Northern Cyprus

Discover Northern Cyprus

Shaped by powerful legacies of East and West, Northern Cyprus is both a living museum and a cultural gem. Explore ancient ruins, bustling bazaars, rugged coastlines and the divided capital of Nicosia. Dominated by the Kyrenia Mountains keeping watch over the pristine coast, it’s dotted with seaside towns and drenched in history.

Santana Saint Hilarion

Your itinerary

DAY 1 – Arrival in Cyprus

Arrive at the airport for your flight and transfer to your hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome drinks reception and dinner to get to know your fellow travellers better.

DAY 2 – Kyrenia

Kyrenia is blessed with the most attractive harbour in Cyprus and our experienced local guide takes you on a fascinating walking tour, visiting the charming Old Town, harbour and Belediye Meydani. Another highlight is the splendid honey-coloured 8th-century castle built by the Byzantines. You can visit the castle museum, which houses an interesting range of archaeological finds and an impressive 2,300-year-old shipwreck. (B,D) + Included Experiences – Guided tour of Kyrenia and visit the 8th century castle

DAY 3 – Guzelyurt, Soli & The Palace of Vouni

We head northwest, passing sleepy villages and unspoilt countryside to the ‘fruit basket of Cyprus’, Guzelyurt. It’s nestled in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, the massive block of igneous rock that rose many millions of years ago following a volcanic eruption. On an island rich in history the ancient city of Soli is especially impressive. Dating back to the 6th century BC, it was one of the most important ancient Greek kingdoms of Cyprus.

As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Kyrenia for seven nights, with breakfast and four dinners.

Arkin Colony, Kyrenia HHHH Superior

Next we take in the extraordinary remains of the Palace of Vouni, set in an idyllic location with splendid views of the shimmering Mediterranean. Its origins are shrouded in mystery but archaeologists have deduced that it was built around 500 BC. The historic town of Lefke, located next to the Green Line, awaits us later. First inhabited during the Neolithic period, the legacy of previous rulers can be seen in its buildings, some of which date back to the 7th century. (B,D) + Included Experiences – Visits to Guzelyurt, Soli and the Palace of Vouni

DAY 4 – Saint Hilarion & Bellapais

Today we succumb to the romance of two storybook highlights, first we visit Saint Hilarion Castle. Entrance to the castle is included with the tour but, if you choose not to ascend the steep steps, the views can still be enjoyed from the viewpoint at the entrance or from the castle’s café. Bellapais is the next highlight where the gem of the village is its medieval ‘Abbey of Peace’. This monastery once offered shelter to Augustinian monks expelled when Jerusalem fell to Saladin. (B) + Included Experiences – Guided tour of Saint Hilarion and visit Bellapais Abbey

DAY 5 – Nicosia

Today our destination is one of the world’s last divided capitals, Nicosia, known as the kingdom of Ledra in the 7th century BC. We enjoy a guided tour of the Old Town, seeing the impressive Venetian city walls and the superbly preserved Kyrenia Gate, adorned with inscriptions left by past rulers. For many, the highlight will be the enormous Selimiye Mosque, visible from both sides of the capital with its honey-coloured minarets piercing the blue sky. You can explore more of the north or choose to cross the Green Line into south Nicosia with passports in hand and experience a different side of the city. (B,D) Arkin Colony

+ Included Experience – Guided tour of Nicosia

DAY 6 – Free day

You’ve a full day at leisure, and Kyrenia is the perfect place to explore wherever your feet take you. (B)

DAY 7 – Saint Barnabas, Salamis & Famagusta

This morning, we travel to the east coast, first visiting the Monastery of St Barnabas There is a mausoleum said to house the tomb of St Barnabas himself, one of the great figures of early Christianity and the founder of the Cypriot Church. We pass ancient Royal Tombs & relics before arriving at the ancient Salamis. One of the Mediterranean’s most significant archaeological sites, you can still see the original amphitheatre, gymnasium built by Emperor Hadrian, as well as the Greek and Roman baths and wonderful mosaics.

Next, we visit the charming town of Famagusta and enjoy a short, guided walking tour, seeing Othello’s Tower, the ruins of the Venetian palace, and the impressive city walls. We also see the 14th-century Lala Mustafa Paşa Mosque, originally a church modelled on the French cathedral at Reims.

Nearby is Varosha, dubbed the ‘Monte Carlo of the Middle East’, but it was abandoned during the war in 1974. Although it is now a shadow of its former self, the ‘modern’ ruins left behind are worth seeing to better understand the island’s history and legacy. (B,D) + Included Experiences – Visit the Monastery of Saint Barnabas, guided tour of Famagusta and visit to Varosha

DAY 8 – Return flight

Transfer to the airport for our flight home. (B)

KEY

Arrive Depart

Vouni

Paphos Kyrenia

Guzelyurt Bellapais

NICOSIA

CYPRUS

Larnaka Famagusta

2023

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Your tour includes

• Return flights from a selection of regional airports, plus all hotel transfers • Seven nights in four-star superior accommodation inclusive of all local taxes • A welcome drinks reception to get to know your fellow travellers • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

(B) Daily Breakfast, (D) 4 Dinners Prices are per person. For departure dates, prices and flights, please call or visit our website.

YOUR EXPERIENCES • 6 guided tours including Kyrenia,

Nicosia, the ancient sites of Salamis,

Soli and the Vouni Palace • 8 visits including Saint Barnabus

Monastery, Famagusta, Saint Hilarion

Castle, Bellapais Abbey, Guzelyurt and Kyrenia Castle

Salamis

Your options

Dining choices

If you wish to extend your dining at the hotel, you may pre book dinner for 2 additional nights at £32, or dinner for 3 additional nights at £43.

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