Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The most inspirational moments were Visiting the castles high on the cliffs and imagining what they might have been like when people lived there and what kind of people they were.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was excellent. His English was superb and he had a great degree of knowledge about history, flora and fauna. He was a very warm person and didn't mind answering all our questions patiently. The pace of the walks was good, it was still quite hot.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was interesting to see fruits and seeds on the trees, but spring flowers would have looked lovely.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing Laurence Durrell's house in Bellapais, the crusader castles of Buffavento and St Hilarion, Kyrenia harbour.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our walk leader Tugberk Emirzade was excellent. His knowledge and love of the island made the holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect some toughish climbs to the Crusader castles - worth it for the views if you don't suffer from vertigo!!

Most Inspirational Moment

Beautiful views at altitude, looking along the North Cyprus coast

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent.....knowledgeable, supportive, informative (and with us most eves.....and when he couldn't be, he recommended very good restaurants)

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from Buffavento castle and on the walk down.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ros was excellent. Friendly and helpful. Thorough local knowledge, she seemed to be known by many of the local people.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trip notes should make clearer that payment for the optional group trip/meals is better paid in sterling not Turkish lira, otherwise the exchange rate will be poor. It is a long drive to the Karpaz peninsular and if you are not a beach enthusiast, it may be better to make other arrangements for that day. The Apostolos Andreas monastery, included in the Karpaz day, is unfortunately (owing to its state of disrepair) not worth a visit. The optional trip to Salamis and Famagusta is well worth taking. You could easily spend more time in both.The group flight with Pegasus goes via Istanbul and passengers to/from N Cyprus have to stay on the plane for about 1 hour at Istanbul. This is a budget airline and no food or drink is included in the ticket and prices on board are very high. Legroom is poor. Check-in at Stansted was very slow. I would strongly advise on-line check-in for the outward flight. Seats were though allocated.

Most Inspirational Moment

I don't know if it is inspirational as such, but amidst the beautiful scenery and exceptionally varied history, the thing which struck me the most was the modern history, particularly the no-man's-land visible in Famagusta. It's a shame that such a beautiful country is tinged with division and sadness, with the ongoing political and diplomatic struggles trapping the local people in the middle. Struggles and change throughout history are evident across the island, showcased by the visits to the castles, mosques, abbeys, monasteries and both ancient and modern ruins, in which the influence of Roman, Crusader, Arab and Turk can be seen. Not to mention the British...The natural landscape of the Karpaz is a fantastic contrast. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roz was friendly, knowledgeable and very funny. I hadn't realised from reading previous reviews that she was British and so I was doubly impressed by her spoken Turkish language skills! She was able to advise on just about everything, including suggesting places to eat and drink and even passing on a list of North Cyprus-related literature for anyone interested in learning a bit more.With her at the head and a great group of fellow travellers, I spent a hearty proportion of every day laughing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Say "yes" to everything! Say yes to the optional day trip to Famagusta, say yes to the evening dinner cruise, say yes to the chance to swim in the sea, say yes to the delicious barbecue...However, in amongst saying "yes" to everything... Consider packing a snack or two (ensuring it is not something that melts) in case the lunch food is not to your taste (it's freshly-prepared local food and I thought it was delicious!). Also, be prepared for a scratch or two on the leg on the forest walk. I loved the walk but some of the shrubs are hardy and unforgiving!The only definite thing which should be remembered? If flying with Pegasus from Stansted via Istanbul to Ercan, take food onto the plane for your journey!

Most Inspirational Moment

The relaxed pace of life they have over there, and the happy mix of old and modern in their towns and cities, relatively untouched by the infiltration of global corporations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He seemed to organise things well and was clearly passionate about his country and culture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

1) Plan on going on a diet when you get back. 2) If you want long walks every day, this trip probably isn't for you. 3) Some of the descents on the hills are quite steep so if you have dodgy knees you might want to bring sticks.4) Be aware the hotel is set up on a hill above Kyrenia and it's not easy to get into the town on your own, if you had such a desire. 5) They don't give you free food on the plane so have a big breakfast or bring your own lunch.

Most Inspirational Moment

I most enjoyed Salamis and swimming in the sea. I was also impressed with how productive the land is out on the peninsular.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes. Don't travel direct to Northern Cyprus because it means going via Istanbul. it is quicker to fly to Larnaca and take a taxi to the North.

Most Inspirational Moment

The historical sites built on mountain tops. St Hilarion Castle, Buffavento castle.  The views form the castles and along the mountain walks were amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Roz was a fantastic guide and good company. She had so much knowledge of the area and the history. She knew all of the routes very well and was able to measure the pace of the group very well. Gave great recommendations for places to eat.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walks were probably not in the moderate range and I found them quiet easy but, the daily temperatures of 38 degrees made the walking much more difficult but not unbearable. There was a go0od balance between walking and time off and plenty of time to explore the various sites during the walks.

Most Inspirational Moment

 The Armenian Monastery and Buffavento.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ros was very friendly and knowledgeable.  She ensured that there was always plenty of back up for the group, and planned and led the walks bearing in mind the unseasonably high temperatures.  This meant that all of us could take part in at least one, if not more stages of each day, without concern that any day would prove too challenging. She recommended good restaurants for the non group nights. She was clearly well liked and respected by the locals which heightened our holiday experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Listen to the advice about how much you need to drink.  A 'camel' in your rucksack is a very worthwhile investment, since you can drink at any time and the rucksack keeps the sun off your back.  I found that apart from the sea walk, walking boots were worthwhile every day.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from, but particular highlights for me included St Hilarion Castle and Kyrenia Castle as well as a look around Kyrenia itself, which is a picturesque harbour town, and Buffavento Castle. The ancient city of Salamis and historical city of Famagusta also made for a good day out and I enjoyed a trip over to the Karpaz Peninsula and its unspoilt expanse of beach with great views of the ocean.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Ros was excellent. Very knowledgeable of the history of the area and gave us plenty of time to take in the scenery and look around many of the historical sights included on this tour. Good at communicating the options available to us and co-ordinating other matters such as assisting with restaurant bookings etc.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A definite one to consider if you are looking for relatively undemanding walking (in the main, with a few ascents up to castles/monuments which require some light exertion) combined with plenty of good sightseeing and historical interest. If on the other hand you want a trip where you come back each evening feeling that you have pushed yourself physically (not in a bad way, but you know you have been on a long trek) then this trip will not fit the bill.