LOOKING FORWARD TO A BEAUTIFUL SPRING? PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY NOW

LOOKING FORWARD TO A BEAUTIFUL SPRING? PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY NOW

Northern Cyprus has the ideal climate for the visitor who likes to have a holiday during the winter months of Western Europe.January is the only month that can be considered to be winter here and , even then , the days are likely to be warm , sunny and only chilly when the sun goes down.The months between February and May should be the favourite times to plan your break ; wild flowers carpet the mountainsides giving a rich tapestry of every colour , temperatures are perfect for walking the many trails or driving along the deserted roads.Artists , bird watchers , photographers , botanists, as well as those who just enjoy nature at its best , can enjoy the delights that this beautiful country has to offer.

Visitors to Northern Cyprus in the spring are always delighted by the variety and wealth of wild flowers and orchids they see as they travel around the countryside.From January to early May the whole country comes alive with colour and , as the season progresses, the colours change from the palest pinks and blues of the wild anemones to the deepest reds of poppies, yellows of the buttercups, purples of the majestic thistles.Amongst all the wild flowers are the orchids hiding in secret places, once you know what to look for you will wonder how you could ever miss them ! This is the time of year that the country has to be seen to be believed!

The Kyrenia Mountains are limestone; the flora simulates a chalk flora, with the absence of lime hating plants.The climate is hot and dry in the summer mounths and the soil is baked so hard it is amazing that such beautiful plants survive.There are 1250 native plant species, 17 acedemics (only found in Northern Cyprus ) and 30 different species of wild orchids.

The season for the orchids is mid February to mid May and you can expect to see up to 14 different flowering at one time if you choose to visit in March or April.One of the earliest Orchids is the quite rare Fan-lipped Orchids (Orchis collina); this is seen from late January to the begining of March.The rare Orchis punctulata is prolific in certain mountain areas in early March.

The yellow petals blend in easily aganist thegrasslands but some of these orchids reach 50 cms in height.The beautiful Cyprus Bee Orchids (Ophrys kotschyi) is the orhid endemic to Cyprus and is easily found and recognised in late March.The petals are a deep purple, the dark violet to almost black looking lip is set off with white markings forming a letter H.The size of the Giant Orchid (Barlia robertiana) is so impressive with a delicate perfume to delight all.The Dense flowered Orchid (Neotinia maculata ) is, in contrast , a tiny species easily missed if not pointed out to the newcomer.The dark purple face and velvet texture of the Dull Ophrys (Ophrys fusca) is photogenic ; this species grows to about 30 cm.The green winged Orchid (Orchid morio) is prolific early in the season, colours wary from purple to pink, to almost pure white.The Yellow Bee Orchid (Ophry lutea ) is also small but seen during February and March.Later species include the Holy Orchid (Orchis sancta), the Bug Orchid (Orchid coriophora) and the Ploughshare Orchid (Serapais vomeracia).These are in bloom in late April and continue until May.

In mid February Maureen and Tony Hutchinson start their regular "Orchid and Wild Flower Walks" based from their mountain village of Hisarkoy on the southern slopes of the Kyrenia mountains.This is a very special place for orchids, wild flower and their village is an old, tradinitional Turkish Cypriot village.These walks have been set up for visitors to learn about the Orchids and wild flowers they see and also take in the village life and traditions of Northern Cyprus.This is a day with attractions for anyone interested in folwers , trees, birds, nature, beautiful sceenery and wanting to experience "old CYPRUS".There are regular walks each week from February to mid May and are suitable for all abilities.