Being the third largest island in the mediterranean, Cyprus is located 40 miles south of Turkey across the mediterranean sea. Cyprus has a fascinating history of battles won and lost and is of course of enormous strategic importance as the island marks the meeting point of three continents, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Formerly a British Colony until 1960, Cyprus was divided in 1974 into two separate states. The North is called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the south is The Republic of Cyprus. A UN presence has been based in the south of the island since 1974 and is here as a peace keeping force patrolling the 'Green Line', a boundary separating the two sides of the island, which runs east to west, through Nicosia (Lefkoşa), the capital of both South and North Cyprus.
At present there are five border crossings with 24 hour unrestricted access for EU citizens to pass between the North and the South of Cyprus.

The TRNC is separated into five distinct regions, varying dramatically from mountain ranges to flat inland plains.

Kyrenia

Kyrenia (Girne) and its surrounding area is famous for its harbour. The old town of Kyrenia with cobbled streets, water-front cafes and expertly preserved Venetian castle is backed by the dramatic wooded slopes of the Beşparmak ( Five Finger Mountain) to the South. Bellapais Abbey, with its fantastically preserved 14th Century Abbey is now a sort after venue for many visitors getting married in North Cyprus.

Nicosia

Nicosia is a fascinating city to explore and the only remaining divided city in the world. Walk through the restored 'Han' for local handicrafts and down narrow streets offering carpets (kilims) and materials, turkish coffee and pastries and a much slower way of life. Famagusta is the site of the main port for the TRNC, busy with goods being imported and exported, and with its walled city area and historical sites on the eastern coastline has been listed as an important heritage site by the World Monument Fund. It is surrounded by the sandy beaches that Cyprus, especially in the North is well known for.

Güzelyurt

Güzelyurt (Morphou) is the growing region of Cyprus. It is much flatter and more agricultural than anywhere else in Cyprus, with acres and acres of citrus groves and its famous Annual Orange Festival. To the west are the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, rising up behind it. Skiing is available here and now with easy access across the border into the South of Cyprus makes a popular destination for skiers of all abilities. A less populated area than either Kyrenia, Nicosia or Famagusta, this area is a very undeveloped region with many ancient archaeological sites of interest.

Karpaz Peninsula

Karpaz Peninsula is a totally unspoilt area of Cyprus. Known as the "panhandle" due to its shape, a spectacular finger shaped peninsula to the East. Iskele is the main town in the area and still very untouched by development. With donkeys roaming wild amongst the sand dunes and plains and miles and miles of unspoilt beaches this area to date is the real jewel of the island and a visit to this region is a must for any visitors stay.