Contrasts of Cyprus Walking

Customer Reviews

• Paul

  · November 5th, 2013
  An excellent week, with a fun group (from different places), an excellent local guide and great weather. The hotel was just fine too! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Beautiful views at altitude, looking along the North Cyprus coast What did you think of your group leader? Excellent.....knowledgeable, supportive, informative (and with us most eves.....and when he couldn't be, he recommended very good restaurants) Is there anything else you would like to add? We did two great 10 mile walks on successive days, then much less the rest of the week (we only walked on 4 of 6 days, with two half day walks). For some this wasn't enough. For me, I ccould have done with a lighter day between the two long ones!
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• Andrew

  · April 14th, 2013
  An excellent spring break lead by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Some very pleasant walks, none too taxing. The mountains were greener than I expected and plenty of wild flowers to see. The views from the castles in the mountains are spectacular. Good evening meals are available in local restaurants, particularly in Bellapais. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The views from Buffavento castle and on the walk down. What did you think of your group leader? Ros was excellent. Friendly and helpful. Thorough local knowledge, she seemed to be known by many of the local people. Do you have any 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. Is there anything else you would like to add? The hotel in Onar village was pleasant, with helpful staff and good views over Kyrenia. Some on the trip had problems with noise from air-conditioning units used all night in adjoining rooms. The breakfasts were good but I would not recommend it for an evening meal. Main issue is that you cannot walk to and from Kyrenia town to the hotel, which is some distance out of town and on the wrong side of the Kyrenia bypass which has no pedestrian route across. Taxis are though readily available.
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• Corran

  · January 25th, 2013
  This is a short trip which packs a lot in, but there is plenty of time to relax. The watchword is choice - there are plenty of options every day. Keep walking or hitch a ride? Relax by the pool or take another trip? The walking itself is not particularly demanding... but in almost 40 degree heat, we worked hard to earn the magnificent views! Even 3 months after returning, my memories are rich with blue and green. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? 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.  What did you think of your 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. Do you have any 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! Is there anything else you would like to add? If you are a hardy, mountaineering fitness nut then the trip may be too gentle for you. But if you want a mix of walking and bathing, eating and drinking, sightseeing and chilling out, this is one for you.
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