Lefke is a small town whose outer margins encompass a stretch of picturesque coastline, the magnificent foothills of the Troodos Mountains, lakes and reservoirs. The water from the mountain springs finds its way down to the fertile coastal plain with its rich soil and benign climate. No wonder then that the area is known as ‘The Fruit Basket of Cyprus’. A wide variety of fruit and nuts flourish, along with plentiful citrus groves. Lefke was once a thriving copper and gold mining town, in Roman times and more recently. Vestiges of this remain, along with three mosques from the Ottoman period and houses in the centre that reflect the town’s colonial past. Nowadays the Maqam of Mawlana Sheikh Nazim can be found at the Naqhbandi Dergah and every few months Mawlana Sheikh Mehmet stays at the Deragh.   

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With flights from London, Manchester and other regional airports providing means of entry. If flying to Ercan Airport or Geçitkale Airport, North Cyprus’ two international landing points, passengers must transit briefly in Turkey. No visa is required for British or EU citizens wishing to visit or cross between the northern and southern parts of the country, meaning those wishing to fly into Larnaca and Paphos can easily commute to the north of the island in just over an hour. 

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Brits won’t need to pack the phrase book, as English is considered a second language after Turkish, especially in the hotspot of Kyrenia. The currency is Turkish lira, meaning your well-earnt money goes further here. This means life is much less costly than its southern counterpart. Euros and Pound sterling are still widely accepted in many establishments. As the sun sets, a wealth of traditional Turkish music shows can be experienced, and travellers can rest in the knowledge North Cyprus is virtually a crime-free zone after dark.