Cyprus
Overview
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. Its control was a cause of many wars between Greece and Turkey from the days of Cleopatra, but today due to the intervention of UN, the island is divided into the Northern Turkish republic and Southern Greek capital, Nicosia. Most of the tourism development since 1974 has taken place in the southern Government-controlled sector. 
There are generally 300-plus sunny days per year making it a tourist attraction. Throughout Cyprus, the typically Mediterranean landscape is blessed with the timeless beauty. It was here in Cyprus, after all, that the ancient love-goddess, Aphrodite, emerged from the sea at Petra tou Romiou.
Shopping
Cypriot lacework is prized for its quality and artistry. Embroidered lace, worked on white linen is made into highly decorative tablecloths, curtains, doilies, placemats and dresser sets. Pottery has been made in Cyprus for ages and attractive pots come in all shapes and sizes. Terra cotta pieces with white decorations, copies of museum pieces, are popular gifts. Copper wares, hand painted gourds and handmade baskets, and jewellery with motifs are good buys. Pine dowry chests, can be ordered at official crafts shops. The delicatessen stall sells a variety of goods, which come from small producers in the mountain villages. Honey and a range of different olives and tubs of cheeses are submerged in brine to be kept fresh. Feta and halloumi are two cheeses, made from goats’, or cows’ milk.
Restaurants
Restaurants in Cyprus are plentiful, each serving of variety of cuisine. Cyprus cuisine is closely related to that of Greece. Mezedes, or “little delicacies,” consist of as many as 30 small plates of food, from savory dips and vegetables to a wide range of fish and meat dishes. In some restaurants and tavernas you can choose to order seafood meze or meat meze. 
Sausage, afelia; stiphado, Lountza is smoked pork, often served in sandwiches with halloumi, a delicious soft cheese, made from thyme-fed sheep. Moussaka is the traditional Greek dish of minced meat and eggplant topped with creamy béchamel sauce; and souvlakia are kebabs of pork, lamb and chicken.
There are eating places ranging from simple tavernas where charcoal grilled meat is the staple dish, to restaurants catering for every taste. And everywhere, there is wine, enabling you to get the real taste of Cyprus.
Night Life
At Le Meridian you can enjoy a highly refined bar service, at "La Promenade" Lounge. There is "Fever" Disco in the Leisure Land which offers DJ music and dancing till the early morning hours. In "Captain Hook" a conventional English Pub, one can enjoy a pint of beer in a naval themed environment. Alternatively "La Sirène" Night Club offers live music and dancing.
Activities
A sightseer to Cyprus can choose among options like water sports, sailing and yachting, There are beaches in Cyprus to suit just about everybody, from families with small children to seekers of solitude. Cyprus lends itself to adventure holidays with activities as assorted as hiking, mountain biking, jeep excursions and bird watching to various aviation sports such as gliding, parachute jumping, hang-gliding and aeromodelling. Favorable climatic conditions provide ample diversity in sea-sports enjoyment such as sub-aqua diving, water skiing, wind-surfing, sailing, canoeing, pedaling, parachuting, yachting, etc. Every month the Birdlife Cyprus organizes field - meetings for bird ringing. There are around 2325 kilometers of 52 hiking trails in Cyprus. Picnic Sites are all equipped with car parking, toilets, piped drinking water, tables and benches, barbecue amenities and children's play area.
Customs
Use of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, is strictly prohibited under law and tourists are strictly advised to stay clear of such materials, as people contravening to law is liable, to a fine and / or imprisonment. Greetings between people are made usually with a handshake, but tourists are advised not to greet women this way, as most Turkish Cypriots (who are mainly Muslims) might get offended by this gesture. Cyprus has a rich folklore and many ancient and folk traditions are followed even to the present day. There is one or the other festival observed almost every week. There are endless list of festivities celebrated in Cyprus, with the spring flower festival, the festival of flood, St Paul’s feast and Ramadan being a few of them.
Communications
The international access code for Cyprus is +357. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country. Mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have tie-ups with most international operators, thus offering roaming access to subscribers. However Americans need to check with their operators, as roaming agreements between local operators and American ones are rare. Phone cards can be used and is made available in shops, banks and post offices. Internet is accessible at internet cafes that are extensively present in most towns and resorts.
Duty Free
There are no restrictions levied on carrying tobacco and alcohol between the 15 original countries of the EU. Restricted amount of tobacco, alcohol and other spirits can be bought without duty, provided it is for personal consumption and the person carrying it is over the age of 17. Prohibited items include fresh fruit, meat and dairy products. Duty free commodities can be purchased without entry on the relevant manifest for people departing by either air or sea. Goods for commercial purpose or goods imported for sale does not afford any general concession.
Contacts
Cyprus Tourist Organisation, Nicosia: +357 2269 1100 or www.visitcyprus.org.cy
Cyprus Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 462 5772
Cyprus High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 8272
Cyprus Consulate General, Toronto, Canada: +1 416 944 0998
Cyprus High Commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6281 0832
Cyprus High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 5258
Cyprus Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 676 3060
United States Embassy, Nicosia: +357 2239 3939
British High Commission, Nicosia: +357 2286 1100
Consulate of Canada, Nicosia: +357 2277 5508
Australian High Commission, Nicosia: +357 2275 3001
South African Embassy, Athens, Greece (also responsible for Cyprus): +30 210 610 6645
Irish Embassy, Nicosia: +357 2281 8183
New Zealand Consulate, Nicosia: +357 2281 8884
Emergencies: 199 or 112
Attractions
The Byzantine Museum, with its vast collection of religious icons, is also located in the capital. The Pafos District Archaeological Museum, Mediaeval Castle, Lemesos and The Pierides Foundation Museum in Larnaka should also be high on visitors’ lists. The Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis, behind Kourion, is one of the largest, religious sites in Cyprus. The Cyprus Museum in Lefkosia (Nicosia) houses the most wide-ranging assortment of Cypriot antiquities.
Time Description
Local time is GMT +2. During summer (between the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October), local time is GMT +3.
Electricity
240 volts, 50Hz and the UK-style three square-pin plugs are the standard.
Language
Turkish
Language Description
Though a small percentage of Cypriots speak Turkish, the major language of Cyprus is Greek. The Cypriot dialect of Greek is quite different from that of mainland Greece. English, German and French are also spoken by a lot of people, but only in the tourist areas.
Health Risks
Health services throughout Cyprus are of pretty good standards and no vaccinations are required to enter the country. Although avian influenza was detected in some parts of the country in early 2006, travelers are hardly at risk. However they are still advised to stay away from making direct contact with birds of all types and consume poultry products only after it’s well cooked. UK citizens are advised to bring with them a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as this helps them to receive free emergency medical treatment. Though Medical fees are quite reasonable, medical supplies can sometimes get very expensive and hence travelers are advised to cover themselves with suitable medical insurance.
Tipping
Porters and Taxi drivers generally expect a small tip and there are no percentages predefined for such services. In Hotels and restaurants a 10% service charge is added onto the bill, so customers are not obligated to tip, nevertheless a small tip is still expected at such places.
Safety
Cyprus is an absolutely safe country for visitors, with very few reported cases of crime against travelers. However tourists are advised to carry their belongings like money, passport, credit cards and travel documents with care and be cautious of strangers offering or asking for help of any sort. Threat from terrorism also is almost non-existent.
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