How to organize an event in Northern Cyprus
What do you know about Northern Cyprus? Have you considered this direction for your events? No? And why? These questions were asked by all participants in the international familiarization trip MICE&more 2023.
WHAT TO VISIT IN NORTHERN CYPRUS
A must see is the city of Famagusta, where Shakespeare's Othello takes place. It is believed that the plot is based on real events, so you can see a dilapidated fort over the sea, where they repelled the attacks of the Ottomans under the leadership of Governor Cristoforo Moro (prototype), and the remains of the church in which his wife prayed.
Another highlight is St. Nicholas Cathedral. A medieval temple from the 14th century, modeled after the famous Reims Cathedral. Since 1328, the Lusignan rulers of Cyprus used it for coronation to the throne of Jerusalem. It has been a mosque for several centuries, as can be seen from a long distance by the minaret.
One of the districts of Famagusta is the “ghost town” of Varosha — once the most prosperous resort of Cyprus, which its residents had to leave in 1974. No one has lived here for 50 years. It's like a Museum of frozen time. In Varosha you can arrange a unique atmospheric quest on bicycles or scooters.
Before Famagusta, our group stopped by the ancient city of Salamis, according to legend, founded by a hero of the Trojan War. It is only 20 percent open (more precisely, “excavated” from the ground). Due to the difficult political situation, further excavations and restoration work are not being carried out. But what is available is seriously impressive — both in scope and miraculously preserved details.
We highly recommend Bellapais Abbey in Kyrenia for welcome drinks, an atmospheric dinner and photo sessions. The name goes back to the French de la Paix (Abbey of Peace). It was erected by the French in the 13th century; now it is ruins, but very picturesque, especially at sunset. An ideal romantic place. The royal coat of arms of the Lusignans (rulers of Cyprus) is preserved above the entrance.
Every year in May and June, an international music festival takes place here. Next to the monastery there is a Tree of Idleness: if you sit or lie under it, you will stop wasting your life on excessive zeal.
We also visited the most eastern point of Cyprus, where there were once islands connecting it with Syria. Here we admired the crazy beautiful views of deserted beaches, stormy seas, and also visited the monastery of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called. According to legend, he was in this place in the 1st century, and after his prayers, a spring with healing water gushed out of the rock. Well, we can’t help but mention that along the way in this reserve we fed wild donkeys (they are also a local attraction).
What else needs to be mentioned? About Gillham Vineyard and its boutique hotel. We tasted 6 wines, toured the hotel rooms, ideal for relaxation, and the SPA, which offers wine treatments. The place is amazing! A 20-minute drive from Kyrenia, with beautiful views, a view restaurant and a quiet pool. Keep in mind that the winery can organize group activities such as grape picking and pressing.
HOW TO GET TO NORTHERN CYPRUS AND WHAT DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Flights via Istanbul (1.5 hours) or via Antalya Airport (40 minutes). There are many flights, especially in high season. Transfers to Cyprus hotels take 30–40 minutes, depending on their location. You can also get to Northern Cyprus via Larnaca, but you will need to cross the dividing zone.
Northern Cyprus boasts a level of law and order, security, and is also famous for its best beaches. The All Inclusive system is widespread here, as well as on the Anatolian coast.
WHERE TO PLACE THE GROUP
All 5* hotels in Northern Cyprus must have a casino. If you are bringing a group, warn the participants about this and do not lose any of them in the casino halls during the event...
KAYA ARTEMIS RESORT & CASINO 5*
If your guests love the “expensive and rich” style, then this is the place for you. It’s as if you’re arriving at the temple of Artemis herself: Hellenic splendor is everywhere, marble, statues, huge chandeliers, upholstered furniture. On the territory there are gardens and fountains, 5 swimming pools, restaurants (the main one is Agora) and numerous bars. In the luxurious building of the congress center, which can accommodate more than 4,000 participants, all the halls are named after the Greek gods, and in its beautiful foyer you can serve a buffet for 450 guests. Concept — Ultra All Inclusive.
CONCORDE LUXURY RESORT & CASINO & CONVENTION & SPA 5*
Do you prefer everything new and modern? Choose Concorde in Bafra, opening July 2022. Laconic business style. All details speak of wealth and respectability. Concept — Ultra All Inclusive. Many people are already calling it a favorite of the destination. The conference rooms are equipped with the latest technology, the main ballroom of the hotel has an area of 1,300 m2 and can be divided into 4 zones. In addition, the hotel has 11 small conference rooms and a multifunctional area for outdoor events. The Concorde Performance Center is an amphitheater with a stage that transforms events into an unforgettable audiovisual show.
ELEXUS HOTEL RESORT & SPA & CASINO 5*
Resort towards the city of Kyrenia. We would call it the main convention hotel of Northern Cyprus. Numerous forums, congresses and symposiums are held here throughout Turkey. The separate building of the Congress Center and Casino also hosts festivals and concerts that attract large numbers of spectators.
The hotel has more than 800 rooms, about 300 of which are twins. The huge modern hall with an escalator that goes down to the sea is very impressive, and then there is a stunning view of the lagoon. We would like to note the presence of several spacious areas on the piers where you can conduct activities and evening cocktails. The separate open space with awnings, stage, swimming pool and sea views for groups of up to 300 people is also memorable.
LIMAK CYPRUS DELUXE HOTEL — ALL INCLUSIVE 5*
Our favorite. Mediterranean style design. The rooms are spacious and bright, all with sea views. I was delighted by the Congress Center, which occupies a separate space in the hotel building. The design of the halls refers to Ancient Babylon. There is a lot of gold in the decor, but all the details are thought out with great taste. A special find is the room for coffee breaks, isolated by glass walls, in the atrium between the halls. The roof opens above it like a wow effect, and in the blink of an eye the business space turns into a cozy patio (note that here, outdoors, you can smoke if it doesn’t go against your company’s policy).
MERIT HOTEL COMPLEX IN KYRENIA
If your group consists of different categories of participants, the hotel complex is ideal for accommodation — from ordinary employees to top executives and business owners. There is a picturesque shuttle between the hotels, decorated like a car from the past.
Merit Crystal Cove Hotel Casino & SPA 5*. Despite its venerable age (since the 80s), thanks to numerous renovations and attentive care, it doesn’t have the feeling of being exhausted. This is emphasized by the cheerful design in light colors.
At the Merit Royal Hotel Casino & Spa 5* and Merit Royal Premium Hotel Casino & SPA 5* you can feel the “oriental bliss” at first glance: on the tables in the lobby there are beautifully decorated jugs of water, flowers, dishes with nuts and dried fruits.
MERIT ROYAL DIAMOND HOTEL & SPA 5*
Are you a gourmet in everything? Then love at first sight awaits you. And since we are talking about MICE, I would like to
immediately mention the conference opportunities. The congress center is located on two floors with huge halls, large screens for
announcements and navigation, and the most modern builtin equipment. Control all functions using touch screen. But for us, the main feature of the hotel was the restaurant. What kind of dishes are there, what quality of products! With its varied buffet, designer food presentation and numerous made-to-order stations, this was a lunch we will never forget.
TO SUMMARIZE “IS NORTHERN CYPRUS LIKE ANTALYA?”
— No, here you can feel the Turkish approach to running the hotel business, a high-quality level of service for groups, but the overall flavor is different, more European. In Northern Cyprus you can find room slots for corporate clients in the high season, in the summer, when Turkish hotels are occupied by individuals.
“Northern Cyprus is like...Cyprus?” — No, he has his own face. Local hotels take the best of the Turkish hospitality industry
and combine it with a Cypriot flavor (after all, until 1974 it was a single territory of the island).
We would like to thank Akhmet Sahin (Blue MICE DMC) and Turkey&North Cyprus expert Antonina Koroleva for organizing the trip.
