How to.... prepare for your Cyprus holiday with our pick of useful travel resources

Before you venture out to Cyprus, it's worth gathering information you can take with you to help you make the most of the island, whether it's finding the best shopping spots or planning a scenic hike. Here are our choice picks of both paper and digital resources to help you prepare.

 

Travel Guides

• Sue Frommer's Cyprus Day by Day guide has some great tips about making the most out of visiting the island, from travelling around to experiencing different facets of the local culture
• Lonely Planet's guides are always jam packed with information, ideas and tips and are highly recommended - and their guide to Cyprus is no exception
• Cyprus: Car Tours and Walks (Landscapes) is a great little book for planning excursions - car hire is recommended if you'd like to explore as public transport isn't really geared up for touristic journeys. Maps, picnic location ideas and information about various walking routes you could take are included.

iPhone Apps

• Cyprus Guide - Totally Offline is a nifty little app which allows you to access local information without the need for an internet connection. Information about bars, restaurants, museums, beaches, street maps, petrol stations, doctors and more is available for key cities and towns including Larnaca - really useful to travelers who are unfamiliar with Cyprus. Please note that at the moment, this app doesn't appear to contain information for smaller villages.
• The Talking Greek Phrasebook is an inexpensive app for travelers in southern Cyprus which has over 500 phrases which you can listen to to perfect your pronunciation - and you can use it offline. However, English is widely spoken in the country, so you don't need to worry about being fluent! 
• Cyprus Mail have launched a free iPhone app so you can keep up with news on the island - although you will need an internet connection if you want to see updated stories.

Podcasts

• One Minute Greek is a podcast which can help you master the basics of the Greek language - you can download from iTunes if you'd like your lessons to be portable or from their website.

A good guide book or local information at the touch of your fingertips are such simple ways to help you find your bearings and open your eyes to what Cyprus is waiting for you to discover - and are a good investment for savvy travellers.