Cyprus — Greece, Cyprus & Turkey — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

GREECE, CYPRUS & TURKEY NORTH CYPRUS On Foot in Northern Cyprus TREKKING GRADE A/B Ref LNC JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 8 DAYS HOTEL MOUNTAIN TRAILS, CRUSADER CASTLES AND PORTS On Foot in Northern Cyprus Ref LNC M E D I T E R R A N E A N KYRENIA Picturesque harbour town Kantara Castle S E A Troodos Mountain villages St Hilarion Castle CYPRUS Bellapais Beautiful ruined abbey Buffavento Castle A NI RE KY Alevkayasi NS AI NT OU M Salamis Armenian Monastery Visit Herbarium Walking in Cyprus TREKKING GRADE B NORTH CYPRUS Ref CY Nicosia km 0 15 to/from Ercan Airport JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Pe d ie as FAMAGUSTA Historic walled city 9 DAYS HOTELS/GUESTHOUSE CULTURAL HERITAGE & MOUNTAIN RAMBLES Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, was born out of the foaming waves just off the coast of the Akamas Peninsula. When her lover Adonis was killed, his blood became the scarlet anemones that are splashed over the mountain slopes; her tears, the fresh rivers and waterfalls that make the island rich and fertile. Our travels will take us into the untouched interior. Mount Olympus We begin with a walking tour through the winding alleys and elegant tree-lined boulevards of medieval Nicosia/Lefkosia. Then, driving into the mountains, we head first to the Solea Valley where we visit the church of Panagia Assinou with its vivid 12th century frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible. On foot, well explore the trails and forest of the islands highest peak, Mount Olympus (1951m), and should be rewarded with sweeping views down to the distant coast. Walking in the Troodos Mountains Following tracks from village to village in the Troodos, we enjoy the invigorating scent of cedar forests. On our rambles well explore timeless villages clustered around church squares and see almond groves, cherry orchards and verdant vineyards gracing terraced slopes. This is the place to unwind and appreciate the slow pace of life in the rural interior, well away from crowded tourist haunts. Akamas Peninsula Lastly we venture into the north western region known as the Akamas Peninsula to explore its forested trails and dramatic coast. Gorges give way to isolated sandy beaches and rocky inlets, where loggerhead turtles come to breed. Well see beautiful Walking in Cyprus Ref CY RRANEAN ITE ED EA S CYPRUS M BATHS OF APHRODITE PEDOULAS MILIKOURI Nicosia Visit Old Town Tripylos Akamas Peninsula walks Assinou Agios Theodoros TROODOS AGIOS GEORGIOS Olympus 1951m Paphos House of Dionysos km 0 LARNAKA A recent turbulent history of political and economic isolation has ensured that North Cyprus has remained one of the most unspoilt and least developed parts of the Mediterranean. Our one week walking trip concentrates on the Besparmak range. We walk through stunning countryside and follow quiet mountain trails leading to imposing Crusader castles. In Kyrenia we wander the harbour front and narrow cobbled back streets in this wonderful laid back tour. Magical Kyrenia Without doubt, Kyrenia is the ideal base for exploration due to its central (and beautiful) location. The harbour is one of the most attractive anywhere in the Mediterranean, dominated by its Byzantine castle and backed by a 1000m high mountain range it is the perfect place to while away the evening. We take countryside paths from the hillside village of Bellapais and its famous monastery and up to the Crusader castle of St Hilarion, before winding down to the coastal plains on century old tracks. Famagusta & Salamis We spend a day exploring the city of Famagusta and surrounding area, including the ruined city of Salamis (optional). In Famagusta, Crusader, Venetian and Ottoman architecture reflects the legacy of previous invaders and the strategic position of Cyprus over the centuries. The city is home to some of the most impressive medieval architecture in the Mediterranean whilst further north the ruined Graeco-Roman city of Salamis is The Besparmak range/Dionne Penfold testament to a history stretching back at least a further millennia before. Forest Trails For centuries the high mountains have been a place of refuge and fortification and our walks offer exquisite views as we visit both Kantara and Buffavento castles. Trails lead us through pine forests to an ancient Armenian monastery as we walk along the spine of this breathtaking range, from where on a clear day the snow-capped mountains of Lebanon can be seen. A wonderful trip for lovers of the great outdoors. Hotel Bellapais Monastery Village Kourion Aphrodites birthplace 50 mosaics and visit the magnificent GrecoRoman theatre at Kourion before finally returning to Larnaka. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Larnaka. 2 Walk in Old Nicosia; drive Troodos mountains via Solea Valley; Mount Olympus walk. 3 Walk to Pedoulas (6-7hrs). 4 Walk to Milikouri via Platy Valley (4-5hrs); transfer to Pedoulas. 5 Drive Baths of Aphrodite on Akamas Peninsula; visit Kykko Monastery and Cedar Valley en route. 6 Visit Baths; optional walk Aphrodite nature trail (3-5hrs); stay Baths of Aphrodite. 7 Hike Kathikas to Agios Georgios tis Pegeias; walk Avagas Gorge (5-6hrs). 8 Visit Tombs of Kings, House of Dionysos mosaics at Paphos and Kourion; drive Larnaka. 9 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 8nts hotel; 7 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/On foot. Comment: Moderate walking on well defined tracks/paths between Troodos villages and along coastal trails of the rugged Akamas Peninsula (5-7 hours a day). We also include the islands most impressive cultural sites. Main luggage is transported between night stops during the hike. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Ercan Airport; drive to Kyrenia. 2 Drive to Bellapais, visit abbey; drive to Nicosia for visit before returning to Kyrenia to relax or explore Kyrenia Castle (optional). 3 Transfer to St Hilarion castle; walk to Ilgaz via Karaman. 4 Drive to Kantara; walk to castle ; drive via Bogaz beach to Kyrenia. 5 Sightseeing to Famagusta with optional visit to Salamis or chance to relax on beach. 6 Visit to Buffavento Castle; walk in Besparmak range. 7 Walk from Alevkaya to Armenian Monastery. 8 Drive Ercan Airport, fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel Club Z or similar; 7 breakfasts & 5 picnic lunches included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: On Foot/Bus. Comment: Walking is graded as easy to moderate avoiding the hottest times of the year. This tour combines beautiful scenery with the fascinating remains of the Ottomans, Crusaders and Byzantines. Remember it is always possible to opt out of any walk and spend time exploring Kyrenia or relaxing on a nearby beach. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. St Hilarion Lourion Trek length and gradients 1800m 1500m 1200m 900m 600m 300m 0m Day 2 1.5hrs Troodos Pedoulas Pedoulas Baths of Aphrodite Baths of Aphrodite/ Kathikas Day 3 6.5hrs Day 4 4hrs Day 5 2hrs Day 6 3-6hrs Day 7 6hrs Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement 71

Greece, Cyprus & Turkey contd… Cyprus