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Islamic Tourism North Cyprus is untouched by major developments and commercial tourism. The least spoilt of an unspoiled land is the Karpas Peninsula described by Churchill as the dagger which points to the soft underbelly of Turkey. The whole island resembles a frying pan and Karpas is the pan handle.
The last village with electricity is Rizo Karpasso or Dipkarpaz. Along with Sipahi is the only village where Greeks and Turks live happily side by side. In Nicos coffee bar there are two menus side by side – one in Turkish and one in Greek and members of both communities welcome tourists with an open heart.
Beyond the village the landscape is the most magnificent on the island with only sheep, goats and the occasional shepherd still wearing last century’s fashions. It is also an area where partridge and francolin are hunted.
Two species of protected sea turtle, the loggerhead and green turtle, lay their eggs in Khelones which has a hotel and a derelict carob store house from the days when carob was exported.
There are a number of monasteries and churches in the area the most famous, Apostolos Andreas, dating back to 1867. It is the Lourdes of Cyprus where both Christians and Muslims come seeking relief for their aliments.
London-based Flight Holidays specialise in interest and activity trips to North Cyprus which they describe as a corner of earth touched by heaven. The programme includes historic and cultural tours, forest walking, diving and sedate weeks for those who want to take it easy. For further information visit www.flightholidays.co.uk or contact the North Cyprus Tourist Office in London (www.go-northcyprus.com) | 
