Most Inspirational Moment
Must take the day trip to Famagusta and Dalamis!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be ready for hot weather.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Awesome trip
Awesome trip with a home base in an amazing hotel with great views, pool and breakfast buffet. The walks were different terrain every day, beautiful scenery. Gizer was an excellent, knowledgeable, funny guide. He arranged dinners, trips, could not ask for a better leader of the group. The only complaint: very hot weather that made the hiking less enjoyable than ideal. Definitely recommended!
Excellent Trip
A great trip with a good combination of walking, sightseeing, culture and history
Most Inspirational Moment
Lots to choose from but the optional trip to Famagusta stands out for me. So interesting!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gizer is an excellent group leader. He is very knowledgeable and he brings alive the various sites visited with his explanations and stories. He is very caring and considerate, and goes the extra mile to ensure every member of the group has everything they want and need. His evening meetings by the pool bar, provide a great chance to chat about the day you've had and to make sure everyone knows what to expect and what to take for the next day. He kindly provided a trip to Nicosia on the last day which was fascinating and so much better then ‘kicking our heels’ before the late flight back.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It's VERY hot in September, we had mid to high 30s most days which I found a bit too hot for walking. Take some lira (or get it from the ATM) as it’s useful especially for tips and the odd extra drink at mealtimes, however cards are also widely accepted.
Great Trip
Have just come back from a great trip based in Kyrenia. The guide, Gizer, knows the area very well and could tell us a lot about the history and culture as well as flora and fauna and birds. There were also some great optional extras, such as a trip to Salamis and Famagusta and, on the last day, to Nicosia. He organised visits to several evening restaurants, that served traditional Turkish Cypriot meals, the last one being especially good. I thought the level of walking was quite challenging for a “Leisurely” grade, although that was partly due to it being quite hot. The group size was excellent at 12, and we mainly got on very well, although one couple spent most of the time away from us as they had not expected such hard walking. The hotel was excellent, with a wide choice of a buffet breakfast, very comfortable rooms and friendly, helpful staff. All in all, a great holiday and I feel I’ve got to know a lot more about North Cyprus.
Most Inspirational Moment
Spectacular scenery, and getting to hear about the history of the island
Thoughts on Group Leader
Very experienced and knowledgable. Gave us lots of information. Worked long hours.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Good walking boots and a walking stick recommended. The trip notes say you must have Turkish Lire, but generally they are happy to take euro's dollars and pounds. Lires are useful as small change for entrance to loos etc
Superb week
I had been looking at doing this trip for a few years and it did no disappoint. The walks provided both lots of historical interest and stunning views. Our guide, Gizer, was excellent and told us not only about the ancient but also the more recent history of Cyprus. He also pointed out the flora and fauna on our walks. The optional free day is a must and everyone in our group went.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were many inspirational moments but the lovely views and learning more about the history of Cyprus were the most memorable.
Thoughts on Group Leader
As mentioned in other reviews Gizer was excellent and a true professional. His amount of knowledge which he shared with us about his country was amazing. On our last day, we found out that the group flight (with BA) was cancelled, due to security strikes at Heathrow. Gizer was calm and able to help everyone with changes to our plans which generally worked out well, although for some this meant that they missed out on the tour of Nicosia on the last day, which was disappointing.
Advice for Potential Travellers
I would say that the time of our tour (last week in March) was a perfect time to visit. We had sunny weather, no rain and it was perfect temperature for the walks. It was quite windy on a couple of the days so a fleece or light jacket was needed near to the summit of the hills. This is also a good time to see the spring flowers as we were told that they would have faded by the time you get to the middle/end of April. Also good to know that as well as Turkish Lira, Euro and Sterling are more acceptable than I had expected.
Fascinating place and history
Having been to both Greece and Turkey before it was fascinating to visit the island that has been a focal point of tensions between the two nations. The trip was an excellent mix of walking & sight seeing with plenty of spare time to do other things if required.
Most Inspirational Moment
The lasting memory will be the miles of unoccupied building which made up the 'Ghost Town' in Famagusta - a truly memorable sight that conjured images of a post apocalyptic world returning to nature
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gezer was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and always willing to answer questions and tell us of the history. He also had a great sense of humour which makes for an enjoyable time.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't bring too much cash - everywhere takes cards
Amazing trip!
This was my first trip with Exodus and it was absolutely perfect! The walks are varied, some are a little bit harder than others but there are always easier options available if needed. The scenery is just stunning and matched with a very interesting history and a very friendly group of people it made the trip a memorable one. During the week you get to visit crusader castles, monasteries and abbeys, ancient ruins and even a cave. The views you get from every walk are just spectacular. The trip was made even more successful thanks to our guide Gizer, the most knowledgeable and kind guide you can ask for, always telling us the most interesting bits of history about the country and the local flora and fauna. The hotel Pia Bella was an excellent base for our week, perfectly located close to Kyrenia harbour and all the shops and restaurants.
Most Inspirational Moment
There are too many to mention but I would say the spectacular view from the top of Buffavento Castle and the visit to Famagusta on the free day.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gizer was a superb guide, extremely knowledgeable about his country, approachable and always very patient.
Advice for Potential Travellers
On the free day make sure you take the excursion to Salamis and Famagusta, including the ghost town of Varosha and the visit to Nicosia on the day of departure is a must.
Walking in Northern Cyprus
Hotel was good with an obliging staff. The walk was graded 1/2 I thought some of the walks were more of a higher standard but none of the walks were long so perhaps that’s why it’s rated 1/2.All walks had excellent views.I didn’t approve of the driver taking a call on his mobile phone.whilst driving. The bus could have been cleaner. The picnics were disappointing. Unfortunately the weather was not very good but didn’t mar the enjoyment of the trip. The worst feature was a bitterly cold northerly wind.
Most Inspirational Moment
There wasn’t one for me but I enjoyed seeing the sites.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good knowledge of the history of the country and the flora and fauna. Spent too much time on his phone.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure that you are well prepared for all types of weather.
Fascinating and thought-provoking trip
Two of us took a bit of a chance travelling in late November to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, but we were pleasantly surprised at the temperatures in the low 20s, and we were able to swim in the sea and one of the hotel pools (much colder!). We stayed in Girne (the Turkish name for Kyrenia), a very charming port and dramatic castle, at the Pia Bella Hotel which was three buildings around two pools and a lovely garden with a bar where we gathered in the evening. Our leader Gizer was splendid – he started each day sorting out our picnic lunches, told us all about the history as our very able driver took us to the start of walks, and led us along mountainsides and up to precipitous castles. Each evening he briefed us in detail about plans for the next day, and then on three evenings took us to outstanding restaurants, with a wide range of mezze and delicious main courses. He recommended restaurants we tried on other nights, all really good and reasonable price. Most of us joined the trips to Famagusta and the ghost town Varosha, and to Nicosia on the way to the airport on the last day – seeing these places was very moving and helped us to begin to understand the issues. A fantastic trip which we really enjoyed – a lovely group, comfortable hotel and well organised.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the view from St Hilarion castle along the mountain range and the coastline. Jumping the waves in the sea at Kaplica.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gizer is an excellent leader - well organised, thoughtful and friendly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It would have been useful to know in advance that euros and sterling are so widely accepted in the north.
a fun expedition
The walking was excellent, and our guide Gizer was brilliant and very professional. The hotel was a bit shabby and the food was mediocre. The staff were OK, however and the room was good. Two of our party were fed up that the lunches (included in the cost) were not proper sit-down affairs in a taverna with hot food. Their moaning was rather annoying, as were not unhappy, but perhaps Exodus could make the type of lunches plainer in the trip notes.
Most Inspirational Moment
hiking up to Buffavento castle
Thoughts on Group Leader
excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
always carry your raincoat in spite of what the forecast is. The mountains make their own weather.
Walking, history and culture combined
This was our first trip with Exodus. The group was very welcoming and we were met by the guide at the airport. The initial briefing was comprehensive and there was a daily brief which helped us know what was happening each day. The weather was superb – 30C most days. The scenery is pretty dry by late September so perhaps not as lush as at other times in the year. The accommodation was spacious. The hotel has a very pleasant outdoor bar area where we could gather in the evening and the hotel staff were pleasant and attentive. The evening meals were excellent and great value and portions (very) generous. The local restaurants were of a high standard. The guide was excellent – knowledgeable, attentive and endlessly patient. The itinerary was a good mixture of historical sights and walking on trails and we learned about local history and culture. There plenty of stunning photo opportunities. Overall an excellent trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent