In Cyprus anyone will find for what looking for. Lovers of sun and discotheques fill Limassol, Ayia Napa and Protaras. The island to the other guests will also appreciate the quiet coves Chrysochou Bay, Troodos Mountains and the disputed territory of Northern Cyprus. And fans of antiques can see the ancient Greek story of his own eyes: a mythical "Baths of Aphrodite" in the vicinity of the Policy, Mount Olympus, a stroll through the narrow streets, which once went by Leonardo da Vinci and the Apostle Paul.
Cyprus is a popular holiday destination for many Europeans. Here is a wonderful climate, golden sandy beaches, untouched nature and friendly village. Indeed, this island of love and beauty, sung by Homer in his great "Odyssey."
Climate
Cyprus - is the hot and dry Mediterranean island. Mediterranean climate: summers are hot and dry, winters are mild and rainy. The heat comes in May. The sea is warm from late May to October. From June to September, almost never rains.
Entry. Customs regulations
During the passport control you will be asked to show a return ticket, medical insurance and a voucher for travel services. Foreign currency can be imported without restrictions (if the sum is greater than 1000 euro, it should declare). No fee can bring 200 cigarettes (250 grams of tobacco), 0.75 liters of wine, 0.3 eau de toilette. Allowed duty-free import and export of photo and movie cameras, sporting goods Import of weapons, drugs, radios. The export of antiques - only with the permission of the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.
Time
GMT +2
Currency and tips
From January 2008 euro in Cyprus is used. To change currency, both in cash and traveler's checks in Cyprus can be at any bank and at airports. Visa Credit Cards are accepted at most banks and card American Express - are accepted. Better not get cash from ATMs - this is unprofitable.
Tipping. 10% service charge is usually included in the bill in most restaurants in the Greek part of Cyprus (south), so give "tea" is not necessary. Small tip will please porters and barbers and taxi drivers also in the south. Northern Cyprus has a percentage of the service include the account only in the most expensive restaurants, so the waiters to leave a tip.
Transport
Bus service. Buses carry passengers, as between cities and within cities. There is also a minibus, designed for 4-8 passengers. In the south they travel between cities with a half-hour intervals. Public holidays shuttle does not work.
Taxi. Urban taxis operate around the clock. Orders are accepted over the phone, there are special parking. All taxis are usually equipped with meters. After midnight the higher tariff acts. For every luggage weighing over 12 kg have to pay.
Car hire. Renting a car can be over the age of 21, having a driver's license of the country. Drivers under 25 with less than 3 years must inform the rental agency to obtain insurance for minors. In Cyprus, the left-hand drive.
Phone
Code of Cyprus +357. Codes the major cities of Nicosia -2, Limassol -5, Larnaca - 4, Paphos - 6, Ayia Napa -3, Protaras -3.
International calls will cost less if calling from the machine. Phone card can be purchased at post offices. In the north, instead of coins used tokens. Calls from the hotel are quite expensive.
Timetable for banks and shops
Banks are open weekdays from 8:15 to 12:30. Many banks in tourist areas are open in the afternoon from Tuesday to Friday. At international airports, banks, tend to work around the clock.
Shopping hours - from 7:30 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 19:00. On Wednesday and Saturday shops are open only from 8:00 to 13:00. Day off - Sunday.
Cuisinne
Traditional Cypriot cuisine is Mediterranean and Eastern origin, with some traces of British influence. It assumes that, at least fifteen dishes that make up the so-called meze: various salads, vegetables, snacks, hot dishes of meat or fish. In every tavern you can order fish or meat meze. Some restaurants specialize only in fish dishes: barbunya - red mullet in foil; kalimari - squid, cut into rings, usually boiled octopus in red wine.
Some Cypriot dishes: avgolemona - chicken soup with rice, egg and lemon; musakas - potatoes, minced meat, eggplant and other vegetables, well seasoned spices and then baked in a souffle with eggs and grated cheese, kebab or suflakiya - lamb, roasted on a spit over a smoldering charcoal (served in thin slices between two tortillas) Tawas - a meat dish with onions and other vegetables (served in hot pot). Sweets: Baklava, kadaifi (sweet rolls in white shell), Turkish delight.
Shopping and souvenirs
In the markets you can buy cheap stuff, but the price of branded products at a European level.
In Cyprus you can bring home a little napkin of lefkariyskogo lace, Suzuki - a traditional Cypriot sweets, a bottle of Commandaria (which is a cross between a sweet wine, and liquor). Unusually good woven goods and pottery from Fiti of Kornosa as well as gold and silver jewelry.
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