Zafer Sokak 7, Kyrenia, Cyprus

This Christian holiday apartment, Kyrenia coast, North Cyprus, is a peaceful, self-contained guest apartment in the village of Lapta. It has its own private entrance, the use of a swimming pool, and spectacular views over the sea towards Turkey, with the mountains behind. Your host, Revd Wendy Hough, lives in the house above, but she is quiet and either working or out and about, so your stay is completely private. Most of her guests return again and again, which says a great deal about the welcome they find here.

A blue stone doorway, decorated with tiles that say “welcome” in English and Turkish, opens into a bright entrance hall and on into the sitting room. The blue sofa opens out into a double bed, which sits alongside the separate double bedroom, so the apartment comfortably sleeps four. The dining table has been lovingly restored this year, and the fully equipped kitchen includes a water machine for cool, fresh drinking water. There is high-speed WiFi, and the sockets are UK three-pin, so there is no need to pack adapters.

The bathroom was upgraded earlier this year and has underfloor heating, a real blessing in the cooler months, while the whole apartment is laid with Italian tiles. Built-in wardrobes and storage give plenty of space, and a laundry basket is ready for when you leave. On arrival, Wendy provides complimentary coffee, a variety of teas, a fresh loaf, butter and locally produced toppings, so your first breakfast is waiting. Send her a shopping list and she will happily stock the fridge as well.

Most guests arrive late in the day, so Wendy is glad to have fruit, yoghurt, cereal, eggs or even a bottle of wine and some nibbles ready for you. Local restaurants deliver excellent takeaways, usually within half an hour of ordering, and she is happy to help you arrange it. The sea, the beach and a range of cafes and restaurants are a few minutes away by car, or about twenty minutes on foot, so you can be as independent or as relaxed as you like.

The swimming pool sits above the apartment, and a flight of steps at its side leads down to your door. Guests have full use of it, and there are water toys for children and snorkels for adults, ready for the swimming season from May until September or October. It is a lovely spot for an evening swim, and the sunsets over the water are memorable. Please note that the pool steps may be difficult for anyone with serious mobility difficulties, and the apartment is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Winter and early spring bring a different kind of holiday. January and February are cooler, and many guests say that is the best time to explore the ancient sites without the searing heat. The Kyrenia Mountains, known as Pentadaktylos in Greek and Beşparmak in Turkish, meaning “five fingers”, rise behind the village. Three medieval castles, St Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara, crown their peaks, and the whole range is a paradise for walkers, botanists and bird watchers.

This is a good place to rest and to think about faith as well as history. Cyprus was the home of Barnabas, and in the Book of Acts he and Paul landed at Salamis at the start of their first missionary journey. Closer to Lapta, Bellapais Abbey was founded around 1200 by Aimery de Lusignan for canons who had fled Jerusalem. Its beautiful cloister and refectory still stand today, and concerts are held there in spring and early summer.

Wendy has some gentle, ageing dogs and cats at her house above the apartment. They never come into the guest accommodation, and most visitors who are animal lovers have adored them, especially children. If animals would worry you, this may not be the right place, and it is kinder to know that before you book. For everyone else, this Christian holiday apartment, Kyrenia region, offers an affordable, peaceful break with a warm, Christian welcome.

Perfect for:

• Clergy and church workers seeking quiet rest and renewal, especially in the cooler months
• Families with children who love swimming, snorkelling and water toys
• Walkers, botanists and bird watchers exploring the Kyrenia Mountains
• Pilgrims and history lovers visiting Bellapais Abbey, Salamis and St Barnabas’ monastery
• Animal lovers who enjoy the company of friendly dogs and cats