Best Family Beach Vacation

Welcome to Cyprus, an island of legends that basks year-round in the light of the warm Mediterranean sun. A storied past 10,000 years long has seen civilizations come and go and the likes of everyone from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra stake their claim here - but then, people do tend to get possessive when faced with such beauty. Aphrodite made her home on Cyprus, and travellers throughout antiquity came here just to pay her tribute.

Today Cyprus is a modern country that effortlessly marries European culture with ancient enchantment. Here you will discover a compact world of alluring beaches and fragrant mountain peaks, vineyards studded with olive trees and ancient ruins that stir the imagination, citrus groves and old stone villages where sweet wine flows as freely as conversations at the local café. A carefree place where a sense of timelessness is magnified by the kindness of the people. This official website of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation is designed to be your electronic entry to the quiet beauty of Cyprus in all its dimensions. Step inside for an in-depth look at an island that is as exotic as you imagine - and more accessible than you might think.

Practical Info

Climate: Cyprus enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate, with long dry summers from mid-May to mid-October and with mild winters from December to February which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons. Summer is a season of high temperatures with cloudless skies, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere in the coastal areas. Winters are mild with some rain and snow on Troodos Mountains (usually starting before Christmas). In Cyprus there is abundant sunshine as indicated in the tables above. Even in December and January, there is an average of six hours of bright sunshine per day.

Public Holidays: The following is a list of public holidays for 2006 as celebrated in Cyprus.

Jan 1 2006: New Year’s Day.
Jan 6: Epiphany.
Mar 6: Green Monday.
Mar 25: Greek National Day.
Apr 1: Greek Cypriot National Day.
Apr 21: Greek Orthodox Good Friday.
Apr 24: Greek Orthodox Easter Monday.
May 1: Labour Day.
June 12: Pentecost (Kataklysmos).
Aug 15: Assumption.
Oct 1: Cyprus Independence Day.
Oct 28: Greek National Day (Ochi Day).
Dec 24-26: Christmas.

Who requires a visa?
Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, Other EU, Japan for a stay of up to 90 days;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Korea (Rep), Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela, and Special Administrative Regions of the Peoples’ Republic of China: Hong Kong and Macao for a stay of up to 90 days;
(c) transit passengers continuing their onward journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

What documents will be required?
Passport valid for at least 6 months required by all except:
1. nationals of EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who hold a valid national identity card with the bearer’s photograph. Passports must be valid for 3 months after day of departure for visitors not requiring visas. Those requiring visas must have passports valid for 6 months from date of intended stay;
2. holders of: (a) Laissez-passer issued by the United Nations. Nationals of Egypt and Israel can enter Cyprus with a Laissez-passer provided they hold an entry permit previously obtained by the Immigration Department in Nicosia. (b) Travel documents issued by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to Cypriot nationals. (c) Documents issued to stateless persons and recognised refugees.

Paphos

- Home To Aphrodite, Adonis, Dionysus, and Lucky Mortals

Paphos, a small charming harbour town, on the west of the island, which has been, during certain times in antiquity, the capital of Cyprus, has a history which goes back literally thousands of years, and has always attracted visitors from the rest of the island and abroad.

From the modern town centre to the picturesque harbour and, stretching across the coastline, lie innumerable ancient sites which not surprisingly have now been included in UNESCO's list of World Cultural Heritage sites. After all, this is the birthplace and centre of worship of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty and the whole area retains some of this magic.

Bordered by a lovely coastline, the Paphos area has charming villages in its mountains, here life has gone unchanged over the years, where the customs and traditions of the country have been kept alivc because that is ow it has always been. And in the heartland, are famous monasteries such as Ayios Neophytos and Chrysoroyiatissa with modern day pilgrims.