Month: August 2023

Choosing Cyprus for study or vacation , here are some reasons you should. 1. SCENIC VILLAGES AND PLEASANT TOWNS                        There are several attractive villages and quaint towns in North Cyprus that provide a glimpse into traditional Cypriot life. Discover the old harbor town of Kyrenia (Girne), with its cobblestone streets and iconic Kyrenia Castle. Explore the little lanes of Bellapais, a charming village with breathtaking vistas and the well-known Bellapais Abbey. Head to Karmi to take visually stunning and vivid pictures. In North Cyprus, each village and town has a distinctive personality that offers chances to meet the hospitable residents, try local cuisine and take in the region’s historic architecture. You’ll be transported back in time and get a sense of North Cyprus’ true beauty by exploring these picturesque gems. 2. UNTOUCHED AND UNDISCOVERED PARADISE North Cyprus is a hidden jewel, offering an untouched and undiscovered paradise free from commercialization and crowds. Its somewhat empty barely crowded beaches offer a serene haven where you can easily unwind and take in the tranquil surroundings. This region boasts unspoiled beauty and originality, making it a one-of-a-kind pocket of paradise just waiting to be discovered. Karpaz Peninsula, famed for being an unspoiled scenery and magnificent beauty, is one of North Cyprus’most pristine places.Do not pass up the opportunity to embark on Karpaz tours, where you can discover the untouched wonders of this magnificent place. 3. VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE North Cyprus boasts a thriving and diversified nightlife culture, with a plethora of bars, clubs and Meyhanes to choose from. North Cyprus has something for everyone; whether you seek a lively club performance, a quiet coastal pub or a traditional tavern experience. Towns like Famagusta and Kyrenia are well-known for their vibrant nightlife, offering live music, DJ performances and themed nights. Meyhanes offers a more authentic experience by immersing you in the Cypriot culture with traditional cuisine, raki cocktails and live music. From energetic clubbing to cosy pubs, this gorgeous island provides a memorable and exciting nightlife that will keep you delighted during your visit. 4. FAVORABLE EXCHANGE RATE The favourable currency exchange rate is one of the major advantages of visiting North Cyprus. Since its local currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY), converting your pounds into lira allows you to spend less and experience more. Your vacation becomes more affordable, making your travel budget stretch even further. For example, you will be delighted to learn that a refreshing beer costs only 0.59 pence in the local market. A meal for two will cost less than 20 pounds at many tavern and restaurants. With such affordable prices, North Cyprus feels like heaven for budget-conscious traveler. Doesn’t it? HOME AWAY FROM HOME Cyprus, which was historically part of the British Empire, follows English Law and is a Commonwealth member. It is no surprise that it now feels like a home away home. Even the local currency remains the pound. Driving is done on the left side, making automobile rental a breeze. Some localities in Cyprus even have distinctive red telephones akin to those in the United Kingdom. Visitors are quickly embraced by the unique charm of North Cyprus, making them immediately feel at ease. Locals and hotel personnel are known for their warm, attentive and welcoming hospitality, resulting in an unforgettable encounter. The strong sense of community and care makes you feel like a valued member of the family. This pleasant atmosphere adds an extra dimension of delight, truly transforming North Cyprus into a home away from home.  6. CLEANEST WATER OF THE MEDITERRANEAN North Cyprus has some of the cleanest waters in the Mediterranean Sea, earning Cyprus the title of cleanest swimming waters in Europe. Unlike many beaches throughout the world, which are plagued by sewage emissions and pollution, the waters in North Cyprus are simply breathtaking. Turtles inherently seek out the cleanest settings, so it is no surprise that they prefer these beaches to deposit their eggs. Dive enthusiasts can explore vibrant undersea ecosystems with scuba diving tours, while boat cruises allow them to swim in the most remote and pristine clean seas of the Mediterranean . 7. RICH HISTORICAL HERITAGE Salamis Ruins, Famagusta, North Cyprus North Cyprus is steeped in a rich and fascinating history, making it a historical treasure trove. From the majestic mediaeval Abbey of Bellapais to the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and Othello’s Tower in Famagusta, the island is a shelter for visitors eager to study its historical past. North Cyprus has a plethora of historical sites to explore and learn from, for people with keen interests in history. Nicosia in particular, is the world’s last split capital city, showcasing a blend of cultural influences and a complex past that contributes to its allure.

The United Kingdom has appointed Mr. Jonny Baxter as the British Deputy High Commissioner (DHC) in Lagos, Nigeria. Prior to becoming the British DHC in Lagos, he served as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan from January 2021- July 2023 and Deputy Director, Finance and Performance Department at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office – FCDO (then DFID) from 2018-2020.  He has held various senior positions in the Department of International Development (DFID). These included running the Human Development Department from 2017-2018, Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State from 2014-2016, and head of the Higher Education Task Force Secretariat from 2013-2014 all at the DFID Headquarters, London. Remarking on the new appointment, Baxter said: “I am excited about this new role and I look forward to working with the people of this great country, including those in government, in the private sector and in civil society, to do all I can to help build a more prosperous Nigeria and strengthen the already impressive partnerships between the people and institutions of both our countries.”

Since July 22, when Portuguese officials decided to restart border inspections owing to World Youth Day, through August 3, 1,025,937 individuals have been controlled at Portugal’s borders, while 157 have been denied entry. According to local media reports, the security operation for this time period is now the largest  ever, in Portugal, Genef Consults reports. The operation included all air, land and marine entries. According to the most recent operating balance of the Internal Security System, a total of 5,171 flights have been regulated up until this point, with the majority of them coming from countries outside the Schengen zone.  The decision by Portugal’s Foreigners and Border Service (SEF) to reintroduce border controls with its neighbouring country, Spain, was confirmed in a statement, with the same emphasising that such rules would remain in effect until August 7, carried out by SEF in collaboration with the Public Security Police (PSP) and the National Republic Guard (GNR). “Given the complexity of the event and the need to guarantee internal security, the Government understood that it was necessary to reintroduce documentary control at land borders,” SEF noted in a statement. Spain recently announced that it would assist Portugal in conducting border checks during World Youth Day, owing to the considerable increase in traffic predicted during this occasion. Authorities in Spain implemented a Specific Mobility Plan. According to the plan, The Civil Guard’s Traffic Group will step up efforts to supervise, monitor and regulate traffic along the principal and secondary routes of these vehicles. “Specific controls will be established to verify that journeys, especially long distance ones are made safely, aimed at guaranteeing the vehicle’s general condition (tyres, load arrangement, etc.) and informing about the risks of driving without adequate rest,” the Ministry’s statement noted. Local media reports stated that Traffic Management Centers would use changeable message routes to provide real-time updates on traffic incidents, as well as conditions along transit routes. 

Starting on September 4, a limited number of daily visitors will be permitted to enter Greece’s historic monument of the Acropolis, as the respective authorities try to put a limit on mass tourism. The new plan foresees that visitor numbers will be limited by the hour, with some visitors being permitted to enter from 8 am to 9 am. Regardless, visits during some hours will be more crowded than others. Organised groups usually visit the site for around 45 minutes, while individual visitors more often take longer during their visit – around an hour and a half. However, Mendoni says that visitors will not be limited on how much time they spent at the site. According to Lina Mendoni, the Culture Minister, daily visitors to the Athens monument will be limited to 20,000 visitors per day, while entry will be organised into time zones starting from 8 am until 8 pm,  Genef Consults reports. “There is a very high demand and it is completely normal and understandable. The Acropolis… is a world symbol. Therefore, anyone who comes to Athens wants to visit it,” Mendoni said. She also added that despite tourism being beneficial for the country’s economy, it is crucial “to see how over-tourism will not damage the monument.” Acropolis, which was built during the fifth century is the most visited historical monument in Greece, and the authorities have worked to make it more accessible, especially for disabled tourists. Amid other bids to make it easier for this category of visitors to access the monument, an elevator has also been installed. The Mediterranean country is working to develop all-year around tourism, so travellers are able to visit Greece during the winter months when tourism numbers are lower and temperatures are also cooler.

A two-page-long Schengen Visa rejection letter shared on Twitter by a user with the handler @Aprilbox has been called “shocking” and “horrible” by other Twitter users who have also shared their unpleasant experiences with Schengen visa application procedures. The person who shared the letter, claims that the same has been received by an acquaintance of his, who already holds a visa granted by the United States, Genef consults  reports. The Schengen Visa application has been submitted at the Swedish visa application centre in Nigeria for a 14-day tourism trip, which amongst the first reasons for the visa rejection has listed the security and economic crisis in Nigeria, expressing its doubts on the applicant’s real purposes behind the visa applications. “There is therefore a high risk that Nigerian citizens do not leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the visa applied for. The applicant must therefore be well established in their home country to be able to be granted a visa,” the letter reads. To support its claims, the Embassy has argued that the applicant stated that he owned a company, and submitted certificates to the embassy in this regard, but the latter points out that there have not been submitted stronger evidence to prove that the applicant has access to the assets or a fixed monthly income from the business. In addition, it also claimed that the bank statements provided by the applicant were not enough to prove he is well established in his home country as “a bank balance is also considered movable assets.” “Furthermore, the bank statements do not show that your financial situation has been stable over a longer period of time. You have also not shown any personal ownership of property or other financial ties to your home country,” the letter reads. Another reason listed behind this Schengen visa rejection is that, according to the embassy there’s a huge market of forged documents by private individuals in Nigeria, putting into doubt whether the documents submitted by the applicants are genuine. Adding to all this, the fact that the applicant has never been to the Schengen Zone before, the Swedish embassy has decided to reject the visa application, calling the stated purpose behind the trip questionable. “I’m not sure if I should accept this as a refusal letter from an embassy. It is full of stereotypes and I don’t think this is an acceptable way to draft one,” a Twitter user wrote under the letter, in addition to hundreds of others actually blaming the applicant for not submitting stronger evidence of ties to the home country and financial proof. “Imagine them telling you that your state of origin is a hub for forged document,” another one said focusing more on Embassy’s claims that trade in forged documents by private individuals and corruption in connection with the issuing of documents by the authorities “is common in Nigeria.” Nigeria has one of the highest Schengen visa rejection rates. With 45.6 per cent of visa applications filed in this country in 2022 having been rejected, or 39,189 out of 86,815; the country is the 22nd largest source of Schengen visa applicants in the world.