Cyprus is one of the best places to visit in the Mediterranean. The warm and cosy weather makes Cyprus a fantastic holiday destination all year round. The island is also filled with a lot of things to do, making it the perfect destination for everyone.
Due to its location, you will experience a mixture of cultures as you explore different parts of Cyprus. When you look at the island’s major ethnic groups, Greek Orthodox and Turkish Muslims, it is easy how Cyprus is so fascinating.
Before a trip to Cyprus, there are a few things you need to know first. If you want to have the best holiday experience on the island, here are the do’s and don’ts you need to keep in mind.
Do: Be Friendly
The locals are incredibly friendly to travellers, but only when the travellers respect their culture and are friendly too. Cyprus is a great place for meeting locals and learning so much about them. Always smile to the people you come across and don’t hesitate to shake hands whenever you meet someone new.
The only thing to note is that male Muslims don’t shake hands with women travellers, and female Muslims aren’t going to shake the hand of men who aren’t family. Other than this small note, prepare for some warm welcomes and Cyprus hospitality.
Don’t: Refuse an Offer of Greek Coffee
As mentioned before, the people in Cyprus are very friendly. You will be asked to join them for a cup of coffee or cold drink as you explore the island. What you don’t want to do is refuse the offers you receive, since it is considered rude.
Speaking about getting invited, always follow the lead of your host when you are someone’s guest. Don’t sit until you are told to sit down, and don’t start eating until the host eats first.
Do: Cyprus in Luxury
Cyprus is also recognized as an affordable destination to visit, so don’t hesitate to splurge a little and have an even better holiday experience while you are visiting the island. Rather than booking a small hotel room, look for Cyprus villas to rent and enjoy your time even more.
You can book villas online from the comfort from a reliable provider. The Villa Group have been around since 1989 and they have a lot of properties to choose from and they are all affordable. Villas certainly make more sense when you are traveling with friends or family.
Don’t: Talk Politics
You are on a vacation; forget about politics and world events for a while. Politics is a sensitive subject among locals, especially with Turkey’s political landscape being what it is today. There are so many other subjects to talk about when approaching locals, so go with topics like weather or local attractions instead.
Speaking of local attractions, you also need to know that the shops – the Greek ones – do not open on Sundays. Don’t ask why the shops are closed and simply schedule your shopping on another day.
These do’s and don’ts are easy to follow, but they are crucial in making your trip to Cyprus more enjoyable. Remember the tips and tricks we discussed in this article and you will have a blast.