Getting There

The main gateway to Cyprus and the official airport for the Championship, is Larnaca International Airport, at a distance of 70 kilometres east of Limassol. A second international airport operates at Paphos, 69 kilometres to the west of Limassol. Cyprus is well-connected by air to most major centers of Europe and the Middle East. In addition to regular flights, dozens of holiday flights daily connect Cyprus with the rest of the world in season.

Accommodation

Limassol and its environs have an almost inexhaustible supply of accommodation, ranging from the really budget to the magnificently luxurious. http://www.visitcyprus.com/

Orientation

Limassol is located on the south coast of Cyprus, some 85 kilometres from the capital of Nicosia. The city and its suburbs form a strip along the Mediterranean waterfront, extending several kilometres either side of the old town. The main street runs parallel to the waterfront, one block inland. The Limassol Sailing Centre that will host the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship is situated on the coast road (Amathountos ), in the Agios Tyhonas community on the eastern side of Limassol, with easy access to the Paphos-Limassol-Nicosia-Larnaca highway.

Getting Around

Transportation for all participants and members of delegations to/from airports will be provided by the organisers. A shuttle-bus service linking official hotels and the competition hall will also operate games time. Limassol has the most extensive public transportation networks in Cyprus, enough to cover the needs of most visitors--with public buses running along the main street and linking most hotels with the town centre. Taxis are also readily available. Numerous car- and motorcycle-hire outlets operate in Limassol.

Money

As of 1 January 2008, Cyprus is a member of the euro zone and the official currency is now the euro, which has replaced the Cyprus Pound. Most major currencies may be exchanged at major banks (open Monday to Friday 08:30-13:00), as well as at the larger hotels. Round-the-clock exchange facilities are available at both Larnaca and Paphos International Airports. Outside most bank branches, ATMs dispense local currency. Most major credit cards are widely accepted at almost every tourist-oriented establishment.

Time

In winter, Cyprus time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Summer time, as in the rest of the European Union, is in effect from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, bringing Cyprus three hours ahead of GMT. Summer time in Cyprus is three hours ahead of GMT.

Electricity

Electricity in Cyprus is 230V, 50 cycles, with UK-style, square-pin plugs. Adaptors are widely available at supermarkets, grocery stores, etc. Hotel receptions may also be able to provide assistance.

Telephones

Direct dial phone service is available between Cyprus and all countries of the world. International calls may be placed from any private or public phone. Public payphones come in three types: Coinphones, outdoor cardphones and indoor cardphones. All public phones have instructions posted in English and other languages. Telephone cards are widely available at kiosks and newsagents. To call overseas, dial 00 + country code + area code + local number. The international code for Cyprus (when calling from abroad) is 357. Mobile phone networks in Cyprus are compatible with the European-wide GSM 900/1800 standards, but not with the systems available in the USA and Japan. Cytamobile-Vodafone and MTN are the two mobile phone service providers in Cyprus. Both offer roaming in cooperation with foreign providers, as well as cheap PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go) local phone numbers and pre-paid cards.

Languages

Greek is the official language of Cyprus, but English is also very widely spoken. German and French are also spoken within the tourism industry.