Religion

The Greeks are Greek Orthodox Christian which represents 78% of the population, while the Turks are Muslim and represent 18% of the population. Maronite, Armenian, Apostolic, Latin and others account for 4%.

Languages

The official languages are Greek and Turkish, with English often used as a second language and widely understood and spoken by both ethnic groups.

Currency

The official currency in Cyprus is the Cyprus Pound (CYP).

Electricity

Throughout Cyprus, the voltage is supplied at 220/240 volts AC, supplied at 50Hz. Plugs at 5 amps or 13 amps are generally the same as the British with 3 pins. However, 2 pin plugs are also used at times. Most anit-mosquito machines are fitted with the continental 2 pin plug, so an adaptor is needed. These are available in supermarkets, grocery shops and so on..

Time

Cyprus is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC), and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). The clocks go forward one hour for summer time at 3am on the last Sunday in March, and back again at 3am on the last Sunday in October.

Water

Water is a valuable commodity here in Cyprus and there can sometimes be a shortage during the summer. Please try to conserve water and not leave taps running. Drinking water comes out of the single tap in the kitchen and is drinkable; however, you can buy bottled mineral water at any local grocery shop if required.
Water rationing does occur occasionally so it may be useful to store some drinking water in the fridge. During water cuts there will be no water from the single tap and the washing machine will not work. There will be the existing supply in the tank for washing and toilets. Please notify your El/De Holidays personal assistant if water has not returned within 24 hours.

Eating out

Cypriot cuisine includes a mouth watering array of dishes that have been influenced from both Greece and the Middle East.
You will recognise some of these dishes as they are more and more becoming household names, others you may not recognise but half the fun of going on holiday is to sample the local dishes.

A Meze is a great way of introducing yourselves to the many varied dishes that make up the Cyprus cuisine. A Meze can be made up to 20 dishes, starting with salad, local bread and dips, ending with grilled meats. Most Tavernas will also offer a fish Meze.
Originally, the idea of a Meze was to give snacks to go with drinks, but over the years this has expanded to it's present state whereby you can sample the various styles of cuisine in Cyprus. Unlike Greece, this version is a meal in itself and not just a starter.
A Meze is designed to be eaten over a period of time, it is never rushed, time is taken to savour the experience, chatting and drinking between courses.

Service and Taxes
Cyprus Tourist Board regulations state that the service and VAT should be included in the bill.

Tipping
Tipping is a personal thing, because of the 10% service charge in hotels and restaurants, a tip is not obligatory. But if the service is excellent a tip is always welcome.

Driving

To see Cyprus, one of the best, easiest and relaxing ways is to hire a car. In Cyprus they drive on the left hand side of the road, as in the UK, and all road signs are in English as well as in Greek. Once out of the towns the roads tend to be very quiet, compared to the UK, and there is also a motorway connecting the main cities and towns, for example Paphos, Limassol, Nicosia and Larnaca. This makes it very quick, as well as easy, to move around the island.

You are able to go where you want, whatever time you want, come back as early or as late as you want. For the explorers out there it also gives you the freedom to discover new place, little mountain villages, that maybe tourists don't normally visit, or tour companies don't go.

Visitors in Cyprus can drive using a valid International driving licence, or their National driving licence, provided it is valid for the class of vehicle they wish to drive.

Local Climate

Cyprus enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with plentiful sunshine all year round. The summers are long and dry, the winters are mild and autumn and spring seasons are shot. The highest temperatures are during the summer months when there is normally not a cloud in the sky. During the mild winters there is some rain and also snow can be found in the Troodos Mountains. Cyprus, in fact, has the ideal climate. Very rarely will extreme temperatures be reached.

Summer
Summer begins in May and goes through to October. You will find high temperatures, cloudless skies and cooling breezes from the sea. It is the best season for sunbathing, swimming and water sports of all kinds. It is recommended, if visiting archaeological sites, to visit them either in the morning or in the late afternoon, in order to avoid the heat of the midday sun.

Autumn
The evenings begin to get cooler towards the end of October. However, even in November temperatures can still feel like summer, and it is possible to enjoy swimming as well as excursions without being too hot or cold.

Winter
Winter begins December through to February. During these months you are most likely to see rain, however there is still an average of six hours of sunshine a day. At this time of year many Mediterranean resorts close down, but not Cyprus. The cultural calendar is still very active and it often snows in the Troodos Mountains, which also makes skiing a possibility.

Spring
Spring slowly begins to set in during January, but comes into full force April time. This is the best time of year for hiking and off-road adventures due to pleasant daytime temperatures