Into early February there is occasional rain, and often snow in the Troodos - ideal for skiing!
IF YOU GO • The currency of the Republic is the Cyprus pound - CY£, which is divided into 100 cents. • Driving in Cyprus is most advisable as regular transport service is not available to all remote areas where many places of interest are to be found. Fairly good surfaced roads complying with international traffic requirements link the towns and the various villages. Four lane motorways connect the capital, Lefkosia with the coastal towns of Lemesos, Larnaka and one part of Pafos. • Visitors wishing to bring their car to Cyprus can do so, for a period up to 3 months provided the car has a valid registration licence of its country of origin. The period may be extended accordingly, provided the person is considered a visitor by the Department of Customs & Excise. • During driving, the driver should take all necessary measures, so that his/her hands are free at all times in order to have full control of the vehicle. Therefore the use of a mobile phone is strictly prohibited. • Crime in Cyprus is, comparatively, at a very low level. The Police are always ready to assist anyone who needs help. In case of emergency, one may telephone 199
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or 112 (in all towns). All policemen speak good English. • Greek and Turkish are the official languages. English is widely spoken. French and German are also spoken within the tourism industry. • A 10% service charge is normally included in hotel and catering establishments. Additional tipping is at the discretion of the customer and it is a gesture which is appreciated by the employees. Taxi-drivers, porters, hairdressers etc., always appreciate a small tip. • The supply in Cyprus is 240 volts, a.c. 50Hz. Sockets are usually 13 amp, square-pin in most buildings. More than one low current rating appliance may be operated from the same supply point, by using an adaptor (i.e. radios, electric clocks etc.). For visa and other information visit www. visitcyprus.org or call the Cyprus Tourist Office at Al Ghurair City, Office Tower, 436B P.O Box 94670 Deira-Dubai, UAE Tel. (009714) 22 77637 Fax: (009714) 22 77638. E-mail: tourism@cyprusme. com or www.cyprusme.com.
of rain, but still an average of six hours of bright sunshine a day. This is the time of year when smaller Mediterranean destinations shut down for the season, but not so Cyprus. The island is a major business centre and has many important heritage sites and museums, all at their least crowded in winter. The cultural calendar is also alive and well throughout the winter, with new events coming all the time. The summer resort of Agia Napa, for example, offers a “Cultural Winter” with classical music concerts and modern and folkloric dance performances.
Spring Delights The first orchids bloom in January in Cyprus, and by mid-February the countryside is already alive with fresh green meadows and almond trees in bloom. March days can still be cool (daytime temperatures around 19C or 65F, 9C or 40F at night) but steadily moderate. Early spring is a wonderful time to visit to Cyprus, with pleasant daytime temperatures and many of the ancient ruins framed by a carpet of red anemones and other wildflowers. In April and into the middle of May spring is in full force. This is an ideal time for nature hikes and off-road adventures in the pristine Akamas Peninsula. Cyprus has 1,950 species of flowering plants, 140 of which grow nowhere else but on the island, and in the Akamas alone, there are 700 plant species, of which 40 are endemic. From February to April, pink cyclamen sprouts up from rocky foothills and thickets and forms a riveting adornment to the Baths of Aphrodite. From March to April, the pink wavy-leaved monkey orchid (Orchis italica) grows in dense patches around Pafos. If in summer Cyprus is the place to bask in the sun, then spring is the time to savor the natural beauty of the island in bloom.