Cyprus holiday rentals villas and apartments for let in cyprus

Holiday Lettings Cyprus

Overview
Cyprus is a deeply enjoyable holiday island that boasts myriad charms all year round.

The story of the island can be traced back over 10,000 years. Like many Mediterranean islands, Cyprus has long been seen as an important strategic base with various civilisations having swept through over the years from the Ottoman Turks to the British, the Greeks to the Romans.

While independence was achieved in August 1960, in 1974 Turkish troops arrived on the northern coast of Cyprus, having been ‘invited' by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, to intervene in order to protect the Turkish community. Since the Turkish army took control of the northern third of the island it has remained partitioned and UN peacekeeping forces maintain a truce between the two sides with all attempts to date to find a solution failing.

Cyprus as a destination is not just about its (admittedly very attractive and impressively clean) beaches, as it also offers skiing and hiking in its voluminous mountains, charming hilltop villages and vine-blessed slopes with nearby towns where you can sample the seriously underrated Cypriot wine. Then there is the sweep of Roman and Greek remnants that scatter the island and sit dramatically amongst its coast and mountains. Moving into the towns and cities, there is a dash of Mediterranean swagger to go with the bright lights and buzzing nightlife.

Despite its political problems, Cyprus is a modern country that effortlessly marries European culture with indelible links to the past. Here, visitors will discover a compact world of clean beaches and rugged mountain peaks, vineyards studded with olive trees and ancient ruins that stir the imagination, citrus groves and old stone villages where 21st-century Europe seems a very long way away indeed.

General Information
Time - GMT + 2 hours
Capital - Nicosia (Lefkosia).
Geography - 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 1,952m (6,400ft) and provide skiing during the winter. Between these and the range of hills which run eastward along the north coast and the ‘panhandle' is the fertile Messaoria Plain. The Morphou Basin runs around the coast of Morphou Bay in the west.
Government - Republic since 1960. Head of State and Government: President Tassos Papadopoulos since 2003.
Recent History - The majority of the international community recognises the Greek-Cypriot administration in Nicosia as the legitimate government of the Republic of Cyprus. Until 2003, this had been led for a decade by Glafkos Clerides, who was then deposed by Tassos Papadopoulos, candidate of the centre-right Komma Dimokratiko (Democratic Party). The present government is a coalition of DIKO, AKEL (the Communist Party which has long been the single largest force) and the smaller KISOS party.
The northern occupied part of the island is run by Mehmet Ali Talet, who was elected leader of the Turkish Cypriot community in 2005. President Papadopoulos oversaw the Republic of Cyprus' entry into the European Union in 2004 despite the absence of a political settlement between the two parts of the island. (This had previously been a precondition of Cypriot entry). The principal issue for the Greek-Cypriot government remains the same; how to reunify the island.
Language - The majority (approximately 80%) speaks Greek and approximately 11% speak Turkish. The Greek Cypriot dialect is different from mainland Greek. Turkish is spoken by Turkish Cypriots. English, German and French are also spoken in tourist centres.
Religion - Greek Orthodox.
Electricity - 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square 13-amp three-pin plugs (UK-type) are used.
Social Conventions - Respect should be shown for religious beliefs. It is customary to shake hands and other normal courtesies should be observed. It is viewed as impolite to refuse an offer of Greek coffee or a cold drink. It is acceptable to bring a small gift of wine or confectionery, particularly when invited for a meal. For most occasions, casual attire is acceptable. Beachwear should be confined to the beach or poolside. More formal wear is required for business and in more exclusive dining rooms, social functions etc. Photography: Photography is forbidden near military camps or installations. A licence from the appropriate authorities is required to photograph museum artefacts - this can sometimes be purchased from the museum's ticket desk. No flash photography is allowed in churches with murals or icons.
Currency - Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Cyprus Pound (CYP; symbol C£) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of C£20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Note: Cyprus is in the process of adopting the Euro. The official conversion rate, effective from 1 January 2008, has been set at €1 to C£0.585274. From 1 February 2008, the Cyprus Pound will cease to be legal tender.
Currency Exchange - Visitors wishing to obtain non-Cypriot currency at Cypriot banks for business purposes are advised that this is only possible by prior arrangement.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs - All major credit cards are accepted at most places. There are ATMs in main towns and tourist areas.
Traveller's Cheques - May be cashed in all banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling or Euros.
Banking Hours - Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1230 in June, July and August; Mon-Fri 0815-1230 and Mon 1515-1645 rest of year. Certain central banks may also open Tues-Fri in the afternoon. Banks in Larnaca and at Pafos International Airport are open all day.

Road Travel - Traffic drives on the left.
Bus - Services connect all towns and villages on the island every day except Sunday and public holidays (limited services only). The main operators include Inter City Buses (tel: (24) 643 492; website: www.intercitybuses.com) and Nicosia Buses (tel: (22) 778 841; website: www.nicosiabuses.com.cy). Rural buses: Limited to one or two services each day and can be slow; however, they are a good way of seeing the more remote villages.
Taxi - These run 24 hours between all the main towns on the island. Fares are regulated by the government and all taxis have meters. Rural taxis can only be hired from the base station and do not have a meter.
Car hire - Cars are one of the best ways to explore the island. They should be reserved well in advance during the summer season.
Motorcycles - Riders and pillion passengers must wear crash helmets if the motorcycle is over 50cc.
Motoring Regulations - The minimum driving age is 18, but drivers often need to be 21 years old to hire a car. The maximum speed limit is 100kph (63mph) on highways, 80kph (50mph) on most other roads and 50kph (32mph) in built-up areas. Road signs are in both Greek and English. There are strict repercussions for those not wearing seatbelts or a crash helmet, using a mobile telephone or under the influence of alcohol whilst driving.
Documentation - : An International Driving Permit or national driving licence is valid for one year. Visitors wishing to bring their car to Cyprus can do so for up to three months provided the car has a valid registration licence for its country of origin.
Getting Around Towns and Cities - Nicosia Buses operates an efficient service in the capital. Services in Limassol are run by the Limassol Urban Bus Company (E.A.L.) Limited. Smaller operations service other Cypriot towns and cities, though few services are frequent or used often by tourists. Taxis are widely available: a 15% surcharge is in operation from 2300-0600. Tipping is expected.

Communication
Telephone - Country code: +357. Telecard (C£3, 5 or 10 denominations) or coin-operated public telephones are installed at various central locations in towns and villages. Call Direct (cheaper than ordinary collect calls) is available to most EU countries, as well as Australia, USA and Canada.
Mobile Telephone - Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.
Internet - Internet cafes are located in main towns and resorts, for instance, Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, Pafos and Agia Napa.
Post - There are daily airmail services to all developed countries. Service within Europe takes three to four days. District post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1500-1800 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the winter period (1 Sep to 30 Jun); Mon-Fri 0730-1330 and 1600-1900 except Wednesday, Sat 0830-1030 during the summer period (1 Jul to 31 Aug). Other post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1330, Thurs 1500-1800 at other times.
Media - The Cypriot media reflects the island's political divide, with the Turkish-controlled zone in the north operating its own press and broadcasters. State-run services compete with a large number of private TV and radio stations. Relays of Greek and Turkish stations are available across the island. Newspapers on both sides of the divide are frequently critical of the authorities.
Press - Newspapers published in English include the Cyprus Financial Mirror, Cyprus Mail (daily), Cyprus Today (Turkish Cypriot) and Cyprus Weekly. Simirini is in Greek, while Kibris Gazette is in Turkish. Most English papers are available.
Television - The public Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) operates channels RIK 1 and RIK 2. In northern Cyprus, Bayrak Radio-TV operates channels BRT 1 and BRT 2.
Radio - Radio 1 (in Greek), Radio 2 (in English, Turkish and Armenian), Radio 3 (in Greek) and Love Radio are operated by CyBC. Commercial stations include Radio Proto and Astra 92.8. Bayrak Radio-TV operates Bayrak Radio 1 (in Turkish), Bayrak International (in English), Bayrak FM and Bayrak Klasik. In addition, the CTO sponsors programmes for tourists Mon-Sat on 603kHz (498m) and FM94.8. The times are as follows: German 0800; English 0830; French 0900; Swedish 0930; Arabic 1000.

Public Holidays 2008

1 Jan New Year's 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.

We would like to express our appreciation to www.worldtravelguide.net for the above information. Neither holidaylettingscyprus.com nor www.worldtravelguide.net take any responsibility for any changes that may take place to this information.

Holiday Lettings Cyprus
Larnaca
Tel. 00357 99490473 or 00357 99379316