PRICES FROM ONLY £1345 NORTHERN PER PERSON Escorted Explorations of & Beyond staying at the Onar Village Hotel 2017 – ANCIENT & MODERN An escorted exploration of Kyrenia & beyond with an optional ‘Taste of Cyprus’ programme 8th to 18th May; 18th to 28th September & 13th to 23rd October 2017

yprus with its significant position in the Eastern Mediterranean has, since the earliest times, held great political importance. Greeks, Romans, Persians, Crusaders, Venetians and COttomans have all left their mark on this beautiful island. This escorted itinerary focuses on the north of the island with its marvellous collection of sites from ancient Greek through to Venetian.

Rather than rushing through the itinerary in the customary week, we have extended to a ten night trip, thereby allowing for some restful breaks in between the excursions or the opportunity to join some optional excursions which focus on the gastronomy of Northern Cyprus. Wild flowers

Northern Cyprus is still relatively unspoilt by the ravages of tourism and the development that goes with it and the base for our stay is the Onar Village, a delightful, family run property located just outside the harbour town of Kyrenia which we have been associated with for many years.

The Itinerary Day 1 London to Larnaca. Fly by scheduled flight. Drive to the Onar Day 4 Famagusta & Salamis. Enjoy a full day excursion to the old Village, crossing the border to Kyrenia, for a ten night stay. walled city of Gazimagusa (Famagusta) including Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (formerly St Nicholas Cathedral), the Othello Tower and the Day 2 Kyrenia. A day of relaxation whilst you become acquainted with the ruins of the Venetian Palace. Continue to the important ancient site of delightful Onar Village Hotel. Salamis, a former capital of Cyprus. Our lunch will be taken at Salamis in a local restaurant by the beach. The day concludes with a visit to Day 3 Kyrenia. Today we drive up into the mountains to the 13th century St Barnabas Monastery which is home to the Archaeological and Crusader castle of St. Hilarion. The view of Kyrenia and the coastal plain Icon Museum containing many ancient artefacts from local is stunning from here. Continue to nearby Abbey, a magnificent excavations. 13th century Gothic building in the village where Lawrence Durrel wrote ‘Bitter Lemons’. Drive down to picturesque old Kyrenia harbour and, after Day 5 Nicosia. This morning, drive to Lefkosa (Nicosia) and enjoy a walk lunch, visit with its unique Shipwreck Museum. around the city, visiting the Girne Gate, Venetian Column, the Buyuk Han (a

Roman theatre at Soli Gymnasium at the ancient site of Salamis

Buyuk Khan, Nicosia Five Finger Mountain Lala Mustapha Pasha Mosque, Famagusta

2 www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Kyrenia harbour

16th century inn), the Selimiye Mosque (formerly St Sophia Cathedral) and a traditional Turkish House. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. ‘A TASTE OF CYPRUS’ -

Day 6 Kyrenia. A day at rest for individual sightseeing. OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

Day 7 Soli & Vouni. Drive west to Guzelyurt (Morphou), surrounded by We have incorporated four days at leisure into the itinerary, orange groves and market gardens. Continue to the 5th century B.C. however if you would like to join some optional excursions palace of Vouni, from where there are breath-taking views of the sea and exploring the gastronomy of Northern Cyprus we have arranged the . Visit the ruins of Soli, a Hellenistic and Roman city, the following tours. Please note that these excursions will only famous for its 5th century Basilica with mosaic floors and a Roman theatre operate with a minimum of six guests. with seventeen tier stone seating. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the nearby archaeological museum and Monastery of St Mamas. Paramali Olive Grove (Day 2, full day tour with lunch, £48 per person) Spend the day amongst the olive trees, on the foothills of Kyrenia Mountains. Paramali Olive Grove will awaken your senses. Join in the Today we will drive into the mountains for a climb to the Day 8 Kantara. collection of seasonal fresh herbs and vegetables that will be used Crusader castle of Kantara, high on a ridge with dramatic views. En-route to prepare the various mezes demonstrated to you. We will then we will stop at a picturesque fishing harbor. The excursion will include watch the preparation and baking of the traditional dish Kleftico, lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. slow cooked in a Cypriot clay oven. Learn the skills for making local desserts, sweets and coffee. Finally, enjoy all the tastes of Cyprus over Days 9 & 10 Kyrenia. Two days free for relaxation. Join the optional lunch as we indulge in the beautifully prepared foods of the day. excursion or perhaps take the complimentary bus into Kyrenia for some individual exploration and lunch in one of the many outdoor restaurants Buyukkonuk Eco-Village (Day 6, full day tour with lunch, £60 per person) that face the delightful harbour. Take this opportunity to have a unique insight into traditional Turkish Cypriot culture. We make our way towards the east to the village of Bukukkonuk, taking in the beautiful surrounds, admiring the rich Day 11 Larnaca to London. Transfer to the airport for the return scheduled population of carob and olive trees. The grounds of this eco-village flight to London. are abundant with crops of wheat, barley and several fruit trees, as well as sheep and goats providing milk and meat for the locals. Watch the preparation of traditional Halloumi Cheese and prepare PRICES PER PERSON and sample delicious local breads. Afterward we will enjoy a lunch of Based on double occupancy local fare. Before we depart we will take a tour of the village sights, we will visit the restored olive mill factory which has been turned CATEGORY May September & October into a functioning museum, and the quaint local church.

Hotel room with balcony £1495 £1495 Forest Walk and BBQ (Day 9, full day tour with lunch, £36 per person) Garden villa N/A £1595 We start the day with a scenic drive up to Five Finger Mountain, Hotel room with balcony for sole occupancy £1595 £1595 a uniquely shaped mountain range that runs parallel to the north coast. We will make our way through the forests, pausing at various Supplement for additional seven nights on half board basis without excursions vantage points to take in the spectacular views. As we move to Hotel room with balcony £395 exploring the forest on foot, the pine and conifer trees offer a path of Garden villa (not available for May departure) £495 natural beauty. Once we emerge, enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch within Hotel room with balcony for sole occupancy £495 the grounds of the 12th century Byzantine Church of Aniphonitis, and charming building thoughtfully adorned with frescos. Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, 10 nights accommodation at Onar Village on half board basis (breakfast and dinner), lunches during The above tours can be booked for the package price excursions on days 3, 4, 7 and 8, excursions with local guide, tour manager, entrance fees, transfers, airport taxes. of £135 per person. Not Included: Travel insurance, optional excursions, gratuities.

+44 (0)20 7752 0000 3 MUSIC IN KYRENIA An escorted tour of Northern Cyprus at the Onar Village in Kyrenia with London Festival Opera 2nd to 9th October 2017

ue to the continuing popularity of our music tours in collaboration with London Festival Opera, we are delighted to Dbe once again hosting a music-themed stay at the Onar Village in the beautiful hilltop village of Kyrenia. The beautiful scenery, fascinating history and calming ambience of the region are the perfect setting to listen to the captivating music of the great composers. London Festival Opera will perform in the atmospheric Bellapais Abbey and the Bedesten, a former Byzantine church in Nicosia. Our week will also include explorations of the surrounding area, to learn of the different periods of history which have all left their mark. Bellapais Abbey The Itinerary Day 1 London to Larnaca. Fly by scheduled flight. Drive to the Onar tracing the life of Maria Callas in words and music. Enjoy dinner at the Village, crossing the border to Kyrenia, for a seven night stay. hotel this evening.

Day 2 Kyrenia. Today we visit Bellapais Abbey, a magnificent 13th century Day 5 Famagusta & Salamis. Full day excursion to the old walled city of Gothic building in the village where Lawrence Durrell wrote “Bitter Gazimagusa (Famagusta), including Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque (formerly Lemons”. Our day continues with a drive down to the picturesque old St Nicholas Cathedral). Continue to the important ancient site of Salamis, Kyrenia harbour and, after lunch, we visit Kyrenia Castle with its unique a former capital of Cyprus. Enjoy lunch by the beach at Salamis. Dinner this Shipwreck Museum. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner in the hotel this evening. evening will be at the hotel.

Day 3 Kyrenia. We will drive up to the Kyrenia Mountains known as the Day 6 Kyrenia. Drive up into the mountains to the 13th century crusader Five Finger Mountains which run for 120 kilometres parallel to the North castle of St Hilarion. The view of Kyrenia and the coastal plain is stunning from Cyprus coastline. Enjoy a barbecue before we return to the hotel and enjoy here. The remainder of the day is at leisure and dinner will be at the hotel. the afternoon at leisure. After an early dinner at the hotel we will transfer to Bellapais Abbey for a performance by London Festival Opera featuring the Day 7 Kyrenia. A day at leisure, or perhaps take the complimentary bus works of the great opera composers including Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Bizet into Kyrenia for some individual exploration and lunch in one of the many and Puccini. outdoor restaurants. This evening we return to Bellapais Abbey for our farewell dinner and final performance from London Festival Opera, ‘A Day 4 Nicosia. This morning, drive to Lefkosa (Nicosia) and enjoy a walk Night at the Opera’. The artists will appear in period costume for an added around the city, visiting the Girne Gate, Venetian Column, the Selimiye visual impact in the historic setting. Mosque (formerly St Sophia Cathedral) and the Buyuk Han (a 16th century inn). After lunch at Buyuk Han we transfer to Bedesten for a matinee Day 8 Larnaca to London. Transfer to the airport for your return scheduled concert by London Festival Opera who will perform a programme of opera flight to London.

Selimiye Mosque, Nicosia

Ruins of St Hilarion Castle Interior of Lala Mustapha Pasha Mosque, Famagusta

4 www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Kyrenia Castle and the harbour

LONDON FESTIVAL OPERA Joining us for our visit to Northern Cyprus will be members of the London Festival Opera. Bringing together established opera singers from major British opera companies including the Royal Opera, English National Opera and Glyndebourne Festival Opera, London Festival Opera have achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera and music performances internationally in palaces, castles, country houses, theatres, embassies, private homes and some of the leading opera houses of the world. Particular attention is given to the design and quality of their costumes which are as authentic as possible.

Bedesten: Situated in the town of Nicosia, Bedesten was constructed in the 12th century as a Byzantine church (St. Nicholas Church). It was later enlarged with some Gothic annexes built by the Lusignans. After some more changes in the Venetian period, the building was given to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis. The building with its different architectural styles is of a hybrid nature. In the Ottoman period, it served as a depot and a market where mostly textile products were sold. The masonry on its northern entrance resembles the masonry on the entrance of the St. Sophia Cathedral. London Festival Opera at Bellapais Abbey Bellapais Abbey: This Gothic building derives its name from French - ‘Abbaye de la Belle Paix’, meaning abbey of peace. Bellapais village PRICES PER PERSON is built around this beautiful abbey, situated near Kyrenia. The first Based on double occupancy building was constructed between 1198 A.D. and 1205 A.D. Later, between 1267 A.D. and 1284 A.D. SPECIAL OFFER – NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FOR FIRST FIVE BOOKINGS French King Hugh III gave it the Hotel room with balcony £1895 present shape that exists today. The Garden villa £2095 pavilions around the courtyard and Hotel room with balcony for sole occupancy £2195 the refectory were constructed during the reign of King Hugh IV between Supplement for additional seven nights on half board basis without excursions 1324 A.D. and 1359 A.D. The Italian Hotel room with balcony £395 frescoes on the front walls were made Garden villa £495 in the 15th century. When the island Hotel room with balcony for sole occupancy £495 was captured by the Ottomans, the building was given to the Greek Orthodox Church and it served as a parish church to the surrounding Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, seven nights accommodation at Onar Village on half board basis (breakfast and dinner), Farewell Dinner at Bellapais village. Much of the Bellapais Abbey now consists of picturesque Abbey, lunches during excursions on days 2, 3, 4 and 5, three London Festival Opera ruins with great Gothic arches and towering stone walls. Many music performances, excursions with local guide, Tour Manager, entrance fees, transfers, events are held in the Refectory Hall which has excellent acoustics. airport taxes. Not Included: Travel insurance, optional excursions, gratuities.

+44 (0)20 7752 0000 5 CHRISTMAS OR NEW YEAR IN KYRENIA 21st to 28th December 2017 & 28th December 2017 to 4th January 2018

orthern Cyprus offers a wonderfully tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, such as could be found on most Mediterranean islands Nsome forty years ago. In addition to its great natural beauty, the country is steeped in history and each period has left its mark, evident in the Greek and Roman sites, monasteries, Byzantine Churches and the Crusader Castles.

If, like us, you are attracted by places which still have a natural charm, warm and friendly inhabitants, quiet beaches and ancient sites where you may be the only visitor, then Northern Cyprus might be the ideal place for you to spend Christmas or New Year. Kantara Castle

During our escorted visit over Christmas, arrangements will be made for those who wish to attend a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at the Anglican Church in Kyrenia, along with a Christmas Day dinner at our hotel with live music in the evening. For the New Year departure there will be evening New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The Itinerary Day 1 London to Larnaca. Fly by scheduled flight. Drive to the Onar to attend the midnight service at the local St. Andrew’s Church. For our Village, crossing the border to Kyrenia, for a seven night stay. New Year departure, there will be celebrations at the hotel this evening.

Day 2 Kyrenia. Today we drive up into the mountains to the 13th century Day 5 Kyrenia. Enjoy the day at leisure. For both Christmas Day and New Crusader castle of St Hilarion. The view of Kyrenia and the coastal plain is Year’s Day there will be an optional forest walk and mountain barbeque. stunning from here. Continue to nearby Bellapais Abbey, a magnificent For our Christmas departure, a formal dinner will be arranged at the hotel 13th century Gothic building in the village where Lawrence Durrell wrote this evening. ‘Bitter Lemons’. Drive down to picturesque old Kyrenia harbor and, after lunch, visit Kyrenia Castle with its unique Shipwreck Museum. We will enjoy Day 6 Soli & Vouni. We begin today by driving west to Guzelyurt a Welcome Drink and Dinner in the hotel this evening. (Morphou), a town famous for its abundant supply of citrus fruit, surrounded by beautiful orange groves and market gardens. Continue to Day 3 Famagusta & Salamis. We enjoy a full day excursion to the old the 5th century B.C. palace of Vouni, from which there are breathtaking walled city of Gazimagusa (Famagusta), including Lala Mustafa Pasha views of the sea and the Troodos Mountains. Visit the ruins of Soli, a Mosque (formerly St Nicholas Cathedral), the Othello Tower and the ruins Hellenistic and Roman city, famous for its 5th century Basilica with mosaic of the Venetian Palace. Continue to the important ancient site of Salamis, floors and a Roman theatre with seventeen tier stone seating. After lunch in a former capital of Cyprus. Our lunch will be taken at Salamis in a local a local restaurant, visit the nearby archaeological museum and Monastery restaurant by the beach. The day concludes with a visit to St Barnabas of St Mamas. Monastery which is home to the Archaeological and Icon Museum containing many ancient artefacts from local excavations. Enjoy dinner at Day 7 Kantara. Today we will take a drive into the mountains to discover the hotel this evening. the crusader castle of Kantara. Lying high on a ridge, take a climb to experience the dramatic views or enjoy the scenery as you explore the Day 4 Nicosia. This morning, drive to Lefkosa (Nicosia) and enjoy a walk castle surrounds. En route we will stop at a picturesque fishing harbor. The around the city, visiting the Gurne Gate, Venetian Column, the Buyuk excursion will include lunch in a local restaurant. Han (a 16th century inn) and the Selimiye Mosque (formerly St Sophia Cathedral). Return to the hotel to enjoy a leisurely afternoon. This evening, Day 8 Larnaca to London. Transfer to the airport for our return scheduled for our Christmas departure, arrangements will be made for those wishing flight to London.

PRICES PER PERSON Based on double occupancy

Hotel room with balcony £1345 Hotel room with balcony for sole occupancy £1545

Supplement for additional seven nights on half board basis without excursions Hotel room with balcony £495 Hotel room with balcony for sole occupancy £595

Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel, seven nights hotel accommodation at Onar Village on half board basis (breakfast and dinner), lunches during excursions on days 2, 3, 6 and 7, excursions with local guide, tour manager, entrance fees, transfers, airport taxes. Not Included: Travel insurance, optional excursions, gratuities. Mosaic floor, Soli Ancient Salamis

6 www.noble-caledonia.co.uk Hotel room with balcony

Garden Villa ONAR VILLAGE he Onar Village has an enviable location just outside Kyrenia occupying Televated ground with magnificent views over the sea and surrounded by lovely gardens. The relaxing and traditional hospitality at the family-run hotel make the Onar Village an ideal retreat for a relaxing break.

Your Accommodation There are 18 garden villas and 44 hotel rooms. Both types of accommodation are air-conditioned and offer considerable comfort. The garden villas are set amongst landscaped pine tree gardens and consist of a double bedroom, sitting room, bathroom, kitchen, dining area, television, telephone and large patio. The hotel rooms are spacious and well designed with a balcony, bathroom, television, telephone and mini-bar and with a view of the pool and coastline or mountains. Your Space The facilities include a large restaurant with sea views, a bar with outdoor terrace, an outside swimming pool with bar, indoor swimming pool, lounge and library, health spa with sauna and Turkish bath. There is also a complimentary daily shuttle service to and from the town and free Wi-Fi in the restaurant, lounge and pool area. An unusual feature of the hotel is the small museum which displays a private collection of rare artefacts from the archaeological history of Cyprus. Hotel grounds

View over Kyrenia from hotel room balcony

Swimming pool with views of Kyrenia Indoor pool

+44 (0)20 7752 0000 7 2 Chester Close, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7BE +44 (0)20 7752 0000 | [email protected] | www.noble-caledonia.co.uk

Our current booking conditions apply to all reservations and are available on request. Itinerary subject to change. Cover: Front - Bellapais Abbey. Back - View across the Kyrenia Mountains from Kantara Castle

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