WISE2012

Travel Info

Sponsoring Airline

Austrian Airlines

Book your flights to the 13th International Conference on Web Information System Engineering online at www.austrian.com and save 15 % on all applicable fares!

To do so, simply enter the following code in the eVoucher field on the Austrian homepage booking-engine:

Code: WISE12

Conditions:

• Booking period: now until November 30th, 2012
• Valid for flights to Larnaca and return as of November 15th, 2012 until December 15th, 2012 (final date for return flight) on Austrian operated flights.

Invitation letters

The WISE 2012 Local Organization Committee may provite invitation letters to people who have registered for the conference. For issuing an invitation letter we require the following information to be sent to wise2012@cs.ucy.ac.cy: Full name, Passport number, Date of birth, Address, Institution.

Visa Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR TRAVELERS: Please note that holders of a valid Schengen Visa who have already travelled within the Schengen Zone, may travel to Cyprus without an additional Cypriot Visa.

Residents of non-EU countries who hold valid Schengen visas and who have already entered Schengen countries, as per the Schengen regulations, may now travel to Cyprus directly from that Schengen member country without applying for a National Cypriot visa and stay in the Republic of Cyprus for the duration of their Schengen visa.

Schengen zone (within red circle):



Click here to download the MFA Application for Visa

Where Visas are being issued:

Visas will be issued by all the Diplomatic Missions (Embassies and General Consulates) of the Republic of Cyprus, and by all the Honorary Consulates of the Republic of Cyprus abroad in their respective countries. Additionally visas can also be issued by the British High Commissions / Embassies in the following countries: ARGENTINE REPUBLIC, BAHREIN, HONG KONG, JAPAN, JORDAN, KAZAKHSTAN, KUWAIT, OMAN, SWITZERLAND, SUDAN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (ABU DHABI, DUBAI), UZBEKISTAN.

The above information is based on information provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at their website. Please visit their website for the latest information and further details by clicking here.

AIRPORTS

Cyprus has two (2) airports:

• The Larnaca International Airport, which is located about 5km (3 miles) from Larnaca town centre and 142km (88 miles) from Paphos.
  For more information, maps and flight schedules please visit the Cyprus Airports Official Website (Larnaca)


• The Paphos International Airport, which is located about 15km (9 miles) from Paphos town centre.
  For more information, maps and flight schedules please visit the Cyprus Airports Official Website (Paphos)

GROUND TRANSPORT

Airport Transfers

Please note that participants have the following options for their transfers from /to the airport:

• Private taxi Transfers. Arrange for transfers by taxi through the conference coordinator, Easy Conferences. These transfers are bookable online through www.easyconferences.org. These transfers can be private (max 3 person) or shared, are inclusive of meet and assist, and the service is guaranteed.
  

  Please note that it is very important to include your flight details (date and time of arrival) in your registration for all of the above and below choices of transportation.

• Airport Taxis. Get an airport taxi on arrival to the airport. Service is quite good, but at times one may have to wait and prices may vary depending on the time of arrival.


• Public Transportation.
  
  
  • Larnaca International Airport to Paphos
    

    Kindly note that at present there is no direct bus service from/ to Larnaca Airport. Therefore, please find below the suggested combinations that are available:

    a) Once you arrive at Larnaca airport, you can take the direct service to Limassol; handled by Limassol Airport Express coaches at the cost of 8 Euro (one way). You need to stop at Terminal Point 2: Ayios Georgios Chavouzas. As soon as you reach Agios Georgios Chavouzas, you can hop on the Intercity Buses (Green Buses) in order to reach Paphos town centre. Please visit http://www.airportshuttlebus.eu/ and www.intercity-buses.com for more details.

    b) Alternatively you can reserve a place one day prior to arrival with Travel & Express minibus service for this leg. This service is available for travelling between 6 am and 6 pm. For further information please visit: http://www.travelexpress.com.cy/ or call at: +357 25877666.

  • Paphos International Airport to Coral Bay area

    Public bus service is available from Paphos airport to Caral Bay area by OSUPA LTD. Taking Route 612 will make its final stop at Coral Bay area where the VENUE HOTEL is located.

• Car rentals. Participants may opt to hire a car during their stay, and thus use it for their airport transfers. Cars may be reserved through the conference coordinator, Easy Conferences at special conference rates which are bookable online through www.easyconferences.org

Innercity Routes

Please visit the official website of OSUPA LTD: http://www.pafosbuses.com/cyprus/buses/37 to view all routes within Paphos centre and suburbs where all the major sites and attractions are located.

In order to reach Coral Beach from Karavella Central Bus Station you should take Route 610 or 612 which will make its final stop at Coral Bay area where the VENUER HOTEL is located.

GENERAL INFO

• English is the second language and is widely spoken. A greater Knowledge of French and German is increasingly noticeable.
• The currency of the Republic is Euro.
• Banks in Cyprus open for the, public from 08:30 to 12:30 midday. Certain banks in tourist areas open during the afternoon.
• The voltage on the island is 240 Socket outlets are of flat 3 pin-type (same as in United Kingdom).
• All types of medication are available in well stocked pharmacies all over Cyprus.
• Telephone : Cyprus automatic telephone dialing system reaches 206 countries. Telecards can be purchased from Post Offices, kiosks and souvenir shops.
• There are two international airports in Cyprus, at Larnaca and Pafos.
• The two main ports are in Lemesos and Larnaca.
• As from May 2004 Cyprus is a full member of the European Community

Cyprus Currency

The European Union's Council of Ministers has approved the entry of Cyprus into the Eurozone.European finance ministers (collectively known as Ecofin) set fixed rates of one euro to 0.585274 Cypriot pounds and euro is the official currency used in Cyprus since January 1, 2008.

The design of the Cypriot euro coins:

• 1 cent, 2 cent and 5 cent: The Mouflon, the most characteristic species of fauna in Cyprus, representing the island's nature and wildlife.
• 10 cent, 20 cent and 50 cent: The Kyrenia ship of 4th Century B.C., representing Cyprus's history and its character as an island as well as its importance in trade.
• 1 and 2: The Idol of Pomos, a cross-shaped idol dating back to the Cypriot chalcolithic period (3000 B.C.), found in Pomos, a village in the district of Paphos. It is a characteristic example of prehistoric art in Cyprus, representing the island's antiquity, culture and civilization.

Public holidays

• January 1: New Year's Day
• January 6: Epiphany Day
• Variable: Green Monday (50 Days before Greek Orthodox Easter)
• March 25: Greek National Day
• April 1: Greek Cypriot National Day
• Variable: Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Church)
• Variable: Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church)
• May 1: Labour Day
• Variable: Pentecost-Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood)
• August 15: Assumption
• October 1: Cyprus Independence Day
• October 28: Greek National Day (Ochi Day)
• December 24: Christmas Eve
• December 25: Christmas Day
• December 26: Boxing Day

Notes: All Public Services, private enterprises, banks and shops are closed on Public Holidays. In resort and coastal areas, however, shops and certain services remain open. Banks are closed on Easter Tuesday but not on Dec. 24.

Medical facilities

The health facilities in Cyprus are of a high standard. The latest technologies and operating techniques are standard practice, with heart bypass surgery and kidney transplantation operations routine in the islands hospitals. The accident and emergency departments of all the hospitals are manned with English-speaking personnel, but it's advisable to seek the assistance of an interpreter for more complex medical matters. Emergency treatment in the Accident and Emergency department, is free to tourists.