Specialist Journeys brings together
Andante Travels and Brightwater Holidays

Order a brochure Contact us FAQs

Menu

Contact us on 1-800-759-7715

Contact us on 1-800-759-7715

Relaxed Kyrenia

7 days from $6,060

Departing: April 2027 - April 2027

Beautiful Cyprus, traditionally the birthplace of the Goddess of love, Aphrodite, has attracted many unwanted suitors over the years. With the lovely harbour of Kyrenia serving as our base, we enjoy a leisurely tour of the archaeological sites of the north of the island, from the ancient port city of Soli with its impressive Roman mosaics to the medieval fortress of St Hilarion, perched dramatically on the Kyrenia mountain range. The landscape itself tells the story of successive civilisations all set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean's azure waters and the rugged beauty of the northern Cypriot coast.

Included

Explore the Castles of the Templars & Salamis, with entrance fees included
All other visits as outlined in the itinerary
Expert Guide Lecturer & professional Tour Manager
6 nights at the Arkin Colony Hotel, Kyrenia
6 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners
Wine & tea or coffee with dinner
Private air-conditioned coach travel
Field notes, taxes & gratuities for local staff

Highlights

Explore the castles of the Templars who sought refuge in the Kingdom of Cyprus in 1291 after the fall of Acre
Visit the lovely village of Bellapais, where Lawrence Durrell once lived and wrote
Enjoy the wonderful Greco-Roman remains of Salamis, situated on the coast
Discover Famagusta with its medieval churches and the ghost town of Varosha, abandoned since the 1970s

Terry Richardson

A university background in Ancient History and Classical Civilisation. The author of numerous renowned guide books on the country, including Rough Guide Istanbul, Pocket Rough Guide Istanbul and Rough Guide Turkey.

Tour Itinerary

Arrive into Kyrenia and meet your expert Guide Lecturer and fellow travellers at your hotel.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: The Colony Hotel Arkin

Day 1 Relaxed Kyrenia

Kyrenia Harbour is one of the Mediterranean’s most architecturally intact medieval ports, with its horseshoe-shaped basin developed during Roman times and substantially fortified by the Lusignans in the 12th-13th centuries. We take a stroll here this morning and visit the imposing Kyrenia Castle, which dominates the eastern shore. This formidable stronghold has served the Crusaders, Venetians, Ottomans and British in a long contest over the ownership of the island. Here we also visit the Shipwreck Museum, housed within the castle. It contains the extraordinary 4th-century BCE Greek trading vessel discovered in Kyrenia harbour in 1967, likely to have been sunk by pirates as it sailed from the coast of Anatolia. After lunch, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: The Colony Hotel Arkin

Day 2 Relaxed Kyrenia

This morning, we drive south to the lovely village of Bellapais, where Lawrence Durrell once lived and wrote about in his book, Bitter Lemons. We visit Bellapais Abbey, a breathtaking testament to Gothic artistry and the tranquil spirit of its 12th-century Augustinian founders. Much of what remains today, particularly the magnificent refectory and the arcaded cloisters, reflects the substantial enhancements made under Lusignan kings in the 13th century. In the afternoon, we discover the magnificent Castle of St Hilarion in the Kyrenia mountains, the best-preserved of the three Lusignan strongholds (Buffavento, Kantara and St Hilarion) on the precipitous spine of the Kyrenia mountains. Originally founded as a monastery, it was later fortified by the Byzantines as a defence against the Arabian pirates who raided the coast in the 11th century.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: The Colony Hotel Arkin

Day 3 Relaxed Kyrenia

Today we drive west to Soli, one of the ten ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus. Notable remains include a Roman theatre (partially reconstructed), an early Christian basilica known for its mosaics (including the famous Swan of Soli) and traces of temples dedicated to various deities like Aphrodite, Isis and Serapis. We continue to the clifftop 5th-century site of Vouni, a fine palace complex, spectacularly situated around 200m above the sea. Before returning to Kyrenia, we also visit the small but excellent Güzelyurt Museum of Archaeology and Natural History.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: The Colony Hotel Arkin

Day 4 Relaxed Kyrenia

We enjoy a day at leisure today. Relax at the hotel, stroll to the Ethnographic Museum on the harbour or take a boat trip along the coast. We meet again this evening for dinner together.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: The Colony Hotel Arkin

Day 5 Relaxed Kyrenia

This morning, we drive east to ancient Salamis, the leading city on the island for over a millennia and a half, founded by settlers displaced during the collapse of the Bronze Age cultures. In legend, its founder was Teucer, a hero of the Trojan War. It is a typically sprawling Graeco-Roman site, with its substantial remains spread over a wide area, featuring a fine 1st century AD theatre. We continue from here to Famagusta, a leading Christian centre of trade when the last Crusader stronghold in the Levant fell. By the 14th century, it was one of the wealthiest cities in the world with a cosmopolitan, multi-lingual society. Dozens of churches for all manner of sects were built within its immensely strong circuit walls.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: The Colony Hotel Arkin

Day 6 Relaxed Kyrenia

We check out of our hotel today and drive to Nicosia, where we visit the Cyprus Museum, located in the heart of Nicosia (Lefkosia) near the historic Paphos Gate within the Venetian city walls. Founded in 1882 during the British occupation following a petition by the Cypriot people, this venerable institution has been preserving and showcasing the island’s rich cultural heritage for over 140 years. We are treated to a comprehensive journey through over 6,000 years of the island’s history here. After lunch, depart for the airport or continue your trip at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Relaxed Kyrenia

Accommodation

Kyrenia (known locally as Girne) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in Cyprus, with a history that reflects the many civilisations that have passed through the island. Its natural harbour made it a strategic settlement from antiquity, and archaeological evidence suggests occupation here as early as the 10th century BCE. During Ottoman rule from 1571 to 1878, and subsequently under British administration until 1960, Kyrenia remained a relatively modest fishing port and market town. The old harbour retains much of its historic character, with a horseshoe-shaped quay lined by stone warehouses, some dating from the Venetian and Ottoman periods. The Arkin Colony Hotel sits in the central heart of Kyrenia on Ecevit Caddesi, placing it within easy walking distance of many of the town’s key historic and cultural sites. Its facilities (rooftop swimming pool and bar, several restaurants, casino and spa) give it five-star status and rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, tea and coffee-making facilities, flat-screen TV with cable channels, hairdryer, minibar and safety deposit box.

Close

Availability & Booking

2027

5th April from $6,060

from $6,060

[ { "ItineraryId": 0, "ItemOrder": 0, "Title": "Relaxed Kyrenia", "StrapLine1": "", "StrapLine2": "", "BodyText": "

Beautiful Cyprus, traditionally the birthplace of the Goddess of love, Aphrodite, has attracted many unwanted suitors over the years. With the lovely harbour of Kyrenia serving as our base, we enjoy a leisurely tour of the archaeological sites of the north of the island, from the ancient port city of Soli with its impressive Roman mosaics to the medieval fortress of St Hilarion, perched dramatically on the Kyrenia mountain range. The landscape itself tells the story of successive civilisations all set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean's azure waters and the rugged beauty of the northern Cypriot coast.

", "BigImage1": "", "SmallImage1": "", "ItemTypeId": 1, "ItinItemTemplateId": 7085, "Images": [], "Version": "", "Year": "2027", "CreatedById": 78, "CreatedByName": "RachelTemp", "CreatedDate": "2026-09-04T15:42:46.13", "ModifiedById": 0, "ModifiedByName": null, "ModifiedDate": "2026-10-01T09:16:54.14", "Id": 69109 } ]

{
  "TourId": 195688,
  "TourRef": "TRKY270405",
  "ItineraryId": 11068,
  "DepartureNo": 1,
  "Title": "Relaxed Kyrenia",
  "TourType": "I",
  "StartDate": "2027-04-05T00:00:00",
  "EndDate": "0001-01-01T00:00:00",
  "Duration": 7,
  "MaxPax": 80,
  "Available": 18,
  "AdultFare": 6060.00,
  "OAPFare": 6060.00,
  "ChildFare": 6060.00,
  "SingleSupplement": 540.00,
  "Hotel": "Colony Hotel Arkin",
  "Area": "_RELA_AR_ACW_CYP_EUR_MO_",
  "Guaranteed": false,
  "Status": "",
  "CatalogueId": 1,
  "RouteNumber": 0,
  "RoutePointsList": "",
  "RoutePointsListExtended": "",
  "RoutePointsListExtendedT3": "",
  "CompanyId": 0,
  "OutwardHubId": 0,
  "OutwardHubId2": 0,
  "ReturnHubId": 0,
  "ReturnHubId2": 0,
  "T3PickupPoints": null,
  "Hotels": [
    {
      "Id": "30808205",
      "Name": "Colony Hotel Arkin",
      "BoardBasisCode": null,
      "BoardBasisDescription": null,
      "Rooms": [
        {
          "Type": "DOUBLE S/O",
          "Available": 6,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 1,
          "Supplement": 540.0,
          "AdultPrice": 6060.0,
          "ChildPrice": 6060.0,
          "OAPPrice": 6060.0,
          "Description": "Double for Sole Occupancy",
          "Id": 127314308
        },
        {
          "Type": "DOUBLE SWS",
          "Available": 0,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 1,
          "Supplement": 0.0,
          "AdultPrice": 6060.0,
          "ChildPrice": 6060.0,
          "OAPPrice": 6060.0,
          "Description": "Double for Sole Occupancy without Supplement",
          "Id": 127314309
        },
        {
          "Type": "DOUBLE",
          "Available": 3,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 2,
          "Supplement": 0.0,
          "AdultPrice": 6060.0,
          "ChildPrice": 6060.0,
          "OAPPrice": 6060.0,
          "Description": "Double Room",
          "Id": 127314310
        },
        {
          "Type": "TWIN",
          "Available": 3,
          "Required": 0,
          "Capacity": 2,
          "Supplement": 0.0,
          "AdultPrice": 6060.0,
          "ChildPrice": 6060.0,
          "OAPPrice": 6060.0,
          "Description": "Twin Room",
          "Id": 127314311
        }
      ],
      "Facilities": null
    }
  ],
  "Routes": [],
  "Discounts": [],
  "DiscountPercentage": 0.0,
  "DiscountType": 0,
  "DiscountValue": 0.00,
  "WebDisplayPrice": "$6,060.00",
  "SavingAmount": "-",
  "CanAgentHaveDiscount": false,
  "AgentRequiresAddress": false,
  "SelfDrive": false,
  "PromoCode": "",
  "T3PickupPointList": [],
  "DepositAmount": 1200.00,
  "DepositExpiry": "2026-12-28T00:00:00",
  "WebAreas": [
    {
      "FilterId": 45,
      "Name": "Relaxed",
      "Value": "RELA",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 3,
      "Name": "Archaeology",
      "Value": "AR",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "#000000",
      "ParentCategory": "COLLECT",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 2,
      "Name": "Ancient & Classic World",
      "Value": "ACW",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "#000000",
      "ParentCategory": "COLLECT",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 10,
      "Name": "Cyprus",
      "Value": "CYP",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "DEST",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 15,
      "Name": "Europe",
      "Value": "EUR",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "",
      "ChildCategories": []
    },
    {
      "FilterId": 35,
      "Name": "Moderate",
      "Value": "MO",
      "Description": "",
      "Image": "",
      "ImageAlt": "",
      "Url": "",
      "Color": "",
      "ParentCategory": "",
      "ChildCategories": []
    }
  ]
}

Cookies

This website uses cookies to enhance your user experience. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to the use of all cookies. You can withdraw consent at any time. Learn more.

Accept Only Essential Cookies Reject All Non-Essential Cookies Accept All