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Cyprus Overview - Cyprus Basics - About Yeroskipou - Visa Requirements
Cyprus Overview
Source: www.visitcyprus.org.cy
Cyprus is an island of legends that basks year-round in the light of the warm Mediterranean sun. A storied past 10,000 years long has seen civilizations come and go and the likes of everyone from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra stake their claim here - but then, people do tend to get possessive when faced with such beauty. Aphrodite made her home on Cyprus, and travellers throughout antiquity came here just to pay her tribute.Today Cyprus is a modern country that effortlessly marries European culture with ancient enchantment. Here you will discover a compact world of alluring beaches and fragrant mountain peaks, vineyards studded with olive trees and ancient ruins that stir the imagination, citrus groves and old stone villages where sweet wine flows as freely as conversations at the local café. A carefree place where a sense of timelessness is magnified by the kindness of the people. This official website of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation is designed to be your electronic entry to the quiet beauty of Cyprus in all its dimensions. Step inside for an in-depth look at an island that is as exotic as you imagine - and more accessible than you might think.
Cyprus Overview - Cyprus Basics - About Yeroskipou - Visa Requirements
Cyprus Basics
source: www.wordtravels.com
Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. The UK-style three square-pin plugs are used.
Language: The majority of Cypriots speak Greek, and a small percentage speak Turkish. The Greek Cypriot dialect differs from mainland Greece. English, German and French are spoken in tourist areas.Paphos is situated on the Greek side of the island, and most Cypriots there can speak English, but appreciate any effort you take to speak Greek.
Common words and phrases:
- Na = Yes
- O-he = No
- Ya sas = Hello or goodbye (to a group)
- Ya sou = Hello or goodbye (to a single person)
- Adio = Goodbye
- Kali meera = Good morning
- Kali speera = Good Afternoon
- Kali nikta = Good Night
- Poso Kani? = How much?
- Ef Haristo = Thank you
- Parakalo = Please / You're welcome
- Thello mia beera, sa parakalo = I would like a beer, please
- Thello Ena ... = I would like a...(singular)
- Toh Logorisimo parakalo = The bill please
- Ya Mass! = Cheers!
- Ena, Duo, Treea, Teesera, Peende, Sexe, Septe, Octo, Eenya, Theeka = 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
- Milate Anglika? = Do you speak English?
- Me lene ... = My name is ...
Health: No vaccinations are required. Samples taken from poultry in north Cyprus on 29 January 2006 have tested positive for avian influenza, but the risk to travellers is believed to be low. Visitors should avoid all situations that would bring them into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds and ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked. Health services on Cyprus are of a good standard. UK citizens should bring with them a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which enables them to receive free emergency medical treatment. Medical fees are reasonable in Cyprus, but supplies are expensive. Medical insurance is advised.
Tipping: A 10% service charge is levied in hotels and restaurants so a tip is not obligatory, but small change is always welcome. Taxi drivers, porters etc, appreciate a small tip.
Safety: The terrorist threat is low, and crime against tourists is rare.
Business: Business in Cyprus is best conducted face-to-face, as developing a working relationship based on trust is important. Business is conducted formally, and dress should be smart and conservative (a suit and tie are the norm). Greetings are usually made with a handshake, and business cards are exchanged, although Turkish Cypriots (who are mostly Muslim) may not shake hands with women. It is common for women to hold high positions and they are generally well respected in the business world. Punctuality is important, but meetings may not begin on time. Business hours can vary according to the season, but are usually 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm Monday to Friday in summer, closing at 5pm in winter.
Communications: The international access code for Cyprus is +357. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Area codes are not required. Mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators, but not the United States. There are public phones in all towns and villages and can be used for domestic and international calls. Phone cards can be purchased from shops, banks and post offices. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.
Duty Free: Travellers to Cyprus with goods purchased in the EU do not have to pay duty on alcohol or tobacco products provided that they are for personal consumption only. Travellers over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco; 1 litre spirits with higher than 22% alcohol volume or 2 litres spirits or aperitifs with less than 22% alcohol volume, or 2 litres of wine; 50g perfume or 250ml eau de toilette; 500g coffee; 100g tea; medicines for personal consumption; and other goods to the value of €175. Prohibited items include fresh fruit, meat and dairy products.
Cyprus Overview - Cyprus Basics - About Yeroskipou - Visa Requirements
About Yeroskipou (and Paphos)
Ever since Aphrodite was borne of the deep blue Mediterranean at Petra tou Romiou, the Paphos region has been steeped in myth, legend and history. Yeroskipou was a favourite place of the goddess - its very name is derived from 'Ieros Kipos', meaning 'sacred garden'. She was said to spend much of her time there, enjoying the tranquility of her natural surroundings and feasting off the fruits of the land. The name of the village comes from the Greek word "Hieroskepos", the sacred Garden of Aphrodite.
Today Paphos, with a population of about 47.300 (end of 2001), is a popular sea and a fast developing tourist resort, home to an attractive fishing harbour. It is divided into two major quarters: Ktima, on the sea terrace, is the main residential district, and Kato Pafos, by the sea, is built around the mediaeval port and contains most of the luxury hotels and the entertainment infrastructure of the city. The harbors of Paphos are not so important: the normal shipping goes via the harbor of Limassol. Just as is the marina of Paphos for fishing and other kinds of interest.
Interesting sites
The Castle of PaphosAt the harbour, there is the Castle of Paphos, originally built as a Byzantine fort to protect the harbour and rebuilt by the Lusignans in the thirteenth century, then dismantled in 1570 by the Venetians, who found themselves unable to defend it against the Ottomans, who in their turn restored and strengthened it after they captured the island. Saranta Kolones, Kato Paphos, near the harbour, is a castle built in the first years of the rule of the Lusignans (beginning of the twelfth century) maybe on the site of a previous Byzantine Castle.
A few miles outside the city, the rock of Aphrodite (Petra tou Romiou, "Stone of the Greek") emerges from the sea. According to legend, Aphrodite rose from the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou is associated with the legendary frontier-guard of Byzantine times, Digenis Acritas, who kept the marauding Saracens at bay. It is said in one such fight he heaved a large rock (Petra), at his enemy.
Yeroskipou with its remarkable five-domed Byzantine church of Ayia Paraskevi, and its Folk Art Museum is a town in Paphos metropolitan area known for many years now for its special delight `loukoumi'.
The Church of the Seven St. Geroges is located at the bottom
of the cliffs that the villa overlooks.More information about Paphos and the surrounding area can be found by visiting:
www.answers.com/topic/paphos
Cyprus Overview - Cyprus Basics - About Yeroskipou - Visa Requirements
Visa Requirements for South Cyprus
Source: www.cyprus.com
No visa required
For the nationals and passport holders of following countries no visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days:
- Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Holy See (State of Vatican), Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China: Hong Kong S.A.R., Macao S.A.R.
Additional categories of persons who do not require visa
• Holders of diplomatic, service or other official passports
• C ivilian air and sea crew
• T he flight crew and attendants on emergency or rescue flights and other helpers in the event of disaster or accident
• The civilian crew of ships navigating in international waters
• The holders of laissez-passer issued by the United Nations to their officials
• School pupils who are travelling in the context of a school excursion as members of a group of pupils accompanied by a teacher from the school in question
• All persons who are in possession of work permit issued by the Migration Officer
• All persons who possess permanent or temporary residence permit issued by the Migration Officer
• All persons who posses study permit
Passport required
Passport for entry to the Republic of Cyprus is required, except for holders of:
1. Laissez-Passer issued by the United Nations.
2. Document issued to stateless persons and recognised refugees.
3. Citizens of the European Union countries, as well as of Switzerland , Iceland , Liechtenstein and Norway , may enter Cyprus with their national identity card provided there is a photo.Visa required
Nationals of following countries (mainly third counties) are required to have a visa:
• Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Marianas (Islands), Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Entities and territorial authorities: Taiwan, Palestinian Authorities.
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