Cyprus
Capital: Nicosia
Type of government: Republic
Public Holiday: 1 October Cyprus Independence Day
Currency: Euro
Official language: Greek, English is common
Geography
Transport
Health
Beaches
Hotels
Shopping
Food
Treatment
Excursion
Entertainments
Nightlife
Geography
Cyprus is an island country situated in the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient time it was the center of Aegean culture. Cyprus became an independent nation at 1960.
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The two mountain systems run generally parallel -the Troodos Mountains cover most of the southern and the narrow Kyrenia Range, extending along the northern coastline. The total length of coastline is 780 km.
Transport
Bus service in Cyprus is efficient and cheap. Interurban buses make only two trips a day in the morning and in the evening. Timetables are extended until midnight during summer. Schedule times are available from tourist offices or directly from the bus companies. There is a limited bus service on Sundays and public holidays.
Urban buses operate frequently in larger towns and certain tourist centers on routes roughly every 30 minutes or less. The services end in the evenings at about 6pm daily, at weekends the buses are less regular. Timetables are extended until midnight during summer. Schedule times are available from tourist offices or directly from the bus companies. Because most of the major sites and hotels can be reached within walking distance, urban buses are of limited use.
Taxis can be booked by phone or be hired on the street. Urban taxis are obligatory provided with taxi meters and charging commences upon the entrance of a passenger in the taxi.
Several leading car hire companies operated in Cyprus. Car drivers must be at least 18 years of age; mopeds may be driven at age 17; motorcycles may be driven from the age of 21.
Health
There are no vaccinations required to enter Cyprus from any country.
The electrical current in Cyprus is 240 volts, a. c. 50 Hz. Dual-voltage appliances or a voltage converter and a plug adaptor are necessary to use North American appliances. Most sockets accept 13-amp square plugs like those used in the United Kingdom
Beaches
The best beaches are in Ayia Napa. One of the most picturesque is Nissi beach. Approximately 400m from Nissi Beach area you will find Sandy Bay which is popular with families.
Lady’s mile beach is very popular. Governor’s Beach is between Larnaca and Limassol; a sandy beach ideal for families and romantic couples. Ideal for snorkeling and boating together with pleasant walks, Governor’s Beach offers spectacular white rocks and beautiful sunrises.
The most famous beach is Cyprus in called Phinikoudes in the resort of Larnaca. It is a fabulous 500 meter stretch of sand and its facilities include toilets, showers, disabled access and changing rooms. Sun beds and umbrellas can be hires and a selection of water sports are on offer. For your safety, there is a lifeguard on duty throughout the summer. Along the palm tree-lined coast there are a selection of amenities such as cafes, restaurants and mini markets.
Hotels
Cyprus provides tourist accommodation for all tastes and requirements.Hotels range from deluxe 5-star to 1-star. Hotel apartments are classified A, B or C. There are also simple hotels that are ungraded. There are discounts for children occupying the same room as their parents: under one year, by private arrangement;
one to six years, 50% discount; six to 10 years, 25% discount. Some hotels may only charge 80% of the daily room rate for single occupancy of a double room. Visitors should check discounts with their hotel prior to arrival.
Shopping
Stores operate on weekdays between 0800 and 1930, but may be closed between 1300 and 1600 for a lunch break. Business hours vary depending on the season, with longer hours during the summer tourism season. Shops are closed all day Sunday and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. However, in the tourist areas, shops usually stay open late in the evenings and all day Sunday.
There are many excellent value products to be bought in Cyprus and all the main towns offer busy shopping centers and bustling markets. Cyprus is well known for its wines and many wineries and breweries offer tours around their premises. Specialties of Cyprus include Cypriot brandy, the famous dessert wine, Commandaria, the orange liqueur Filfar, and Keo beer. Many locally produced spirits are also available and are much cheaper than well-known brands.
Ceramics are also very popular, with potteries in all the major towns offering a wide selection of brightly painted pots, plates and other gift items. High on many tourist shopping list is the famous Cyprus Delight, and visitors can visit the many workshops around the island that produce it, for a free taste and to see how it is made.
Cyprus is noted for its leather goods, especially jackets, handbags and shoes; for handmade lace, and for high quality jewellry. Spectacles are very good value, often being offered at substantially lower prices than in Europe. Visitors to the mountain village of Lefkara will be able to see the villagers hard at work making their traditional lace and filigree silver products. In the other mountain villages good buys include homemade honey and sweets such as sujouko and palouze, which are made from grapes
Food
Cypriot cuisine has evolved as a fusion of Greek and Turkish cuisines, with local twists on well-known dishes. A Cyprus Meze is certainly one of the most famous Cypriot delicacies. Mezedes can include up to 20-30 dishes! Nowadays "Kleftiko" is a typical dish for every single celebration. It is a piece of lamb or goat wrapped in foil and baked in special ovens, that in any case must be closed airtight, until the Kleftiko will be baked. The mild Mediterranean climate of Cyprus produces rich wheat and allows it to brew light beer (of high quality).
Halloumi is a Cypriot cheese with a slightly pleasant rubbery consistency which fries or grills beautifully and is usually included in the first course of a meze. Feta is another cheese used extensively in Cyprus dishes. It is, along with the olives what makes
a Greek salad Greek. It is quite a salty cheese for its type.
There are two breweries in the Republic of Cyprus established: KEO, the Cypriot brewery and the world known Carlsberg brewery.
Treatment
Le Meridien SPA & Resort 5* -At the hotel is opened one of the biggest spa centers from all the Europe, which is offering more than 20 programs, both for women and for men. Covering 3,000 square meters. Le Meridien Limassol Spa and Resort has won the prestigious award of Europe's Leading Spa Resort at the recent World Travel Awards 2003 in London, UK.
The Four Seasons opened the first Thalassotherapy Centre in Cyprus and has now achieved another first with the introduction of the Shiseido Spa. The Thalasso treatments are of course still available in a brand new Thalasso area, thereby providing two distinct products within the same facility.
Thalasso therapy uses seawater and seaweed both of which contain minerals and vitamins in high levels for treatments not just for beauty, but also for total body rejuvenation and relaxation. Revitilise your body and mind whilst being pampered by a trained consultant; each guest is made to feel comfortable and relaxed with a high degree of personal attention.
Amathus Beach 5* the centuries-old healing properties of the Dead Sea are combined with world-class facilities to provide the ultimate in modern treatment. Choose from healing and detoxifying mud treatments, mineral-care hydrotherapy baths and massages. Relaxation and beauty packages, from single-visit to seven-day treatments, offer options for both men and women.
Anassa Hotel -Thalassa Spa offers a variety of revitalising body treatments, including thalassotherapy, algae wraps, massages,
reflexology, shiatsu and aromatherapy. Beauty treatments include facials, manicures and pedicures, bust treatments and makeovers
Excursion
The average cost of excursion is around 45 USD per person. Do not miss Paphos, the booming main town and year-round resort in the west. Pafos is rich in ancient sites- ancient mosaics, catacombs of St. Solomoni, birthplace of Aphrodite. Lemesos - Kourion Archaeological Museum, Nicosia – Lefkara
Entertainments
Cyprus beaches provide great opportunities for all kinds of sea entertainment including swimming, sunbathing, sailing, windsurfing, parascending, water skiing, banana riding, canoeing, sailing, doughnuts and pedalloes.
There are three aqua parks in Limassol both for children and adults.
A must-see in Ayia Napa is the Aqua Park - a brilliant place for friends, families and couples of all ages. You will find a wide variety of slides and tubes and swimming pools, including one with a wave machine. There are also plenty of places available to get refreshments. All pools and rides are supervised and all staff is trained on how to operate the rides and on how to give first aid. Many people also choose to laze around the pool all day in the intense heat. There are also many excursions to go on. There are more boat trips available as well as tours of the local villages.
Paphos Aphrodite Water Park has the largest number of facilities and attractions in Cyprus, the biggest family rafting ride in Europe. Young or old, swimmer or not, there's something here for everyone and everyone's here for fun!
Nightlife
Cyprus boasts a lively and enjoyable nightlife scene in all of the cities and resorts. The party goes on year round in the capital and Limassol, with Paphos and Agia Napa tending to be more seasonable. Venues vary from pumping discos through to chic bars in the island's luxury hotels.
There are three golf clubs in Paphos.
Handicaps: Men 28, Ladies 26. Players without handicap certificate can play only during the summer period.
Minthis Hills Golf Club
(formerly Tsada Golf Club)
Located 20 minutes from the town of Paphos, Minthis Hills Golf Club is 18 holes of superb championship golf set in the grounds of a 12th century monastery. Designed by Donald Steel, this was the first grass course to be built in Cyprus in 1994 and it sits 550 metres above sea level, ensuring cool breezes during the summer months.
18 holes, Par 72, 6060 metres
Secret Valley Golf Clubs
Secret Valley Golf Club
Secret Valley Golf Club is an 18 hole championship golf course set in a specatular setting of mature trees with beautiful sculpted rock formations all around. The front 9 has 4 nice warm-up holes, two birdie opportunities and an easy dog-leg. The back nine is much more challenging.
18 holes, Par 72, 6120 metres
Aphrodite Hills Golf
Aphrodite Hills Golf occupies two plateaux overlooking the Meditteranean and divided by a dramatic ravine about 17 km east of Paphos. Carved out of a forest of carob and olive trees, most holes have a view to the sea. The natural topography is gentle, but there is enough movement to give each hole a distinct personality. The course opened in October 2002 and was designed by Cabell Robinson. It features pot bunkers which primarily affect the long hitter, generous fairways of lush Bermuda grass and large tiered greens of American creeping Bent grass. The greens are large making a generous target for approach shots. However, most of the greens are undulating. The rough is not irrigated. The par 3 7th holes has a gorge which separates the tees from the green with a carry of about 130 meters.
18 holes, Par 71/70, 6299 meters
[Tags: Tours to Cyprus]
Туры на Кипр (Russian version)
Type of government: Republic
Public Holiday: 1 October Cyprus Independence Day
Currency: Euro
Official language: Greek, English is common
Geography
Transport
Health
Beaches
Hotels
Shopping
Food
Treatment
Excursion
Entertainments
Nightlife
Geography
Cyprus is an island country situated in the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient time it was the center of Aegean culture. Cyprus became an independent nation at 1960.
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The two mountain systems run generally parallel -the Troodos Mountains cover most of the southern and the narrow Kyrenia Range, extending along the northern coastline. The total length of coastline is 780 km.Transport
Bus service in Cyprus is efficient and cheap. Interurban buses make only two trips a day in the morning and in the evening. Timetables are extended until midnight during summer. Schedule times are available from tourist offices or directly from the bus companies. There is a limited bus service on Sundays and public holidays.
Urban buses operate frequently in larger towns and certain tourist centers on routes roughly every 30 minutes or less. The services end in the evenings at about 6pm daily, at weekends the buses are less regular. Timetables are extended until midnight during summer. Schedule times are available from tourist offices or directly from the bus companies. Because most of the major sites and hotels can be reached within walking distance, urban buses are of limited use.
Taxis can be booked by phone or be hired on the street. Urban taxis are obligatory provided with taxi meters and charging commences upon the entrance of a passenger in the taxi.
Several leading car hire companies operated in Cyprus. Car drivers must be at least 18 years of age; mopeds may be driven at age 17; motorcycles may be driven from the age of 21.
Health
There are no vaccinations required to enter Cyprus from any country.
The electrical current in Cyprus is 240 volts, a. c. 50 Hz. Dual-voltage appliances or a voltage converter and a plug adaptor are necessary to use North American appliances. Most sockets accept 13-amp square plugs like those used in the United KingdomBeaches
The best beaches are in Ayia Napa. One of the most picturesque is Nissi beach. Approximately 400m from Nissi Beach area you will find Sandy Bay which is popular with families.
Lady’s mile beach is very popular. Governor’s Beach is between Larnaca and Limassol; a sandy beach ideal for families and romantic couples. Ideal for snorkeling and boating together with pleasant walks, Governor’s Beach offers spectacular white rocks and beautiful sunrises.
The most famous beach is Cyprus in called Phinikoudes in the resort of Larnaca. It is a fabulous 500 meter stretch of sand and its facilities include toilets, showers, disabled access and changing rooms. Sun beds and umbrellas can be hires and a selection of water sports are on offer. For your safety, there is a lifeguard on duty throughout the summer. Along the palm tree-lined coast there are a selection of amenities such as cafes, restaurants and mini markets.
Hotels
Cyprus provides tourist accommodation for all tastes and requirements.Hotels range from deluxe 5-star to 1-star. Hotel apartments are classified A, B or C. There are also simple hotels that are ungraded. There are discounts for children occupying the same room as their parents: under one year, by private arrangement;
one to six years, 50% discount; six to 10 years, 25% discount. Some hotels may only charge 80% of the daily room rate for single occupancy of a double room. Visitors should check discounts with their hotel prior to arrival. Shopping
Stores operate on weekdays between 0800 and 1930, but may be closed between 1300 and 1600 for a lunch break. Business hours vary depending on the season, with longer hours during the summer tourism season. Shops are closed all day Sunday and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. However, in the tourist areas, shops usually stay open late in the evenings and all day Sunday.
There are many excellent value products to be bought in Cyprus and all the main towns offer busy shopping centers and bustling markets. Cyprus is well known for its wines and many wineries and breweries offer tours around their premises. Specialties of Cyprus include Cypriot brandy, the famous dessert wine, Commandaria, the orange liqueur Filfar, and Keo beer. Many locally produced spirits are also available and are much cheaper than well-known brands.
Ceramics are also very popular, with potteries in all the major towns offering a wide selection of brightly painted pots, plates and other gift items. High on many tourist shopping list is the famous Cyprus Delight, and visitors can visit the many workshops around the island that produce it, for a free taste and to see how it is made.
Cyprus is noted for its leather goods, especially jackets, handbags and shoes; for handmade lace, and for high quality jewellry. Spectacles are very good value, often being offered at substantially lower prices than in Europe. Visitors to the mountain village of Lefkara will be able to see the villagers hard at work making their traditional lace and filigree silver products. In the other mountain villages good buys include homemade honey and sweets such as sujouko and palouze, which are made from grapes
Food
Cypriot cuisine has evolved as a fusion of Greek and Turkish cuisines, with local twists on well-known dishes. A Cyprus Meze is certainly one of the most famous Cypriot delicacies. Mezedes can include up to 20-30 dishes! Nowadays "Kleftiko" is a typical dish for every single celebration. It is a piece of lamb or goat wrapped in foil and baked in special ovens, that in any case must be closed airtight, until the Kleftiko will be baked. The mild Mediterranean climate of Cyprus produces rich wheat and allows it to brew light beer (of high quality).
Halloumi is a Cypriot cheese with a slightly pleasant rubbery consistency which fries or grills beautifully and is usually included in the first course of a meze. Feta is another cheese used extensively in Cyprus dishes. It is, along with the olives what makes
a Greek salad Greek. It is quite a salty cheese for its type.There are two breweries in the Republic of Cyprus established: KEO, the Cypriot brewery and the world known Carlsberg brewery.
Treatment
Le Meridien SPA & Resort 5* -At the hotel is opened one of the biggest spa centers from all the Europe, which is offering more than 20 programs, both for women and for men. Covering 3,000 square meters. Le Meridien Limassol Spa and Resort has won the prestigious award of Europe's Leading Spa Resort at the recent World Travel Awards 2003 in London, UK.
The Four Seasons opened the first Thalassotherapy Centre in Cyprus and has now achieved another first with the introduction of the Shiseido Spa. The Thalasso treatments are of course still available in a brand new Thalasso area, thereby providing two distinct products within the same facility.
Thalasso therapy uses seawater and seaweed both of which contain minerals and vitamins in high levels for treatments not just for beauty, but also for total body rejuvenation and relaxation. Revitilise your body and mind whilst being pampered by a trained consultant; each guest is made to feel comfortable and relaxed with a high degree of personal attention.
Amathus Beach 5* the centuries-old healing properties of the Dead Sea are combined with world-class facilities to provide the ultimate in modern treatment. Choose from healing and detoxifying mud treatments, mineral-care hydrotherapy baths and massages. Relaxation and beauty packages, from single-visit to seven-day treatments, offer options for both men and women.
Anassa Hotel -Thalassa Spa offers a variety of revitalising body treatments, including thalassotherapy, algae wraps, massages,
reflexology, shiatsu and aromatherapy. Beauty treatments include facials, manicures and pedicures, bust treatments and makeoversExcursion
The average cost of excursion is around 45 USD per person. Do not miss Paphos, the booming main town and year-round resort in the west. Pafos is rich in ancient sites- ancient mosaics, catacombs of St. Solomoni, birthplace of Aphrodite. Lemesos - Kourion Archaeological Museum, Nicosia – Lefkara
Entertainments
Cyprus beaches provide great opportunities for all kinds of sea entertainment including swimming, sunbathing, sailing, windsurfing, parascending, water skiing, banana riding, canoeing, sailing, doughnuts and pedalloes.
There are three aqua parks in Limassol both for children and adults.
A must-see in Ayia Napa is the Aqua Park - a brilliant place for friends, families and couples of all ages. You will find a wide variety of slides and tubes and swimming pools, including one with a wave machine. There are also plenty of places available to get refreshments. All pools and rides are supervised and all staff is trained on how to operate the rides and on how to give first aid. Many people also choose to laze around the pool all day in the intense heat. There are also many excursions to go on. There are more boat trips available as well as tours of the local villages.
Paphos Aphrodite Water Park has the largest number of facilities and attractions in Cyprus, the biggest family rafting ride in Europe. Young or old, swimmer or not, there's something here for everyone and everyone's here for fun!
Nightlife
Cyprus boasts a lively and enjoyable nightlife scene in all of the cities and resorts. The party goes on year round in the capital and Limassol, with Paphos and Agia Napa tending to be more seasonable. Venues vary from pumping discos through to chic bars in the island's luxury hotels.
There are three golf clubs in Paphos.
Handicaps: Men 28, Ladies 26. Players without handicap certificate can play only during the summer period.
Minthis Hills Golf Club
(formerly Tsada Golf Club)
Located 20 minutes from the town of Paphos, Minthis Hills Golf Club is 18 holes of superb championship golf set in the grounds of a 12th century monastery. Designed by Donald Steel, this was the first grass course to be built in Cyprus in 1994 and it sits 550 metres above sea level, ensuring cool breezes during the summer months.
18 holes, Par 72, 6060 metres
Secret Valley Golf Clubs
Secret Valley Golf Club
Secret Valley Golf Club is an 18 hole championship golf course set in a specatular setting of mature trees with beautiful sculpted rock formations all around. The front 9 has 4 nice warm-up holes, two birdie opportunities and an easy dog-leg. The back nine is much more challenging.
18 holes, Par 72, 6120 metres
Aphrodite Hills Golf
Aphrodite Hills Golf occupies two plateaux overlooking the Meditteranean and divided by a dramatic ravine about 17 km east of Paphos. Carved out of a forest of carob and olive trees, most holes have a view to the sea. The natural topography is gentle, but there is enough movement to give each hole a distinct personality. The course opened in October 2002 and was designed by Cabell Robinson. It features pot bunkers which primarily affect the long hitter, generous fairways of lush Bermuda grass and large tiered greens of American creeping Bent grass. The greens are large making a generous target for approach shots. However, most of the greens are undulating. The rough is not irrigated. The par 3 7th holes has a gorge which separates the tees from the green with a carry of about 130 meters.
18 holes, Par 71/70, 6299 meters
[Tags: Tours to Cyprus]
Туры на Кипр (Russian version)
