Small Hotels Rule!
Maybe we are unusual, maybe we are not! But when it comes to holidays, we have had our fill of the big. Five-star style hotels and resorts that litter the globe. For years we have endured, and I mean that word, the supposed pampering provided by these so-called ultimate luxury hotels, but increasingly we have found them to be shallow and empty of the intimacy and quality of service that can only be found in some of the smaller establishments.
Of late, we have become more and more enchanted with Northern Cyprus. Once known as 'the hidden jewel in the Mediterranean crown, the country remained outside of the mainstream of tourism for years, due in most to its relative political isolation. After the 'war' that divided the island of Cyprus in 1974, the south (the Republic of Cyprus) took centre-stage in wordwide recognition, whilst its neighbour (The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) became all but a pariah state, officially recognised only by Turkey. However, this tells only part of the story. The north was tacitly supported both by the UK and by the USA and both countries remained allied to the state, maintaining a political presence there. Indeed, the UK has a very active consular presence in Northern Cyprus.
Moreover, there is a substantial, and very active, English ex-pat community in Northern Cyprus. So whilst the island might at first seem almost a 'no-go' area, in fact the opposite is the truth.
The main result of the political situation is that tourism has grown far less rapidly than in other parts of the Mediterranean, and particular, far less rapidly than in the Republic of Cyprus. There is certainly increasing tourism and a substantial number of people are taking advantage of the disparity in prices and holidaying in north Cyprus. Not to mention that the equally disparate land values have made the north an ideal spot for property investment, or an overseas home.
Northern Cyprus also remains an excellent spot to find the sort of small, boutique hotels that are rapidly vanishing from the rest of the area. Bellapais village is one of the most important historical sites in the whole of the Mediterranean. Its 12th Century abbey is a remarkable monument, and the entire village is steeped in the past. Here you will find some beautiful small hotels. Similarly, the area along the coast in both directions from Kyrenia town is also excellent.
These hotels have provided our holiday pleasure for a number of years now, and continue to be run on a very personal level. We can highly recommend them. But please don't book until we have!
Happy holidays!
Of late, we have become more and more enchanted with Northern Cyprus. Once known as 'the hidden jewel in the Mediterranean crown, the country remained outside of the mainstream of tourism for years, due in most to its relative political isolation. After the 'war' that divided the island of Cyprus in 1974, the south (the Republic of Cyprus) took centre-stage in wordwide recognition, whilst its neighbour (The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) became all but a pariah state, officially recognised only by Turkey. However, this tells only part of the story. The north was tacitly supported both by the UK and by the USA and both countries remained allied to the state, maintaining a political presence there. Indeed, the UK has a very active consular presence in Northern Cyprus.
Moreover, there is a substantial, and very active, English ex-pat community in Northern Cyprus. So whilst the island might at first seem almost a 'no-go' area, in fact the opposite is the truth.
The main result of the political situation is that tourism has grown far less rapidly than in other parts of the Mediterranean, and particular, far less rapidly than in the Republic of Cyprus. There is certainly increasing tourism and a substantial number of people are taking advantage of the disparity in prices and holidaying in north Cyprus. Not to mention that the equally disparate land values have made the north an ideal spot for property investment, or an overseas home.
Northern Cyprus also remains an excellent spot to find the sort of small, boutique hotels that are rapidly vanishing from the rest of the area. Bellapais village is one of the most important historical sites in the whole of the Mediterranean. Its 12th Century abbey is a remarkable monument, and the entire village is steeped in the past. Here you will find some beautiful small hotels. Similarly, the area along the coast in both directions from Kyrenia town is also excellent.
These hotels have provided our holiday pleasure for a number of years now, and continue to be run on a very personal level. We can highly recommend them. But please don't book until we have!
Happy holidays!
