Wondering what to do on your holiday break in North Cyprus? Here are some great ideas!

· Nicosia Tour Being the only remaining divided capital left in the world, Nicosia still retains its old beauty and character with narrow roads and blend of cultures. Sites that we shall visit include Walls of Nicosia, Selimiye Mosque (St. Sophia Cathedral), closed Grand Bazaar (Bandabuliya) and Great Inn (Buyuk Han) of the capital.

· Karpaz Peninsula If you only have limited free time and you can only take one excursion we recommend that you take this one. This peninsula is definitely the best part of North Cyprus yet to be explored by many. Your tour will include a visit to Bogaz fishing  village, 5th century church of Ayia Trias (Sipahi) followed by lunch at a village tavern with a selection of typical Cypriot food. After lunch you will be taken further to Dipkarpaz village and Apostolos Andreas Monastery. You will have the opportunity to see some wild donkies, local fauna and flora and swim at one of the wonderful beaches.

· Boat Tour If you fancy a little adventure, you should consider the special daily cruise from Kyrenia Harbour to discover the beauty and mystery of the island from the sea. Set sail towards the famous Escape beach (East) or Acapulco beach (West) according to weather conditions. On the way, stop for a refreshing swim,  arriving at the destination around noon.  

· Sea Diving Whilst North Cyprus is one of the best locations to dive in the world for experienced divers, it is also a superb place for the non diver who wants to dip their head beneath the surface to see first hand the under water world of Jacques Cousteau, Hans and Lotte Hass.

· Walking Tours The Buffavento Forest Trail is a medium 15km walk mainly along the lower slopes of the Buffavento Castle. There are great view of the North coast including, depending on weather conditions, the south coast of Turkey.
 
· Famagusta Tour In this tour you will visit the famous Famagusta old city walls, St Nicolas cathedral and Othello’s Tower where Shakespeare was inspired to write his famous play (built in the 12th century during the Lusignan period).

· Bellapais & St. Hillarion In this half day tour you will have the opportunity to visit the ruins of the castle which was said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, the  St. Hilarion Castle, and to enjoy fabulous views of Kyrenia’s coastline from its top.

· Guzelyurt This tour takes in the ancient sites of Soli Ruins and the ruins of Vouni Palace. The 137 room Vouni Palace was built on a hilltop by the phoenician propersian king of the neighbouring city Marion to watch over the pro-greek city of Soli, following an unsuccessful revolt of the latter against the persian in 498BC.

· Cyprus Night Have a wonderful experience at the famous Green Valley restaurant near Alsancak. You will start with lots of mezes (traditional Cypriot starters) then served “keleftigo” (lamb cooked in a clay oven). If you are a vegetarian do not panic as most Cypriot food can be adapted for non meat-eaters and easily prepared while you are enjoying your starters. The entertainment which includes live music, traditional folklore dancing and a belly dancer is just the icing on the cake!

The Mediterranean has sun, sea and sand in abundance, and boasts some of the world’s best beaches. Several of these are in North Cyprus, and if you planning to visit – you’re in for a treat. With so many beaches on offer, which ones should you visit?

1. Karpaz Beaches

The most beautiful stretch of secluded sandy beaches. Each beach in the area has its own charm; the beach at Kasa was an ancient harbour called Karpasia; Yeni Erenkoy is a public beach with showers and hot food available; and there are small coves along the Karpaz peninsula itself that offer utter seclusion.

2. Escape Beach, Kyrenia

Locally known as Yavuz Cikarma Plaji, carefully landscaped with lush grass and beautiful flowers, Escape Beach offers a variety of water sports, from jet skiing to banana ride, canoeing to pedal boats and from snorkeling to scuba diving. The beach also has a volleyball area, restaurant and bar, with all the facilities you could ask for.

3. Alagadi Turtle Beach, Kyrenia.

Not only is this one of the most beautiful beaches but it is also popular in the summer as green and loggerhead turtles come and lay their eggs. During this time, there are cordoned off areas of the beach where you can enjoy the sea and sand as usual while protecting the ecology of the local area.

4. Glapsides Public Beach, Famagusta

A short drive from Nicosia, Glapsides Public Beach is great if you are staying in the capital and looking for an accessible beach. It has excellent facilities, with local a mini market, bar, restaurant and showers. The beach is busy, but the atmosphere is friendly, with the beach’s users being mainly young people and families. There is also dance and club music played by DJs on the beach in the eveninhg for those who like to party.

5. Silver Beach, Famagusta

Silver Beach is south of the ruins at Salamis, combining the joys of this beach with the history and culture on offer in this famous area. The beach is also varied in terms of activities, with a reef that is great for snorkeling and exploring; there are huge numbers of fish and interesting types of marine life to be discovered among the ancient jetties in the cove. The cove is also suitable for younger children due to the shallow shelving of the sand, so the whole family can enjoy the area.

Often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Mediterranean’ North Cyprus offers the ultimate stress-free Mediterranean holiday, where you can relax on uncrowded sandy beaches, enjoy exceptional local cuisine and discover untouched natural beauty.

Enjoy a stroll around numerous monasteries and castles, explore the coves and caves of the dramatic coastline or if you are feeling adventurous, why not book a diving, sailing or paragliding lesson?

We offer a wide range of one and two bedroom fully furnished apartments for rent on the Chelsey Village development throughout the holiday season with prices starting from just £195/week.

All apartments are furnished to a high standard throughout and are suitable for short and long-term rental on self-catering basis.

Call us on 0207 808 75 22 to check availability and book your stay or register here for further information.

Provisional Availability:

Short or Long Term Lets

2 Bedroom Apartment G/F

2 Bedroom Apartment G/F

2 Bedroom Penthouse F/F

Long Term

2 Bedroom Penthouse F/F
No lets of less than 1 month, no pets and no smoking.

Short Term

2 Bedroom Apartment G/F. Available Jan-Apr, Jul-Aug, Oct-Mid December

1 Bedroom Apartment G/F. Please check for availability.

1 Bedroom Penthouse apartment F/F. Please check for availability.

Our staff in the UK will be pleased to help you with any travel arrangements from finding the best priced airline tickets to arranging your transfers and car hire in North Cyprus.

Our staff on-site will be pleased to welcome you and ensure your stay is comfortable and enjoyable.

And with so many things to explore and see – we are sure you will have a holiday to remember!

As a wonderful plethora of yachts make their way to Kyrenia’s Old Harbour from South of Turkey, it is a great day to be in the Harbour area as visitors and locals sit around in cafes watching the boats enter the historical Harbour and ensure a warm welcome on docking.

The Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2009, and with its growing popularity, will no doubt see a record number of participants wanting to experience the event.  Avid boating enthusiasts take part from all over the world including people from Great Britain, America, Belgium, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, New Zealand and Germany as well as Turkey. Those taking part will get to experience some wonderful places all along the Aegean and Mediterranean coastline and includes visits to 3 continents and some 12 UNESCO world heritage sites, so there is more than just intensive sailing on the agenda! On docking at each location there is plenty of time to put their feet on terra firma, relax and enjoy the festivities and tours that are organised for them by each port they stop at. Participants will be in Kyrenia for a total of three days before departing on the 26th.

The event started in 1990 with a total of 17 vessels but had grown to 78 in number by 2008 with numbers set to increase this year with hopefully over 100 making the journey.  The rally is over 2 months long, lasting exactly 74 days and covers over 1,679 miles with 24 ports being docked at in 6 different countries. It may seem a long time but there are two sections to the rally, one covering the Turkish coastline and the second covering the International coastline which includes North Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt.

Whilst in Northern Cyprus they will be treated to some relaxing and entertaining events held in their honour such as a reception at Kyrenia Castle, a sightseeing tour and a ‘Pirates Party’ held annually at the Dome Hotel as a final send off before they hoist anchors and set sail for the next leg.  You can also find them parading around the Harbour in their costumes so don’t be scared if you get approached by a man with an eye patch, a peg leg and a parrot on his shoulder!

From North Cyprus they will then travel back to Turkey for another few days before heading on to Lattakia in Syria and then on south following the coastline, so there is a long way to go before finishing the event on 4th July at the port of Herzilya in Israel.

May-June

·        National Youth and Sports Festival, Tue 19th May
·        International Bellapais Music Festival, Thu 21st May – Sun 21st June 2009
Held at the Bellapais Abbey this music festival is a gathering for classical music lovers. In these Gothic settings, performers dazzle audiences throughout the month of May on designated dates.

·         Gazimagusa Children’s Festival, Fri 22nd May – Mon 1st June

June-July 

·         International Iskele Folk Dancing Festival in Iskele, Sun 5th – Sun 12th July 
A festival of Folk Dancing from all over the world celebrates both ancient folklore and dancing of modern day. This festival is schedule each year for one week at the end of June and beginning of July. Performances are scheduled in the evenings.

·         Iskele Festival in Iskele, Sun 5th July – Thu 16th July   
August

·         Grape Festival, Sat 1st – Fri 7th August
The Grape Festival is held in Iskele during the first week of August. This is considered to be a major cultural event in this region and attracts visitors from all over the island.

·         International North Cyprus Music Festival, Girne, Bellapais and Gazanagusa Salamis, Thu 20th August – Sat 5th September.

Featuring world-renowned operatic tenor José Carreras, American jazz fusion and Latin jazz guitarist Al Di Meola, and the Moscow Ballet.

The festival kicks off with Al Di Meola’s concert in the ancient Salamis Amphitheatre theatre, (Famagusta region).

       Carreras will be accompanied by the Izmir State Opera and Ballet Orchestra, conducted by world-famous maestro David Gimenez, on the 1^st of September. In addition to the two-hour extravaganza by Carreras, there will be a performance by Sabina Puertolas.

The Moscow Classical Ballet will also be performing on the 3^rd of September, featuring Natalya Kasatskina and Vladimir Vasilyov. The festival will come to a close at the Bellapais Monastery with a performance by the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra.

£322 – 7 Nights B&B - 4* Kyrenia, North Cyprus

Save £55 per person!!!

APRIL – MAY 2009

From Gatwick, Manchester, Heathrow, Stansted to Ercan Airport 

4* Riverside Holiday Village in Kyrenia for seven nights for £322 per person bed and breakfast. 

Stay in a country retreat in an idyllic setting with spectacular gardens and a variety of fruit trees and scented flowers. 

Set on the slopes of the mountain range behind Kyrenia and situated in the pictorial countryside just 10 minutes from the beach, is the self-sufficient Riverside Holiday Village. With an exhaustive list of facilities & activities available to its guests, such as horse riding, children’s Aqua Park, Olympic size fresh water swimming pool, baby-sitting service and a modern gymnasium to name but a few, there is always something new to experience.

The health conscious will be pleased to hear that all produce used within the complex are organically grown and farmed within the grounds of the resort. Run by a very warm and welcoming Cypriot family, you and your families comfort is always in mind.  

£299 - 5* Acapulco, Kyrenia 7 Nights 
£100 off + free upgrade!!!

MARCH 2009

London Heathrow & London Stansted to Ercan Airport
A great deal at the stylish Acapulco Spa Resort Hotel & Villas in North Cyprus for £299.

The deal includes seven nights accommodation in the 5* resort with a FREE upgrade to include breakfast and dinner each day (worth another £70), plus scheduled flights with Cyprus Turkish Airlines, transfers and all taxes and charges.  

The 5-star Acapulco Spa Resort Hotel & Villas in Kyrenia, North Cyprus, features a private beach, a Turkish bath, watersports, a gym and a spa, all located six miles from Kyrenia town centre.

North Cyprus enjoys a very pleasant climate, with warm, dry summers and mild winters, and an average of 300 days of sunshine. In August, the hottest month, mean temperatures range from 21°C to 36°C and in the coldest months of January and February, the average temperature is around 10°C, with a winter average of 6 hours daily sunshine and only moderate rain, making it an ideal year-round destination. Often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Mediterranean’ North Cyprus lives up to the highest expectations.

 There are so many things to do and see in North Cyprus that it would be impossible to list them all, but here are a few suggestions for your trip…

Kyrenia Castle

The beautiful harbour is dominated by the majestic Kyrenia Castle which houses a museum containing the remains of the one of the oldest ancient ships salvaged from the sea. Overlooking the entrance to the harbour is Kyrenia Castle.

Dating from the time of the Byzantines, its massive defences surround a complex mixture of building styles from centuries before and it is likely that there was a Roman fort here originally. Subsequently enlarged and strengthened by the Lusignans and then the Venetians, the castle is now home to many historical artefacts and is the current resting-place of the world’s oldest shipwreck.

The Shipwreck Museum displays a cargo boat which sank just off Kyrenia some 2300 years ago. It was discovered by a local sponge diver over 30 metres down in 1965, and was salvaged between 1967 and 1969 by marine archaeologists  from the Pennsylvania University. It is the oldest shipwreck known, and carbon 14 dating indicates it was built in 389BC, around the time of Alexander the Great.

Bellapais Abbey

To the north-east of Kyrenia (Girne) set on the side of a mountain, this twelfth-century monastery is a fine example of Gothic architecture of the Lusignan period. The abbey comprises of a church, refectory, dormitory and storage rooms grouped around an inner courtyard. It was originally occupied by a French brotherhood, the Order of Premontre, and was known to them as the “Abbaye de la Paix”.

Bellapais Abbey in Kyrenia, North Cyprus which has witnessed singing the old songs for ages now hosts modern and classical concerts. Numerous concerts have been performed in this 13th Century Lusignan Monastery.

Salamis, in Famagusta is another such historic site used for cultural activities and music festivals during spring and summer periods.

Karmi Village

Overlooked by the Gothic St. Hilarion Castle and set deep in the mountainside is the picturesque village of Karmi inhabited mostly by British and German expatriates. Cooled in summer by a light breeze, this lovingly restored village is a refuge of peace and genuine charm. With lovely views of the northern coastline from every corner, the relaxed and informal style of Karmi will not fail to enchant the visitor. With its own village pub, a small selection of local bistros, and a nearby handicraft shop, this region will appeal to anyone seeking tranquillity. 

Karmi village, situated up on the mountains, to the west of Kyrenia, was abandoned by its Greek-Cypriot inhabitants during the war in 1974. In time the old houses became derelict and the whole village turned to be a ghost one.

The village has 150 renovated houses, 4 restaurant-pubs, and a grocery shop. The inhabitants of the village are mainly from U.K., Germany, France, Austria, and U.S.A.

Traditional Cuisine

The amount of restaurants and cafes an individual has to choose from in Northern Cyprus is extraordinary. The choices available are broad, you can choose from a traditional Cypriot restaurant serving local specialties to an Indian restaurant, a fast food cafe to splendid international cuisine with silver service.

For traditional mezes, the choices are endless, the quality is usually excellent and the volume of food you will be presented with is almost overwhelming!  Both service and ambience are usually fantastic, the quality of the food exquisite and yet the price is highly reasonable!

Kyrenia Harbour

This month, we have teamed up with the largest holiday tour operator giving you a chance to take advantage of these fantastic holiday deals throughout January and February 2009 and save money!

We have also got great value Christmas and New Year Breaks and special 3-day inspection trips for just £129 pp!

Call us now on 0207 808 75 22 to check availability and don’t forget to mention ‘NCPW Special’ as your code to get the best deal. Ho ho ho ….!

Featured Offers:

4* Hotels – Kyrenia & Famagusta
7 nights inc. flights
From £249 pp!!!

5* Hotels – Kyrenia
7 nights inc. flights
From £294 pp!!!

Chelsey Village Phase 3

Properties at the stunning Chelsey Village have enjoyed a capital appreciation of over 30% in the last two years.

With 2 phases fully completed, the 3rd and final phase of the development has now been launched, offering you the perfect opportunity to make an excellent investment.

Contact us for latest availability now!

As our valued clients, we aim to keep you updated with the latest on North Cyprus News.

Having seen the latest editorial in Daily Telegraph (Sat, 27th Sept) as a positive review of both South and North parts of the island, and a positive step forward, we wanted to share the news with you. Please see below fragments from the Daily telegraph and other press coverage for North Cyprus. We hope you enjoy browsing through the information.
‘Cyprus and its once-hostile neighbour, The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, seem intent on reunification.’
‘Unbiased information on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) – or occupied Cyprus, depending on your viewpoint – is hard to find but a visit reveals a land of contrasts.

A short drive from Larnaca takes you over the border, where visas are promptly stamped. Passing military camps showing little sign of the 40,000 troops said to be stationed here, there is plenty to explore – not least of largely unspoiled coastline’.
‘The lack of development may have preserved this part of the island, while a dearth of mortgages has also suppressed the market, but developers are now moving in. If reunification comes, Ercan airport will be able to receive direct flights from the UK.’
‘Up to 4,000 Britons are estimated to live in Northern Cyprus – hardly surprising when you see the prices.’
Daily Telegraph, Overseas Property Sections, Saturday, September 27, 2008

Telegraph