Category:Cyprus
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Climate
In Alpine areas the average minimum temperature is between 5 °C (41 °F) and 0 °C (32 °F) . In winter the temperature at the the Troodos mountains reaches -7°C. Snow on the coasts is rare and usually falls mixed with rain.The temperature regularly falls below freezing near the mountaintops, and it is cold enough for snow to fall between December and March. Winter sports can be enjoyed on Mount Olympus - the highest peak in Cyprus (see below) - the best time for snow boarding and skiing being in February. The sharp contrast in temperatures at sea level compared with Alpine areas mean Cyprus is one of only a few places in the world where you can go skiing in the morning, and then an hour later be lying on the beach topping up your sun tan or riding a jet ski!
Snow Areas
There is one resort on this small island Mt Olympos in the Troodos Mountain range. The Troodos villages of Platres and Kakopetria are conveniently placed for the skiing season on Mount Olympus, which usually lasts from January to mid March, but Troodos is actually the nearest resort to the skiing area. only two minor hotels can be found on the slopes. There are four ski lifts on Mount Olympus. Stay tuned for expansion.
For more info: Links: http://www.cyprusski.com/MAIN/default.aspx http://www.skicyprus.com/
Getting There
Easyjet offer discount flights from London. Cyprus airways caters to up-market clientele.The national airline is Cyprus Airways (CY) (website: www.cyprusairways.com). KLM had some good deals from European Cities recently..
Cheapest way to get there from Australia is to fly to Chennai via Tiger Air then coordinate a flight with a discount airline like Air Arabia.This is not for the impatient. Direct charter flights would mean turn a 24 hour experience to a single 14 hour flight look out for charter flights. Discount flights through Emirates are also common.
Visas and Documentation
Cyprus is in the EU. Commonwealth countries often have special arrangements in respect to Visas.
'DO you need a Passport?' British Yes Australian Yes Canadian Yes USA Yes Other EU Yes
Visa Required?
British No
Australian No
Canadian No
USA No
Other EU No
Return Ticket Required?
British No
Australian Yes
Canadian Yes
USA Yes
Other EU No
Passports
Passport valid at least until the day of departure required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card, provided there is a photograph.
Airports
Larnaca (LCA) (website: http://www.larnaca-airport.info/) is 5km (3 miles) south of Larnaca and 50km (31 miles) from Nicosia. To/from the airport: Taxis are available outside the airport terminal. Facilities: Duty-free shop, tourist information, bank/bureau de change, bars and restaurants, Cyprus Hotel Information and Reservation Office, car hire and post office.
Pafos (PFO) is 15km (9 miles) east of the city (journey time - 25 minutes). To/from the airport: Taxis are available outside the airport terminal. Facilities: Tourist information, duty-free shop, Cyprus Hotel Information, cafeteria and car hire.
Customs and Quarantine
EDIT
Cultural Info
You can get by with out speaking a word of Greek. Cyprus was a British colony and most Cypriots are educated in the UK and accordingly you find them correcting your English.
Avoid discussions on international politics. The locals will not not shut up once you get them started.
National Holidays
2009 1 Jan New Year's Day. 6 Jan Epiphany. 2 Mar Green Monday. 25 Mar Greek Independence Day. 1 Apr Greek Cypriot National Day. 17 Apr Greek Orthodox Good Friday. 20 Apr Greek Orthodox Easter Monday. 1 May Labour Day. 8 Jun Pentecost (Kataklysmos). 15 Aug Assumption. 1 Oct Cyprus Independence Day. 28 Oct Greek National Day (Ochi Day). 24 Dec -26 Dec Christmas.
2010 1 Jan New Year's Day. 6 Jan Epiphany. 15 Feb Green Monday. 25 Mar Greek Independence Day. 1 Apr Greek Cypriot National Day. 2 Apr Greek Orthodox Good Friday. 5 Apr Greek Orthodox Easter Monday. 1 May Labour Day. 24 May Pentecost (Kataklysmos). 15 Aug Assumption. 1 Oct Cyprus Independence Day. 28 Oct Greek National Day (Ochi Day). 24 Dec -26 Dec Christmas.
Transport
Getting Around by Road Traffic drives on the left.
Bus: Services connect all towns and villages on the island every day except Sunday and public holidays (limited services only). The main operators are Intercity Buses (tel: (22) 665 814) and Nicosia Buses (tel: (22) 778 841; website: www.nicosiabuses.com.cy).
Rural buses: Limited to one or two services each day and can be slow; however, they are a good way of seeing the more remote villages.
Taxi: These run 24 hours between all the main towns on the island. Fares are regulated by the government and all taxis have meters. Shared taxis operate every 30 minutes between major cities. Rural taxis can only be hired from the base station and do not have a meter.
Car hire: Cars are one of the best ways to explore the island. They should be reserved well in advance during the summer season.
Motorcycles: Riders and pillion passengers must wear crash helmets if the motorcycle is over 50cc.
Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18, but drivers often need to be 21 years old to hire a car. The maximum speed limit is 100kph (63mph) on highways, 80kph (50mph) on most other roads and 50kph (32mph) in built-up areas. Road signs are in both Greek and English. There are strict repercussions for those not wearing seat belts or a crash helmet, or using a mobile telephone/under the influence of alcohol whilst driving.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit or national driving licence is valid for one year. Visitors wishing to bring their car to Cyprus can do so for up to three months provided the car has a valid registration licence for its country of origin. Getting Around Towns and Cities Nicosia Buses operates an efficient bus service in the capital. Services in Limassol are run by the Limassol Urban Bus Company (E.A.L.) Limited. Smaller operations service other Cypriot towns and cities, though few services are frequent or used often by tourists. Taxis are widely available; a 15% surcharge is in operation from 2300-0600. Tipping is expected.
Food and Drink
Something for everyone from gourmet to budget. Try to eat where locals eat. You will enjoy being invited to a home cooked meal. Try Sheftalies, bean dishes, garlic snails and quail. Locals consider bean dishes not flashy enough for tourist but it is something that Cypriots do very well with fish. The locals have a preference for pork dishes. There are plenty of supermarkets and fresh local produce. Locally grown winter greens and vegetables give vegetarians plenty of options. Ask for "NISTISIMA"if you want vegetarian meals. The Local McDonalds even caters well for vegetarians. US and some British Fast food chains are ubiquitous down the mountains and in sea side resorts. Avoid some of "the chips with everything" places catering to the Hordes of British tourists visiting in warmer months.
Technology and Networks
Telephone Country code: 357. Telecard or coin-operated public telephones are installed at various central locations in towns and villages. Call Direct (cheaper than ordinary collect calls) is available to most EU countries, as well as Australia, USA and Canada. Mobile Telephone Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good. Internet Internet cafes are located in main towns and resorts, for instance, Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Pafos and Agia Napa. Post There are daily airmail services to all developed countries. Service within Europe takes three to four days.
Post office hours: (District) Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1500-1800 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the winter period (1 Sep to 30 Jun); Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1600-1900 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the summer period (1 Jul to 31 Aug). Other post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330, Thurs 1500-1800 at other times. Media
• Newspapers published in English include the Cyprus Financial Mirror, Cyprus Mail (daily), and Cyprus Weekly. • Simirini is in Greek, • Most English papers are available. TV • The public Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) operates channels RIK 1 and RIK 2. Radio • Radio 1 (in Greek), Radio 2 (in English, Turkish and Armenian), Radio 3 (in Greek) and Love Radio are operated by CyBC. • Commercial stations include Radio Proto and Astra 92.8. • In addition, the CTO sponsors programmes for tourists Mon-Sat on 603kHz (498m) and FM94.8..
Taxes
Cyprus is considrered a tax haven. Are setting up an offshore company?
Duty limits for visitors arriving from countries outside the EU without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. • 1l of spirits (over 22% volume) or 2l of fortified wine or sparkling wine, 2l of still wine. • 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette. • Goods (excluding jewellery) up to €175. The limit is reduced to €90 for travellers under 15 years of age.
Abolition of duty-free goods within the EU On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and the two states that joined on 1 January 2007, these rules apply to all new member states, except for Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Romania.
There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of these four new countries. Nine of the original 15 EU member states put in place transitional rules for goods from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. These are Austria, Belgium, Germany, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, France and Ireland. Imports into these countries include a restriction of 200 cigarettes. An additional restriction of 250g of tobacco for rolling cigarettes applies to Estonia. Four of the original 15 EU member states put in place transitional rules for goods from Bulgaria and Romania. These are Germany, UK, Denmark and Hungary. The restriction for travellers is 200 cigarettes.
But for all other EU member states, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another.
Travellers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only. Member states may follow the EU's guide levels of: 10l of spirits; 20l of intermediate products; 90l of wine (including a maximum of 60l of sparkling wines); 110l of beer; 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos (cigars weighing not more than 3g each); 200 cigars and 1kg of tobacco.
All of the transitional rules will expire December 2009. Prohibited Imports Agricultural products and propagating stock, such as natural fruit, flowers, seeds etc. without the approval of the relevant authorities; the importation of a number of other articles such as uncooked meat, fish and dairy products, animals, fire arms and explosives, pirated or counterfeit goods, obscene publications is also prohibited or restricted.
Credit Cards
Major retailers accept most cards. Smaller hotels & retailers do not accept for Amex and Diners.
Currency Info: Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Currency Exchange Visitors wishing to obtain non-Cypriot currency at Cypriot banks for business purposes are advised that this is only possible by prior arrangement. Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs All major credit cards are accepted at most places. There are ATMs in main towns and tourist areas. Traveller's Cheques May be cashed in all banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros or Pounds Sterling. Banking Hours Mon-Fri 0815-1330 May-September; Mon-Fri 0830-1330 and Mon 1515-1645 Oct-Apr. Exchange Rate Indicators 1.00 GBP = 1.09 EUR 1.00 USD = 0.66 EUR Currency conversion rates as of 1 December 2009
Tipping
No need
Health and Safety
Most Doctors/Nurses are UK trained and speak good English.
Vaccinations info: Diphtheria No Hepatitis A Sometimes Malaria No Rabies No Tetanus Yes Typhoid No Yellow Fever No Inoculation regulations can change at short notice. Please take medical advice in the case of doubt. Where 'Sometimes' appears in the table above, precautions may be required, depending on the season and region visited.
Food and Drink
Milk is pasteurised and tap water is generally safe to drink. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Health Care
Free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available to EU residents, in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Note: A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Emergency Numbers
EDITAmbulance 199 / 112 Police 199 / 112 Fire Service 199 / 112 All Emergencies (Pan-European) 112
Medical Centers
Hospitals and Pharmacies/Chemists Medical Assistance
Hospital Information Tel: 1400 RCC Rescue Coordination Centre (air/sea rescue) Tel: 1441 Drugs/Narcotics/Poison Emergency Tel: 1401 Drug (anti-abuse support) Tel: 1410 / 1498 Doctors On Call Tel: 90 90 1432 AIDS Advisory Centre Tel: 22 305 155 24-hour Pharmacies
Ammochostos Tel: 90 90 1413 Larnaca Tel: 90 90 1414 Limassol Tel: 90 90 1415 Nicosia Tel: 90 90 1412 Paphos Tel: 90 90 1416 Hospitals
Ammochostos General Tel: 23 821 211 Larnaca: Old General Tel: 24 304 312 Larnaca: Makareio Tel: 24 800 500 Limassol: Old General Tel: 25 305 333 Limassol: New General Tel: 25 801 100 Nicosia: New General Tel: 22 603 000 Nicosia: Makareio Tel: 22 405 000 Paphos General
Natural Disasters
Police and Fire Services Police
Duty Officer (confidential information) Tel: 1499 Citizen's Line (24 hours) Tel: 1460 Website Ammochostos (headquarters) Tel: 23 803 030 Larnaka (headquarters) Tel: 24 804 040 Limassol (headquarters) Tel: 25 805 050 Nicosia (headquarters) Tel: 22 802 020 Paphos (headquarters) Tel: 26 806 060 Fire
Fire Brigade Headquarters Tel: 22 802 424 Report Forest Fires Tel: 1407 Other
Directory Enquiries 24-hour Service Tel: 11892 Lost & Stolen Credit Cards 24-hour Service JCC Payment Systems Tel: 22 868 100=== Crime === Low. Non existent compared with some European Countries or North America.
Resources
- Information source: Wikipedia
- Information source: ski.com.au
- Travel Warnings : Smart Traveller
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