Head to the Med for less
Enjoying North Cyprus has never been cheaper, says NICK DALTON
ESCAPE to the far corner of the Med for the holiday bargain of a lifetime. North Cyprus has always been a great deal, thanks to it sticking with the Turkish lira rather than having any dabblings with the euro, but things have got better still. The Turkish currency this week fell to an all-time low, with £1 now getting you six lira.
The island nation has a feel of how the Mediterranean used to be – relaxed and friendly. And yet there are plenty of new hotels springing up, from grand beach resorts to picturesque boutique retreats.
There are spas, delectable restaurants, fabulous shops and idyllic bars – and all better value than ever before.
Prices are reminiscent of the past too – imagine a glass of wine for £2, or a beer for £1.50; lunch for £5, dinner for no more than £10.
You can buy a day pass at a top-notch spa for just £20. Car hire is less than £20 a day.
The leader in holidays here is British company Cyprus Paradise. It offers holidays at amazing prices, including flights, transfers and the services of a rep – and everyone gets a free full-day tour of the island’s capital, Nicosia.
You can get a seven-night summer holiday for less than £400pp.
Breaks at the Pia Bella Hotel in the historic harbour town of Kyrenia start at £385, B&B. The hotel has two outdoor pools set in gardens, is only three minutes from the beach and is surrounded by restaurants. The first child up to the age of three stays free.
Just outside town, and for the same price, B&B, is the Ship Inn, which is set among olive groves and has lovely mountain views from its large pool. There are a range of special offers for guests at this hotel – if you’re there for a week you get two free dinners (four if you’re there for a fortnight), with 15 per cent off the a la carte menu at other times, plus there is free spa access and 15 per cent off treatments. Holidaymakers can get great-value breaks at five-star hotels too.
Stay at the Acapulco Beach Club & Resort Hotel near Kyrenia from £458pp, half-board. It has a spa and wellness centre with free access and 20 per cent off treatments, an adults-only infinity pool, three outdoor pools with an aqua park and a private beach. The first child up to the age of seven stays free.
The Merit Park, near Kyrenia, sits on a cliff above the beach and has three large pools, a spa, a children’s club and entertainment several nights a week. It’s ultra all-inclusive (all your drinks plus extra treats) and costs from £555pp. The first child up to the age of 12 stays free.
The Noah’s Ark – designed to resemble a galleon – sits on a beach on the Karpaz Peninsula. There’s a lagoon-style pool, spa and much more. It costs from £685pp ultra all-inclusive. The first child up to the age of 12 stays free.
INFORMATION
Cyprus Paradise: 020 3150 033/ cyprusparadise.com.
Children stay free in a room with two adults, paying for flights only (about £250pp). All hotels mentioned include free wifi.
There are spas, delectable restaurants, fabulous shops and idyllic bars – and all better value than ever before