Crete or Rhodes? Or there again Cyprus

Glorianny

Northern Cyprus is an occupied country, not recognised by the UN. The foreign office warns they are unable to support British nationals who get into difficulties there.
Cyprus is lovely but fully inform your self before you go.

I'm well aware of that - and it wouldn't stop me going there for one moment.

Glorianny

GrannyGravy13

Fleurpepper

Personally I wouldn't go anywhere near Cyprus at the moment.

Why not?

We are going in a couple of weeks time, beautiful island, fabulous food and really friendly people.

I think Fleurpepper has probably heard that the Turkish authorities are demanding the removal of the UN troops who currently keep the peace.

There is a UN buffer zone between the North and South.

We have never experienced any trouble whilst in NorthernCyprus, in fact when we experienced a medical emergency the locals were extremely helpful as was the Mayor and one of their politicians (sorry cannot remember names or party)

We crossed into Southern Cyprus on foot, no trouble North to South, but on return South to North took what seemed like ages in the hot August sun with children.

Blondiescot

Glorianny

Northern Cyprus is an occupied country, not recognised by the UN. The foreign office warns they are unable to support British nationals who get into difficulties there.
Cyprus is lovely but fully inform your self before you go.

I'm well aware of that - and it wouldn't stop me going there for one moment.

Having been in Thailand when the Red Shirts and Yellow Shirts were playing up I would go to Northern Cyprus anytime.

Wow thanks for all the replies.

As I said in my post we only fly from our regional airport and Crete, Rhodes and Cyprus are the only destinations left from there that we have not been to. Thanks

GrannyGravy13

Glorianny

GrannyGravy13

Fleurpepper

Personally I wouldn't go anywhere near Cyprus at the moment.

Why not?

We are going in a couple of weeks time, beautiful island, fabulous food and really friendly people.

I think Fleurpepper has probably heard that the Turkish authorities are demanding the removal of the UN troops who currently keep the peace.

There is a UN buffer zone between the North and South.

We have never experienced any trouble whilst in NorthernCyprus, in fact when we experienced a medical emergency the locals were extremely helpful as was the Mayor and one of their politicians (sorry cannot remember names or party)

We crossed into Southern Cyprus on foot, no trouble North to South, but on return South to North took what seemed like ages in the hot August sun with children.

GrannyGravy13 if you choose to ignore foreign office advice that's up to you.
If you approve of occupied countries not recognised by the UN that's up to you.
The Cypriot people are lovely. The reason they hold you up at the South to North border is because they want rid of the occupation of their island.
My mother spent a week in hospital in southern Cyprus, treated by a German doctor married to a Cypriot. Great treatment by lovely people.
There is also now an issue with the US who have always supplied arms to Turkey and used them for military purposes but are now supplying arms to and training Cypriot troops. Much to Turkey's disgust.

Glorianny

Northern Cyprus is an occupied country, not recognised by the UN. The foreign office warns they are unable to support British nationals who get into difficulties there.
Cyprus is lovely but fully inform your self before you go.

This and far far too close to big trouble, and an obvious target due to large military base there.

Ah, I see now.
It's been the same for very many years.

Out of your three options the one I’d go back to is Crete.

How about Madeira, beautiful Island, lovely gardens.

I love Crete but all of the Greek islands are lovely. I lean towards history but the beaches are beautiful

I know you say you've been to Croatia but there are alot of different parts . We live Cavtat because its a short flight and transfer . Its a quiet harbour resort and near to Dubrovnik for visits.

I din't want to Turkey either, however, I did end up going and it was incredibly beautiful, with the best food I have ever tasted and the nicest people in the world. I've never been to Greek Cyprus but Northern Cypros is wonderful too.

Many years ago we stayed in a windmill at Elounda on Crete when it was still a small fishing village. Wonderful. Crete has lots of historical interest and the gorge near Chora Sfakion is worth a visit.

Cyprus. Pafos area definitely

Soozikinzi

I know you say you've been to Croatia but there are alot of different parts . We live Cavtat because its a short flight and transfer . Its a quiet harbour resort and near to Dubrovnik for visits.

Our local airport no longer offers Croatia. We stayed in Cavtat and loved it.

MagSt

How about Madeira, beautiful Island, lovely gardens.

No flights to Madeira from our airport.

Northern Cyprus is still relatively unspoilt, whereas in the south the beautiful places we went to when I was a student are now travesties of their former selves. There are, as ever, two very different sides to the Greek/Turkish divide and to take just one side shows a lack of information IMHO. Provocation gets reaction. We have only ever met warm and friendly people in the North. The divided city of Famagusta is now open to walk or cycle round. Seeing up close all the deserted buildings from when the mass exodus and partition began (my DH was a boy living there at the time) is fascinating. The beaches, especially if you poke around and find the more secluded ones, are lovely.

Both Cyprus and Crete are wonderful. I’ve been to both the north and south of Cyprus and both are beautiful. Crete is a huge island so I will have to take many trips 🤣

Anneeba

Northern Cyprus is still relatively unspoilt, whereas in the south the beautiful places we went to when I was a student are now travesties of their former selves. There are, as ever, two very different sides to the Greek/Turkish divide and to take just one side shows a lack of information IMHO. Provocation gets reaction. We have only ever met warm and friendly people in the North. The divided city of Famagusta is now open to walk or cycle round. Seeing up close all the deserted buildings from when the mass exodus and partition began (my DH was a boy living there at the time) is fascinating. The beaches, especially if you poke around and find the more secluded ones, are lovely.

A must read 'the sunrise' by Victoria Hislop, about Famagusta and what happened during the war.

Fleurpepper

Anneeba

Northern Cyprus is still relatively unspoilt, whereas in the south the beautiful places we went to when I was a student are now travesties of their former selves. There are, as ever, two very different sides to the Greek/Turkish divide and to take just one side shows a lack of information IMHO. Provocation gets reaction. We have only ever met warm and friendly people in the North. The divided city of Famagusta is now open to walk or cycle round. Seeing up close all the deserted buildings from when the mass exodus and partition began (my DH was a boy living there at the time) is fascinating. The beaches, especially if you poke around and find the more secluded ones, are lovely.

A must read 'the sunrise' by Victoria Hislop, about Famagusta and what happened during the war.

I read it. It is a much sanitised story. The reality was much worse. The Cyprus church (Greek orthodox and traditionally conservative) suspended its opposition to abortion after the invasion to help the numbers of Greek Cypriot women who had been raped by Turkish soldiers.
The bodies of people who disappeared are still being identified and remains returned. (on both sides)
It's a lovely book but not too realistic.

Yes Fleurpepper, I've read it, thanks for the recommendation though.

Crete every time! Hospitality, food and history. Read Victoria Hislops The Island and visit Spinalonga.

Crete!!!

Fleurpepper

Anneeba

Northern Cyprus is still relatively unspoilt, whereas in the south the beautiful places we went to when I was a student are now travesties of their former selves. There are, as ever, two very different sides to the Greek/Turkish divide and to take just one side shows a lack of information IMHO. Provocation gets reaction. We have only ever met warm and friendly people in the North. The divided city of Famagusta is now open to walk or cycle round. Seeing up close all the deserted buildings from when the mass exodus and partition began (my DH was a boy living there at the time) is fascinating. The beaches, especially if you poke around and find the more secluded ones, are lovely.

A must read 'the sunrise' by Victoria Hislop, about Famagusta and what happened during the war.

I read it when we came back from Cyprus because we'd visited the place where you could look across to Famagusta (Derynia?). We stood in silence thinking about what happened there so relatively recently.
Victoria Hislop's book brought it to life.

We also visited Spinalonga but that was after I'd read her book The Island.

An interesting post Aneeba, thank you. A friend used to visit the North of Cyprus frequently as his relative had a villa there, but we've never been.

I stayed in Elounda in Crete. It was fabulous.