Northern Cyprus is one of the most attractive places in the Mediterranean, but because of its troubled history and political isolation, it has remained largely unaffected by mass tourism.

It has a great deal to offer the visitor – it possesses great natural beauty with rugged mountains, meadows and delightful beaches. It has a wonderful climate, with long hot summers and relatively warm winters.

The nearest main town, Famagusta, was originally a small commercial and fishing port, but is now a tourist attraction with it’s magnificent old town walls.

PLACES TO VISIT

There are a reasonably good range of guide books and maps available to the tourist. However nothing accounts for local knowledge, and we have found that the local’s are only too willing to give you details of their favourite places to visit.

CASTLES

Kyrenia Castle is worth a visit, and can easily be fitted in during a visit to Kyrenia. It contains the shipwreck museum and some rather lurid waxworks depicting dark goings-on in the dungeons.

St Hilarion is also attractive, and is easy to reach by car. Buffavento is very pretty, but is much more difficult to reach, as you have to climb up the mountain to get to it. Kantara is a short distance and certainly well worth the effort if you are heading in the direction of Bogaz.

In all these castles, there are some sheer drops in unexpected places and the railings are not adequate.

MONASTERIES

There are two ruined monasteries along the road the other side of Five Finger Mountain (Besparmak). These could be visited in a single day, but it is probably better to see them on separate days. They are both set in a lovely mountain forest.

WALKS

If you take a trip to Kyrenia try and visit Karaman, a small village up in the hills, there are a number of walks in this area, and it is actually possible to walk to St Hilarion, though this is only likely to appeal to the most dedicated walker. It is well worth the effort though and the views are fantastic. The walk takes about an hour and a half and you could always get a taxi back from the castle!

When walking in the hills, it is advisable to wear suitable shoes as a precaution against snakes. Brown ones are poisonous but relatively rare; black ones are more common but are completely harmless.

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