Northern Cyprus Quilting retreat

Meet Karin and your Tour Manager at London Heathrow airport for your flight to Larnaca. Transfer by coach to the Hotel Olivia Palm.

This morning we’ll meet with our local guide and enjoy a half day tour of Girne, still widely known by its Greek name, Kyrenia. The town is said to be the most beautiful in Cyprus, owing to its harbour and mighty Venetian castle. After free time for lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants we’ll return to the hotel for our first workshop with Karin.

Today we enjoy a full day tour to Lefkoşa, the capital city of Northern Cyprus and the last divided capital in the world. (Known as Nicosia until 1974). We’ll walk along the narrow streets within the city walls, discovering some old-fashioned craft shops and learning about local crafts at Büyük Han, a lovingly restored 16th Century trading station in the middle of the old town. We’ll also have a look at the market hall and Selimye Mosque. The afternoon will be free for you to have some lunch, do some shopping, visit one of the city’s many museums or stop in one of the many cafes and watch the world go by.

Today will be spent in workshop with Karin.

Our full day tour starts with a drive to the citrus growing area of the island, where we will be greeted with a sea of orange and lemon trees as far as the eye can see. In Güzelyurt we’ll visit St. Mamas Church with its intricately restored interior, as well as the Golden Leaves of Soli exhibition at the Museum of Archaeology and Nature, a display of beautiful recovered gold artefacts found by a local man whilst digging in 2005. This afternoon we’ll head towards Lefke village, where we’ll be welcomed by the local handcraft organisation in their small shop. We’ll learn about the traditional handcrafts of the region, including Lapta and Lefkara embroidery and beautiful pictures made with silk cocoons. We’ll also have the opportunity to buy some homemade produce to take home as a souvenir.

Today will be spent in workshop with Karin.

Today will be spent in workshop with Karin. This evening we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in nearby Bellapais. The village is synonymous with its medieval abbey, which is often illuminated at night.

Late morning we’ll check out and return south of the border for our return flight to London Heathrow airport. On route we’ll stop in Lefkara to visit the Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmith, housed in a restored traditional Lefkaran house.