Cruise Destinations Help

PORT INFORMATION

” The rate of exchange is approx. 1.9 Dollars to 1 Cyprus Pound
” US Dollars are widely accepted in Limassol!
” Major Credit Cards are accepted in many larger stores and restaurants
” The Official Language in Limassol is Greek. Some English will be spoken within the Tourist areas. As in any major city please be aware of pickpockets!
” Banks will be open 8:30am until 12:30pm and 3:15pm until 4:45pm.
” Allowing for plenty of exceptions (due to it being the end of the Summer Season), most shops will be open from 8:30am until 2:00pm & 4:00pm until 7:00pm.
” Restaurants will be open from 1:00pm until 3:00pm
” The New City of Limassol is located above the Old City and stretches for 7 miles along the coast. Taxis are available and the cost is approx. 8 to 10USD, per taxi, to the Old City. There are Telephones and a few small Duty Free Shops near the terminal.
” If you enter a Greek Orthodox Church or a Mosque you will need to cover your shoulders and knees. If not visiting any of the Religious sights you can dress casually, beach attire is not socially acceptable anywhere other than on the beaches.

SIGHTSEEING

In 1191 Richard the Lionhearted arrived in Limassol to rescue his sister and fiancée who had been shipwrecked here. It is said he was married in the Limassol Castle and his fiancée was crowned the Queen of England, whilst they were on the island of Cyprus.

THE LIMASSOL MEDIEVAL CASTLE AND MUSEUM:
Admission is 1CY (Open 9:00am until 5:00pm)
Here you will find three of the nine Ancient Silver Plates dating from 620AD. The other remaining six Plates are located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City. Also located in the Museum is an Olive Oil Press dating from the 7th Century, Byzantine and Medieval artifacts, including Gold Religious Items, Ottoman Pottery, Tombstones and Medieval Suits of Armor.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM:
Admission is 1CY (Open 9:00am until 5:00pm)
Within this Museum you will find a collection of Classical Pottery, Jewelry, Oil Lamps, and the highlight is an Ancient bust of Aphrodite, taken from Ancient Kourion.

THE ANCIENT CITY OF KOURION: Admission approx. 2 CY (Open 8:00am until to 7:30pm)
This cliff-top settlement was most likely founded in the Neolithic Period. Kourion became a permanent settlement in the 13th Century BC. In Roman times a pre-Christian cult of Apollo was active amongst its inhabitants. The mosaics are one of the highlights of Kourion along with the Ancient 2nd Century Roman Amphitheater, which is still being utilized today for the occasional Concert.

KOLOSSI CASTLE: Located approx. 45 min from berth.
Admission is 1CY (Open 9:00am until 7:30pm)
The Castle is accessible by a short drawbridge and the Castle was constructed in the 1200’s. This Castle is a Fortified Tower that stands as a reminder of the Knights of St. John in the 13th Century. Most of the current structure was built in 1454. The Knights produced wine and sugar cane here. Commandaria is a local sweet fortified wine. This wine which has been produced on the island since the days of the Knights. This is one of the oldest single wine grapes, continually harvested, in the entire world.

PAPHOS: Located approx. two hours from berth.
Open 9:00am until 7:30pm
In Greek Mythology, this is the site where ravishing Aphrodite arose from a splash of seafoam. The Temple of Aphrodite was constructed here and drew crowds from all over the Ancient World. Only the privileged were allowed to live near this site and some of the former homes of the aristocrats still stand. One is the House of Dionysus, with its Mosaic floors, which once covered all 30 rooms. The colors of the Mosaics are well preserved and show the daily activity and legends of over 2500 years ago.

There are two Mosques in Limassol located near to the Castle.

BEACHES

The best beaches are located just a few minutes south by taxi, from the New Port Area in the British Controlled Akrotiri Peninsula. There is also a beach near Ancient Kourion. Which is situated just below the ruins. There are many beaches and a modern water-sport park in the New City.

DINING

Cyprus is known for its MEZE. Small portions (appetizers), you eat a combination of these small dishes to make a full meal. To really appreciate a meal of Meze, I recommend that you have at least a party of four and you are quite hungry, for you will be served up to 20 to 30 different dishes. You will start with many different dips and breads, olives and salad, cheeses, veggies, some different fish and shellfish, meatballs and sausages, then the main course of kebabs and/or grilled chicken and finally fresh fruit.

You can also find many of the traditional Greek dishes. If service is included a 5% tip for the waiter is sufficient, if no service is included 10 to 15% is the norm.
Local wines are excellent. I once again recommend the Commandaria a local sweet wine made since the days of the Knights of Saint John. The local Beers are KEO and the locally brewed Carlsberg.

SHOPPING Most prices are preset and you will not have much room to bargain. You will find many excellent buys in all types of suitcases, leather goods, woven goods, ceramics, baskets, and lace. Excellent quality shoes are available and are less expensive than in the United States. Most of the shops are located on Ayiou Andreou (ST. ANDREW)