realized that we hit the mark.
View of Larnaca from the sea:
Here are some reasons why you should choose Larnaca when going to travel around Cyprus (I’ll say right away that we are not “seals”, we sit on the beach for a maximum of 1.5-2 hours, we love to travel everywhere and see everything):
1. Very good location. Since our vacation plans, as usual, were Napoleonic, we chose a place to stay for a long time so that we could explore the island and have all the amenities at hand. If you look at the map of the island, Larnaca is located in the southeast, between Ayia Napa and Limassol:
Since most of the time we traveled by bus, and the car was taken only in last days holidays, for us the location of Larnaca was very advantageous: close to Ayia Napa with its golden beaches and blue caves (about 30 minutes drive); nearby is Limassol, next to which there are many interesting monuments; Paphos is already far away, but we also went there for a day (for a Russian person, this is not a distance at all); you can go to the capital of the island, Nicosia (Lefkosia), and the nearest checkpoint to Turkish territory is very close (they have already driven there by car). By the way, the bus service on the island is excellent, you can get the schedule without any problems (they have it at stops, the hotel also gives you a printout right away), and fares are about the same as in Greece - from 1 euro within the city, but if you travel between cities, prices vary from 3 to 9 euros one way. By the way, it is very profitable to take the so-called "one-day tickets" (round trip) - they are designed for the fact that you will return from your destination on the same day. Small, but savings.
2. Very nice beach. No, a VERY nice beach. Fans of Ayia Napa may throw slippers at me, but I liked the city beach of Larnaca much more than the hyped Nissi Beach. Interestingly, in Larnaca, the sand is dark in color, perhaps this is somewhat alarming for our compatriots.
For me, it’s the other way around, a plus - the sand is dense, it doesn’t stick to my feet and doesn’t clog in all possible places (after taking pictures on Nissi beach, I apologize for the detail, I was tired of pulling sand out of my shorts :))
What else is very important for me personally - a smooth sandy entry. After meeting with sea urchins on one of the wild beaches of the Peloponnese (which, fortunately, ended successfully), I always carefully watch where I step, and walk on stones and large pebbles with caution. On this beach you can relax and not worry that you will step in the wrong place.
Well, another plus - the purest water! It is not muddy, without algae, and there are also fewer tourists than in Ayia Napa (besides, we were here at the end of the season, in October). There are quite a lot of algae on Nissi, the water is cloudy due to the large influx of tourists, although the color is still very beautiful.
Well, another bonus from Larnaca - cheap sunbeds, 2.5 euros apiece. It is clear that the end of the season, but in the same Napa prices were much higher.
Of course, everyone has their own ideas about the perfect beach (for some, this is indispensable White sand), personally, at every opportunity, I gladly ran to our beach.
3. The city is small, and due to this it is very cozy. After a couple of days in Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos seemed like just megacities to us :) From the hotel it was very convenient to walk to the city center, the beach and the promenade, go shopping, bus stops are also close. The streets of the city are very cute and truly homely:
Another important moment for me is the beautiful embankment, along which we walked with pleasure almost every evening (if we didn’t fall down after a long trip around the island). The embankment is quite long, of course, there are many taverns on it, but the prices are normal (I will tell you about the prices separately). Early morning, no one on the embankment yet:
And it's already evening, view from the pier:
There is an airport near Larnaca (this is also convenient, 10 minutes - and you are in the city), so the planes fly quite low, but this does not cause any discomfort, on the contrary, interesting shots are obtained:
Of course, the city also has a port where you can meet such funny boats:
4. Prices! Compared to the same hyped Ayia Napa, everything is cheaper in Larnaca - shops, taverns, even travel around the city. The prices are adequate, for Europe they are generally wonderful: for example, we once bought a pound of excellent meat in a supermarket for only 2 euros. On weekends, next to our hotel (literally in the next courtyard) there was a market where local farmers brought their products. We collected several packages of vegetables and fruits (including exotic ones) there, paying about 5-6 euros for this abundance. I couldn't believe my own eyes :)
And this is graffiti in the parking lot, where the market was just taking place (sorry, the market itself was not photographed, it was not before):
As for prices in taverns, a fish meze costs around 20 euros - but this is taking into account that it includes several varieties of fish, and we could barely eat the whole dish together. Of course, the choice of dishes is very large, everything is insanely delicious, just like in Greece, we even found awesome soups in one tavern. The Cypriots are very friendly, and it’s clear that they don’t do it for the sake of a tip: in one tavern they didn’t want to let us go until we ate the dessert brought as a gift (he didn’t climb, but it was impossible to refuse).
5. Larnaca itself also has something to see.
For example, a very beautiful church of St. Lazarus, built in the 9th century. This is one of the three Byzantine churches preserved on the island. View of the church at dawn, while there are no people yet, only earlier the sun paints it with delicate colors:
Like other cities in Cyprus, Larnaca is very eclectic, with many traces of Turkish influence:
One of the main attractions of Larnaca is the ruins of the ancient Cypriot city-state of Kition, which existed already in 1200 BC! This city is even mentioned in the Bible - there it is called Kitim. As a result of excavations in the area ancient city, workshops, tombs, tombs were found, and most importantly, the temple of the goddess Astarte, who was especially revered by the Phoenicians who lived here. The ruins of ancient Kition are located within the boundaries of modern Larnaca:
In the Greek part of Cyprus, the ancient cities are very well "equipped": special bridges have been built for tourists, in some places there are even viewing platforms(for example, in Paphos).
Another local attraction is the ferry Zenobia, which sank near Larnaca in the summer of 1980, it is also picturesquely called the "Titanic of the Mediterranean". In the port you can take a boat trip to this ship, and in good weather it can be seen even through the water column! Also, pleasure boats are equipped with a glass bottom to better view the ship. By the way, Zenobia is one of the most popular diving sites in the whole world! Divers not only dive here, but they also cook kebabs right away :)
In fact, Larnaca has many more advantages. I don’t want to say that other cities in Cyprus are worse, not at all, everywhere there are interesting places and their "highlights". We just fell in love with Larnaca :)
A few more views of this wonderful place.
Morning, low tide:
Someone loves airplanes:
Some people love boats...
By the way. if someone is interested in a hotel, we booked Alexia apartments on one well-known site for booking hotels :) For quite real money, we got an excellent duplex room with all amenities and a full kitchen. Well, you can dedicate a separate post to the staff - they were met like relatives, they always helped in any matters and were sincerely interested in how we were doing.
This is a side entrance, I'm just standing next to the door of our room. The car is not ours, local :)
In the open spaces of the island resort in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus, which is popular in Russia and all over the world, there are many resort towns. The largest of them include Limassol, Paphos, Polis, Ayia Napa, Larnaca, Protaras and Pissouri. Cyprus is geographically adjacent to Asia, but is considered a European state, and the service here is appropriate, on high level. The currency used exclusively is the euro. All major resorts are located in the southern part of the island, which belongs to the Republic of Cyprus.
Many tourists think about where is the best place to relax. Let's try to make it small comparative analysis two major resorts of the island - Paphos and Larnaca.
Larnaca
Larnaca is a city that is located in the southeast of the island, the average summer air temperature here reaches 32-33 degrees (sometimes over 40), the water temperature in the warm season is 25-25 degrees. The beaches of Larnaca are distinguished by their pleasant, gentle entry into the Mediterranean Sea, which is especially appreciated by tourists of mature age and those who have a rest with families with small children. Larnaca does not have a huge number of luxury hotels, restaurants or shops, it is appreciated by people who are used to relaxing on a budget, but with taste.
Larnaca is located in the very center of the south coast, so it is convenient to get from it both to Paphos (west coast), and to Ayia Napa or Protaras (east coast). It is convenient to settle in this city, and only then choose excursion routes for yourself and plan your further vacation. In general, Larnaca is considered the most democratic resort in Cyprus, which, combined with emerald beaches and warm sea water, makes it highly popular among tourists.
One of the most striking sights of Larnaca is the Church of St. Lazarus, which has been standing in Cyprus since the Middle Ages and is one of the three temples that have been preserved on the island since ancient Byzantium. The Church was built in honor of the Evangelical Lazarus, who, according to legend, after his miraculous resurrection, arrived precisely in Larnaca, where he became the Bishop of Kition (Kition is the ancient name of Larnaca). The temple was built on the site of his grave in the 9th century.
Other places of interest include Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque, Salt Lake, Larnaca Castle, Khirokitia and ancient Kition.
Pathos
Paphos, located on the southwestern coast of Cyprus, is considered the best place for expensive entertainment and parties. It is very popular among those who are not constrained by money and are not burdened with family responsibilities, including young children. It has everything for an interesting and active holiday - horseback riding, scuba diving, exciting excursions, SPA-salons, shopping centers, cafes and restaurants. The average summer temperature in Paphos is 29-30 degrees, the water temperature is 25-26 degrees.
Paphos is the best place for a beach holiday and relaxation in expensive comfortable hotels. In hot summer season The number of tourists in the city is several times higher than the number of local residents. In Paphos, there are both comfortable sandy beaches and wild rocky ones, from which entry into the sea is difficult. Just on such a rocky beach, according to legend, Aphrodite was born from sea foam. A large number of tourist places are associated with Aphrodite - the Temple of Aphrodite, the Rock and the Bath of Aphrodite, the "Fountain of Love".
There are also numerous Byzantine monuments in the city - the Castle, the Church of Panagia Theoskepasti (monument of the 10th century), the Church of Panagia Chrysopolitissa (13th century), as well as the royal tombs and the archaeological site of Kato Paphos. Paphos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Larnaca and Paphos are 2 completely different, dissimilar cities, and at the same time they are united by the common spirit of Cyprus. Both resorts have numerous attractions, pleasant sandy beaches, comfortable hotels and fresh sea air. Whichever city you choose, your vacation will undoubtedly become unforgettable for years to come!
In addition, the distance between Paphos and Ayia Napa is 200 km, so if there is no goal to explore the island of Aphrodite completely, you should not wind up kilometers. I will try to help those who have doubts or who are going to Cyprus for the first time with a choice.
Paphos or Ayia Napa
Very briefly, then
- Paphos is a rich sightseeing life, history and a bit of the sea
- Ayia Napa - 90% beach holiday and a trip along the coast and quite a few excursions
You just have to choose what you want more, so as not to spend extra money and time on empty transfers. Below I will dwell in more detail on Paphos, Ayia Napa and their environs. On their pros and cons. In order not to upset those who want both, I will say that with any choice, you can dose the sea and excursions yourself in any proportion. I'm just giving directions.
Paphos, pros and cons
About the cons of Paphos
Paphos has its own airport, but it does not serve many international destinations. Therefore, most flights arrive in Larnaca, and from there it is much further to Paphos than to Limassol or Ayia Napa. The solution to the problem is to rent a car.
There are far fewer good beaches in Paphos compared to Ayia Napa. The most famous and cool is the beach coral bay, but it is quite far from the Paphos waterfront. If you want to live near a beautiful beach, book accommodation near Coral Bay
.
The second option to live near a decent beach suitable for swimming is to choose hotels on the coast east of Paphos, to the left of the embankment, if you look at the sea. There are good, but quite expensive options out there.
Most of the beaches are rocky, near expensive hotels on the shore there are artificial small bays with dark brown and golden sand.
Pros of Paphos
It has a promenade and is full of establishments overlooking the sea where you can spend the evening. And this is the main difference from Ayia Napa, which is essentially a tourist village with hotels and apartments.
In the very Paphos many more attractions than Ayia Napa and this is his forte. There is something to do in non-beach time.
And in Paphos and in Ayia Napa there is a long walking trail along the sea. There is about parity, although Paphos is more walkable and more lively - good opportunities for cycling.
AT Ayia Napa full of city restaurants, but all the same, Paphos and the surrounding area will be more abrupt in this regard. And if you are relaxing in Ayia Napa, then you can have a good and inexpensive lunch with a sea view in Larnaca or the village of Zygi near Larnaca.
Plus and minus at the same time Ayia Napa can be considered a vibrant nightlife, the peak of which is reached in July-August. If you are a party-goer, you definitely need to come here!
Summing up: Paphos vs Ayia Napa
If you are going to Cyprus for good beaches, nightlife with one, maximum two excursions - you to Ayia Napa. If you are a party-goer and clubber, you are in Ayia Napa. Ayia Napa - a place about the sea and beaches, bars and clubs! Ayia Napa is for the young at heart and lovers of beach activities and boat trips. If you prefer family holiday with beach priority, while not ready to overpay - you are in Protaras. It is very close to Ayia Napa which can be reached for a couple of euros by bus. Protaras has a long, well-equipped and beautiful promenade along the sea, which stretches all the way to Cape Greco, a dozen good cozy beaches, a long urban Sunrise Beach and the iconic Fig Tree Bay.
If you love leisure and you despise beach chairs and sea activities if active recreation is a priority - cycling trips, ATV rides and wildlife with minimal time at sea - you are in Paphos or Polis. If you want to immerse yourself in local life and color, walk around wineries and see ancient history to understand Cyprus better - you Pathos or Policy.
At the same time, Paphos also has several beautiful beaches, so you will not be deprived of the sea. And evenings can be beautifully spent on the waterfront in one of the restaurants with your beloved.
If you want to ride in Troodos mountains, to see the ancient monasteries and villages - choose Paphos, it is closer and more convenient to get from here and you can meet it in one day.
Is it possible to combine all this in one vacation? Easy, for this plan a minimum a week in Paphos and surroundings and the second week or at least Spend 3-4 days in Ayia Napa. Then you will put a fat and beautiful point on your vacation, you will remember and love Cyprus and you will come every year just like we do. Use Larnaca only for transit and transfer from / to the airport, there is nothing to do there for more than half a day.
Is there some more Limassol, but this is a cross between the two locations described above, I would not recommend it to those who first decided to try a vacation in Cyprus. The main advantage of Limassol is its equidistance from almost all places in Cyprus, it is perfect for traveling around the island if you live in one place.
Why is it important to rent a car in Cyprus
I still think that traveling around Cyprus by public transport is masochistic, and frequent use of a taxi is quite hard financially.
Moreover, a car in Cyprus is not a luxury, but a democratic means of transportation, from 8 Euros in the low season and from 15 Euros in the high season, there are options without a deposit and always a meager prepayment.
Such correct wheels we find on the site Myrentacar- here, under one roof, the main players of the local car rental market are gathered. Checked - ideal for a traveler, use it, I recommend it.