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Currency - Cyprus pounds are divided into 100 cents. Preferred currencies for travel are US dollars, British pounds and Euros.
Phone and Post - Most post offices open Mon-Fri 07:30-13:30 & Thu 15:00-18:00. Telecard or coin operated public phones are widely available. Optus, Vodafone & Telstra mobile systems work in Cyprus.
Medical Services - Government general hospitals and private clinics offer high standards of service. The majority of doctors are English speaking.
Tipping - Service charges are included at restaurants and hotels. Taxi drivers, porters, hairdressers etc always appreciate a small tip.
Climate - Long dry summers from mid May to mid Oct & mild winters from Dec to Feb, separated by short Autumn and Spring seasons. Abundance of sunshine throughout the year.
Voltage and Plugs - 240 volts AC, 50 hertz. Sockets are of flat 3 prong type. Many hotels provide adaptors upon request.
Safety and Dress - Dress standards casual except for religious sites. Visitors should respect ecclesiastical tradition and avoid wearing shorts & sleeveless garments in Churches & monasteries.
Transport - There are 2 international airports in Larnaca and Paphos. Cyprus Airways flies to Larnaca from most cities in Europe. Boat services connect Limassol with Rhodes & Athens in Greece & Haifa in Israel. One can travel around Cyprus either on the well-developed bus network or by taxi. There are no trains in Cyprus. Driving is on the left hand side of the road. Signs are in English & Greek. Four lane motorways connect the capital, Nicosia, with the coastal towns of Limassol and Larnaca. International or Australian licences are accepted for car rental.
Accommodation - Cyprus offers a wide variety of holiday accommodation, ranging from modern, large and luxurious establishments to small and simple family-run operations. Accommodation in private houses is not available in Cyprus.
Major Attractions - The Curium Amphitheatre and Kolossi Castle near Limassol. Tombs of the Kings & House of Dionysos in Paphos. Many Byzantine Churches and Monasteries with a unique collection of icons and frescoes. Kykko Monastery in the Troodos Mountains is the most visited.
Food and Drink - Traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. Cypriots’ favourite snack is watermelon with haloumi cheese. Variety of fish and meat on the spit are the most popular dishes. Popular sweet dessert wine. Tap water is of high quality and safe to drink. Alcohol is widely available with large selection of fine wines.
Entertainment - Entertainment available caters for all tastes. A number of tavernas offer traditional dancing along with mezze, and some impressive discos rival any in Europe. Nightclubs are also plentiful and most hotels have resident bands.
Shopping - Large shopping centres and handicraft shops throughout the country. Leather goods, traditional pottery, woodwork and "lefkara lace" among the most popular items.
Public Holidays -
| 2008 |
| 1 Jan |
New Years Day |
| 6 Jan |
Epiphany |
| 10 Mar |
Green Monday |
| 25 Mar |
Greek Independence Day |
| 1 Apr |
Greek Cypriot National Day |
| 25 Apr |
Greek Orthodox Good Friday |
| 28 Apr |
Greek Orthodox Easter Monday |
| 1 May |
Labour Day |
| 15 Jun |
Pentecost (Kataklysmos) |
| 15 Aug |
Assumption |
| 1 Oct |
Cyprus Independence Day |
| 28 Oct |
Greek National Day (Ochi Day) |
| 24-26 Dec |
Christmas |
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