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Will be available by July 2014.

Cyprus is 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.

Cyprus is the eastern most island in the Mediterranean Sea and the third largest in the Mediterranean. It is only 40 miles (60 km) south of Turkey and 60 miles (100 km) west of Syria and Lebanon. The capital and largest city is Nicosia and it is the only remaining divided capital in the world. The division occurred when Turkey invaded the island in July of 1974. Other important cities are Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta and Keryneia. These are also Cyprus's six administrative districts. Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca and Nicosia are in the south government controlled areas. Famagusta and Keryneia are in the northern Turkish controlled area. Two mountain ranges traverse the island from east to west; the highest point is Mt. Olympus in the southwest.

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 and the hospitality of the people.

Member of EU since 2004
Capital city: Nicosia
Population: 866.000
Total area: 9,251 km²
Government: Republic (President: Nicos Anastasiades)
Official language: Greek

More information is available at the official website of Cyprus www.cyprus.gov.cy.

Currency & Banking

Euro (€) is the official currency of the Cyprus. Exchange of foreign currency is available at Larnaca and Paphos International Airports and at most hotels, banks and exchange offices. International credit cards are accepted for payments in hotels, restaurants and shops.

Electricity

• The Electricity and plug system in Cyprus is the same as the UK
• The Voltage in Cyprus is 240V / 50 Hz
• Electricity plugs used in Cyprus are 3-pin

Entry Formalities

All foreign visitors to Cyprus must possess a passport valid for at least the next six months. Participants requiring a visa should apply in advance to consular offices of Cyprus or diplomatic missions in their countries in order to avoid delay when travelling to the conference.

Further to the above, citizens of the European Union countries, as well as of Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, may enter Cyprus with their national identity card provided there is a photo.

Visa Information

Please click here to view entry regulations to visit Cyprus.

Important telephone numbers

199 or 112: Fire
199 or 112: Ambulance
199 or 112: Police
112: General Emergency for Europe

Insurance

The organisers do not accept responsibility for individual medical, travel or personal insurance. All participants are strongly advised to take out their own personal insurance before travelling to the meeting.

Time Zone

Cyprus is on Central European Time - Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 2 hours.

Weather

The temperatures in October range from 16 to 27 °C. You can find the current weather conditions at www.weather.com.

Limassol, a city counting centuries of history, is located between two of the most renowned ancient kingdoms of the island, Amathous on the East side and Kourion on the West side. As the far-south part of Cyprus, it is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, enjoying the benefits of a coastal town. At the same time it is framed, on the other side, by Troodos Mountains and thus ideally combines seafront and mountain view.

Limassol, with nearly 155.000 residents, has been rendered as the centre of tourism, trade and offshore companies due to its long tradition in various economic sectors. Its strategic position that facilitates both, aerial and maritime access, the solid educational and professional infrastructure as well as the satisfactory living standard have been some core factors of our city's
evolvement. However, it is undisputable that Limassol's prosperity is not an achievement of the present. Since the ancient times, Limassolians' and Cypriots', in general, main source of income has been wine, which according to testimonials was a "must" during religious events, festivals or even moments of sorrow. Wine production started thousands of years ago and along with the vineyard plantations, especially after entering the 20th century, have contributed to our city's welfare, as it has become the centre of wineries.

Aside from the wine industry, Limassol hosts the Port of Cyprus. A significant achievement of our city has been the Port's inclusion within the routes of 50 cruise liners, resulting to a respectably large number of tourists visiting Cyprus. What is more, it is a fact that now, with an upgraded subterranean infrastructure, the capacity of loading and unloading outgoing and ingoing cargo, respectively, has been duplicated.All the above prompt, and at the same time are being prompted, by the tourist industry, which is considered to be one of the town's core economic activity. That is why the sectors that are directly connected with tourism have been significantly developed; hotels, restaurants, entertainment. Our website could help anyone realize that Limassol incorporates everything a tourist, either a foreigner or a native, would need. Our city responds perfectly to several preferences and tastes and more importantly it can meet all budgets!

Therefore, Limassol is a cosmopolitan coastal city and an ideal resort for tourism, renowned for its Port, the bustling streets, the seafront promenade, the old site of the town, the Limassol Marina, as well as for its market with chic and fashionable clothes from internationally famous boutiques.

It is not by chance that it is called the city of fun. It is widely known for its rich tradition in arts and it hosts several cultural events through the year.

As the basis of the Cypriot wineries, during September Limassol organizes the so-called "Wine Festival", while during spring Cypriots, spread in the streets of Limassol, dance crazily to the sound of Carnival songs. Furthermore, here, summer is devoted to "dancing and singing" at the Municipal Gardens as well as to Greek drama performances and concerts under the magical spirit emerging from the Kourion Theatre. In the winter, many theatrical groups and musical bands attract people at the city's theatres. Thus, there are many reasons for someone to visit Limassol not just once!There are many signs that Limassol has emerged from the ruins of a very old civilization, which natives are really proud of. The Wine Museum (5,500 years of history), the ancient town of Amathous, the Castle of Colossi, the Medieval Castle, Kourion, Kykkos Monastery, the Archaeological and Folk Art Museum and the Municipal Gardens are some of the places that a tourist should not miss when visiting Limassol.

Above all, Limassol's most precious asset is its people. Here one can find all sorts of people, young, elderly, natives and foreigners that permanently live in Limassol. All of them have adopted the same philosophy – hospitable, approachable, friendly and always willing to help, making visitors feel welcomed and comfortable, just "like home"!

(www.heartcyprus.com)

For more information please visit www.limassoltourism.com or www.visitcyprus.com.