Central Kyrenia Northern Cyprus

Kyrenia Harbour…. Must be one of the most beautiful sights in the world and is a truly inspiring place that excites your senses. If you are looking for a place that exudes old-world Mediterranean charm mixed with a modern sophistication, Kyrenia Harbour is where you’ll find it. A multitude of yachts and fishing vessels rest on the calm harbour waters, enclosed on their landward side by an array of historic buildings that capture the timeless beauty of this Northern Cyprus town.

Kyrenia Northern Cyprus is a place for relaxation and contemplation. Restaurants and cafes line the water, welcoming guests to partake in a Turkish coffee or to sample their fine local cuisine. For the more adventurous, Kyrenia harbour offers access to the majestic castles in Cyprus – Kyrenia Castle. Originally constructed to defend the town from the Arab Raids in medieval times, Kyrenia Castle stands guard over the town at the harbour entrance. It is surrounded by a moat and offers an insight into centuries of Cypriot history that extends all the way back to Roman times.

Northern Cyprus Summer 2010

Welcome to our 19th year of Summer Holidays to Northern Cyprus and we are just as committed and not to mention just as passionate as we were in our first years in offering you the beautiful part of the med. We have for this month selected some favorites in Northern Cyprus and if you book early you can get some really good deals.

• 19 Airport Departures (Dublin new route for 2010)
• New hotels added-Multi centre – Two Centre holidays combined with Istanbul
• Olu Deniz – Dalyan – Marmaris – Kalkan (New resorts)
• Extensive Flight only programme
• All our holidays are fully Atol Protected so your monies are safe

Enjoy your Holidays with Green Island

North Cyprus Holidays

Northern Cyprus, mythical and unspoilt, how the Mediterranean use to be as well as the Mediterranean’s third largest island. Though this beautiful northern Cyprus has cultural influences from Asia, and Western Europe, it has a unique identity and enticing character of its own. You will find here endearing landscapes from pine-clad mountain peaks of the five finger mountains to golden sandy beaches of Famagusta that steal your heart away with their breath taking unspoiled beauty.
Some alluring places to visit
Some interesting places that should be a part of your travel schedule in Northern Cyprus are the heavenly golden beaches of the Karpaz Peninsula better known as the pan handle ,why not have a well deserved drink or two or have a romantic meal in the spectacular kyrenia harbour described by the mail on Sunday as one of the most beautiful sights in the world if your looking for a history lesson north Cyprus has over 9000 years of history you can Explore the medieval castles or the ruins of salamis or the gothic bellpais abbey the list is endless .
You can find the best holiday beaches in Europe on the famagusta coastline hundreds of miles of sandy beaches abound. Thrilling water skiing and even kite-surfing attract the adventure seekers in northern Cyprus while the warm turquoise seas caressing the sandy shores welcome the nature lovers.
Getting to Northern Cyprus
Most of the visitors reach Northern Cyprus by air via the Airports of Ercan in Northern Cyprus or Larnaca International in the south there are usually daily flights from the UK green island holidays are the largest tour operator to northern Cyprus offering cheap fares to North Cyprus year round All the flights to Ercan Airport North Cyprus are via Turkey with Touch down whereas flights to Larnaca are direct
Eating out
Don’t miss the Turkish Cypriots favourite mezze, a slow banquet of Cypriot delicacies that include the delectable grilled halloumi, dolma and scrumptious Firin Kebab or better known in the UK as Kelftico lamb slowly baked till it drops off the bone. Northern Cyprus is a modern country with an ancient history, its stone villages, scented citrus groves and perfumed five finger mountains are awaiting your arrival

Kyrenia North Cyprus Holidays – Green Island

Kyrenia
Kyrenia is a city with 6000 year old history, which even today has reminiscent remains of countless civilizations. An idyllic Mediterranean town with miles of natural beaches, peaceful sea, and mild climate is situated on the north coast of Cyprus. The charming city offers most magnificent scenery on the island, graced in the North by the enchanting sea and in the south by the greenery of the Beşparmak (Fivefinger) Mountain range.

Kyrenia’s attractions
Don’t miss the majesty of the Kyrenia’s castle that dates back from the time of the Byzantines. Today this ancient castle is home to historical artefacts and is the current resting-place of the world’s oldest shipwreck. The fairy-tale castle of St.Hilarion is considered to be the original inspiration for Walt Disney’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’. This magnificent structure was built during the crusades and if you take a long walk to its battlements you can relish the stunning views of Kyrenia and the north Cyprus coastline. Don’t miss the evening stroll near the Kyrenia harbour and check out the cafes and bistros facing the sea to enjoy an amazing view. Another not to miss place is the legendary Bellapais, a 14 century Lusignan abbey, ideal for tourists looking fro some peaceful delights.

Things to do
Northern Cyprus is the ultimate in relaxation, free of mass tourism and unspoilt. Kyrenia is the main resort with its famous picturesque Harbour described by the mail on Sunday as one of the most beautiful sights in the world and is the place to be at night. This beautiful harbour comes alive as the restaurants prepare the catch of the day as well as many other fresh dishes for you to enjoy accompanied with your favourite drink or two, not to mention kyrenia harbour entertainment of street entertainment thrown in for good measure. You can of course visit many other restaurants in or around kyrenia, we are sure you will be spoilt for choice. By day you can visit one of the many historical sight kyrenia has on offer. If you are visiting northern Cyprus in the spring why not join a wild flower or nature trek or just a few kilometres away visit Bellpais village and the famous abbey immortalised by Lawrence Durrell in his famous novel bitter lemons. Finally but certainly not to be missed the many miles of sandy beaches and coves that are all along the kyrenia coastline some of the beaches offer water sports or scuba diving whatever you choose to do we are certain that Kyrenia will leave a lasting impression on you.

Istanbul City Breaks

Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire has a dual character with influences of both the East and the West. Its geographical situation makes it a mix of Europe and Asia as the western half of the city is situated in Europe while the eastern half lies in Asia. On the north, it is surrounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara is in its southern border. and only a 3 hour flight from the UK.
Istanbul’s attractions
The city’s exciting panorama includes noteworthy historic buildings, exciting art galleries and museums during the day and is characterized by a high-velocity, mega-stylish night life. Historical works remaining from the Byzantium and Ottoman periods including the trio of Topkapi Palace, St Sophia Museum located in Sultan Ahmet Section and the Kariye Museum are the places that attract huge crowds and tourist attention. Don’t miss the Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque), Suleymaniye and magnificent palaces, fountains, tombs, Turkish baths; historical structures like churches, cisterns, walls etc. from Byzantium period
Shopping
Istanbul is the ultimate experience you have a choice of shopping in grand bazaars built hundreds of years ago that have over a thousand shops inside selling jewelery to leather goods souvenirs you name it they will sell it as well as the bazaars you have a choice of shopping in the modern shopping malls all at reduced prices compared to the uk .

Eating Out
Istanbul is a melting pot of cultures influences of past and present and eating out is a very important in Turkish culture matter as you can imagine the location of Istanbul where East meets west spices fresh vegetables, fruit , Pulses would and is in abundance and this makes Turkish cuisine one of the most diverse and richest in the world whatever your taste In food we can confidently say Istanbul has it.

How to get to Istanbul from the UK
Istanbul has two major airports Ataturk International Airport (IST) is about 20 km from city centre and Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) is around 90 minutes to the city centre both airports have daily direct flights from the uk or connection flights if you wish to fly from a regional airport in the UK when you arrive into Istanbul both airports have shuttle buses or taxi ranks into the city centre Green Island Holidays has the most up to date availability as well and can offer cheapest flights to Istanbul as Green Island Holidays is a specialist in city breaks to Istanbul.

Today, Istanbul is seen as a modern, global city, unique to itself with an unparalleled historical heritage. Istanbul, houses many international political, cultural, fine-arts and sports organizations, is on the road of becoming the most elite level of world cities. It is Turkey’s open door to the West, has beautifully transformed from an imperial capital to a world-class tourism and culture city and is on the must visit list of any international traveler.

Famagusta Northern Cyprus

Famagusta has come a long way, once a small fishermen harbour, in Lusignan period it became the Cyprus’s main port-of-call, with hundreds of ships anchoring here on their way to the Holy Land or Europe. It is a city on the east coast of Cyprus and is located in a bay between Capes Greco and Eloea, east of Nicosia. Famagusta possesses the deepest harbour in the Cyprus island.

Must visit places of Famagusta
Othello castle was built by de Lusignans in the 13th century. The legend of the place inspired Shakespeare to write his play Othello. St. Nicholas Cathedral, built in 1298 by the de Lusignans is one of the most impressive churches in Cyprus. The cathedral was converted into a mosque after the Ottomans invasion in 1571and renamed Lala Mustafa Pasa Cami. ‘Venetian Walls’ belong, also belong to the de Lusignan period. They are 2,5 miles long and enclose the entire old city. The spectacular ruins of Salamis outside the city offer an insight into ancient civilisations, and you can appreciate magnificent amphitheatre, Roman baths and royal tombs.

Cyprus’ oldest and the biggest university Eastern Mediterranean University is situated in Famagusta providing youthful flavour to this ancient city. Enjoy shopping the work of artisans in the old city, explore new stores, cafés and restaurants lining the Salamis Road on the way to the University. Every year in June, Famagusta hosts world renowned Culture and Arts Festival.

Famagusta favourites
Some Famagusta favourites that shouldn’t be missed are a stroll in the mediaeval old city, souvenirs shopping, or bric-a-brac, Turkish coffee at Bandabuliya at Namık Kemal Piazz, a walk on the Laguna Beach marina, delicious cakes at a patisserie near Desdemona’s Garden and Porta del Mare. This enchanting place Famagusta slowly grows on you day by day, moment by moment, experience this magic by visiting this Cyprus city.

Book your Holidays through Experts

When you think about booking your holiday the first thing you want to do is to speak to experts and a company who has a vast in-depth knowledge of the holiday you are looking for.Green Island Holidays sales team have over 18 years experience in offering the best of Northern Cyprus and Turkey.You can be assured that our team will give you expert advice based on constant guest feedback and resort feedback as well as their expertise personal knowledge and extensive travel of the resorts.

Green Island Holidays – Providing Perfect Holidays

Green Island Holidays is a small, independent tour operator specialising in holidays to Northern Cyprus, Istanbul and Malta & Gozo.