Northern Cyprus obtained sovereignty from the United Kingdom after demands for unification with Greece were rejected by the British in 1960. There is no shortage of things to do in Northern Cyprus. For the outdoor lovers, you can enjoy an afternoon of caving in one of the many free to explore caves. One of the caves located in the southern Kyrenia mountains, called the “Hot Cave”, sends out warm air from the cave opening.You can enjoy camping trips with basic amenities like washroms, restaurants and toilets, or you can take a hike into the wild without the facilities. Enjoy diving in the beautiful sea, or going on boat tours and water sporting trips. No matter your desire for holiday activities, you can find it in the Northern Cyprus area.

North Cyprus is home to one of the most fabulous and beautiful beaches of all the Mediterranean. The Karpaz is located in the furthest eastern tip of the island. Karpaz is also home to the endangered loggerhead and green turtles. If indoor activities are more your liking, you’ll be amazed at the number of historical places you can enjoy, from museums to churchs and monasteries to castles. The land is rich with history and religious culture.The culture of Northern Cyprus reflects that of a society where hospitality is important. The traditions and customs of the people are observed in ceremonies for weddings, children beginning school, birthdays and feast days. When serving guests, the meal typically begins with coffee or sherberts, and includes some sort of fruit paste serving. Many traditional hand crafts are created by the Northern Cyprus people.

Transportation in Cyprus is similar to that of England. You can rent a car, or hail a taxi. While the rates for taxi services are reasonable, be warned that there are no meters in the cars to display the fares. Be sure to agree on a fee before starting your journey. Bus services between the major towns in North Cyprus run throughout the day, but you’ll find that the buses do not frequent the main tourist attractions. There are several major airports within the country; the main airport is the Ercan/Tymvou Airport. Direct flights to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, however, are forbidden by the Republic of Cyprus. The airports are only recognized as legal ports of entry by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Holidays in north Cyprus have become ever more popular over the last few years and that really is no surprise to anyone who has ever been there. The island is rich in culture and history, eating out is a real pleasure, prices are very reasonable and the landscape is largely unspoiled and beautiful. In other words,with warm weather, good service and friendly people, there was much to love about the island.

Cyprus, official name Republic of Cyprus, received independence in 1960 from Britain and encompasses approximately 3,571 square miles or 9,250 square kilometers. The population of Cyprus is an estimated 772,000 people with Greek being the official language. However, the language spoken on Cyprus differs from the mainland Greece and varies in its pronunciation. Turkish is also spoken here and the main religion practiced is Greek Orthodox at 78% followed by 18% Muslim and 4% Christians, Maronite and Armenian Apostolic.

Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus and also the largest in terms of population with roughly 206,000 residents. The monetary unit is the Cyprus pound, which consists of 100 cents and the new Turkish lira, which is 100 kurus. The two main ethnic communities of Cyprus, the Greeks and Turks, began to split apart governmentally in 1963. This unrest became more distinct and apparent with the Turkish invasion of 1974 when their Cypriots were given de facto power of the northern part of the island. Then, in 1983, Turkey proclaimed an area called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots, who continue to control the only government that is recognized nationally, never acknowledged this.

In 1975 and again in 1985, the Turkish Cypriots enacted their own constitution. However, negotiations continue to take place intermittently for the creation of a new constitution and the establishment of a federal government that would improve relations between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. This historically rich island is filled with a culture reminiscent of ancient Europe and the Middle East with over 9,000 years of invasions and unrest. There are many breathtaking sights to be seen here, including crusader castles among the vineyards, as well as centuries old monasteries with intricate Roman mosaic floors overlooking sweet smelling citrus orchards.

One of the most popular attractions in all of Cyprus is the remains of the St. Hilarion castle that has an almost magical quality about it straight from a children’s fairytale. This magnificent structure is blended with the cliff side so that it remains hidden from view until one is directly beneath it. The view from St. Hilarion is so fabulous that, on a clear day, you can see the Taurus Mountains in Turkey over 100 kilometers, or a little over six tenths of a mile away. St. Hilarion boasts tunnels, hidden rooms, steep staircases and overgrown gardens with several paths to explore. Local legend says the castle once had 101 rooms, the last of which being a secret room that belonged to a mystical fairy queen. The actual documented history is less colorful and says the castle is named after a monk called Hilarion who fled persecution in the Holy Land.

The tourism industry is so important in Cyprus. Rich in the culture and architecture of days gone by, this enchanting island in the Mediterranean is the  perfect place for people who like to explore archeological sites and ancient castles. For the nature lover who are just as excited once they get a look at the flowers and wildlife, many of can only be found on the island and some that are on the endangered list, that can be seen while hiking the beautiful mountainsides. Fresh olives and oranges surround you with aromatic fragrances wherever you go.