Day 1 Arrival at Larnaca airport - meet and assist at the Airport by
English speaking airport staff - transfer to hotel in Limassol
Overnight at hotel in Limassol
Day 2 Welcome meeting in the hotel with local guide
Paphos
Visit the most famous sites in
Paphos, which was once the Roman capital of Cyprus. Discover the Tomb of the
Kings ancient burial chambers, which are deep underground and date back as
early as the 3rd century BC. Then pass on to see the Pillar of St. Paul and
visit the catacombs of St. Solomoni. The highlight of the day has to be your
visit to the house of Dionysos with its famous mosaics and the pretty harbour
and the old fort. On the outskirts of Paphos, in the village of Geroskipou, you
will visit the five-domed church of Agia Paraskevi which dates back to the 9th
century.
Overnight at hotel in Limassol
Day 3 Nicosia Walk the Line
Enjoy a tour of the capital,
Nicosia, a city of contrasts, with its traditional architecture and quaint
taverns in winding alleys reminiscent of the past. Discover the distinctive
character of this cosmopolitan city, where old and new go hand in hand. Before
you walk down Ledra Street across the U.N. controlled Green line into the
Turkish occupied part of Nicosia you will visit the cathedral of St. John. Once
in the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus you will see the cathedral of St. Sophia
and Buyuk Khan.
Overnight at hotel in Limassol
Day 4 Kykkos - Omodhos
Drive into the Troodos mountain
range. See the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III – the first president of Cyprus.
Enjoy the spectacular views of the countryside and pine forests stretching
below. From here you will be taken to the monastery of Kykkos which was built
in 1092 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It has one of the three surviving
icons painted by St. Luke. No visit to Cyprus would be complete without seeing
the famous monastery that people travel from all over the world to visit. On
the way back to Limassol see Omodhos, one of the most beautiful wine villages
on the island. The village’s winding, narrow streets all lead to the unique
cobble stoned square with its coffee shops. You will visit its most interesting
Holy Cross Monastery dating back to the 4th century and the old wine press. Of
course you will also sample some of the local wines.
Overnight at hotel in Limassol
Day 5 Famagusta – Salamis
Cross the demarcation line and
proceed to the Turkish occupied part of the island. Uncover Famagusta’s hidden
treasures with the cathedral, the citadel, known as Othello Tower and the
impressive city wall and nearby you will have the chance to see the abandoned
city, a part of the town that has literally stood still since the invasion of
the Turks in 1974. On the beautiful Mediterranean coast you will visit the
ancient site of Salamis with the amazing theatre and the gymnasium that have
recently been restored.
Overnight at hotel in Limassol
Day 6 Baths of Aphrodite & Akamas
The Paphos hinterland offers a
landscape rich in contrasts. The Akamas peninsula in the northwest is still a
wild haven. North of Paphos you will discover one of the greenest areas of the
whole island dominated mainly with vineyards and orchards. It is in this area
that the Cypriot hermit Neophytos settled in 12th century. Today we can still
visit his cave hermitage with cell and chapel decorated with beautiful frescoes
of the period. A monastery was thereafter built which houses also a Byzantine
museum. Our next stop is Chrysorrogiatissa monastery perched 850m high and is
known for its wine making and icon restoration work. Our tour takes us on
northwards towards Latchi and to the legendary Baths of Aphrodite. Enjoy the
mythology about this idyllic spot and the goddess of love and beauty. The
nature trails around inviting you for a small hiking tour. Afterwards there
will be free time at the picturesque harbour for an individual lunch (not
included).
Overnight at hotel in Limassol
Day 7 Fikardou - Macheiras Monastery – Lefkara
Drive into the Pitsilia region.
First stop is Fikardou, which has been awarded with the price Europe Nostra.
Visit the renovated buildings. Next stop is at one of the oldest monasteries in
Cyprus – Macheiras. Through constantly changing countryside with nut, almond
and fruit trees we reach Vavatsinia, where optional lunch will take place (not
included). Continue to Lefkara for a stroll through the village.
Overnight at hotel in Limassol
Day 8 Kerynia
At the foot of the
Pentadaktylos mountain range lays the picturesque port of Kerynia with many
hidden treasures. Here, time seems to have stood still. The medieval fort, the
small houses along the narrow streets, and the u-shaped port with its colourful
fishing boats invite you to enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Overnight at hotel in Limassol
Day 9 Larnaca & surroundings
Driving toward the east of the
island we reach the archaeological site of Choirokitia where we visit the
neolithic settlement. We continue to the town of Larnaca and the beautiful
promenade, where there is time for a stroll around the old town and the
bustling market. Visit the church of St. Lazarus. A short drive away we reach
the salt lake where we visit the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque. In contrast to this
beautiful site our next stop will be at Kiti, a small village with the
Angeloktisti Church. Here we can see the one of the most important and oldest
mosaics in Cyprus.
Overnight at hotel in Limassol
Day 10 Transfer to Larnaca airport for departure – meet and assist
at the Airport by English speaking airport staff.