*** C Y P R U S ***
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- Location: East Mediterranean Sea
- Native language: Greek-Cypriot
- 1st Foreign language spoken: English
- Currency: £ -POUND, CENTS (1.00 Cyprus pound = 0.80 British pound)
- Population: ~600,000
- Climate: warm to hot, to very hot!
- Temperatures: ~15°C to ~40°C (~70°F to ~90°F)
- Sun level burn: high between 11:00am to 3:00pm
- Mountain height: ~1200m
Cyprus is a lovely, HOT little island in the beautiful Mediterranian Sea. Sunshine
all year long(except few days), colorful beaches, nice site seeing and most of
all the hospitality is a must! Food? Don't even ask! When you go there you'll see
what I mean...
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** Cities, Towns, Areas & Things Not to Miss... **
Nicosia: (the capital city built around fort-like city walls)
- "Laiki-Gitonia" & city centre area (Lidra, Onasagorou, Makariou Streets with
food & shopping)
- Nicosia Museum
- The "Green-line" which parted Cyprus because of the Turkish invasion (in 1974,
(and the north part is still under Turkish occupation)
Troodos Mountain: (lots of villages on the way, good food, nice site seeing)
- Don't miss "Kakopetria" village, have lunch there (SOUVLA, you'll notice it!)
- Close to Kakopetria, you can also try "Drousia Tavern/Restaurant"!
- Alona village (nice & original tradition if you have time to go and don't miss
walking through the village passages!)
- See the "Agrina", a wild goat-like animal, a symbol of Cyprus
- There are a few "paths" for walking on the top of Troodos mountain. Try them,
a hard but beautiful one is "Kalidonia Falls" ~3 km long(use the "Platres"
side of the walk -easier & 1/2km to get to falls. Others are 4-7km.
- Platres & Pedoulas villages are also nice to see(and walk through).
- Kykkos or Macheras monasteries (in opposite directions).
Larnaca: (nice beaches, restaurants, night-life)
- don't miss the "Palm Trees road" (centre of city by the beach) walk through
it late-afternoon or evening and go to the harbour as well
Limassol: (has many old ruins and digs of ancient cities/forts)
- Kolossi Castle (an old castle -renovated)
- Go for the long beach "board walk" (romantic especially in evening)
- Kourion (ancient city-kingdom)
- Kolossi Castle (a medieval fortress)
Paphos: (very rich in old ruins and site seeing)
- Byzantine castle of Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings, St. Paul's Pillar and the
Temple of Aphrodite (the goddess of love and beauty)
- Polis and Latchi villages (popular for their beaches, are also nice to tour
and have very good fish taverns)
- Aphrodite's baths (you can get there yourself)
- Adoni's baths (it could be hard, jeep may be needed, tours provided)
- Paphos Safari in "AKAMAS" area (can't go yourself, must hire a group
Jeep tour from a company doing this -ask for safari tours in Paphos or the C.T.O)
* NOTE: All main cities have museums, churches, sites, etc. Your best bet is once you
get to Cyprus, ask for the "Cyprus Tourism Organisation"(C.T.O) which will fill you with
all details you need. Of cousre, all hotels have tourist info but not as rich as "C.T.O"
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** What FOOD/DRINK you should NOT miss **
Cyprus has a lot of taverns of traditional Cypriot food. All sorts of meat and fish.
I won't open your appetite now, you should go visit and find out yourself!
What is widely known is something called "MEZE" ("me-ze", "e" as in berry). What it is,
I won't tell you! The following are a few top "selected" food taverns found in various
cities/towns around Cyprus (and which I visit myself !):
- Zanettos Tavern (old area) or Laiki-Gitonia
- Location: Nicosia
- Type: Meat (meze)
- Price: Fair
- Quality: Very Good
- Olymbos Restaurant (5min before Troodos, driving from Nicosia)
- Location: Troodos
- Type: Meat Souvla (pork,lamb,chicken) or Try "Trout" fish (river)
- Price: Fair
- Quality: Very Good
- Varoshiotis Restaurants or the one next to it
- Location: Larnaca
- Type: Fish (meze)
- Price: High
- Quality: Very Good
- Glaros Restaurant
- Location: Limassol
- Type: Fish (meze)
- Price: Fair
- Quality: Very Good
- Any place at the Harbour
- Location: Paphos
- Type: Fish or specific (octopus, squids, etc.)
- Price: Fair
- Quality: Good
* NOTE: there are lots of other taverns & restaurants that are also popular,
some cheap, some expensive. Wherever else you go, it is probable for comparison to
the list above, but that is what you will find out.
- Tip: If Cypriots eat there, it's GOOD!
- Fast-Food NOT to miss
- "SOUVLAKIA-SHIEFTALIES in Pitta-Bread" are almost everywhere in Cyprus.
The difference is in quality pork meat and cooking. If you go to restaurants
like in the previous list, you'll have it.
- "GYRO" is another very popular fast-food which varies in a few types
also found all-over Cyprus.
- Drinks NOT to miss
- KEO BEER, the only local beer
- ZIVANIA, alcohol drink not to be missed (also local)
- Try Cyprus wines (local brewed)
You'll find all types of other refreshments and alcohol
- Fun/Going Out
- Bars, Cafe's & Clubs are everywhere especially in main cities
- "Kellari" in Nicosia (tavern with local music) is a nice example and a good
choice for having local music accompanied with famous Cypriot food!
There are many taverns like the one noted above in other cities like Limassol,
AgiaNapa, Protaras, Paralimni, Larnaca, Paphos and other. They vary from prices
and service.
** Final Tips **
- Get a map!
- Try and get in touch with C.T.O. (for tourist info)
- No good transport in Cyprus, only Taxi's -better off renting a car (~6-35 pounds/day)
- Have water & a cap with you!
- Small kiosks, mini-marts & supermarkets are everywhere (12-24hrs/day), big
supermarkets are cheaper
- High-way speed limit: 100km, in town: 50km (don't drink & drive)
- Protaras -good areas for diving and/or swimming (the most clear waters)
- Service tips ~2 pounds (mostly at restaurants left on the table)
- Tour around. There's nothing to fear in Cyprus. Ask anyone for anything.
* * * HAVE FUN ! * * *
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