Cyprus has lots of public holidays when just about everything closes!

Cyprus has lots of Public Holidays – many more than the UK! Be aware on public holidays just about everything is closed.

Public Holidays 2010

• 1 Jan New Year’s Day
• 6 January – Epiphany
• 15 February – Green Monday
• 25 March – Greek Independence Day
• 1 April – Greek Cypriot National Day
• 2 April – Greek Orthodox Good Friday
• 3 April – Easter
• 4 April – Easter
• 5 April – Greek Orthodox Easter Monday
• 1 May – Labour Day
• 24 May – Pentecost (Kataklysmos)
• 26 July – Religious Holiday
• 15 August – Assumption
• 1 October – Cyprus Independence Day
• 28 October – Greek National Day (Ochi Day)
• 24 – 26 December – Christmas

Public Holidays 2011

• 1 January – New Year’s Day
• 6 January – Epiphany
• 7 March – Green Monday
• 25 March – Greek Independence Day
• 1 April – Greek Cypriot National Day
• 22 April – Greek Orthodox Good Friday
• 23 April – Easter
• 24 April – Easter
• 25 April – Greek Orthodox Easter Monday
• 1 May – Labour Day
• 12 June – Pentecost (Kataklysmos)
• 15 August – Assumption
• 1 October – Cyprus Independence Day
• 28 October – Greek National Day (Ochi Day)
• 24 – 25 December – Christmas

Banks in the UK are faceless in comparison with Banks in Cyprus

Banking in Cyprus is a much more friendly, customer service orientated business than it is in the UK.  And a recent visit back to the UK highlighted the differences.

At the time of my return visit, Barclays were running a TV advertising campaign promoting their insurance products.  The headline?  Something like “Talk your insurance over with a real person”. 

Real person?

Call me a cynic, but I’d guess the ‘real person’ is in a call centre in India with a tight script they have to follow.  So not a ‘real person’ at all…

Contrast that with…

• In our local bank in Cyprus, we really are known and welcomed
• Because we’re known, I can walk in, transfer money, and do what I want with carrying reams of paperwork to prove who I am
• There are no bulletproof glass partitions between the bank staff and me
• Queues are almost non-existent

If I want advice, the manager and I have a coffee together

Real Personal Service

The service really is personal.   I really am talking financial matters over with a real person.  He’s sat in front of me, drinking coffee.

Contrast that with the last time I spoke with our bank in the UK.  I was talking to somebody in a call centre (of course).  The only was they would help was by asking me to go into my local branch.  Despite pointing out the local branch was 2,000 miles away,they just wouldn’t help.  Sorry that’s not on the script.

The UK retail financial institutions could learn a whole lot about customer service by spending a couple of days in Cyprus. 

Driving in Cyprus is fun!

People holidaying in Cyprus often ask about driving on the island. Should they rent a car? Is it a safe, fun way to get around?

The answer is of course yes. Driving in Cyprus is no more difficult than driving in the UK. And in lots of ways it’s easier and more fun. Consider this…

• The pace in Cyprus is slower. Speed limits are lower. The roads just aren’t built for speed. There’s not the urge to get there a few seconds faster. And also there’s usually a cement lorry in front of you struggling to get up a hill.
• The roads are much quieter. Busiest times are in the run up to collecting kids from school at lunchtime. And even then traffic jams are pretty much unheard of. Any sort of hold up is also an opportunity for extreme motoring creativity.
• The island’s motorways – or ‘highways’ as they’re known – are a safe, efficient way of travelling between the island’s cities. The motorways are quiet, and lane discipline is excellent. You just won’t find people hogging the overtaking lane for miles on end. And if you do, it’s OK to shoot them providing it’s a Wednesday or Sunday.
• Just like Britain, young men have a need to demonstrate their virility by dashing around noisily in small hatchback cars. And just like Britain, they make fools of themselves.
• One way streets are just that. You go one way. Doesn’t matter which.
• Traffic lights are for advice only. They’re also an opportunity to demonstrate your lightning reflexes by blasting your horn at the car in front if it doesn’t move off instantly.
• Parking is a true art form. Sure there’s rules. But they only apply to somebody else. If it’s physically possible to stop there, then it’s OK to park there. Double-parking if for softies. Treble parking is where it’s at.
• Talking on mobile phones while driving is only illegal if you’re involved in an accident. It’s compulsory at all other times.
• Overtaking is possible anywhere – especially steep hills and blind corners – provided your crucifix is hanging from the rear view mirror.

Like anywhere, drive safely. In Cyprus, expect the unexpected!

Cyprus is a very popular place to get married these days – and with good reason.

• It’s sunny and warm the majority of the year.  The statistics talk about 340 days of sunshine a year.  That’s probably stretching it to include days when the sun only shines some of the time – but during the March to November season you’ll be unlucky to have a bad day for your wedding in Cyprus.
• Island of Love.  Cyprus’ history is inextricably tied up with Aphrodite, Goddess of Love.   When you actually read up about Aphrodite, it sounds like she was a bit of a girl.  But then, what’s wrong with a modern woman arriving before her time?
• Lots to see and do.  Whatever you fancy doing with your lover when you get married in Cyprus, it’s is a great place to do it.  Activities?  Loads…  Eating and drinking?  Loads…

Our advice would be to avoid the wedding packages put together by the major travel companies.  They’re done down to a price.  And that concept doesn’t fit with you having a special day.

Better to use some of their wedding package, but sort out the important elements yourself.  Some of the wedding suppliers we’ve seen in Cyprus and can recommend are:

Love Island Cakes.  If you want a hand made wedding cake to your particular designfor your wedding in Cyprus, check out Love Island Cakes.  They’ll work with you to create your perfect cake, and then deliver it to your reception on your special day.

Only You Weddings.  Lots of people use a Wedding Planner to help them make arrangements on the ground in Cyprus.  Its very handy having somebody in Paphos to help you.  They know what works and what doesn’t to ensure your special wedding day goes off without hitch (apart from you get hitched of course!).  Only You Weddings can do all that for you and more.

Ficardo Restaurant.  Looking for a traditional restaurant in Paphos for your wedding reception?  Ficardo’s Restaurant is perfect.  They’ll cater for 2 or 200 guests, and you can have it all to yourself.  Fancy a dip?  It’s very close to the sea.  Fancy your own music?  Bring your iPod.

Bedford CF van, Polemi, Paphos District, Cyprus. This is a CF230 variant, dating from between 1980 and 1984.

Cyprus is a fascinating place if you’re interested in old cars. Or in this case, vans. The island is littered with interesting old vehicles that have been dumped by their final owners.

This example is a Bedford CF van in the countryside near Polemi. It’s been there a while – the wheels are gradually sinking lower in the ground as the field next to it is ploughed.

The Bedford CF was introduced originally in 1969 as Bedford’s answer to the Ford Transit. This example is later, somewhere between 1980 and 1984. It’s a CF230 – the smallest in the range. Powered by a 1759cc petrol engine, it must have been somebody’s workhorse for many years.

Sunshine and showers. Cyprus in October is still sunny and warm, but there are showers about. And when it decides to rain, it really rains!

Average daytime temperatures are a very mild 27 degrees C, and night time temperatures an equally mild 18 degrees. Even the sea is still warm enough to swim.

This is a really good time to get out and about and explore the Cypriot countryside. Autumns colours are beginning to appear, especially in the vineyards. If you like being out in the countryside, this is the time to do it.

The summer’s tourist invasion is now well past its peak. That opens up many more choices for the last minute traveller. It’s also early enough for everything to still be open so there’s lots to do and see.

FxPro Cyprus Rally 2009: Car no. 12, a Citroen C4 WRC driven by Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia on Special Stage 13 near Anadiou. After the stage Ogier said he was trying to fend Wilson off. 15 March 2009

Provisional dates have been announced for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) 2010. Round 12 – the final round of the rally – will be the FxPro Cyprus Rally held in Limassol on 4-6 November 2010.

The FxPro Cyprus Rally 2010 will again feature a mix of asphalt and gravel surfaces making this a ‘must-see’ event. The tough special stages take the rally’s route through the Troodos Mountains and the upper sections of Paphos Forest. They’re also very accessible making this a great rally for spectators.

The 2009 event – won by Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena driving a Citroen C4 WRC was exciting from start to finish. Enjoy this video courtesy of Eurosport…

If you’re planning to come to Cyprus to see the rally, get in touch. We can help organise accommodation, and we know all the best places to go to see the action – either as spectators or photographers. Call us on +357 99 860725.

Check out the full IRC 2010 Calendar.

Also see our picture galleries of the FxPro Cyprus Rally 2009 and the Troodos Rally 2009.

Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 13 - Argaka: Car no. 1, a Subaru Impreza N15 2009 driven by Nasser Al-Attiyah and Giovanni Bernacchini. They went on to win the rally. October 2009

Defending Middle East Rally Champion (MERC) Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar scored an important victory winning the 2009 Troodos Rally and taking the Championship lead ahead of the final two rounds of the 2009 MERC in Jordan and Dubai.

Ahead of this year’s Troodos Rally, Al-Attiyah sat third on the leadership board – eight points behind Yazeed Al-Rajhi of Saudi Arabia and one point behind second placed Misfer Al-Marri of Qatar.

Given Al-Attiyah’s past form in Cyprus (his victory here today marks his 7th consecutive Troodos Rally win!), a tense battle had been expected between Al-Rajhi and Al-Attiyah.  But Al-Rajhi’s hopes of a strong finish were cut short when he exited in dramatic fashion on the first stage of the rally. 

His Peugeot 207 S2000 landed badly after a jump, left the road and ended up perilously close to a sharp drop.  Al-Rajhi restarted the event on day two under Superally, hoping to salvage points from the event, but a roll on during the morning saw him exit the event without points.

Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 9 - Argaka: Car no. 4, a Peugeot 207 S2000 driven by Yazeed Al Rajhi and Matthieu Baumel. They didn't have a good rally - dropping out on the first day - starting again on the second - but not completing that either. 11 October 2009

Al-Attiyah leaves Cyprus as Middle East Rally Championship leader with 30 points.  Misfer Al-Mari retains second place with 29 points, while Al-Rajhi drops to third and remains on 28 points.

With Al-Rajhi out of contention for the win from day one, all eyes turned to the battle for first place between Feghali and Al-Attiyah. 

After an assured drive through the challenging Cyprus stages on day one, Feghali held the overnight lead and started Sunday with a 5.3 second lead over Al-Attiyah.

But Al-Attiyah was determined from the off – stating at the Service Park before the day’s rallying started that he wasn’t just looking for the points here today, he was looking for the win.

The Qatari set the fastest time through the first stage of the day (SS7 – Anadiou Dam), immediately snatching the overall lead from Feghali, who managed third fastest through the stage behind Thomas.

Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 9 - Argaka: Nearly off the side and a long way down! Car no. 8, a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX driven by Roger Feghali and Nicola Arena. They finished the rally in second place. 11 October 2009

Feghali picked up the pace again for SS8 (Foinokli), but it wasn’t enough to beat Al-Attiyah who stormed through the stage and extended his overall lead over Feghali to 12.3 seconds. Nicos Thomas came through third fastest.

Al-Attiyah maintained his onslaught to take the 16.57km SS9 (Argaka) 2.6 seconds ahead of Feghali, extending his overall lead to 14.9 seconds. Al-Rajhi’s plans for a cautious drive to secure 5 points came to a swift end in the stage when he rolled his Peugeot 207 S2000 – opening the way for Al-Attiyah to take the championship lead.

Al-Attiyah charged through the final stage of the morning, extending his overall lead over Feghali to 26.7 seconds and ensuring a clean sweep of the day’s stages so far.

Sunday morning saw 30 cars leave the Service Park and while the drivers admitted the stages were tough, there was an upbeat feel typical of the event.

Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 9 - Argaka: Car no. 44, an Opel Corsa B driven by George Pais and Charalambous Anastasiou, 11 October 2009

As the afternoon got underway, the field had been reduced to 23, with the remaining drivers for the most part happy with their positions.

Al-Attiyah was obviously happy with his event so far and left the Service Park hoping to maintain a good pace.  He promptly made fast work of SS11 (Anadiou Dam), taking the stage 20.3 seconds faster than Feghali.

Al-Attiyah continued to press ahead in SS12 (Foinokli), extending his lead over Feghali to 59.8 seconds.

Feghali found renewed pace in SS13 (Argaka), taking the stage 4.3 seconds faster than Al-Attiyah.  Feghali also took the final stage of the day – SS14 (Stavros) – with a margin of 14.9 seconds over Al-Attiyah, but it was too late to change the outcome and the Qatari secured his 7th consecutive Troodos Rally victory.

Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 13 - Argaka: Car no. 1, a Subaru Impreza N15 2009 driven by Nasser Al-Attiyah and Giovanni Bernacchini. They went on to win the rally. October 2009

The 2009 Troodos Rally is organised by the Cyprus Automobile Association (CAA) and supported by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.

See all the pictures of the Troodos Rally 2009, and my blog pots for day 1 and day 2 of the Troodos Rally 2009.

Also, see all the pictures of the FxPro Cyprus Rally run in March 2009, and check out my blog posts for day 1, day 2 and day 3 of the FxPro Cyprus Rally 2009.

Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 5 - Panagia: Car no. 8, a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX driven by Roger Feghali and Nicola Arena. The car put up the fastest time on this special stage and at the time was second overall. 10 October 2009

See all the pictures of the Troodos Rally 2009 Special Stage 5 Panagia

With the FIA Middle East Rally Championship moving to Cyprus this weekend for the 2009 Troodos Rally, Lebanon’s Roger Feghali and co-driver Nicola Arena hold the overnight lead in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. Feghali delivered an assured drive today and enters Sunday with a 5.3 second lead over defending MERC champion Nasser Al-Attiyah of Qatar.

In the build-up to the event, a tense battle had been expected between championship leader Yazeed Al-Rajhi of Saudi Arabia and Al-Attiyah, but Al-Rajhi’s hopes of a strong finish were short-lived when he and French co-driver Matthieu Baumel exited in dramatic fashion on the first stage of the day. Their Peugeot 207 S2000 landed badly after a jump, left the road and ended up perilously close to a sharp drop. Speaking at the Service Park later, Al-Rajhi said he plans to Superally tomorrow.

While Al-Rajhi’s hopes of scoring high points were quickly dashed in SS1, Al-Attiyah’s claim to be taking a cautious approach certainly didn’t stop him taking the first stage of the day – the 20.53km Agios Nicolaos stage – in 18m.36s. Al-Attiyah has made this event his own in recent years by taking six consecutive victories and he’s clearly gunning for a 7th. He is competing in a Subaru Impreza N15 2009, alongside co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini of Italy.

Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 5 - Panagia: Car no. 5, a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX driven by Nicos Thomas and Angelos Loizides, 10 October 2009

From the outset, Feghali showed impressive pace in his Mitsubishi – finishing SS1 15.3 seconds behind Al-Attiyah, but young Cypriot star Nicos Thomas was chasing hard, just 0.7 seconds behind Feghali in his own Evo IX.

Misfer Al-Marri, who currently sits in 2nd place in the championship (7 points behind Al-Rajhi and 1 point ahead of Al-Attiyah), could only manage 7th fastest through the stage, 47.2 seconds behind Al-Attiyah.

Lebanon’s Nick Georgiou was marginally quicker, finishing the stage 6th.

Popular Cypriot drivers Paraskevas Paraskeva and Constantinos Tingirides finished the stage 4th and 5th fastest respectively.

Feghali picked up the pace still further in SS2 (the 13.62km Panagia stage), finishing it 4.3 seconds faster than 2nd fastest Thomas. But Al-Attiyah wasn’t giving much ground, charging through the stage just 0.6 seconds behind Thomas. Paraskeva and Georgiou sped through the stage 4th and 5th fastest respectively, with Tingirides and Al-Marri close behind.

A puncture cost Al-Attiyah time in SS3 and the rest of the field were quick to capitalize.  Thomas sped through the 21.76km Xeropigi/Stavros stage in 23m 37 seconds, with Feghali hard on his heels just 3.9 seconds behind. Georgiou managed 3rd fastest, with Al-Attiyah 4th. Tingirides and Al-Mari came 5th and 6th.

8 competitors were out of the day’s competition by first service, including Al-Rajhi.  Khalid Al-Suwaidi of Qatar was forced to abandon the day through the recurrence of a virus and it is currently unknown if he will choose to continue tomorrow. Also out were Qatari Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, and Cypriot drivers Paraskevas Paraskeva, Andreas Philippou, Yiotis Chartoupallos, Chris Armeftis, and George Paphitis.

Al-Attiyah was taking no prisoners as he set the fastest time through SS4 (Agios Nicolaos), with Feghali 8.4 seconds slower. Thomas and Tingirides set 3rd and 4th fastest times, with Georgiou 5th.

Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 5 - Panagia: Car no. 3, a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX driven by Nick Georgiou and Joseph Matar. The car arrived at the Special Stage late and incurred a time penalty. 10 October 2009

Feghali hit back on SS5 (Panagia), taking the stage with a scant 0.5 second margin over Al-Attiyah, with Thomas, Tingrides, and Simos Galatariotis completing the first 5.  Nick Georgiou (arrived at SS5 13 minutes late and incurred a time penalty) came in 6th, just ahead of Al-Mari.

The fast time obviously inspired Feghali, as he also took SS6 (Xeropigi-Stavros) – this time with a 8.2s margin over Al-Attiyah. Thomas came through 3rd, with Tingrides 4th and Al-Mari 5th. Feghali’s consistent drive earned him a 5.3 second overnight lead over second-placed Al-Attiyah. Nicos Thomas sits 3rd. 42.1 seconds behind the Qatari, with Tingirides and Al-Mari rounding off the top 5.

Troodos Rally 2009 - Special Stage 5 - Panagia: Car no. 44, an Opel Corsa B driven by George Pais and Charalambous Anastasiou, 10 October 2009

See all the pictures of the Troodos Rally 2009 Special Stage 5 Panagia

Little church perched on a steep hillside near Stroumpi, Paphos District, Cyprus, 23 September 2009

After the hottest months of July and August, September sees slightly lower and more comfortable temperatures.  Being the month of the Autumn equinox, it also tends to be a bit more breezy than the high summer months.  You might even see a brief shower of rain!

Expect to see average daytime temperatures of 29 degrees Celsius and night time temperatures of 21 degrees.  You may see showers – especially in the higher areas – but they’re short lived and then the sun comes out again.

Thunderstorms over Paphos District from Polemi, Cyprus, 20 September 2009

After the long hot summer the countryside is beginning to take on the early hues of Autumn.  In contrast, many flowering shrubs come to life with the passing of the full heat.

Take a trip up into Paphos Forest or the Troodos Mountains.  Being higher they get more rain.  The forests smell delightful and walking he sunlight dappld paths will enchant your senses.

September is a good month to enjoy the great outdoors in Cyprus.  Walk, cycle, or even drive to explore the Cypriot countryside.

To see more pictures of the little church in Stroumpi got to my album of Stoumbi pictures, and to see more of the thunderstorms, go to my album of Polemi pictures.