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Over 50s walking holiday in North Cyprus

country:Cyprus
trip type:Moderate walking holidays
departures:2008: 21 Dec
price:From £649 - £669 (8 days) including flights from the UK, from £399 excluding flights
 
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Over this enjoyable week you’ll embark on a series of walks following deserted forest tracks, heavy with the scent of herbs. You’ll see beautiful wild flowers at almost any time of year, although spring is the best time to enjoy Cyprus’s famous orchids. Stunning mountain views, villages surrounded by olive groves and dazzling vistas of beach and sea all add to the charm. Cyprus has witnessed many invaders over the years and consequently has many castles. Your walks take you to the cliff top ruins of St. Hilarion’s and Kantara, while Bellapais Abbey makes an interesting stop with its famous ‘Tree of Idleness’. You explore each at leisure and learn how the island’s history has been shaped.

You’ll spend an enjoyable afternoon at a local house learning to cook in traditional Cypriot style. After you have made your delicious meal you’ll have a tasting panel to sample your creation. Your base is just outside the town of Kyrenia. It is a comfortable hotel with en suite, air-conditioned rooms, as well as a swimming pool, bar and a good restaurant. It is a 30-minute walk, under 5 minutes in a taxi, to the centre of Kyrenia, where there are many restaurants.

Trip price includes: 7 breakfasts & 5 lunches. After a morning on the trails these homecooked lunches are as good as it gets. Typically salads and cold pasta or meat dishes served in spectacular locations. For a relaxing dinner you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of local restaurants in Kyrenia, catering for all tastes and budgets. This is a walking holiday so most of your travelling is by foot. Transport will be provided to the start of the walks by minibus, or 4WD if the terrain dictates. You will be guided on the trails by your expert local Group Leader and various guides.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Fly to Larnaca; transfer to Kyrenia
Day 2:Bellapais Abbey (distance walked 15km)
Day 3:St Hilarion’s Castle; walk to Karaman Village (distance walked 15km)
Day 4:Short morning walk (6km); afternoon cooking course
Day 5:Free day for optional activities
Day 6:Full day walk in Besparmak Mountains to Buffavento Castle (distance walked 18km)
Day 7:Morning walk to Sourp Magyar Monastery; barbecue
Day 8:Fly to London
over 50s holidays
This trip has been specially designed for, and is exclusive to, travellers over 50. On these trips, the typical group size is just 12, and we never exceed 16. This means better service for you, the chance to use smaller hotels, more freedom to reach out of the way places and more of a sense of camaraderie and fun. Over half of our travellers book independently and we do not charge an additional single supplement. Most travellers are aged between 50 and 70 and there is no upper age limit. It’s attitude and a love of travel that counts!
how this holiday makes a difference
This trip benefits many local Cypriot people, from hoteliers and restaurateurs to our local agent, the Group Leader and drivers. This fulfils part of our commitment to make a positive contribution to the local economy and is the best way of ensuring that our money reaches as many people as possible. You’ll gain a fascinating insight into the local history, culture, flora and fauna of this island, which will open doors to a fuller experience. Our small groups create little impact, especially as much of the route we travel is covered on foot. Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel.

We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems.

Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you call.

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