Castle vacation - stay in the first castle to be built in the Kyrenia Mountains since the Crusades.

The Captain's Castle

When you come to Northern Cyprus, you are visiting one of the last unspoilt places in the Mediterranean.
Set in the foothills of the Kyrenia Mountains is the first castle to have been built there since the Crusades. The Castle overlooks the village of Ilgaz, with fine views over the Mediterranean. On clear days you can see the coast of Turkey, 40 miles away.

The Cyprus home of Stuart Hill for the past 14 years, you will be among the first to use it since he made it available to visitors in 2003.

All around are wonderful walks. The track running past the Castle leads up into the mountains and joins with a network of routes right through the range. The main track below the Castle leads to the villages to East and West. Look out for ancient lime kilns on these tracks.
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Cyprus is a year-round destination for nature lovers. Wild flowers abound early in the year - crocuses and anenomes in January and February, many different orchids and other wild flowers later on. Ilgaz is famous for its almond trees, which surround the village in a cloud of blossom in February. Many migrating birds use Cyprus as a staging post and you may be lucky enough to see eagles in the mountains. In October and November you are treated to the spectacular sight of thousands of cranes flying south. Click for details of flora and fauna.

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Golden Oriole

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By the end of May temperatures have started to climb, but still there is a wide variety of plants to see. You'll probably see some big geckoes in the olive trees. This is a good time for sunbathing and visiting the many beaches. October and even November provide pleasantly warm weather, while in the hottest months of July and August the Castle has its own cool breeze, leaving the towns and coastal villages to swelter.

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Through the trees

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If archaeology is your scene, you will not be disappointed. Cyprus has always been strategically important and has been occupied since neolithic times. You can spend a whole day at the extensive ruins of Salamis and not see it all. Bellapais Abbey, St. Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara Castles, stone tombs and ancient palaces - everywhere you go is steeped in history.

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Northern Cyprus boasts some fine sandy beaches, many of which you will find totally deserted. Watersports including sailing, sailboarding and scuba diving are available nearby.

Not exactly crowded!

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You will arrive in North Cyprus late at night (10pm-11pm). Your hire car driver will take you to the Castle and make sure everything is OK. Go out on the roof terrace off the lounge and take in the silence. The twinkling lights of the coast road below are a reminder that 'civilisation' still exists. There will be food in the refrigerator and some drinks too, so make yourselves comfortable after the journey. Down the spiral stone stairs are the bedrooms. Maybe a shower before bed?
We find that we hardly ever eat at the castle, except for simple meals. There is such a wide variety of restaurants - from the 'Mehane' (local cheap café and pronounced meh haa neh) to some quite sophisticated restaurants. You will be amazed how little it costs to eat out.

Kyrenia is 8 miles away. Don't miss the picturesque harbour, where you can relax at one of the many waterside restaurants and watch the boats.

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Greet the morning on your bedroom terrace - now you can see the village below and the mountains all around. For breakfast you can take your pick - inside on the oak refectory table, outside on either the roof terrace with its stunning sea views, or in the courtyard looking up your private mountain.
After breakfast you may like to climb the spiral stair up the tower and raise the North Cyprus flag, which you can fly while in residence. The views from the top of the tower are even more breathtaking.

Looking down over the village towards the Mediterranean

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So your holiday starts. In a very short time you will be beguiled into the slow pace of life - but beware - North Cyprus is addictive, you will be back! A little piece of earth touched by Heaven.
Check out this excellent resource for anyone planning to visit Northern Cyprus:

Stuart Hill is 58. He earned the nickname Captain Calamity when he attempted to sail round the UK in a 15ft. open sailing boat in the summer of 2001. After several setbacks the trip came to an end off the west coast of Shetland when the boat capsized in a storm and he was unable to right it. Despite this he is proud of having sailed 700 miles from Suffolk to the northernmost point of Great Britain non-stop.

The Captain's Castle When you come to Northern Cyprus, you are visiting one of the last unspoilt places in the Mediterranean. Set in the foothills of the Kyrenia Mountains is the first castle to have been built there since the Crusades. The Castle overlooks the village of Ilgaz, with fine views over the Mediterranean. On clear days you can see the coast of Turkey, 40 miles away. The Cyprus home of Stuart Hill for the past 14 years, you will be among the first to use it since he made it available to visitors in 2003. All around are wonderful walks. The track running past the Castle leads up into the mountains and joins with a network of routes right through the range. The main track below the Castle leads to the villages to East and West. Look out for ancient lime kilns on these tracks. .................... Cyprus is a year-round destination for nature lovers. Wild flowers abound early in the year - crocuses and anenomes in January and February, many different orchids and other wild flowers later on. Ilgaz is famous for its almond trees, which surround the village in a cloud of blossom in February. Many migrating birds use Cyprus as a staging post and you may be lucky enough to see eagles in the mountains. In October and November you are treated to the spectacular sight of thousands of cranes flying south. Click for details of flora and fauna.
...
	Golden Oriole
...
By the end of May temperatures have started to climb, but still there is a wide variety of plants to see. You'll probably see some big geckoes in the olive trees. This is a good time for sunbathing and visiting the many beaches. October and even November provide pleasantly warm weather, while in the hottest months of July and August the Castle has its own cool breeze, leaving the towns and coastal villages to swelter.
...
	Through the trees
...
If archaeology is your scene, you will not be disappointed. Cyprus has always been strategically important and has been occupied since neolithic times. You can spend a whole day at the extensive ruins of Salamis and not see it all. Bellapais Abbey, St. Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara Castles, stone tombs and ancient palaces - everywhere you go is steeped in history.
...
..........
...
Northern Cyprus boasts some fine sandy beaches, many of which you will find totally deserted. Watersports including sailing, sailboarding and scuba diving are available nearby.
	Not exactly crowded!
...

You will arrive in North Cyprus late at night (10pm-11pm). Your hire car driver will take you to the Castle and make sure everything is OK. Go out on the roof terrace off the lounge and take in the silence. The twinkling lights of the coast road below are a reminder that 'civilisation' still exists. There will be food in the refrigerator and some drinks too, so make yourselves comfortable after the journey. Down the spiral stone stairs are the bedrooms. Maybe a shower before bed? We find that we hardly ever eat at the castle, except for simple meals. There is such a wide variety of restaurants - from the 'Mehane' (local cheap café and pronounced meh haa neh) to some quite sophisticated restaurants. You will be amazed how little it costs to eat out.
	Kyrenia is 8 miles away. Don't miss the picturesque harbour, where you can relax at one of the many waterside restaurants and watch the boats.
...
Greet the morning on your bedroom terrace - now you can see the village below and the mountains all around. For breakfast you can take your pick - inside on the oak refectory table, outside on either the roof terrace with its stunning sea views, or in the courtyard looking up your private mountain. After breakfast you may like to climb the spiral stair up the tower and raise the North Cyprus flag, which you can fly while in residence. The views from the top of the tower are even more breathtaking.
	Looking down over the village towards the Mediterranean
...
So your holiday starts. In a very short time you will be beguiled into the slow pace of life - but beware - North Cyprus is addictive, you will be back! A little piece of earth touched by Heaven. Check out this excellent resource for anyone planning to visit Northern Cyprus: Stuart Hill is 58. He earned the nickname Captain Calamity when he attempted to sail round the UK in a 15ft. open sailing boat in the summer of 2001. After several setbacks the trip came to an end off the west coast of Shetland when the boat capsized in a storm and he was unable to right it. Despite this he is proud of having sailed 700 miles from Suffolk to the northernmost point of Great Britain non-stop.