Northern Cyrus A sun-drenched retreat that oozes old-world charm, far away from the hustle and bustle of your usual routine... A place where the delicious aroma of jasmine and honeysuckle floats through the air, tickling your senses with anticipation of the feasts awaiting. Imagine swimming in the crystalline waters of secluded beaches or exploring ancient centuries of history and culture in a day. And where an abundance of nature, wildlife and warm Mediterranean hospitality make a holiday to this land of rustic beauty simply unforgettable...
General Information
Located at the cross-roads of three continents, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, situated 40 miles south of Turkey at its nearest coastal point. more (It is smaller than Sicily and Sardinia and larger than Corsica and Crete. North Cyprus comprises a total area of 1357 square miles, with over half of the Island's 240 miles of coastline.
Cyprus has been divided into two autonomous states since 1974. This came about by virtue of the linguistic and cultural differences, and as a result of communal friction which lasted for 11 years (See history). Greek Cypriots occupy the southern and the Turkish Cypriots occupy the northern part of Cyprus. A boundary known as the 'Green Line' runs through Lefkoža (Nicosia), the capital of both South and North Cyprus, separating the two states. North Cyprus enjoys a very pleasant climate, with warm, dry summers and mild winters, and an average of 300 days of sunshine. In August, the hottest month, mean temperatures range from 21°C to 36°C and in the coldest months of January and February, the average temperature is around 10°C, with a winter average of 6 hours daily sunshine and only moderate rain, making it an ideal year-round destination.
Language
The official language is Turkish, but English is also widely spoken as a second language.
Religion
The majority of the Turkish Cypriots are Muslim and although very few regularly attend mosque services or wear religious attire, most celebrate religious festivals.
Family Life
For Turkish Cypriots, family life is of ultimate importance and therefore a great amount of their free time is spent at family gatherings, barbeques and weddings. All towns and even some villages hold festivals many of which are in the early summer (see events).
Cuisine
The culture of a place is always reflected in its kitchen, and Northern Cyprus is no exception. Cypriot cooking, like its people, is unique. Eating out is popular amongst locals and the choice of cuisine reflects this, combining many wonderful tastes from the Mediterranean, Turkey and the Middle East. In larger towns, a range of international restaurants also offer dishes from around the world.
Handicrafts
Lefkara embroidery is an old Cypriot tradition dating back to the Venetian period, where beautiful and intricate items such as bed covers, table cloths, doilies and head-scarves were weaved using drawn and counted thread embroidery on lace. It is said that on a visit to Cyprus, Leonardo da Vinci was so impressed by the Lefkara adaptation of Venetian embroidery that he took some of the embroidery bearing the 'potamos' design back to Italy to drape on the altar in the Milan Cathedral. Today, this design is known as the 'Leonardo da Vinci design'.
Carpet weaving is another age-old Cypriot tradition and is mostly found in the Gazimašusa region. Kilims (small floor rugs) with colourful designs and patterns make ideal souvenirs or gifts, whilst wicker basket weaving is another Cypriot art form that is popular with locals and tourists.)
