Cyprus-Forum.com

[Kikapu]

After 43 years of being away from my birthplace, Cyprus, I have decided to come for a visit with my girlfriend for 2 weeks in April. I've heard rumours, that it has changed a little, since 1964, so there are few things I need to know. We will be mostly in the RoC.

When ever we travel overseas, we rent a car and set off on a more or less plan, to see as much of the country as possible. We find hotels / motels / bed & breakfast as needed along the way. If we like the places, we stay a little longer, before moving on. We love the Ocean, but not really a beach person, so no laying around the beach, roasting with self basting sun tan lotion.!

Questions are.

Is it better to stay in 2-3 places in the RoC and just do day trips in that region.?

Which 2-3 places would you recommend, to be able to see most of the RoC ?

Arriving at a place to stay for the night, are prices posted, so that we don't get ripped off ?

Are other currencies accepted, in shops and restaurants, such as Euro's .?

Are ATM machines available everywhere.?

Do's & Don'ts as a TC amongst GC's ?

Is English spoken, away from the touristy areas.?

Are the tax and tips included in the menu's, at restaurants. If not, what % for tipping.?

What places and services are tipped.?

Can I get a RoC passport within few days.?

What is the rate to hire a lawyer / land assessor for few hours, around Nicosia ?

I'll think of more questions later, I'm sure, but what ever you can add, we'll be much appreciate it. My girlfriend will no doubt go through the Guide book throughly, but it helps to get the info from the locals, at first hand.

Thanks.

[joanna]

Cyprus hasnt changed a little, its changed a lot!!! form the land to the sky as we say in Cyprus. Everything is different so dont think you are going to be seeing anything familiar im affraid. English is spoken practically everywhere. Im not going to lie to you, its deff better not to be speaking Turkish. No-one will be horrible to you, but you have to accept that there are still wounds that havent healed if you know what i mean. As for prices, tax is included in all prices and for tipping , tip what you feel like, i do. As far as i know other currencies are not accepted. For accomodation i think in the major hotels the prices are pretty standard, expect to pay between 80-110 for a double room this time of year, not sure about April. Prices arent posted so look up a few on the net for prices before you go. Limassol is a good place to be, paphos is a nice place to go for the day, baths of Aphrodite, Latchi, polis, harbour etc. Passports arent too difficult to get in Cyprus so long as you are antitled to one and have all the paper work ready, but you can guarantee that the one piece of paper you dont have with you, is the one they will need (same goes for all governmental offices). Hope the above is helpfull to you both and have a lovely trip.

[Svetlana]

Hi Kikapu

You might want to consider staying in Limassol, then virtually all of the RoC is within 90 minutes reach. It also has good shops/restaurants etc.
Personally, I do not find Nicosia very interesting but you will find Paphos worth a visit - also the east coast - which has good beaches.

There are various cultural sites - the Currium etc. The weather should be pretty good by April; it is a nice time of the year, it is still green from the Winter rains but pleasantly warm.

Hotel prices are rarely displayed; just ask. Some shops may accept Euros but you will be better off using CY£ esepcially if you venture out to the village tavernas - which are a must! ATM machines in all towns and large villages. Banks shut in the afternoons; shops close Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Not sure about attitudes to TC; just speak English the whole time! Only in remote villages is English not spoken; many, many hotel workers/restauarant staff will be able to speak English but not Greek.
We do not have much 'Service Charges' here, I just tip whatever seems appropriate, from 5-10%. I tip only in restaurants/tavernas and taxis. Taxing riding is pretty scary here but not as bad as in Istanbul! They are required by law to use the meter; refuse to pay if they do not.

Not sure about Passports/Lawyers Fees.



Lana

[Kikapu]

Joanna & Lana,

Thanks for all the info. You both get a Gold Star.

If all of RoC is reachable within 90 minutes by car from Limmasol, perhaps it would make sense to rent a one bedroom apartment there, and not deal with the hotels at all. Any ideas on a good agency in Limmasol for rentals.?

Caltural sights are winners with us, so if anyone else can think of good locations to visit, please write them down.

Thanks for the "heads-up" on speaking Turkish. Actually, My girlfriend is Swiss, so we only speak English together anyway, so I don't think I will be speaking too much Turkish with anyone, but if it comes up in a conversation with the locals, because of my name, I will not hide it either.

Thanks again.

[Sotos]

Is it better to stay in 2-3 places in the RoC and just do day trips in that region.?

As Lana said you can stay just in Limassol. But if you want to move around then stay in Limassol, Paphos and Nicosia.

Arriving at a place to stay for the night, are prices posted, so that we don't get ripped off ?

Rarely. What I do is use the yellow pages and call them first. I ask them about the price and also ask if they can make me a better price. I call 3-4 places and then decide.

Are other currencies accepted, in shops and restaurants, such as Euro's .?

In the tourist areas some shops might accept Euros and dollars. But it is better if you have Cyprus pounds since if you give a foreign currency you will end up paying more.

Are ATM machines available everywhere.?

Everywhere in the cities and the big villages.

Do's & Don'ts as a TC amongst GC's ?

Don't wave the "trnc" flag. Don't support the occupation

Is English spoken, away from the touristy areas.?

Yes, except in some villages with just old people.

Are the tax and tips included in the menu's, at restaurants. If not, what % for tipping.?

Tax is included. Tip no. The tip can be around 10% but usually I don't give tip based on % but based on how well they served me and how much I troubled them.

What places and services are tipped.?

Restaurants. At gas stations if they put me gas and clean my windows I give some 50c also. But usually I put from the self service at night.

Can I get a RoC passport within few days.?

You can't get anything from RoC within a few days Actually I am not sure. If you have all the papers ready it might be possible.

What is the rate to hire a lawyer / land assessor for few hours, around Nicosia ?

I don't know about land assessor but the cost for a lawyer can vary greatly depending on the lawyer. On average it should be cheaper than UK. And a cheap alternative to land assessor is to ask the neighbors how much the surrounding land is sold for. You will get a good indication for free.

[Sotos]

If all of RoC is reachable within 90 minutes by car from Limmasol, perhaps it would make sense to rent a one bedroom apartment there, and not deal with the hotels at all. Any ideas on a good agency in Limmasol for rentals.?

You don't need an agency. Just go here: http://www.cyprusapartments.com/ use the search at the bottom to search for apts in Limassol and CALL them, not email.

Caltural sights are winners with us, so if anyone else can think of good locations to visit, please write them down.

I believe Nicosia and then Limassol have the most. Paphos has many archaeological sights also.

Thanks for the "heads-up" on speaking Turkish. Actually, My girlfriend is Swiss, so we only speak English together anyway, so I don't think I will be speaking too much Turkish with anyone, but if it comes up in a conversation with the locals, because of my name, I will not hide it either.

Don't worry about speaking Turkish. There will be no problem with that!

[venusdee]

Hi Kikapu
I was 4 when my family migrated over 30 years ago.
I have since returned and obviously nothing is as it once was.
I found it so sad and all so strange originally but Cyprus is so beautiful and the people so kind and helpful (whether foreign or local)
that I now feel that I am finally back home.
And here to stay

[Kikapu]

Is English spoken, away from the touristy areas.?

Yes, except in some villages with just old people.

Sotos,

I hope your definition of "old people" is over 52 years old.!

Great information and tips. You also get a Gold Star.!

[Kikapu]

Hi Kikapu
I was 4 when my family migrated over 30 years ago.
I have since returned and obviously nothing is as it once was.
I found it so sad and all so strange originally but Cyprus is so beautiful and the people so kind and helpful (whether foreign or local)
that I now feel that I am finally back home.
And here to stay

I will try and find the neighbourhood that I grew up in, in Kücük Kaymakli, just South of Nicosia. I have a picture of it in my mind of all the places that use to be there, but no doubt, it has mostly changed by now.

I expect, it will be a emotional trip for me being there at times, but it's going to be fun also, at the same time.

[Sotos]

Kikapu, I don't want to spoil any part of the surprise but if you want you can use google maps http://maps.google.com/ or google earth to get an idea of how things have changed