Kyrenia - a mesmerising experience

To most visitors, a holiday in Northern Cyprus means Kyrenia, and Kyrenia means the stunning Kyrenia Harbour. The tranquillity can be felt even before the harbour is seen and as you stroll along the sea-front, there is an atmosphere of calm. Turning into the harbour itself provides a visual feast, where beautiful, whitewashed buildings and colourful boats shelter under a massive, Byzantine castle. During the day, Kyrenia harbour is sleepy and relaxed, but as sunset beckons, there is a magical transformation as locals take their evening stroll and the restaurants and tavernas prepare for their guests.

However, holidays in Kyrenia mean more than just the harbour and castle. Strolling through the streets of the old town, you will never be far away from the ruins of the Lusignan walls and towers which originally formed a protective curtain around the town.

Kyrenia holidays offer plenty for the keen shopper, with a vast array of outlets providing everything from the latest designer fashions to Cypriot antiques - not to mention a truly remarkable choice of restaurants.

Kyrenia is an ideal base to explore Northern Cyprus, and it has some of the island's best accommodation. Yet the serene beauty of the countryside is never far away....

Bellapais Village, the setting for Lawrence Durrell's classic novel 'Bitter Lemons of Cyprus' is a few minutes drive away and the 13th century abbey bears witness to the fact that the village has changed little since Durrell's time. The Nearby Crusader castles of Hilarion, Kantara and Buffavento are particularly fine, as is Nicosia, the capital of modern-day North Cyprus.

West of Kyrenia lies 'the Garden of North Cyprus', with citrus orchards, verdant forests and fertile plains. Here, the Roman settlement of Soli is worth a visit, as is the Persian palace of Vouni, where there are awe-inspiring views across the island and the sea.

It is said that the town was founded in the 10th century, and was called Corineum during the Roman period. As can be seen by the many tall buildings surrounding the harbour, it was once a bustling trade port, the buildings used for storage of goods such as carob. Under the British rule many improvements were made to the harbour area and also to the road system, allowing easy access through to Lefkosa. Kyrenia also boasts the New Harbour to the east of the town, which is a central departure point for passengers wishing to travel to and from Turkey.

The town sprawls out from the harbour and is home to a number of interesting museums and galleries, as well as being a hub for local tradesmen. The old town is located behind the harbour, and if you wander along the rambling narrow streets you’ll come to small secret shops, cafes and restaurants some with tiny courtyards all tucked away in the shade of the buildings. Some of the older buildings in the town, which are still used as residences, are amazingly intricate in architectural design and detail, giving a good indication of the wealth of sea-faring merchants in days gone by.

Kyrenia castle is lit up beautifully in the night time and adds a stunning focal point to the whole harbour area. It dates back to the late 12th century and is believed to have been built on a former Roman fort. Today it’s an exciting visitor attraction and museum with its lofty heights free and unrestricted by guard rails for people to climb around…parents watch out because a lot of those edges really are unprotected! It also houses the famous shipwreck museum that is home to one of the oldest ships ever recovered from the sea. The castle also hosts music festivals and events, making it one of the most visited attractions in North Cyprus.

Many Europeans have already made their home in and around Kyrenia, making it feel less of a town but more of a small city these days, with development seemingly expanding on a daily basis, but together making it more appealing to potential investors and residents. Kyrenia is a busy, social and cultural town with the GAU University only a short distance away, giving it a real mix of cultures and races

Riverside Holiday Village - the perfect North Cyprus retreat...

A warm and friendly welcome awaits you at the Riverside Holiday Village...

Situated on the edge of the typically Cypriot village of Alsancak, this North Cyprus family-run accommodation is situated in the beautiful hillside surrounded by orchards. The Riverside is located 8 miles from the historic harbour of Kyrenia. This delightful family-run hotel is renowned for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere and also provides extensive children facilities with two outdoor swimming pools, one with fun slides and chutes. The hotel provides comfortable and pleasant accommodation with beautiful hillside views and is set in pretty and tranquil grounds bursting with colour and scent. The Riverside offers a selection of one bed roomed superior villas and a limited number of two bed roomed. The villas incorporate a basic kitchen, good size lounges, telephone, television and private patio or balcony.
For the more energetic there is horse riding, a small fitness centre, a sauna and resident masseuse.

Immediately upon arrival and right up to the end of your wonderful stay with the Riverside Holiday village, you will experience first class, friendly and warm hospitality.

Package holidays for the Riverside Holiday Village, including flights, accommodation in a superior villa and with complimentary airport transfers start from only £299 more info

Bellapais Music Festival

North Cyprus 13th International Bellapais Music Festival is being held in May 2009, at the Bellapais Abbey near Kyrenia.

For an outstanding evening of classical music from famous pianists, violinists and orchestras such as Belgium Chamber Orchestra, Hanna DREZIEWIKA, Florance DEGOSSELY, Marie VERMEULİN, Elvira FOTİ, The Symphony Band of Turkish Armed Forces and many more, why not take a look at the official website www.bellapaisfestival.com/festival_13.htm. You can book your accommodation through Cyprus Premier - http://www.cypruspremier.com/

Getting more for your money in Euro Free North Cyprus

British tourists, fed up with the dramatic price hikes of holidays this year in Euro bearing holiday destinations, are finding refuge in Euro-Free North Cyprus... As the only Euro-Med destination not having officially adopted the Euro currency, North Cyprus is a haven for deals for the more financially conscious and is slowly gaining recognition for being a great value destination.

In Northern Cyprus the currency for purchasing everything apart from real estate is the Turkish Lira which has fared much better against the British Pound in comparison to the Euro. This year, those who are destined for Cyprus in the hope of enjoying an affordable holiday in the sun, away from the UK's and Europe’s credit crunch situation should make certain they are holidaying on the right side (i.e., the North side) of the Green Line!

The cost of most things in North Cyprus has always been more reasonable when compared to the prices in the tourism resorts in South Cyprus, such as; Paphos, Ayia Napa, Larnaca & Latsi, and has consistently been considered as an affordable holiday destination. This is true now more than ever as the value of your hard earned pounds have diminished considerably against the Euro.

This fact is having a very real impact on people’s pockets. This year, Euro based holiday hotpots from Spain to [South] Cyprus and from France to Portugal are losing favour with the British holidaymaker, as they go in search of bargains and better value in light of the fact that the British economy is suffering from stagflation. With house prices falling, wages festering and the cost of living soaring, along with inflation, us Brits need to go on holiday somewhere where we will be valued and where our money will not be fleeced from us!

Northern Cyprus is the perfect refuge for British holidaymakers wanting a destination in the sun, where they can be assured of a warm welcome and where they can rest assured their money will go a lot further.

CyprusPremier is renowned for offering great value holidays to North Cyprus, with an unrivalled service from start-to-finish. With unbeatable holiday deals, we refuse to be beaten on price for the same holiday by anyone - rest assured you are in capable hands.

Check - http://www.cypruspremier.com/, for the very latest best value deals or call now on 08714 266 888 and speak to your very own personal holiday advisor...

Long famous for its property market that is on a par with, but at a fraction of the cost of similar properties in south Cyprus, North Cyprus is now the preferred side of the island for those who want to get the best from Cyprus at a price that is right!