Although I haven't been to Cyprus, I did some extensive planning once for a trip that was to be shared with a British friend with, it must be said, very prosaic tastes and little sense of adventure. We couldn't agree so we didn't go.
During the process, I came to believe that I'd pretty much hate southern Cyprus and I'd certainly love the north. At the time, I don't know if it's still true, one couldn't fly directly into the north but had to connect in Istanbul. She refused to set foot in Turkey and as an American, for some reason that I've forgotten, I couldn't easily cross the border from south to north as an EU citizen could. So that was that.
The south is built up with mostly British-owned holiday condos, I imagine much like the Med coast of Spain. The thought didn't appeal to me, needless to say, while she loved the idea, in fact her ex owns one and family members dutifully use it regularly.
The north, on the other hand, seems to be much less developed, less expensive, at least it was several years ago, with actual Cyprus people rather than a mob of British sun-seakers. I'd located some lovely-looking places to stay, refurbished but in old or traditionally built buildings and as I talk about it I want to go again. She'd never know if I did. Unless, of course, she's reading this.
