[ ? ] What would you tell a first time to TRNC UK tourist?

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 11:29

Someone you know in the UK, who is preparing a first visit to TRNC, asks you for hints and tips - what would you tell him/her..?

yorgozlu



Joined: 16/06/2009
Posts: 4437

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 11:38

Change your money over here as you'd get better rate.

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 11:54

RE msg 2, yorgozlu: Right. But don't do it at the (nearest) bank. Too much hassle and you get a better rate at a money exchange (in Girne).

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 12:04

Visit the beautiful Karpas before it disappears under concrete and tourists from hell as with Ayia Napa.

Scoty


Joined: 23/05/2010
Posts: 846

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 12:06

Check out prices for renting a car. Get the best deal available

Aysesdaddy



Joined: 21/03/2009
Posts: 392

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 12:24

Enjoy your holiday, but don't expect things to happen right away, there is always another day.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 12:33

Told my friend who was coming at New Year to join us to bring Sterling but she didn't listen she changed £500 at M & S at 2.17 the rate when she came was 2.4450.

brother



Joined: 29/01/2010
Posts: 446

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 12:39

You will find the locals disarmingly friendly and helpful. English is spoken by more people than you might imagine.

The Kyrenia harbour is worth a visit but take your polite assertive hat with you to resist the beckoning from restaurant staff along the harbour.

Be careful that you don't take photographs near any military camps that you may happen on in your travels. They may get a little worried about what you are up to.

If you are staying in a hotel complex, take time out to drive along the coast along both sides of the pointy bit of the island - the Karpaz peninsula. However do take supplies of water, snacks (restaurants will get fewer and fewer as you head Eastwards) and make sure you have plenty of fuel.

Driving standards are startling at times so do keep alert when driving on the busy roads.



You might notice that some beaches are reserved for the nearby hotel and a charge is made to use the beach.



The beaches from Famagusta North-Eastwards are said to be cleaner.

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 12:39

Don't come for less than three weeks - it takes the first week to get over the travel and get the UK crap out of your system, it takes the next week to slow down and start to enjoy life and the last week is actually the holiday that you thought you always wanted. Then you will not want to leave but you will come back.



Most important - don't even think of buying a house or retiring here till you have seen all four seasons!!!!!

Schoie



Joined: 26/12/2008
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 12:39

I would say, everything you need to know visit http://www.allcrusades.com/ where you can see and find out about the real beauty of Northern Cyprus.......anything else is a bonus.............

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 13:45

Never let your kids out of your sight and drive defensively on the roads. And be streetwise as you are largely on your own if you get ripped off.

vonny


Joined: 25/06/2009
Posts: 476

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 14:33

And dont buy your ciggies at the duty free in the uk,,wait till you arrive here

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 15:08

Ignore the rubbish.....everybody else does ;-)

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 15:19

Do you want to buy a nice house?

DeaconB


Joined: 13/07/2010
Posts: 120

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 15:25

Check out Florida first.



Don’t hire a car someone else could run into you and cause you a Midnight Express experience when all you wanted was a few days rest.

TinLondon


Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 15:48

Well the first thing i noticed and wished someone had told me about are Zebra Crossings.... i waited almost 10 minutes under the hot, burning August sun waiting for someone to stop and let me cross the road. No one will stop!

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 15:57

Bring some Bin Bags and volunteer to clean "someone else's rubbish" from the Beaches and surrounding areas/beauty spots/Historical venues...And, be ready to do it all over again the next day..

magolina


Joined: 06/12/2008
Posts: 461

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 17:44

wipe your feet when you leave

Glasbury


Joined: 13/08/2010
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 18:20

I would say that msgs 8 and 9 cover most things and that you will either love it or hate it. I love it.

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 18:46

I would tell them that the TRNC is a Foreign country and to remember that it is not the UK.



I once read on Trip advisor that some clown at a hotel we stayed at in Thailand was moaning that the english breakfasts were not the same as in the UK. Hey now that is a surprise not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 18:51

I agree with messages 8 and 9

It is a lovely location - enjoy it!!!!!

yenibob


Joined: 13/10/2010
Posts: 1203

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 19:00

Look beyond Girne, which is very much "Little Britain with Sun" There is nothing of Cyprus left there. Sad, but very very true

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 19:54

yenibob...I think you mean little "South East Britain" with Sun..... Oh, and English Breakfast's

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 19:57

As HildySmith,Has said on a previous post "Trust No-One"

yenibob


Joined: 13/10/2010
Posts: 1203

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 20:01

Have you seen the number of Welsh and Scots in Girne?





The whole of the UK is represented in Girne, shame Cyprus is forgotten.





There are nicer places for those with the confidence to get away from their roots.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 20:05

Quite agree,!

tonienite


Joined: 16/02/2011
Posts: 3

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 20:54

Just go with the flow and fit in.



This is North Cyprus, respect the locals and enjoy their friendliness.



It's their place and we are just visitors, even when staying for long periods.



Don't try and change it - enjoy it as it is!

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 21:11

msg 27.."Don't try to change it,enjoy it as it is".. no need for the H.B.P.G then,or K.A.R.,or the Litter Brigade??To say nothing of the need of many to approach the ECHR..

Blackbird



Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1432

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 21:34

As it's been said before....go with the flow.

Enjoy the friendly locals, eat at some fabulous restaurants, visit places full of mystic, the prettiest harbour in the Mediterranean.

Take pleasure for all that is great and good in TRNC, and ignore the negatives...

I hope love your visit as much as we have....



Peter

Blackpoolfan


Joined: 03/12/2008
Posts: 1568

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 21:34

Remember your green cross code

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 21:58

msg29 "Ignore the negatives,"... You mean sweep the dirt/litter/corruption under the carpet,very helpful I must say....

Blackbird



Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1432

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 22:32

Message 31...the question is:

Someone you know in the UK, who is preparing a first visit to TRNC, asks you for hints and tips.

If someone is visiting anywhere for the first time they do not need to be burdened with all that is wrong! As I said....go with the flow and enjoy!

We have been visiting TRNC for over 15 years, and for the first 5 years or so were not aware of any problems. We went there because we liked it!

TRNCvictim


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 1417

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 23:46

I have been visiting Cyprus for 30 years! but still stupidly thought I understood the problems! consequently I lost everything, so please DO NOT go with the flow! enjoy and go home!



Thats my tip! believe me it's a Country thats not worth any risk!

TinLondon


Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 01:04

Message 31 & 29



What's the point painting a false picture?

Like most countries, the TRNC has it's fair share of problems (ok, it has more problems than other places!)



Yes, it has plenty of nice sunshine, a beautiful coast line, plenty of history, friendly people and good food if you know where to go... But don't pretend it's a bed of roses, because it's not! There is still the huge property problem that has ruined many lives, learn that there are restaurant and bar prices for locals and prices for anyone that looks like a tourist, driving from A to B is a lottery, you may get there or not due to bad drivers and the rubbish on the streets and pavements is just a way of life!



I think the best advice would be, just keep alert and the best advice was given by a previous message - "Trust No One"!

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 01:10

in light of this do not read this forum

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 08:37

msg32....Blackbird...I think it is only fair to make new visitors aware of "potential/Existing problems ",in order that they may avoid an otherwise unhappy experience...........

Hoylemiller



Joined: 03/09/2010
Posts: 240

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 09:07

I agree with message 2. Also check up on the quality of Hotel you want, their star ratings are dubious?