Tips for tourists in Cyprus. Holidays in Cyprus You need to know English for holidays in Cyprus
BEFORE FLIGHT TO CYPRUS
Check that you have all the necessary documents.
You must have with you:
- a foreign passport valid for 3 months from the end of the trip;
- round trip air ticket;
- visa to visit the Republic of Cyprus;
- tourist package (voucher);
- insurance policy;
- original power of attorney from both parents (for children traveling without parents) or original power of attorney from the second parent (for children traveling with one of the parents), photographs of children must be pasted into the passport of one of the parents starting from 0 years old, or the child must have his own travel document;
- a veterinary certificate in the established form, as well as a document with vaccination and microchipping marks if you are traveling with an animal.
Visa rules for tourists traveling to Cyprus, see the VISA section.
Attention! Before booking a tour, check with the travel agency manager for the rules for traveling abroad for minors, the procedure for submitting and a set of documents for children traveling with parents or accompanying persons.
AIR TRAVEL
Flights within the framework of Mouzenidis Travel flight programs are carried out to the international airports of Larnaca and Paphos.
The itinerary indicates the airport and departure time (always local for each airport). You must arrive at the airport 3-3.5 hours before departure. The seat on the plane is indicated at check-in for the flight. Check-in for the flight ends 40 minutes before departure.
If you do not show up for check-in at the specified time, the airline has the right to dispose of your seat at its discretion. Keep your boarding pass until the end of your flight.
Read in advance the rules governing the transportation of passengers, baggage and hand luggage, and animals when flying to Cyprus. The rules can be found on the airline's websites.
After checking in for an international flight, you must go through customs, passport control, and security control.
In case of transportation of plants or animals, it is necessary to undergo phytocontrol or veterinary control.
CUSTOMS CONTROL WHEN FLIGHTING TO CYPRUS
Before preparing for departure, check with your manager about the rules for exporting goods and sums of money from the country of departure duty-free and importing goods upon return in accompanied and unaccompanied baggage (cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, food and other categories of goods).
If you do not have items and/or valuables that are subject to mandatory customs control, you may not fill out a customs declaration and go through the “Green Corridor” for registration. Otherwise, you must fill out a customs declaration, the forms of which are located in front of the customs line on tables or on special counters.
When filling out the form, do not forget to indicate the ENTIRE amount of foreign currency that you are bringing with you. Cash in the amount of 10,000 US dollars (or the equivalent in other currencies, including Russian rubles) is subject to MANDATORY customs declaration. A certificate from the bank regarding the purchase of currency is not required.
Tourists can import photo and video cameras, sports and camping equipment, as well as 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of spirits, 0.75 liters of wine, 0.3 liters of perfume or eau de toilette into Cyprus without paying duties. .
The export of antiques from Cyprus is prohibited, and any attempt to violate the rules is punishable by law.
RULES FOR CARRYING LIQUIDS DURING AIR TRAFFIC
Liquids are allowed for transportation in hand luggage, the volume of each of which does not exceed 100 ml, and the total volume is 1 liter. Such liquids must be placed in a transparent plastic resealable bag, provided free of charge directly in the passenger screening area. Items containing liquid purchased in the duty free area will be packaged in sealed bags that cannot be opened until they arrive at their final destination.
CUSTOMS CONTROL ON ARRIVAL IN CYPRUS
You need to go through passport control and customs yourself. At passport control, present your passport with a Cyprus visa. Lack of an original visa may result in a tourist being refused permission to cross the border zone or board a flight.
It is recommended to carry cash at a rate of €500 per person per week. After passing through passport control and receiving your luggage, you will find yourself in the “customs area”, where random inspection of your luggage may be carried out.
MEETING IN CYPRUS
When leaving the customs area at Larnaca and Paphos airports, you will be met by representatives of the Mouzenidis Travel company. Comfortable transfer buses will take you to hotels on the island. At the resorts you will be met by company representatives who will help with accommodation, tell you about the offered excursion programs, and answer all your questions.
Attention! In case of any problem related to your stay(transfer, hotel accommodation, shortcomings in hotel service, excursion services, etc.), we ask you contact immediately with a representative of Mouzenidis Travel by phone numbers received from the guide.
BEFORE DEPARTURE FROM CYPRUS
Check that you have all the necessary documents. You must have your passport and air ticket with you.
Check in advance with a representative of the tour operator Mouzenidis Travel about the time of delivery to the hotel of transport that will take you to the airport. If you are late for the bus, the tour operator is not responsible for the expenses you incur (taxi fees, etc.)
On the day of departure, you should fold and pack all your things by the time specified by the tour operator representative, pay for additional services provided to you during your stay at the hotel (telephone calls, payment of restaurant bills, use of the minibar, etc.) and stay at the designated representative "Mouzenidis Travel" time in the hotel lobby.
PRECAUTIONS
AT THE AIRPORT
Never lose track of your luggage at the airport. Your things should be in one place and as close to you as possible. Do not change large sums of money at the airport (you will not need them on the way to the hotel, and the exchange process may attract the attention of strangers).
IN THE HOTEL / AT THE RESORT
Do not allow non-hotel employees to take care of your luggage.
Keep documents, money and valuables, including airline tickets and passports, in a safe located in your room or at the hotel reception (this service may be provided for an additional fee).
The representative of the tour operator serving your hotel will offer you booklets in Russian containing information about the excursions offered, the schedule of breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the restaurant of your hotel, additional services that you can receive at the hotel, as well as other useful information.
Bills for telephone calls and other additional services provided to tourists (minibar in the room, drinks in bars, laundry services, etc.) are paid on the day of departure at the reception.
Each hotel has a check-out time, so on the day of departure you should vacate your rooms by this time and make payments for purchased additional services.
USEFUL INFORMATION
ON EXCURSIONS
You can choose and order the excursion you like when booking a tour or on site from a representative of the Mouzenidis Travel company. Before each excursion, check the availability of documents for this particular excursion. Don't take more cash with you than you need for one day. Don't be late to board the bus at the start of the excursion. During the tour, during stops, arrive on time to the meeting point appointed by the guide. Do not leave money or valuables on the tour bus; the driver is not responsible for them. At the end of the excursion, do not forget your things on the bus.
Attention! The tour operator Mouzenidis Travel is not responsible if a tourist encounters problems with organizing an excursion purchased from other companies.
ON THE STREET
There is no need to carry personal documents with you - they will be replaced by a hotel card. We recommend that you always carry copies of your passport and insurance policy with you. If your credit cards are stolen or lost, block them immediately. On the street, try to avoid large crowds of people - a favorite place for pickpockets. When traveling on public transport, prepare money for travel in advance, without giving strangers the opportunity to remember the place where you keep your money and valuables. Do not take large amounts of money with you unless absolutely necessary and avoid storing money in hand bags. Carry cameras and video cameras only with a strap over your shoulder. When you go for a walk with your family or in a group, agree in advance on a meeting place in case you suddenly get lost. Do not buy jewelry or other valuables on the street. In bars and restaurants, do not leave bags on the floor or on the backs of seats.
AUTOMOBILE
Please note: in Cyprus you drive on the left!
If you decide to rent a car, follow the general rules:
- never, even for a few minutes, leave a car with things unattended;
- never get out of a car with the engine running, even if you only need to ask for directions;
- always carry your car keys with you;
- try to remove all valuable items (cameras, car radios, etc.) from sight when leaving the car in the parking lot;
- do not leave documents in the car;
- If, while driving along the highway, one of your companions asks you to stop, do not do so until you reach the “Service Area”.
ELECTRICAL NETWORK
Please note: in Cyprus, electrical sockets are used in the “British” format - with three holes. To charge phones, laptops and connect other compact devices that require electrical power, you will need an adapter. A travel adapter can be purchased locally. The mains voltage is 240 Volts, with the usual frequency of 50Hz, no additional transformers are required.
EMERGENCY HELP
In the event of an unpleasant incident (threat or actual attack, robbery, etc.) with you or other tourists, be sure to contact the nearest police station.
- A single number for calling the police, firefighters or ambulance (Police / Fire Service) is 199 or 112.
If you lose your passport You must report the incident to the police, where an appropriate report must be drawn up, one copy of which will be given to you. You will need the protocol in order to obtain a return certificate – a document replacing a passport. You need to contact the Embassy (Consulate) of your country in Cyprus:
Consular Section of the Russian Embassy: tel. +357 22-776832, fax +357 22-783030
Consular Section of the Ukrainian Embassy: tel. +357 22-464383, fax + 357 22-464381
Consul of Kazakhstan:+357 25-351888
You can contact the Consulate in case of emergencies or other circumstances that threaten the safety of your life and health, as well as in cases of danger of harm to your property.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Each tourist traveling to Cyprus is insured for the amount of 30,000 euros. Be sure to read the insurance conditions before your trip. If an insured event occurs, you must contact representatives of the tour operator Mouzenidis Travel at the resort, who will call a doctor. If you consult a doctor on your own, the insurance company does not guarantee payment of compensation for the insured event.
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- Check your flight information on the information board and go to the check-in counters whose numbers are indicated on the board. When checking in, present your passport and ticket.
- After checking in and boarding being announced, you must proceed to the appropriate areas for international flights.
Passengers on international flights undergo customs, passport and security control, after which they await departure in the sterile area of the international airlines gallery. When going through security checks, you must present your passport and boarding pass.
When transporting animals or plants, it is necessary to undergo phytocontrol / veterinary control.
Rules for pre-flight and post-flight inspections
In accordance with Appendix No. 1 of the Rules for pre-flight and post-flight inspections, approved by order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated July 25, 2007 No. 104 prohibited from transporting on board the aircraft by passengers in checked baggage and in things carried by passengers, the following dangerous substances and objects:
Allowed to transport on board the aircraft by crew members and passengers, subject to the required conditions, the following items and substances:
- in checked baggage in cargo and luggage compartments of an aircraft with isolated passenger access to luggage during the flight:
- crossbows, spearguns, checkers, sabers, cutlasses, scimitars, broadswords, swords, rapiers, bayonets, daggers, knives: hunting knives, knives with ejectable blades, with locking locks, simulators of any type of weapon;
- household knives (scissors) with a blade length over 60 mm; alcoholic drinks containing more than 24%, but not more than 70% alcohol by volume in containers with a capacity of no more than 5 liters, in containers intended for retail trade - no more than 5 liters per passenger;
- liquids and alcoholic drinks with an alcohol content by volume of no more than 24%;
- aerosols intended for use for sports or household purposes, the release valves of the cans are protected by caps from spontaneous release of the contents in containers with a capacity of no more than 0.5 kg or 500 ml - no more than 2 kg or 2 liters per passenger;
- in things carried by passengers:
- medical thermometer - one per passenger;
- mercury tonometer in a standard case - one per passenger;
- a mercury barometer or manometer, packed in a sealed container and sealed with the sender's seal;
- disposable lighters - one per passenger;
- dry ice for cooling perishable foods - no more than 2 kg per passenger;
- 3% hydrogen peroxide - no more than 100 ml per passenger;
- liquids, gels and aerosols classified as non-hazardous: in containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml (or equivalent capacity in other units of volume measurement), packed in a securely closed transparent plastic bag with a volume of no more than 1 liter - one bag per passenger.
Liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 ml are not accepted for transportation, even if the container is only partially filled. Exceptions to transportation include medications, baby food, and special dietary needs.
Liquids purchased from duty-free shops at the airport or on board an aircraft must be packaged in a securely sealed plastic bag that allows the contents of the bag to be identified during the flight and has reliable confirmation that the purchase was made at airport duty-free shops. or on board the aircraft on the day(s) of travel. Keep your receipt as proof of purchase. Do not open the package either before boarding or during the flight.
The administration of the airport, airline, or operator has the right to decide to introduce additional measures to ensure aviation security on high-risk flights, and as a result prohibit the transportation of the following items in the aircraft cabin:
- corkscrews;
- hypodermic needles (unless medical justification is provided);
- knitting needles;
- scissors with a blade length of less than 60 mm;
- folding (without lock) travel, pocket knives with a blade length of less than 60 mm.
Flight time
The flight to Cyprus is about 4 hours.
Upon arrival at Larnaca, Paphos airport
Upon arrival at Larnaca, Paphos airport, go straight to passport control. Next, follow the step-by-step instructions:
Attention! Not all transfers are accompanied by guides.
Important! During the period 05.11.2018 - 20.04.2019 due to the winter season, not all transfers are accompanied by guides.
Information support for tourists is provided by phone number indicated on the information envelope that guests receive upon arrival at Larnaca airport.
In the Paphos region, prompt customer service is provided only by telephone.
At the hotel
- Go to the reception, where you will be given a registration card.
- Fill out the registration card in English.
- Hand in the completed registration card, voucher (1 copy out of 3), foreign passport (the foreign passport will be returned to you after a photocopy is taken, check at the reception when you can pick up your passport).
- Wait for check-in. Check-in at the hotel occurs at 14:00-15:00. If you want to check into a room earlier than the specified time, you must pre-book a room a day before your arrival date (for example, you arrive in Cyprus at 5 am on September 10, so as not to wait until 14:00-15:00 for check-in, you can book a room not from September 10, but from September 9. In this case, you will be checked into your room as soon as you arrive at the hotel). Upon check-in, you will be given room keys.
- After checking into your room, review the information provided by the hotel. Pay attention to which services are paid and how much they cost (as a rule, the information is in a folder and lies on the table or bedside table).
Meeting with the hotel guide
The time of meeting with the hotel guide will be informed to you by the accompanying person (transferman) on the way to the hotel or by the TEZ TOUR representative at the airport if the transfer is carried out without a guide. At the appointed time, you must approach the hotel guide, who will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. To the meeting, take with you your passport, voucher, and return flight ticket.
If you have any questions or problems, please contact your hotel guide or the hotel reception. The guide’s coordinates (photo, name, mobile phone) and the hours when the guide is directly at the hotel are indicated on the TEZ TOUR information stand in the hotel lobby.
The day before your flight home
- Go to the reception and check if you have any unpaid bills for additional services (use of a minibar, telephone, etc.). If you have any debts, pay them.
- In the evening, go to the TEZ TOUR information stand or the hotel guide and check the departure and departure times from the hotel. To do this, you need to know the number of the return flight you are departing on.
Check out from the hotel
On the day of departure you must vacate your room and hand over your keys before 12:00.
You can leave your luggage in the hotel storage room.
To avoid various complications, please do not be late and arrive at the transfer at the specified time.
Arrival at Larnaca, Paphos airport for departure
- Upon arrival at the airport, luggage is weighed and packed immediately at the entrance (if desired, for an additional fee).
- Go to the check-in counter, where your flight number is indicated (the counter numbers will be additionally given to you by the attendant (transfer person) on the bus on the way to the airport).
- Check in for your flight (provide your passport and ticket).
- Drop your luggage at the front desk.
- Get your boarding pass. Pay attention to the gate number and time for boarding the plane (on the boarding pass the gate is indicated by the word GATE, the time - TIME).
- Go through passport control (provide your foreign passport).
- Proceed to the departure hall, where you will wait for the boarding announcement for your flight.
Useful information
Visa
From 05/04/2009, a simplified method of entry to Cyprus for citizens of the Russian Federation was introduced:
- tourists who have a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa and have made at least one trip to the country that issued this visa can enter Cyprus;
- obtaining a pro-visa through the Cyprus consulate when applying for a tourist package (single entry for a stay of up to 90 days).
Medical care
All medical care in Cyprus is paid, but if you have an insurance policy, the service is provided free of charge or with subsequent reimbursement of expenses in accordance with the insurance policy (see the memo attached to the insurance policy). If an insured event occurs, you must contact the insurance company by phone numbers specified in the insurance policy. Only if you directly inform the insurance company and coordinate your actions with it, will free (or with subsequent reimbursement of expenses) service be provided. If you plan to engage in extreme activities in Cyprus, then take out a special insurance policy.
First aid kit
Before your trip, prepare and take with you a first aid kit, which will help you with minor ailments, save you time searching for medicines and eliminate the problems of communicating in a foreign language; in addition, many medicines may have different names in different countries.
Transport
There are 3 types of bus services in Cyprus:
- city buses connecting city districts. They run from 06:00 to 19:00 with an interval of 20-30 minutes. One way fare is 1 euro;
- intercity buses run several times a day and connect cities;
- rural buses that connect villages with nearby towns.
There is also a classification Taxi. City taxis are equipped with taximeters and the price includes a landing fee. Day (06:00-20:30) and night (20:30-06:00) rates also apply. An additional fee is charged on holidays, as well as for each piece of baggage weighing more than 12 kg, waiting or being late.
Car rental
In Cyprus, traffic is on the left, Keep this in mind if you are planning to rent a car.
A car is rented to persons over 23 years of age and with at least 5 years of driving experience upon presentation of the following documents: driver's license, passport, credit card or a sufficient amount of cash for a mandatory deposit.
All cars have CASCO insurance. The minimum rental period is three days, the mileage is not limited. Make sure the car is fully insured, including headlights and glass. Gasoline is purchased independently, or the car can be provided with a full tank, in which case gasoline is paid additionally. In the event of an accident, the car must not be moved until the police arrive. The police may not speak Russian or English and you will not have the opportunity to explain your version of events, so you must immediately inform the company where you rented the car and the TEZ TOUR representative about what happened. Be sure to have your license, passport and car rental documents with you, as police checks are possible.
Stores
The shops have flexible opening hours; during the tourist season, many shops are open until late in the evening.
It is not customary to bargain in small shops and markets.
Souvenirs
The most popular purchases in Cyprus are handmade silver items, lace, icons, sweets (fruits in honey syrup, Shushuko (nuts in grape juice), Turkish delight), as well as olive oil, olives, wine, Halloumi cheese.
Time
Time in summer coincides with Moscow time, in winter it lags behind Moscow by 1 hour.
Money
The monetary unit of Cyprus is the euro. When importing another currency, it will need to be exchanged at exchange offices or banks. Bank branches are usually open on weekdays from 8:30 to 13:00.
Mains voltage
Mains voltage 220 V. Three-pin sockets with rectangular holes. To use your electrical appliances, you will need adapters, which can be purchased at any store or taken as a deposit (5-10 euros) at the hotel reception.
Religion
78% of the local population are Orthodox, 18% are Muslim.
Tips
As a rule, in restaurants and hotels in Cyprus, tips are included in the bill in the amount of 10%, so it is not necessary to leave them.
Customs
You can export up to $3,000 per person from Russia without obtaining a bank certificate. If you export up to $10,000 per person, the amount must be declared and passage is carried out through the red corridor; if over USD 10,000 per person, then you must have bank documents with you.
Duty-free import is allowed: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 22% vol., 2 liters of wine with an alcohol content of less than 22% vol., no more than 0.06 liters of perfume, not more than 0.25 liters of eau de toilette.
The import of drugs, bladed weapons and firearms, fruits, fresh flowers and birds, and animal products (meat, fish, eggs, honey) weighing more than 1 kg is prohibited.
The following items are prohibited for export from Cyprus: items from archaeological excavations (including stones), items found on the shore or at the bottom of the sea, antiquities and works of art, animals and birds.
- For drinking, it is recommended to use mineral water, which can be purchased in the hotel shops and bars;
- We recommend storing jewelry, money and documents in the safe located in the room or in the safe at the reception;
- It is recommended to hand over your room key to the hotel reception. If you lose your key, please notify the hotel immediately.
Phones
TOURISTS' ANSWERS:
Cyprus is a small island located in the Mediterranean Sea, divided into two parts, all tourism is concentrated on the Cypriot side, many call it Greek, although it has nothing to do with Greece, the second part is Turkish, there is no tourism as such, there are some offers in on the Internet, but how real this is, I can’t say for sure. Therefore, I will talk about Cyprus, which is known to many.
Is it worth going on holiday to Cyprus?
I would definitely say yes. This is a no-win destination for beach tourism. The weather here is always good, and the swimming season lasts quite a long time, so those who were unable to get to the sea in the summer can easily extend their warmth in the fall by purchasing a trip to Cyprus. And the undoubted advantage of the destination is that the flight here, if we talk about Moscow, takes 3 hours. Even those who do not tolerate the flight very well can afford to stay for such a short time for the sake of their own vacation. Mothers with small children, and especially infants, can fly to Cyprus completely calmly, since during the 3-hour flight, the children will not have time to get very tired and will not torment the surrounding passengers with their whims. Of course, all children are individual, but I assume that the average child is moderately active and curious.
In addition to quality beach holidays, Cyprus has great potential as a hotel base. I can’t say that the choice is very rich, but every tourist will find something to suit his taste and budget. There are hotels of world chains, ordinary simple hotels and apartments. By the way, in Cyprus you don’t have to worry about star rating, the service and conditions are good everywhere, the main thing is to choose based on the location: how many meters to walk to the sea, proximity to the necessary infrastructure and how noisy or calm it is around (this is especially true for the resort of Ayia Napa).
The hospitality of the local residents is what I would like to highlight. Against the backdrop of Europe, the contrast is felt; perhaps not everyone will agree with me, but this is my personal opinion. Cypriots are very attentive to tourists, both those who are directly involved in tourism activities and ordinary local residents. They always smile, are touched by small children walking towards them, and are ready to help at any moment - without knowing the tourist language. This is very attractive to them. A similar thing happens in restaurants; often, the owners of the establishments themselves are ready to serve their guest.
Absolutely everyone will feel comfortable in Cyprus. Here you have a choice of where to relax and what you need for a successful pastime on the island. Someone wants peace and tranquility, without noise and a lot of cars - please go to Paphos, Protaras or Ayia Napa. If you want proximity to the city, to life and movement, then welcome to Larnaca or Limassol. Active partygoers will also not be left out - the famous street of bars and discos in Ayia Napa is always happy to welcome new guests.
For those who like to travel, it will be great to rent a car in Cyprus and see all the places on the island; it won’t take much time, but you will be able to cover all the most interesting things in a very short period of time.
Which may upset those who are considering Cyprus as a holiday destination.
1. A very modest excursion program. In fact, only 15% of what is offered to tourists is worthy of attention; everything else can hardly be called a serious attraction. You can often hear dissatisfaction on the beach from those who wasted time and money on the excursion that the guides described so interestingly. Therefore, do not try to rush to watch everything that will be offered. It’s better to sit down before your trip and read what the tourists themselves advise - it will be much more productive, and most importantly, truthful. For example, an excursion to the Aphrodite baths sounds very beautiful, but in fact they are brought to Paphos, brought to the shore, opposite a small stone in the sea and the guide says that here the goddess Aphrodite herself once emerged from the waves of the sea and offers it to everyone who wants swim in this place, swim around this stone several times, and according to legend, such an action will give everyone youth and beauty.
2. Prices for tours. Cyprus was once worth very little money. And not only Cyprus, you say. But I think there should still be some kind of line. What can really upset and surprise you is the cost of the tour itself. In addition to the fact that prices on the island are not the lowest for everything, you will also have to pay a lot of money for your vacation. As a result, I’ll say that Cyprus has really gone up in price, even the simplest 3* hotel is expensive during the season. Just two years ago it was possible to fly for 10 days using the Fortuna system for 10,000 rubles per adult. And by paying another 5,000 on top, you can choose a very good hotel with breakfast and dinner. Now it’s at least 40,000 rubles, I would say that such a price still needs to be found.
3. Cyprus, due to its climatic features, does not have lush greenery, a large number of flowers, shrubs, trees, etc. The most beautiful time on the island is April and May, then hot summer comes and everything green turns into something yellow, dehydrated and very dry. On hotel grounds, of course, gardeners look after their gardens, but outside the situation is sad, especially in August, when you shouldn’t go outside from 12 to 16, as the heat is sweltering.
Aphrodite Beach in Paphos.
In general, despite the disadvantages, Cyprus is a great place to relax. In 2010, the island broke all records for the number of blue flags for the cleanliness of its beaches and sea water. In my opinion, this is a serious plus in favor of this direction, given that every year there are fewer and fewer resort places where it is pleasant to swim and sunbathe. And tourists have become more demanding about their holiday destination, and this is understandable. Prices have increased, and most destinations clearly do not correspond to the concept of price-quality.
Is the answer helpful?
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, which is ideal for a beach holiday in the summer season.In my opinion, Cyprus has many advantages over other tourist destinations, so anyone interested in a beach holiday should pay attention and consider it as a possible option.
Pros of holidays in Cyprus:
As I said above, Cyprus has a number of undeniable advantages, thanks to which it has become so popular among Russian tourists. Read more about them below:
- transport accessibility
Between May and October, a large number of tourists from Russia come to the island. In this regard, many flights fly to Cyprus - most of all, of course, from St. Petersburg and Moscow, but also from other cities in our country. We flew to Cyprus from St. Petersburg, so when purchasing tickets we were able to choose from two daily flights (one of them departs at 6:30 in the morning, the second in the afternoon). The planes fly big, ours had about 500 seats, so we had tickets for the flight even a week before departure. Another advantage of the flight is the flight time - if you fly from St. Petersburg or Moscow, you will spend no more than three to four hours in the air. We flew for about three and a half hours, so we weren’t tired at all.
- relatively low prices for holidays on the island
Speaking of low prices, I compare Cyprus primarily with Europe - for example, with Spain, popular among Russians. In general, prices in Cyprus will please you. Let me give you an example - two sun loungers and an umbrella on the beach in Tenerife (Canary Islands) cost us 15 euros per day, in Cyprus 6-7.5 euros (depending on the beach), banana boat ride in Spain cost 25 euros, in Cyprus - 10. In Cyprus we lived in a four-star hotel, but in Spain for the same money we would only have gotten a three-star hotel, not located on the first line. This list can be continued, but the main message is clear - prices for food, hotels and beach activities in Cyprus are significantly lower than in Spain, Italy, and often on the Greek islands.
- a huge number of Russian speakers on the island
Of course, for those who want to take a break from their compatriots, this can be a minus, but, in my opinion, this is a huge plus for those who do not speak or speak English poorly. Firstly, many Russians live in Cyprus, and secondly, some Cypriots are studying Russian. In almost any hotel and restaurant there will be a person who speaks Russian, which makes communication much easier. Also, the vast majority of restaurants have a Russian menu. In this regard, Cyprus is very convenient for holidays for the older generation - as a rule, older people do not speak foreign languages - in Cyprus they will not have to worry about this.
- some of the cleanest beaches in Europe
The beaches of Cyprus have repeatedly received the so-called “blue flags” - a quality mark awarded to beaches whose water is completely suitable for safe swimming - it is clean, does not contain dangerous bacteria and sewage, and the beach is equipped with everything necessary for relaxation - toilets, trash cans, The beach is regularly cleaned. The number of such beaches in Cyprus exceeds 50 - each resort has beaches that have received such an award.
- relatively mild climate
Even the summer temperature on the island rarely exceeds 35 degrees; the average summer temperature is 28-32 degrees, which ensures a comfortable stay. We were in Cyprus in August, which is considered one of the hottest months - the daytime temperature was around 30 degrees, so we did not suffer from terrible heat (compared, for example, with mainland Greece - the temperature remained there throughout our entire holiday 40 degrees - it was very difficult to be even on the beach, and there was no talk of excursions). Out of a two-week holiday in Cyprus, it was very hot for just a few days - the temperature was about 33-34 degrees, according to local residents, it was a “heat wave” that came from somewhere in the south.
- availability of attractions, as well as a fairly large selection of excursions
In Cyprus there are ancient monasteries, to which various excursions are organized (both for the whole day and for half a day), in addition there are a number of museums (archaeological museum, history museum, and so on). Plus, tourists are offered excursions around the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia (however, it takes quite a long time to get to it from all the resorts, since it is located in the center of the country). There are also trips for nature lovers - a tour of the Akamas Peninsula, which is a nature reserve, a donkey safari, and a yacht ride. In addition, tour operators and travel agencies organize trips to traditional villages, where you can get acquainted with the crafts that the inhabitants of the island continue to practice to this day. Thus, the choice is quite large, so everyone can find something to suit their taste.
- availability of entertainment for different ages
The Ayia Napa resort, popular among young people, can be visited by those who love bars, nightclubs and dancing until the morning - life there is in full swing, without stopping for a minute - crowds of young people walk there, get acquainted and have fun. For lovers of a more relaxing holiday, resorts such as Paphos and Protaras are intended. Children and teenagers will also find something to do in Cyprus - water parks are open for them (there is a water park in Paphos and Limassol). In addition, in resort towns there are quite a lot of equipped playgrounds that kids will love.
- friendly behavior of the locals
Despite the relatively low prices for holidays, Cyprus compares favorably with Turkey and Egypt in the behavior of local residents. In that part of the island where tourists are usually brought, Greek Cypriots live, whose behavior is very pleasing throughout the entire holiday - like Europeans, they treat tourists absolutely unobtrusively, with respect, not allowing any liberties in communicating with girls and women, but together with Moreover, they are very welcoming, friendly, and always ready to help tourists. Most restaurants have very pleasant service, the waiters are always interested in what you liked and what you didn’t, in general, they try to make your stay there as comfortable as possible. During the entire two-week vacation, we did not have a single conflict situation, and we never encountered rudeness or rudeness, which, of course, made us very happy.
- delicious food and large portions
Those who love to eat should also pay attention to Cyprus - firstly, the food there is very tasty - Greek cuisine includes both seafood and fish, as well as meat dishes. In addition, in all cafes and restaurants, the portions are simply huge - so those who like to eat a lot will be happy, and those who eat little can take one serving for two and save.*
Thus, Cyprus has a large number of undeniable advantages, which were described by me above. In my opinion, it is one of the best destinations for a summer beach holiday.
In conclusion, I would like to write a little about disadvantages of holidays in Cyprus. So, the disadvantages include:
- relatively few truly historical monuments
Most of the palaces and museums are located in the capital of the island - Nicosia, which takes a long time to get to. Resort towns have museums and archaeological parks, but they are usually small.
- quite tiring trips to monasteries
Above, I already mentioned the presence of ancient monasteries in Cyprus - it is also worth drawing your attention to the fact that they are located in the depths of the island, so it takes quite a long time to get to them, and due to the fact that most of them are located in the mountains, the road goes along serpentine roads, so the road can become very difficult for some.
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Cyprus is an island of love, a country that has absorbed and united the traditions and culture of Europe, Asia and Africa. Incredibly advantageous position
Cyprus's position in the Mediterranean has meant that it has changed hands several times throughout its history, remaining on the periphery of various empires, from Byzantium to the United Kingdom. As a result of many years of national liberation struggle, Cyprus still gained independence, but turned into an arena of clashes between the Greek and Turkish communities, which ultimately led to the division of the island into Greek and Turkish parts.
Aphrodite Island is the most common name for Cyprus. Cyprus is simply good in itself, without any far-fetched attractions (may the Cypriots forgive me for such free-thinking). The mild Mediterranean climate determines relatively warm weather in winter and dry, hot weather in summer. The island is not large in size, which makes it possible to explore many beautiful secluded corners. Life in Cyprus is calm and safe. Given the high standard of living, crime is extremely rare here. Since joining the European Union in 2004, analysts unanimously predicted an economic boom for this country. Just don’t be confused, my friends, Cyprus belongs to the euro zone, but is not a Schengen country. True, that same boom led Cyprus into a complete swamp, from which it will continue to emerge for many years. I always try to stay away from politics and financial issues, and the only thing I would like in this situation is that the economic crisis does not turn into an obstacle to tourists who want to explore the country.
Cyprus is a country for every taste. Everyone will find a city to their liking. Restless and reckless Ayia Napa, calm, comfortable and measured Paphos, almost a “Russian city” Limassol...
The attitude of Cypriots towards animals, and in particular towards cats, is also touching. Once a year, a real festival of gluttony happens in the Cat Monastery of St. Nicholas. On St. Nicholas Day, November 6, Cypriot fishermen traditionally donate their entire morning (first) catch to cats in the hope that for this godly deed the good Saint will help ensure that more fish are caught in their nets. According to legend, if a fisherman was stingy or cheated and did not give all the fish or, God forbid, did not give at all, then he will not have luck next year. This is such a sweet and fair holiday, such a good, touching tradition has developed in Cyprus!
Cyprus begins to bloom from the end of February - beginning of March. And just as Cyprus blooms, no other island blooms. The slopes of the hills and mountains are covered with incredible greenery of emerald color, flowers of absolutely fabulous shades bloom, creating magnificent, breathtaking landscapes. All nature rejoices, for her beautiful favorite Adonis returns to earth to the bright rays of the sun and golden Aphrodite.
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It’s definitely worth going on holiday to Cyprus. And there are several reasons for this. But the main flavor of the island is its vibrant cultural events. Throughout the year, the island hosts various events featuring local and international artists. A huge number of religious holidays and fairs make life on the island bright and colorful, and the characters of Cypriots - cheerful and life-loving.
Among the many cultural events, one should first of all highlight the wine festival, which is held every September in the city of Limassol on the territory of the city garden. As part of this holiday, concerts, fairs and even educational lectures are organized in Greek and English. Not a single holiday is complete without national Cypriot and Greek dances. Wine is served free of charge here. Thousands of locals and visitors to the island take part in this festival to have fun and get to know the Limassol Bacchus.
Carnivals are held in Limassol, and more recently in Paphos. During these holidays, colorful processions of masks, dances, and competitions for the best carnival costume are organized in cities. The holiday usually ends with a parade of decorated floats moving along the central streets of the cities. This action usually takes place on the last Sunday of Maslenitsa.
In May, every city on the island holds a flower exhibition, which includes parades and competitions for the best bouquet.
In addition to these holidays, the Orange Festival, which is held in Famagusta and Morphe, has long been especially popular in Cyprus.
Cypriots carefully preserve and honor the customs and traditions of their ancestors. The feast of Epiphany is celebrated with special solemnity in Cyprus. After the end of the service, all those present collect holy water in vessels that they bring from home specifically for this purpose, and also light a holy fire to bring it into their home. Therefore, this colorful holiday is called the Feast of the Holy Fire or Holy Light. In houses, a candle should be lit in every room in order to ward off all temptations and evil spirits with its fire. Holy water is sprinkled on vegetable gardens and vineyards. Returning home from church, the mistress of the house prepares traditional pancakes. There is a custom of throwing the first pancake on the roof of the house to drive away evil spirits.
As in Greece, one of the most solemn holidays in Cyprus is Easter and the day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which are celebrated with special religious feeling, solemnity and splendor. It will be interesting to watch the action.
On Good Friday the tombstone is taken out of the church. Before leaving the church, believers kneel and walk next to the tombstone, and the clergyman gives each one a flower with which the tombstone of Jesus is decorated. The iconostasis and all the icons in the church are covered with black or purple fabrics. On Saturday morning, the cloth covering the icons is removed and the church is decorated with festive ribbons. On the same day, housewives prepare the famous “flauns” - a traditional Cypriot Easter food that is sure to be present in every home. We are talking about a special type of Easter cake, the filling of which is a mixture of cheese, eggs and raisins. On Saturday evening, a fire is lit in the church yard and an effigy of Judas is burned. On Sunday afternoon the celebration and treats continue. The main traditional dish of this day is lamb roasted on a spit.
The next holiday that is worth visiting when traveling to Cyprus is the Feast of the Flood. It corresponds to the Feast of Pentecost or the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. The festival of the Flood itself has its roots in the era of the ancient ritual - Aphrodisias, dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite, rising from the depths of the waters. This is a water festival during which trade fairs, poetry competitions, various exhibitions of traditional crafts, as well as boat competitions are held on the embankments of the island's coastal cities. Once upon a time, for example, in Larnaca, the Flood festival was celebrated with unique splendor and solemnity. Merchants and traders from all over Cyprus and from Syria brought their goods here, and the city embankment was filled with trade tents and small shops during the holiday. Many different games and competitions attracted local residents and guests of the island.
In mountain villages and in villages that traditionally grow grapes, after harvesting, all residents together begin to make the famous palyuze (chuchkhel). “Hardzin” - the remains of squeezed grapes - is cooked in a large cauldron. To make the filling (sujiuko), take almond or walnut kernels and soak them in water. Then they string it on strings and attach these bundles to the two ends of a hanger, which is a large forked branch with a small knot at the end with which it is suspended. Then the strung nuts are dipped into thickened grape juice, after which they are dried. This procedure is repeated six to eight times. This joint work is a reason for communication and fun, so making a stuffed animal ends with a bright holiday.
In general, songs and dances occupy a special place in the life of Cypriots. Today in Cyprus, all kinds of excursions are organized for tourists, including watching show programs with national Cypriot dances. All Cypriot folk songs are divided into Akritian, folk couplets and epic songs. Akritan songs represent a living spiritual monument of folk art. The central idea of these songs is the idea of the heroic spirit and self-sacrifice, as characteristic features of the Cypriot soul. Cypriot couplets are purely folk poetry, reflecting the soul of the people themselves in every manifestation. At weddings, fairs, and holidays, poets of Cyprus enliven the atmosphere with their apt couplets.
In Cypriot folk dances, roles are very clearly distinguished - male and female. Men's dances are very dynamic, movements can sometimes be quite sharp. The clicking of heels keeps the rhythm, the bloomers flutter, the chest, dressed in a vest, proudly sticks out. The women's dance demonstrates modesty and submission. In pairs, women move in small steps, holding hands or holding scarves in their hands. In any case, Cypriot dance is always a demonstration of national flavor that will not leave you indifferent.
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Cyprus is, of course, worth going on holiday for many reasons!
- Firstly, this is the weather, 330-340 sunny days a year! The climate in Cyprus is considered one of the most favorable and moderate for health. Climatic and natural conditions contribute to maintaining good human immunity. Cyprus boasts iodine-rich sea air and clean mountain air!
- Also, this destination is ideal for families with children, because Cyprus is a very safe island, there is practically no crime here. Therefore, you can absolutely calmly come on vacation with your children and not worry that something might happen to them. As I said above, Cyprus has an amazing climate, so it will be especially useful for children to breathe in the fresh sea and mountain air. Also, hotels in Cyprus have animation groups, children's clubs, playgrounds, and swimming pools, so you can rest assured that children's holidays will be varied and interesting every day. On the island, almost every city has water parks that are open every day in the summer; children will simply be delighted!
- It is impossible not to mention separately the national cuisine of Cyprus. Restaurants and local taverns abound in seafood delicacies; here you can taste oysters, squid, octopus, salmon, shrimp, etc. The island is also famous for its love of meat products, so taverns, restaurants, and cafes offer different types of meat dishes to suit every taste. Don't forget about fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs all year round! And also delicious fresh bread, rolls with various fillings and sweet pastries are sold in local bakeries, which are located almost at every turn!
- Cyprus is also famous for its vineyards, so there are a lot of local wineries on the island that produce delicious wine. If you are a connoisseur of good and high-quality wine, then you definitely need to come to Cyprus!
What tourists need to know about Cyprus, the nuances of holidays in Cyprus, seasons and weather, what time is best to holiday in Cyprus.
Cyprus small, relatively compact and diverse island. Moreover, both in nature, landscapes and beaches, and in ethnic composition.
It will be useful for our tourists to know that, according to various estimates, up to 20 percent of the Russian-speaking population lives in Cyprus. This leaves a very strong imprint on the service sector. On the one hand, very Convenient communication in one language at, in a store or when checking into a hotel. On the other hand, you need to be prepared for the peculiarities of the Slavic mentality. True, it seems that our people in the service sector leave most of their bad habits at home; there won’t be any big problems.
Beach season in Cyprus lasts from April 1 to October 31, there is practically no spring and autumn, the season is usually hot. The air temperature these days stays around +30, the hottest months are July-August, the temperature at this time rises to +35-40 degrees.
Best months for vacation– mid-May – mid-June and mid-September – end of October, at this time it is already/still warm and there are not many tourists. For walks along the sea, bike rides and lunches in Cypriot taverns, the best time is March - April. In winter, Cyprus turns into the Mediterranean capital of SPA treatments - many local hotels offer quality wellness services.
Traffic in Cyprus It’s left-handed, but getting used to it and driving a car here is much easier than writing with your left hand, it’s been tested more than once.
Best holiday format in Cyprus is a combination of beach pleasures and car trips around the island.
Currency of the island of Cyprus– euro; since 2007, the Cypriot pound has ceased circulation and given way to the European currency.
For holidays in Cyprus Citizens of Russia and Ukraine need a visa, a Cyprus visa is called a pro-visa and can be obtained directly at the airport, holders of multiple-entry Schengen visas can travel around Cyprus without restrictions.
Holidays in Cyprus cheaper than in Europe, prices are comparable to prices in Moscow, for example.
Book hotels and other accommodation in Cyprus needed in advance. Even at the beginning of the season, the best hotels and apartments are sold out.
All Cyprus beaches municipal, even if there is a cool 5* hotel on the shore, everyone can use the beach regardless of their status of residence. Sunbeds and umbrellas are paid, the price is the same throughout Cyprus - 2.50 euros for each unit.
Best beaches are located in Ayia Napa and Protaras. Business is concentrated in the capital of Nicosia and Limassol; Larnaca is focused on budget holidays and holidays with children, just like Paphos.