Cyprus and More

Modern History, Captivating Coastlines and Sunny Weather

Cyprus is a land with a recent history; since 1974 it has been a divided island, split between North and South. Travelling in the North can feel like time has stood still, whereas the South an EU member, is very different. Our tour visits both sides to give you a complete experience of the island, something that has only recently been possible with the opening of the border for crossing with your own vehicle. Being the eastern most island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus enjoys a near perfect autumn climate; throughout October and well into November little rain is experienced and temperatures remain in the high 20’s.  

For this tour, Cyprus is just one half of the adventure. To make our way to the island we first explore the fascinating north west Black Sea coast and central areas of Turkey. Rich in natural scenery and local history, the Black Sea is followed from Istanbul to Sinop. From Sinop we turn directly south to pass through the Hattusa and Cappadocia central regions to arrive on Turkey’s south coast from where we sail to Cyprus.

Throughout this tour you will get to stay in many great places, far from the UK and seldom (if ever) reached by other UK motorhomers. However, great campsite facilities will not be a feature. This tour is for the adventurous and will be best enjoyed by those with an open mind to camping and who are comfortable with using their motorhome’s own facilities, including camping without an electric hook-up at times. During the tour, adequate arrangements are in place for access to water/waste facilities and LPG is available throughout both Turkey & Cyprus. Driving in places requires a confident approach.

Get ready for taking yourself and your motorhome on a truly memorable journey.

Day 1 – Monday 18 September 2023
We meet at a quality campsite in Bologna, Italy where this evening the Tour Directors will host a welcome evening at their motorhome.

Day 2
Drive to Ancona, Italy to catch the overnight ferry to Greece. En-suite cabins are included for you. 140 miles

Day 3
Arriving at Igoumenitsa in northern Greece we have a short drive to an overnight beach side campsite. 5 miles 

Day 4
Today we drive across northern Greece to a coastal campsite in Methoni Pierias. This evening we get together in the campsites own seafront restaurant for a group dinner. 195 miles 

Day 5
We continue east to a beachside campsite at Alexandroupoli, Greece. 210 miles

Day 6
A free day. With our campsite right on the beach it’s ideal for a relaxing day. This evening the Tour Directors will give a briefing ready for entering Turkey tomorrow.

Day 7 – Sunday 24 September
We cross the Turkish border this morning and make our way to our first campsite in Turkey. Our Turkish speaking Tour Directors will be on hand to assist with border formalities. This evening we enjoy a group meal featuring Turkish cuisine. 150 miles

Day 8
Today we arrive on the Black Sea coast at the relaxed resort of Akçakoca. 200 miles

Day 9
A free day. The campsite is situated next to the beach and you can take a pleasant 30 minute walk into town.

Day 10
We continue along the Black Sea coast to the picturesque coastal town of Amasra, where we park overnight at the harbour-side. This is an ideal location for exploring the town and in the evening, there is a group meal in a local restaurant. 120 miles

Day 11 & 12
We leave Amasra to begin the two-day journey to Sinop, a popular holiday resort previously renowned for its tough prison which is now a museum. In total the journey takes about 8 hours, driving along a road that hugs the coast and passes through many mountain and coastal villages. The journey has been split over 2 days to allow plenty of time for stops. We stay overnight parked near the sea in a tiny coastal village. The next day we complete the journey to Sinop where we stay for 3 nights at a beachside campsite. 200 miles over two days

Day 13
We visit Sinop including its infamous prison, now a museum. Group lunch in local restaurant.

Day 14 – Sunday 1 October
A free day. The campsite has a washing machine and the beach is close by. There are also pleasant walks locally. 

Day 15
We leave the Black Sea coast as we start the journey south to cross Turkey’s central region. Our drive inland takes us to the important Sultan educational city of Amasya. Here is also home to one of Turkey’s best preserved collection of Ottoman homes. We stay at parking arranged for us in the city, which is located close to the historic centre. 160 miles

Day 16
This morning we make a walking tour through Amasya. An opportunity to see the timber-framed Ottoman houses and the area of the Pontus tombs. Included is a group lunch.

Day 17
We leave Amasya heading south to the UNESCO protected Hittite sites of Hattusa and Yazılıkaya. Stay at a good campsite linked to a pleasant hotel. 240 miles

Day 18
We start the day with breakfast in the hotel. This is followed by a tour of the archaeological site of Hattusa, capital of the Hittite Empire in the late Bronze Age. The ruins are notable for the remains of temples, royal residences and fortifications and for the rich ornamentation of the Lion’s Gate and Royal Gate. In its time this Empire stretched from modern-day Syria, across Anatolia and into Europe.

Day 19
Continuing south we reach the geographic wonderland of Cappadocia. 110 miles

Day 20
Today we visit some of the cave dwellings Cappadocia is partly famous for. Included is a group lunch.

Day 21 – Sunday 8 October
Even more famous in Cappadocia is the natural Disney like ‘fairy chimney’ landscape and the best way to see this is from the air. This morning we offer an optional (payable locally) hot-air balloon experience where we start by seeing the balloons being prepared for take-off followed by a flight time of around 1 hour.

Day 22
A free day. Relax or take in the popular ‘Rose Valley’ walk that starts from right outside our campsite.

Day 23
Continuing our journey today we reach Turkey’s south coast and the departure point for Cyprus. Our boat leaves late evening and travels overnight. On board you may stay in your motorhome throughout the crossing (around 6 hours) or walk around. 230 miles

Day 24
Arriving in Northern Cyprus this morning we clear our motorhomes through customs and have an easy coastal drive to a beachside restaurant where we have parking for two nights. This evening we have a welcome to Cyprus group dinner. 40 miles

Day 25
This morning transport is arranged for a visit to Kantara Castle, offering fine views over Northern Cyprus. The afternoon is free to enjoy the beach and sea.

Day 26
Move on today to the national park of the Karpaz region, famed for its sand beaches and wild donkeys. Our parking is at a beachside hotel where we have dinner tonight overlooking the sea. 40 miles

Day 27
A completely free day. The beach and sea are close by, or simply sit by the side of your motorhome and enjoy the free time.

Day 28 – Sunday 15 October
Breakfast is prepared for us next to the sea to give a relaxed start to the day, it is Sunday after all. The remainder of the day is free.

Day 29
Drive to a private camping area near to Famagusta. This evening we have a group dinner in a local restaurant. 55 miles

Day 30
An excursion to Lefkosa (the northern half of Nicosia). Nicosia is the whole island’s capital, however just like the island itself it is divided between north and south. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall it has become the world’s solitary remaining divided capital. Throughout the morning our English speaking guide will take us through the northern places of interest whilst explaining much about the city’s history. The afternoon is free for your own lunch arrangements and explorations.

Day 31
Famagusta is our destination for today, with an English guided excursion to this beautiful Venetian walled city. Lunch is included in a local restaurant.

Day 32
We take our motorhomes from the North to the South of the island today. Having passed through the border we travel to the colourful fishing town of Zygi, where we have dinner and overnight parking. 80 miles

Day 33
Drive along the south coast passing through the British Sovereign area of Akrotiri to arrive at a beachside camping area on the west coast near Polis. 80 miles

Day 34
A boat trip along the Akamas Peninsular National Park with lunch included.

Day 35 – Sunday 22 October
A free day. Relax on the beach, swim or catch up on some chores – the choice is yours.

Day 36
Transport is arranged to the ‘Baths of Aphrodite’, we visit the setting where it is claimed the goddess of love bathed. There will then be time for a walk along the coastal path of the Akamas Peninsular National Park before we take lunch in a coastal restaurant.

Day 37
We leave the coast to spend time with our motorhomes in the mountains. On route to our overnight parking, recommended visits are Kykkos Monastery, the church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis and the Botanic Gardens. At a height of 1600m (5,300 feet) many of the botanic gardens species are endemic to this area of Cyprus. This evening we have parking in the mountains and dinner in a local restaurant. 65 miles

Day 38
Continuing our drive in the mountains today, we have further recommended visits as we slowly return to the coast and a camping facility at Governors Beach. 50 miles

Day 39
An excursion and guided visit to the islands capital of Lefkosia (southern Nicosia). Throughout the morning our English speaking guide will take us to the places of interest whilst explaining the city’s history and in particular the ‘green line’ division. Later free time for own lunch arrangements and independent exploration.

Day 40
A free day. The coast is right outside our camping area so maybe take a coastal walk, relax by the sea or have a swim.

Day 41
An excursion today to Pafos where we visit the Royal Tombs and Villas with fine mosaics. Lunch included by the sea.

Day 42 – Sunday 29 October
We leave the coast and drive inland as we make our way to a rural restaurant and the venue of our Farewell Dinner where we also have overnight parking arranged. Complete with its own micro winery, throughout the afternoon there will be an opportunity to join in at the restaurant/winery and learn about making some typical Cypriot products.  During the evening it’s a time to eat well and drink local wines whilst reflecting on the adventure that has been ‘Cyprus and More’. 20 miles

Day 43
Today we return to north Cyprus and this evening take the overnight boat back to Turkey. 55 miles

Day 44
Arriving in Turkey this morning we travel to Konya for overnight camping and possibly a quick visit of the city centre – home to the ‘Whirling Dervish’. 170 miles

Day 45
Continue our return journey through Turkey we stop overnight at a camping near to Ankara. 150 miles

Day 46
Travelling north today we use the modern motorway network to complete a longer drive to arrive at a campsite towards Istanbul. 300 miles

Day 47
Cross from Turkey to Greece to arrive at a beachside campsite. 190 miles

Day 48
A completely free day.

Day 49 – Sunday 5 November
Travel across northern Greece to an overnight campsite. 210 miles

Day 50
A comfortable drive today to arrive at the port of Igoumenitsa ready for our overnight crossing back to Ancona, Italy. 190 miles

Day 51 – Tuesday 7 November 2022
The tour ends as we arrive back in Italy this afternoon. If the Tour Directors are returning to the UK you may travel back with them as they make their way home via Calais (campsite fee’s from here on are not included).

PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £0000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £0000

DEPOSIT £000

Ferry supplement for motorhomes over 6m = £250 per metre or part metre
Second deposit of £1,500 payable 15/03/2023 to secure ferry places

INCLUDED IN PRICE

• • • 26 Campsite nights with electric hook-up
    • 7 campsite nights without hook-up
    • 13 overnight parking with limited or no facilities
    • 4 nights on ferry
    • Return Italy to Greece ferry
    • Return Turkey to Cyprus ferry
    • Transport for Excursions/Events as per the Itinerary
    • Entrance fees on Excursions/Events as per the Itinerary unless otherwise stated
    • Tour information Pack with suggested routes and GPS co-ordinates
    • Michelin Country Maps
    • DK Turkey Guidebook
    • DK Cyprus Guidebook
    • Services of Tour Directors, travelling in their own motorhome

     

      Excursions, Events & Meals

    • Welcome Reception
    • Dinner in Greek campsite restaurant with wine
    • Welcome to Turkey dinner with wine
    • Dinner in Amasra with wine
    • Excursion to Sinop with lunch
    • Walking tour of Amasya with lunch
    • Hattusa campsite breakfast
    • Visit of the archaeological site of Hattusa
    • Visit to Cappadocia cave dwellings with lunch
    • Optional hot-air balloon trip over Cappadocia with Tour Directors (Payable locally)
    • Optional Turkish bath visit with Tour Directors (Payable locally)
    • Ferry to Cyprus
    • Welcome to Cyprus dinner with wine
    • Visit to Kantara Castle
    • Dinner in Karpaz region with wine
    • Karpaz Hotel breakfast
    • Group dinner in local restaurant with wine
    • Guided excursion to Lefkosa
    • Guided visit of Famagusta with lunch
    • Dinner in coastal town of Zygi with wine
    • Boat trip along the Akamas Peninsular with lunch
    • Visit to the ‘Baths of Aphrodite’ with lunch
    • Troodos mountains dinner with wine
    • Guided excursion to Lefkosia
    • Excursion to Pafos with lunch
    • Farewell Evening with Dinner and wine

This tour starts at Bologna in Italy, but if you would like to travel on the outward journey with the Tour Directors please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf

OPTIONAL EXTRA PACKAGE

• • Return Dover/Calais Ferry with fully Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
  • Five additional camping nights with electric hook-up starting in Kent on Wednesday 13^th September and followed by Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
  • Group Dinner in German campsite
  • Tour information pack with suggested routes and GPS co-ordinates
  • Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £000