The villa is ideally located to explore all of the North’s ‘must see’ attractions in a peaceful spot close to Bahceli in eastern Kyrenia.

There are many bars and restaurants along the coast within minutes of the villa including Roots Bar, Sea Breeze (Great Meze), Stevie's Bar, Joya (with large swimming pool), Bar-B, Almond Tree, Spice Garden (Indian), Marina Bistro, Alkan's and Antique.

In addition there are many restaurants in the village of Esentepe.

Here also within walking distance of the villa lie two beautiful sandy bays that can be used as a base for snorkelling, swimming or other water sports. Slightly further East from the Roots Bar along the old coast road is the Eagles Nest restaurant offering a full menu with spectacular views and sunsets. 

Whilst the villa is within walking distance to the beach it is also on the foothills of the Beşparmak (Five Finger) mountain range. The view of the mountain is completely unspoilt with not a single terracotta roof in sight on the mountainside. There are countless unmade roads within the mountains that make it easy to explore with mountain bikes, quads or simply walking amongst the Carob and Olive trees. There are a number of circular routes that will bring you back to the villa. All of this terrain can be walked easily with no severe climbs. Navigation back to the villa is made easy with the unmade roads and the fact that if you head for the sea you can't go too wrong! If my sister can walk it in sandals (pictured left) anyone can!

5 minutes drive is the village of Esentepe where there are shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, places of worship etc.  Here also lies the only championship golf course in Northern Cyprus - Korineum Golf and Country Club. The course has 21 holes (3 practice holes) and greens!! Most golf courses in Cyprus have 'browns' but the irrigation on this course is state of the art including a desalination plant to ensure an all year supply of fresh water. The setting is spectacular with the Beşparmak (5 finger) mountains as the backdrop and on a clear day the Turkish mountains can be seen across the Northern Mediterranean. You will find this course so challenging that you will want to play it again and again, and if your walk is spoilt the surroundings will more than make up for it - it is truly breathtaking.

The famous Alagadi (Turtle) beach is only a 10 minute drive West with all the usual public facilities including showers, refreshments, a restaurant, bar and ample parking. Restaurant prices are very reasonable for example kebabs with meze would cost only £3.50 and large Efes around £1.80. They also serve burgers, chips etc. 

During the turtle nesting season volunteers can assist with the conservation of these protected species. An invitation goes out to everyone to come down to view the excavations, they meet at the Goat Shed (HQ), Alagadi for 5:30pm where they will take you down to the nest from there. No flash photography can be used during the excavation as not only does it potentially damage the eye sight of the hatchlings but will also show up the grubbiness of the volunteers!

If you would like to give them a call on the morning that you are hoping to see an excavation to see whether we have one on, please feel free to on: 05338798533.

Also see http://www.cyprusturtles.org/

This is a must for children and an experience they will never forget!! Just imagine the children's excitement at being able to release tiny, newly hatched turtles into the sea! 

5 minutes further west is the Acapulco beach club and Elexus that have their own water park, children’s play areas and private beach. Visitors are welcome for a small fee. There is also an indoor pool, Turkish baths and you can indulge yourself by having a Turkish massage.

A 10 minute drive further West through Catalkoy and Karakum takes you into Kyrenia featuring a horseshoe harbour that is regarded as one of the most picturesque in the world. What were once Carob warehouses are now lively yet quaint restaurants. The photograph on the right was taken from Kyrenia Castle.

If you travel East from the villa after a 5 minute drive you will reach Tatlisu where a new coast road will take you to the Karpas - follow the signs for Kaplica. The beautiful unspoilt region of the Karpas peninsula boasts miles and miles of sandy, unspoilt beaches. Ancient towns, basilicas, ruins and tombs scatter the area waiting to be explored.

To get a taste of Cyprus twenty years ago, the traveller must visit the Karpas. These are not pretty picture postcard villages like Bellapais , but rural traditional Cypriot villages where the animals live under the same roof as their owners . The land is agricultural and the majority of the villagers live off the island . This is the only national park in Northern Cyprus where there are around 300 wild donkeys. This remarkable place is so special to Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots that Dipkarpas is the only mixed village in the North that survived the events of 1974.