New for Summer 2024, we’re heading to the stunning unspoilt region of Karpaz in North Cyprus. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the busier Mediterranean resorts, this quiet and quaint part of North Cyprus offers a much-needed dose of rest and relaxation. And whilst this area is peaceful, there are also hidden gems waiting to be found. So many in fact, that we’ve included four excursions in the package during our stay at the exclusive, Karpaz Marina boutique hotel.
Extras
Upon arrival in to Larnaca, we will be transferred to our hotel in Karpaz, North Cyprus. This will involve crossing the border from the South to the North, with the journey taking approximately two hours.
After checking in at the Karpaz Gate Marina Hotel, we have time at leisure to familiarise ourselves with our beautiful new surroundings before meeting for our welcome drink and dinner in Hemingway’s, the hotel restaurant.
After a leisurely breakfast, we head out on our first day of touring in the Karpaz peninsular.
Our guide will take us through the history of the region as the coach travels through this wild and rugged natural reserve, passing through the joint Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Village of Dipkarpaz (Rizokarpso). The first stop along the northern coast is Ayios Philon, where we’ll enjoy a short walk to see the 10th Century church, beautiful beach and ancient harbour.
The tour continues towards the tip of the island, passing the Golden Beach – the most impressive sandy, untouched beach in Cyprus. A short stop will be made for photos overlooking the beach.
Today can be enjoyed at our leisure to enjoy the resort’s Beach Club, swimming pools, hamam, spa or gym.
Early evening, we head to The Culture House which is an institution that researches and shares the Turkish Cypriot history and culture archives, photographs and documents.
At the Culture House, there is also the Sultan’s Kitchen which was established to present the best tastes of Turkish Cypriot Cuisine with traditional Cypriot dishes that feature in the region’s culture. We will enjoy a sumptuous Turkish-Cypriot meal.
Today allows us the opportunity to fully relax and take advantage of the hotel’s outstanding facilities. Sitting overlooking the sea and marina, this hotel has many spots that will provide great views, with optional activities. Choose from the swimming pool, the Beach Club with water sports centre (non-motorised), a gym, and the Hamam and Spa centre (extra changes apply for some services).
In the evening, we will enjoy a three-course set menu accompanied by live piano music at the hotel’s Hemingway’s Resto Bar.
Another day to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
In the evening, we come together for a BBQ dinner at at the hotel restaurant Hemingway’s or at the Beach Club (weather permitting).
This morning, we will be picked up from the hotel to drive to St. Hillarion Castle. It is the best preserved ruin of the three former strongholds in the Kyrenia mountains, dating back to the 11th Century, the other two being Kantara and Buffavento. It is widely thought that this castle provided the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty! If you would like to explore the castle further, there is the option to pay a small fee of approximately €5 to wander around the grounds.
We then drive on to Girne (Kyrenia) to visit the scenic old harbour and fortress.
Upon arrival, we can relax with a Turkish coffee and sample some local Turkish Delights.
After our coffee stop, we have free time to enjoy Kyrenia at our leisure. Perhaps to stroll around the old Harbour, lined with many restaurants and bars. Or to do a spot of shopping in one of the boutiques that sit in the twisting streets behind the harbour. Or for those that want to take in a little more history of the area, there is the Kyrenia Citadel and/or the Shipwreck Museum. The cost of entrance is approximately €5.
Following a leisurely morning, we board our private yacht to enjoy a four hour sailing experience in the unspoilt, wonderful, crystal clear waters of Northern Cyprus.
Later on, after freshening up at the hotel, dinner will be at the hotel’s Hemingway’s restaurant for a Chef’s table.
After breakfast, we will be picked up from the hotel for the journey back to Larnaca Airport for our flight back to the UK.
Karpaz Gate Marina is a welcoming, one-of-a-kind resort, nestled in a beautiful bay on the northern shore of the unspoiled Karpaz peninsula in North Cyprus. These are exceptional standards of accommodation, dining and Beach Club facilities, as well as immaculate service and attention to detail all with a nautical theme, overlooking the Marina.
Facilities at the hotel include Hemingway’s Restaurant & Bar, Hamam and a relaxing spa facility offering traditional Hamam, saunas and various treatment rooms, Gallery Leisure Centre which faces the promenade and the array of yachts and offers a 19.6m x 3.6m indoor pool, jacuzzi, and gym and the Beach Club which is a short walk from the main hotel building and gives access to private cabanas and a water sports centre with snorkelling gear, kayaks and other equipment.
All ensuite ‘Cabin’ rooms feature either a terrace or balcony with view of the lush gardens or partial Marina view, ensuite with luxury shower, air conditioning, 49″ TV, desk and armchair.
Transfer time from Larnaca Airport to our hotel is approximately 2.5 hours (this includes crossing the border).
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling.
Please note that during sightseeing days, time will be spent on a bus transferring between sights and all vehicles will be air-conditioned.
The hotel does have it’s own convenience store. The local village of Yeni Erenkoy can be visited by the hotel free shuttle service (pre-booking required). It is just a 5-minute drive from the hotel.
To enter North Cyprus your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
A visa is not required by holders of passports endorsed “British Citizen” for stays of upto 90 days in any 180-day period. Please note that stays in other EU countries counts towards this 90 day period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct visa, a valid passport and any other travel documents for your holiday. All information provided relates to British citizens who hold or are entitled to apply for a British passport. For the most up-to-date visa information please visit; The Turkish Cypriot Embassy
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
Compulsory vaccinations: None.
All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change.
Turkish Lira
Please note, Euros are also widely accepted.
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection to cover drivers, porters and hotel staff of €35.00 per week. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % add on.
Casual, cotton, lightweight daytime wear is the order of the day and of course swimwear. Comfortable shoes are a must for sightseeing. Smart casual clothes are ideal for the evening. Early and late season evenings can be cool so do ensure that you take a cardigan or light-weight jacket.
Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
---|---|---|
January - February | 14 °C | 5 °C |
March | 18 °C | 7 °C |
April | 22 °C | 9 °C |
May | 28 °C | 14 °C |
June | 33 °C | 19 °C |
July | 36 °C | 21 °C |
August | 34 °C | 21 °C |
September | 31 °C | 18 °C |
October | 26 °C | 14 °C |
November | 21 °C | 10 °C |
December | 16 °C | 7 °C |
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