Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

A few: views from hilltop castles, Roman ruins at Famagusta with excellent tour by our guide, swimming in the sea and/or pool after a day’s walking, fun with the group

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good, experienced and knowledgeable leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

A bit more challenging than expected due to September heat. Could maybe go a little later in the season but while the hotel pools are still open. Trip notes are a bit out of date as regards costs of optional excursions and meals out.

Most Inspirational Moment

Excursion to Salamis, Famagusta etc on free day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Everything very well-organised: Gizer an excellent guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go in the spring or the autumn when the weather is not too hot.

Most Inspirational Moment

View from Buffavento Castle at 900 m.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gizer was an excellent leader, knowledgeable, organised and a good sense of humour. An ambassador for his country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Optional excursion to Famagusta. Should be included

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather was exceptionally hot. If you want to see wildflowers go earlier in the spring.

Most Inspirational Moment

Views from the mountaintop castles

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very thorough in his preparation and control of the group

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for heat and rough tracks with some steep hills. Climbing the steps to the top of the castles is worth it for the views.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the 680 steps up to and then back down from Buffavento Castle and being rewarded by the fantastic views, seeing only 4 other people on that climb, in fact maybe the whole day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gizer was patient, helpful and knowledgeable with a good sense of humour. He provided us with a detailed history of Northern Cyprus with lots of other information and arranged some very tasty meze meals. He found a Chameleon and a Blunt-nosed Viper for us too!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You do need to be fit. Wear walking boots and long trousers for walks through the scrub. Take an extra water bottle as the hotel provides a glass bottle of water with the packed lunch which added to the weight.

Most Inspirational Moment

The castles and the views from the top.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gizer was very helpful and a font of knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Generally an amazing holiday. However, I wouldn't call the two walks listed as "moderate" moderate. They are serious hikes and I thoroughly enjoyed walking them. But some may actually find it "strenuous". Also, if you have a problem with heights, the castles are not for you. I just loved them!

Most Inspirational Moment

I found the visit to Varosha on our 'free day' really interesting, especially hearing of why it is deserted. The views on the walks are also inspiring, well worth the climbs.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gizer was a knowledgeable guide providing the group with lots of information on the history of the island, also information on great places to eat and things to see in the locations we visited. Gizer looked after us all, making sure we had what we needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the walks are through scrub which can cause scratches etc, so take long trousers with you for those walking days and walking poles if needed, as lots of 'undulations' to navigate. Some of the walks are also quite challenging, but Gizer ensured there were plenty of rest stops along the way.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to choose. The views from the hills as we walked through them, the ruins at Salamis, and the chameleon were all highlights.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Gizer, was very engaging, knowledgable, patient and helpful. Our driver, Omar, was also helpful and professional and coped admirably when there was a problem with the minibus engine. They are both a credit to Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Much of the time we could use euros or our cards to pay for meals, etc. We did need some Turkish lira and Gizer very helpfully explained how to get money from ATMs or to exchange currency on our first walk into the old town of Kyrenia. Walking poles are essential for some as in places the paths are steep (up and down) and a little unstable with loose stones and large boulders.

Most Inspirational Moment

Kantor Castle and the walk that day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Gizzer was informative, has a good sense of humour and made us feel looked after.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Remember good walking boots with ankle supports. Also the weather can be hot so be prepared for this on the longer walks.