CYPRUS OVERVIEW
Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean. The landscape varies between rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, rocky hills and forest-covered mountains. The Troodos Mountains in the centre of the island rise to almost 1950m (6400ft) and provide good skiing during the winter. Nicosia (Lefkosia), the capital of Cyprus, is situated at the heart of the Messaoria Plain. The old city has many quaint and ancient shops. Nicosia District extends westwards into the vine-covered Troodos Mountains, where magnificent forests and valleys feature hill resorts such as Kakopetria and Byzantine churches in Galata. Limassol (Lemesos) is the island's main port and centre of the wine industry. In September the town has a wine festival, during which wine and food are served free. Cyprus is becoming established as a winter destination with both Platres and Kakopetria conveniently placed for the skiing season on Mount Olympus. Local dishes include kebabs (lamb or other meat skewered and roasted over a charcoal fire) and dolmas (vine leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice).
Location: Europe, eastern Mediterranean.
Country dialling code: 357.
CYPRUS TOURISM ORGANISATION
Leoforos Lemesou 19, PO Box 24535, 1390 Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel: (22) 269 1100. Fax: 22 233 4696
E-mail: cytour@cto.org.cy
Website: www.visitcyprus.org.cy
HIGH COMMISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
93 Park Street, London W1K 7ET, UK
Tel: (020) 7499 8272/4 or 7629 6288 (Cyprus Trade Centre) or 7629 5350 (consular section). Fax: (020) 7491 0691.
E-mail: cyphclondon@dial.pipex.comorpresscounsellor@chclondon.com (press office).
Website: www.pio.gov.cyorwww.cyprus.gov.cyor www.mfa.gov.cy
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1700; 0930-1300 (consular section).
HONORARY HIGH COMMISSION
Delta Travel, Unit Five, University Precinct, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9RN, UK
Tel: (0161) 276 3013. Fax: (0161) 273 3855.
E-mail: sales@deltatravel.co.uk
CYPRUS TOURISM ORGANISATION
17 Hanover Street, London W1S 1YP, UK
Tel: (020) 7569 8800. Fax: (020) 7499 4935.
E-mail: informationcto@btconnect.com
Website: www.visitcyprus.org.cy
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
Alexander Pallis Street, PO Box 21978, 1587 Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel: (22) 286 1100 or (22) 286 1369 (visa enquiries). Fax: (22) 286 1125.
E-mail: infobhc@cylink.com.cy
Website: www.britain.org.cy
EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
2211 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 462 5772 or 232 8993 (press office). Fax: (202) 483 6710.
E-mail: info@cyprusembassy.net
Website: www.cyprusembassy.net
CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
13 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel: (212) 686 6016. Fax: (212) 686 3660.
CYPRUS TOURISM ORGANISATION
13 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA
Tel: (212) 683 5280. Fax: (212) 683 5282.
E-mail: gocyprus@aol.com
Website: www.cyprustourism.org
Also deals with enquiries from Canada.
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Street address: Metochiu and Ploutarchou Street, Engomi, 2407 Nicosia, Cyprus
Postal address: PO Box 24536, 1385 Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel: (22) 277 6400. Fax: (22) 278 0944 or 277 3688.
E-mail: info@americanembassy.org.cyor consularnicosia@state.gov (consular enquiries)
Website: www.americanembassy.org.cy
CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS
365 Bloor Street East, Suite 1010, PO Box 43, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3L4, Canada
Tel: (416) 944 0998. Fax: (416) 944 9149.
E-mail: consulcy@rogers.com
Note: The Canadian High Commission in Damascus deals with enquiries related to Cyprus (see Syrian Arab Republic section).
Travel - international
Note: Since October 1974, the Cyprus government has declared the ports of Famagusta (Ammochostos), Karavostassi and Kyrenia, and the airport of Ercan, all in the northern part of the island, as illegal 'ports of entry' to Cyprus. Tourists entering through these ports of entry will not be permitted to cross the UN-patrolled Green Line and gain access to the south. Further details can be obtained from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section).
AIR
Over 40 airlines, including Cyprus Airways (CY) (website: www.cyprusair.com.cy), the national airline of Cyprus, operate scheduled flights within, to and from Cyprus.
APPROXIMATE FLIGHT TIMES:
From Pafos and Larnaca to London is 4 hours 30 minutes, to Paris is 3 hours 30 minutes, to Zurich is 3 hours, to Frankfurt is 3 hours 30 minutes, to Athens is 1 hour 40 minutes and to Stockholm is 5 hours.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS:
Larnaca (LCA) is 5km (3 miles) south of the city. Buses to the city centre depart every hour (travel time - 15 minutes). Taxis are also available (travel time - 15 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, tourist information, bank/bureau de change, bars and restaurants, Cyprus Hotel Information and Reservation Office, first aid, car hire and post office.
Pafos (PFO) is 15km (9 miles) east of the city (travel time - 25 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, special facilities for disabled people, car hire, bank/bureau de change, hotel reservations, bar and restaurant.
SEA
Passenger ships from the ports of Limassol and Larnaca connect Cyprus with various Greek and Middle Eastern ports, including Piraeus, Rhodes, Heraklion, Haifa, Port Said, Jounieh and many Greek islands. Services are reduced during the winter months. For detailed information on ferry boats and shipping lines contact the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section). Several cruise lines call at Cyprus, including Classical Cruises, Costa, Cunard Line, Euro Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess and Swan Hellenic Cruises. Louis Cruise Lines sail to Egypt and the Holy Land (tel: (25) 570 000 or (0800) 018 3883 toll-free UK; e-mail: sales@louiscruises.com; website: www.louiscruises.com). Paradise Cruises also operate many cruises to Israel, Egypt, Lebanon and Greece (tel: (25) 357 604; fax: (25) 370 298; e-mail: cruises@paradise.com.cy; website: www.xemico.net/paradise).
Travel - internal
ROAD
Bus
A few services connect some towns and villages on the island every day except Sunday. Service is efficient and cheap. Although the local buses are sometimes slow, they are a good way of seeing the more remote villages. Taxi: These run 24 hours a day between all the main towns on the island. Fares are regulated by the Government and all taxis have meters. Transurban Service Taxis offers an excellent, cheap service using seven-seat taxis running fixed routes between main points. Taxis run to a timetable and delivery is door to door. Fares under this system are often one-tenth of the usual rate. Car hire: Cars are one of the best ways to explore the island. They may be hired at airports and commercial centres but should be reserved well in advance during the summer season. Reduced tariffs are offered if cars are hired for more than a week. Road signs are in both Greek and English. Traffic drives on the left. Motorcycles: Riders and pillion passengers should always wear crash helmets if the motorcycle is over 50cc. Documentation: An International Driving Permit or national driving licence is accepted for 1 year.
URBAN
Nicosia has its own privately run bus company operating efficient services at flat fares which offer a comprehensive service covering the urban area of Limassol and linking the port with the tourist area. For more details, contact the Limassol Urban Bus Company (E.A.L.) Limited, PO Box 51117 (tel: (25) 354 050; fax: (25) 354 060; e-mail: ealstores@cytanet.com.cy). Taxis are widely available, a 15 percent surcharge is in operation from 2300-0600. Tipping is expected.
TRAVELLING TIMES
Below shows the approximate travelling times (in hours and minutes) by car, from Nicosia to other main towns and tourist centres in Cyprus.
Limassol 1.00
Pafos 2.15
Larnaca 0.50
Ayia Napa 1.10
Platres 1.30
Protaras 2.00
Polis 2.30
