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Everything about it – the good contrast about walks/history/flora and fauna
I think I have done a review already?
I dont have one The variety of Famagousta Town, with all the typoes of castle, some sea, the food. The hotle was great.
First class
Make sure you understand about walking. If you are not part of the group due to knees or anything, then you have to find your own excursions.
Scenic walks (apart from the introductory one on Sunday which was a bit of a walk to nowhere) with great views from the top of the hills. It was a bit hot but all the walkers coped with the permanent sunshine.
Gizer, the leader, is a very good organiser, with perfect timing and good knowledge of the history of the places we visited – Girne, Bellapais Abbey, Saint Hilarion, Kantara and Buffavento Castle (the walk up to it recompense the walker with breath-taking views).
He also organised the optional but very informative excursions to Famagusta and Nicosia which offered us the chance to find out a lot of facts about places we knew only from the news.
I would also like to commend Omar, the driver, very efficient as well, helpful and funny; he helped me learn more Turkish language than I knew before 😉.
The food was good, and the best dinners we had were at Niazi’s and Eminem (no connection with the rapper 😉). The best lunch was at the Caravan Serai in Nicosia – thank you Gizer!
Pia Bella Hotel was clean with good sized rooms, very professional, polite, and friendly service, good range of food items at the breakfast.
Al in all, a very rewarding holiday – Thanks to Exodus, Gizer, and everybody else who made it happen.
A very enjoyable walking holiday, mixing walks with interesting visits to a cave, ruined castles, an abbey and an Armenian monastery. The walks themselves are varied – pine forests, mountains, beach, some tracks and just a little on the almost-deserted roads.
An excellent trip to Famagusta was offered on the Day Off and this not only took us to interesting sites (St Barnabas monastery, roman Salamis, Varosha ghost town & the old walled city, but also gave us th chance to learn more about the history if the island.
A bonus was the trip to Nicosia on our last day, whcih meant we didn’t have to hang around the hotel waiting for the transfer to the airport. This also gave us the opportunity to walk across the border into South Cyprus.
Day 6 - Buffavento Castle and the Five Finger Mountains. Although it is over 600 steps up and the same down, the castle is situated right on the ridge of the Five Finger Mountains, so you can see both sides of the island (and the coast of Turkey on a clear day). Because of the steps, it is quiet with no/few other tourists, so we had the castle to ourselves! The lunch stop is further along the ridge, so more spectacular views across both sides of the island.
Geser is an excellent guide, very knowledgeable, patient and very helpful. His english is amazing and he has a good sense of humour. He spent a lot of his time with us and nothing was too much trouble for him. He really made the holiday very special and I hope that Exodus will continue to use Geser as a guide for future trips.
Our flight was delayed, so we arrived very late but Exodus/the hotel had unexpectedly arranged for a snack of soup and a filled roll, which was very well received. It is a long flight and transfer, so would recommend taking a packed lunch to have on the plane. Make sure you have high factor sun screen as the sun is strong, even on cloudy days.
This trip was fantastic for me because of the combination of the walks and the culture. The walks were quite varied and the castles and monasteries added to the variety. It was a little warmer than I expected (mid 20s) but I know three weeks earlier there was snow so I think late March/early April is a great time to do this tour, it also being an ideal time for the wild flowers. The hotel is very nice and a well located base for the week’s activities. Our tour leader Gizer was excellent in terms of both his organisation of the trip and his knowledge on the history and the flora and fauna. He joined us for three evening meals, the other evenings were on our own but all Gizer’s suggested restaurants were very good. The optional trips to Famagusta and Nicosia (not currently on the itinerary but it seems usually an option on the final day) were both well worth doing. Our group got on with each other really well which added to a great trip.
I can't really pick out just one, for me the variety was what made the trip. The views on the walks, the castles, the Roman remains at Salamis, Kyrenia and its shipwreck were all fantastic.
Gizer is a brilliant guide. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he really went out of his way to deal with any requests that we had. He knew and explained the history of the island and the sights very well, and pointed out various things in the castles and in Salamis that added to the experience. He obviously knew the walks very well as he could always tell us how far there was to go, and he was also an expert on the wild flowers - my favourite was a large group of "naked man orchids"!
Don't buy Turkish lira in the UK. There are plenty of places to change GB pounds into lira and the rates at the exchange bureaus are very good - there is one less than 100 yards from the hotel. Credit cards were accepted everywhere and the rates seemed good as well. Do the Famagusta/Salamis optional excursion and if possible the undocumented excursion to Nicosia on the final day. The Covid paperwork and regulations are now minimal so this should not now be a concern.
Firstly we did not expect snow on this holiday! Nonetheless we had a very enjoyable week and met some lovely people in our group of 16. Some parts of the itinerary had to be adapted and changed due to the weather conditions but this did not affect the overall enjoyment of the holiday. Walking on the first couple of days was a bit tricky due to the snow and ice, meaning walking poles were essential. In normal conditions none of the walks would have been especially challenging. Gizer was a great guide, very knowledgeable and mindful of the group. We appreciated the extra trips to Famagusta (on free day) and Nicosia (departure day). Hotel Pia Bella is a good base with friendly staff and the bonus of heating in the bedrooms. It has a lovely outside pool area (shame it was just too cold to enjoy). Worth noting that if you enjoy wine the house stuff is not good, instead ask the hotel for a bottle (affordable) and keep behind the bar. Organised restaurants were very good, especially the last evening one. The restaurant next to the hotel serves a nice pizza too. All in all a good holiday and so much history in Northern Cyprus
Visiting Salamis and Nicosia
Excellent, very knowledgeable on history, culture and flora and fauna
Take lots of warm layers. It does get cold. Also walking poles useful
This was our first group holiday since Covid and first walking group holiday – we’ve been more into cycling but are now converted!
The walking was very comfortable – nice distances and nothing too taxing although there was the odd boulder to scramble over or around on one walk. Everybody coped fine. The walks were generally high up in the mountains and the views were great. Each walk had something of interest linked to it, e.g. an abbey, a castle, a monastery. The sight-seeing day going to Famagusta was great. On every day there was plenty to interest keen photographers.
We had a nice group of 13 people. The hotel was great – in this trip, because the distances are small, once you’re there, there’s no repacking until the end. The staff were friendly. Breakfast was pretty good once you’ve worked out what everything is and what you like. The only disappointing thing is the coffee – nescafe rather than a decent machine or good local coffee. The hotel is about 10 mins walk to the harbour. There are plenty of restaurants near by for the three evenings when we don’t eat as a group.
Our trip was in late February. It was a bit like April here in the UK. Warm during the day, cold at night. A couple of hardy people did swim in the hotel pool and in the sea – but that wasn’t for us. Bring a good jump for the evenings!
Up at the St Hilarion Castle in the mountains - super views. Also visiting the 'ghost town' of Varosha. I was reading 'The Sunrise' by Victoria Hislop, a great novel about Cyprus in 1974. It's set there and everything came even more to life.
Gizer is great. He's very experienced and professional, good fun and informative. He coped and helped well with the issues thrown up by some lost luggage and flight disruption. Everything in his control went pretty smoothly! One of the drivers on the journey from the airport to the hotel was poor and my wife ended up with car sickness - Gizer ensured that he wasn't one of our regulars and there was no recurrence of any nausea on our trips. We learnt a lot about Cyprus and the north from him. He made a good choice of restaurants and there was a nice mix between 'group time' and 'individual time'. The final day could be a bit of a let down as the flight home is late afternoon and there's nothing in the Exodus itinerary. But Gizer arranges an optional / additional trip to the Turkish side of Nicosia which is pretty interesting and if you do that you're already part of the way to Larnaca airport.
- Once we cross into North Cyprus, Gizer stops at an ATM. There are plenty of them in Kyrenia. We lost money by buying Turkish lira at LHR - it was a very poor rate and there was no need to buy there. - Read 'The Sunnise' by Victora Hislop on or before the trip - see above
After great deliberation on whether to venture out on holiday again, we are glad we did. This was an excellent trip & very well organised. Exodus provided excellent advice & details of all the requirements necessary in view of COVID regulations.
We met with a sociable & lovely group of people and at 12 I think this was an ideal number. This is our 3rd or 4th group holiday & after years of independent travel it is relaxing to just go with the flow & not have to be responsible for anything!
The walking was superb – challenging in places but well worth the effort of some steep climbs. The views were fantastic & we visited Crusader castles & monasteries. Our guide Gizer was a great host & very knowledgeable about the history & culture of his country.
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The walk up to St Hilarion castle was a real highlight. It was tremendous when back at the foot of the mountain, to look back up and know that we had climbed up there. It looks so inaccessible so was a sense of achievement. My favourite moment was on our last day, en-route to the airport, we visited Nicosia the divided city, and after seeing the old market, we walked though an entrance to the caravanserai where it opened up into a square with arches & little shops.
Gizer is a superb guide & ambassador for his country and a great asset to Exodus. He is a charming man, kind, thoughtful & very knowledgeable & an expert at diplomacy and was always aware of each persons needs. Nothing was too much trouble and he was always ready to answer our many questions. He has a great sense of humour too. His recommendations for restaurants were welcome.
Don't worry too much about the rules & endless form filling. (Says someone who was very stressed about it before we went) It is worth all the faff. North Cyprus is a beautiful country and the history - both ancient and recent - is fascinating. You do need to have a certain level of fitness as it is a full on active holiday. If you've never been on a group holiday before, don't hesitate, it's great fun!
This whole trip was a delight. I knew very little about Cypriot history but came away with a better understanding of the country, the conflicts and the people. The scenery is stunning; the walking is a delight and the hotel and food did not disappoint.
It is relatively inexpensive to eat out and the food was delicious. Local wine washed down our meals and sunsets were enjoyed with the help of a Brandy Sour. If you want a stress free, walking holiday with some sunshine and blue skies head for Kyrenia. It was quite cool with brisk winds but there were enough heat in the midday to chase away any winter blues.
There are some spectacular Crusader Castles set high in the mountains; the ancient city of Salamis and a fabulous shipwreck to see.The buildings are fascinating but I most enjoyed the rocky limestone pinnacles and the lovely trails through pine forests carpeted with anemones and orchids with views to a sparkling blue sea.
Gizer is a top notch guide. He is a very relaxed and friendly host with an excellent knowledge of his country. Nothing was too much trouble and he was very helpful with our Covid testing and getting us across the border.He also sourced a rather lovely cake to celebrate my birthday. Transport worked well and his recommendations for restaurants were excellent. He made sure everyone had a lovely time and made us feel very comfortable.
Worry not about saving a tree. Bring paper copies of Covid tests and Passenger Locator forms. It makes life easier.
This was my first ever ‘group’ walking holiday. The whole trip was well planned and organized, and the group leader and guide (Gizer) was simply excellent. I found the group travel refreshingly sociable after the lockdowns and social distancing we have all been through.
The view out to the peninsula from the top of Kantara Castle.
Apart from knowing the ancient and modern history of the places we visited very well, Gizer catered for all tastes; whatever your diet or allergies; whenever you fancied a meal without the group. Not only was he most courteous, but he also has an excellent sense of humour.
The service in The Pia Bella was good. The rooms were spacious and clean. Breakfast, the bar, and the local food in particular were good. The pre-arranged Christmas dinner was the least interesting. But most evenings we ate out as a group anyway. It’s worth knowing that the only coffee worth drinking should be ordered at the bar, and you should ask the breakfast cook to make you your choice of eggs because the prepared scrambled eggs are not worth it. A decent cappuccino is very cheap at 20 Lire. This is the least expensive county where I have eaten out for longer than I care to look back. Angora Kavaklidere red wine is very cheap and reasonably drinkable. Cankaya (pronounced ‘Chankaya’) Kavaklidere at 13.5% is a strong white wine and tastes even better quality for the same low price. Make sure you leave the food you can’t eat, or you will make yourself sick. Its good, but there is far too much of it.
After nearly 2 years stuck in the UK, I was so desperate to get away that I was prepared to take all the stressful Covid tests/paperwork on the chin in order to travel. So I went Walking in North Cyprus over Christmas, and it was lovely. The Hotel Pia Bella in Kyrenia was lovely, and the staff were great – friendly and funny. Gizer was a great guide – very experienced and competent, with lots of historical knowledge. This was a leisurely/moderate grade holiday, and the walking was fairly easy most days, apart from a scrambly section on the St. Hilarion day – good boots necessary! The trip was a good mix of walking and culture – the 4 castles and the Armenian monastery were all very interesting. I did the 2 extra trips to Famagusta, and Nicosia. I liked them both, but the ancient city of Salamis (near Famagusta) was probably my highlight. The weather was bright and sunny, with only one wet afternoon. But it was a bit cooler than most of us had expected, with a chill wind at times. Hat and gloves recommended. No one was tempted by the hotel pool or the sea!
Salamis, which I'd never heard of before.
Gizer was a very good leader - experienced and calm, approachable and knowledgeable.
The paths are a little bit rough in places, so boots are essential, and you might want to use sticks. I did use my waterproof trousers once in the week. Late December can be cool - my swimming costume and sandals stayed in the suitcase. Eating out is pretty cheap, so you don't need loads of Turkish lira. Try to bring printouts of the various Covid documents you need - we had no wifi as we crossed the border into North Cyprus, so the TRNC app I'd uploaded things to didn't work. Printed is safer. But Gizer is around to help.