Content
- Holidays in Cyprus
- Cyprus – Geographical location
- Climate of Cyprus
- How to get to Cyprus
- Visa and customs
- Money system
- Transport
- Cyprus Resorts
- Cyprus Hotels
- Traditions and customs
- Entertainment and excursions
- Cyprus cuisine
- Shopping
- Thalassotherapy
Holidays in Cyprus
Cyprus is the island of Aphrodite, born of sea foam and endowed with a special femininity and intoxicating look. Since the goddess of love arose here, an enchanting aroma of love floats in the air of the island, felt literally from the first minutes of your stay in this unique corner of the planet. If you want to plunge into the bewitching kingdom of love, then go here. And the captivating charm of these places will make you come back again.
Cyprus – Geographical location
Cyprus is the third largest and most populated island in the Mediterranean. Geographically, it refers to Asia. It is located in the east of the Mediterranean: 385 km to Egypt, 106 km to Syria, 74 km to Turkey. The island stretches from east to west for 245 km, and its width is about 100 km. It is divided into several parts. One part belongs to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the other large to the Republic of Cyprus, and between them is a buffer zone. On a large territory of the island are mountains. Along the northern coast rises the Kyrenia mountain range. In the south-west direction is the Troodos massif with many valleys. The highest point of the island is Olymbos. The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia..
Climate of Cyprus
The climate on the island is Mediterranean, tropical. It is characterized by hot, dry summers, beginning in May and ending in September. The number of sunny days reaches 325-345 per year. The rest season lasts from April to November, the air warms up to + 25–36 ° C, the temperature of sea water reaches + 25–29 ° C.
Winter is quite mild, rainy, with storms at sea. The temperature sometimes drops to + 5 ° C at night. You can see snow here exclusively in the mountains, for example, in the resort of Troodos. The seasons of spring and autumn are very short, with comfortable and refreshing weather. Here, almost all year round, the sky is clear and the sun is shining. Since April, the sea is already suitable for swimming, its temperature is kept at + 20 ° C. The tourist season officially comes into force in May.
How to get to Cyprus
Transport links with the continents are perfectly regulated. There are 7 airports directly on the island. And any Russian tourist, flying from Moscow or from St. Petersburg, can be at the airports of Larnaca or Paphos.
The duration of the flight on the Cyprus Airlines is 4.5 hours, while other carriers that have the right to fly through the airspace of the Turkish Republic spend 3.5 hours on this. You can also get there by sea – regular flights and ferries from Greece, Israel, Egypt.
Visa and customs
To travel to Cyprus, every resident of Russia draws up a visa. This is carried out at the embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in the capital of Russia or at the consulate of St. Petersburg. The registration procedure is free and is done promptly – up to 5 days. EU citizens do not need a visa, and those who own a Schengen visa do not need to do a national visa.
The following documents are required:
- profile in English;
- passport, with one blank sheet and with a long validity period;
- copy of the first sheet of the passport;
- color photo glued to the questionnaire, format 3×4 cm;
- copy of the invitation of a Cyprus travel agency, travel voucher or confirmation of hotel reservation.
To pass customs control, prepare: passport, airline ticket, hotel reservation document, currency – 50–70 € / day for one person. Cash more than 10,000 € is declared. In the country without duty, you can enter 50 cigars or 7 packs of cigarettes, 1-2 liters of fortified drinks and 200 g of perfume. It is forbidden to import weapons, drugs, flowers, chemicals, fruits. Also not allowed to rise from the bottom of the sea of archaeological sites and transport them outside the island without permission.
Money system
The monetary unit is the Euro. The exchange is made by banks, private exchange points, hotels, transport institutions, post office. Banks in the Greek part of the island operate until 13:00, in Turkish – until 17:00, exchange points – a little longer. Avoid large banknotes, so as not to buy a fake.
Transport
Moving from one city of Cyprus to another, you need to provide in which parts of the island they are. There are no difficulties in the Turkish section with public transport – buses run constantly, the price is quite affordable – 1.5 € / 50 km. The other half will have to wait a long time for transport. Buses travel only on weekdays, and rarely, and the price is 6 € / 50 km. There is no transport connection between the two parts of Cyprus.
In cities, it is possible to travel by minibuses and municipal buses. Moving in a minibus is more expensive. On Saturday, transport runs until lunch, and on Sunday it does not exist at all. They get to the airport only by taxi, transport does not go there. Taxis are called through the hotel administrator, stopped on the street, called from a store or restaurant. The daily rate is 15% cheaper than the night one. Sometimes to move around the island rent a car. Rental price on average 35 €.
Cyprus Resorts
The island is washed from all sides by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The blue of the sea, unusual underwater inhabitants, lost caves and grottoes, secluded bays and endless azure beaches are the wealth of the Cypriots. Luxury resorts are scattered along the south side of the island:
- Popular: Protaras, Ayia Napa, Larnaca, Limassol.
- Elite Resort – Paphos.
- Youth: Paphos, Ayia Napa.
- Family-oriented: Ayia Napa, Larnaca, Limassol, Protaras.
You can get acquainted with the resorts in more detail here.
Cyprus Hotels
On the island there are hotels of various categories. And they are near the coastline or close to it. The farther away the hotel is from the city center, the longer it has a beach. Many hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis, some offer half-board for guests (you can order lunch or dinner if you wish).
More prestigious hotels have pools, courts, gyms. The voltage in the electrical network in Cyprus is different from the Russian one, so buy an adapter for using electrical appliances brought from home.
Traditions and customs
Due to historical events, the island is divided into two parts, and the customs of these two territories are very different religiously and culturally. Some Cypriots have adopted the traditions and customs of their close neighbor, Turkey. In the northern regions, children are given Turkish names, on the menu you will see most dishes of Turkish cuisine, and the inhabitants of this unrecognized territory profess Islam. Another part of the inhabitants of the island prefers Greek traditions, eats Greek national food and professes Orthodoxy.
Cypriots – people are cheerful and welcoming. Therefore, the island often hosts various holidays and festivals. The unforgettable Wine Festival enjoys special appeal. It is held in early autumn in Limassol. This enchanting action lasts for several days, accompanied by folklore music, pouring from barrels of free wine and performances by artists on themes from Greek myths.
In May, a flower fair is held in Kyrenia. Also at the end of August, an interesting folk dance festival and a lemons festival in Caravas are held. An unforgettable sight is the festival of the World Flood, the participants in the procession move through the city, pour themselves on and spray on the people they meet along the way. But despite the abundance of holidays, the most pompous is Easter.
Entertainment and excursions
For vacationers, unforgettable prospects open up here. Those who are closer to the cognitive form of relaxation are offered thematic tours of the island, visits to monasteries and trips to ancient monuments..
Of great interest will be visiting:
- the medieval castle of Kolossi;
- destroyed in IV n. e. the ancient city of Kourion, where the Greco-Roman amphitheater has been preserved and restored;
- tour of the locations of Byzantine churches – Kakopetria, as well as a return trip to the winemaking village of Omodos;
- the temple of Apollo, where in former times the inhabitants of Kourion praised the patron saint of the city of Apollo of Hilate;
- the corner where Aphrodite was born – Paphos.
Vacationers with children can plunge into the fascinating world of the Water Park and the Dolphinarium, watch the aquarium and the “show of dancing fountains.” Fidgets and people who like to actively spend their leisure time, Cyprus provides many opportunities: horseback riding, golf, safari tours, tennis. Popular activities include yachting, fishing, spearfishing for octopus, diving..
Cyprus cuisine
Greek cuisine dominates the islanders, with a lot of seafood being used. Also, the basis of Cypriot cuisine is meat and vegetable products. A culinary feature is the meze (lunch, consisting of 25-30 items). First they bring snacks, and in the end, meat and fish delicacies.
The dishes taste great with the addition of Halloumi, Feta and young walnuts, placed in syrup. And the island’s wines, fortified spirits and liquors deserve to be tasted. A tip of 10% is immediately credited to the bill, but if you decide to add a few coins, they will be accepted with appreciation.
Shopping
In high season, shops are open from 7:00 to 20:00, sometimes until 22:00. In the low season (November – March) they work during 8: 00-18: 00 (the break lasts two hours, starting from 13:00). On Wednesday and Saturday, trading establishments do not provide services after lunch. Sunday is a day off.
Brought from Cyprus:
- liqueurs, dessert wines, such as Commandaria, Namasskoe, purchased in the monastery cellars of Kykkos;
- silver items, lace made by hand;
- paintings with marine themes, jewelry;
- leather clothes, fur coats;
- souvenir figurines of Aphrodite, dolls in local folklore dresses, ship models;
- culinary products – halloumi cheese from goat milk, sweet goodies – lokum, halva, suzukos.
Thalassotherapy
Recently, thalassotherapy has been vigorously advancing in Cyprus. Five-star resorts open up spa centers. Even inventive measures for face and body care are offered: body wrap with the use of marine plants and mud, reflexology, “shiatsu”, but you should book a comprehensive wellness treatment in advance.
The island of Cyprus is a favorite destination for Russian tourists. This is not surprising. The country is absolutely safe. You can drink water simply from the tap, without risking to get an intestinal disease. And smokers should remember that the island has the most stringent restrictions on smoking in public places in the European Union.
