Cyprus The Classic

 

Day 1

Arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel.

 

Day 2

Paphos
Explore Paphos. Visit the catacombs of St. Solomoni and the Pillar of St. Paul. Have a walk around the beautiful Paphos Harbour. Explore the Greek mythology visiting the House of Dionysus, a Roman Villa with beautiful floor mosaics. See the 9th century Basilica of St. Paraskevi. Continue to the ancient “Kurrium”, driving through the citrus gardens. See the Greek- Roman amphitheatre and the well preserved mosaics. Get to the Rock of Aphrodite, where is said that the Goddess of Love and Beauty was born from the sea foam.

 

Day 3

Paphos - Nicosia 100km/1h - Lefkara - Larnaca
Departure to Nicosia, the only divided capital in the world. Pass by Famagusta Gate and continue to the Archbishop’s Palace. Visit St. John’s Cathedral. Explore the city centre. Visit the Byzantine Museum with its priceless collection of icons and paintings. Have a walk around the picturesque old quarter of “Laiki Yitonia”. Travel to the village of Lefkara, famous for its handmade “lefkaritika” laces  and silverware. Continue to St.Lazaros Church in Larnaca.

 

Day 4

Larnaca - Limassol 60km/1h - Omodos - Agros - Larnaca
Departure to Limassol where you will enjoy a visit to a sponge workshop and exhibition at the old harbour.  Drive to the beautiful village of Omodos with its white houses. Omodos is built around the most ancient monastery of Cyprus, the Holy Cross which contains old icons, excellent woodcarving and other ecclesiastical objects of interest. Visit an old wine-press known as Linos. Continue to Olympus winery. Sample some of the famous brands of Cypriot wine. Drive to Agros, the village famous for its rosewater. Visit the rose distillery.

 

Day 5

Larnaca - Ayia Napa - Fikardou 70km/1h - Larnaca
The tour starts with a visit of the female monastery Agia Napa, created by the mother of Emperor Constantine. Wash face in the Holy Water Spring, which helps against eye- and skin- sickness. Drive to unique old village Fikardou, part of the UNESCO culture heritage. Continue on to one of the great monasteries of XII-century Macharias, at the place where St.Neophitos found an icon of the Virgin Mary.

 

Day 6

Larnaca - Famagusta – Larnaca
Cross the Green Line into the north, known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Passport control. Enter Famagusta. Explore the old city of Famagusta, encircled by the historical walls, dating back to mediaeval times. They are also referred to in one of the well- known Shakespeare's plays “Othello”. Visit St. Nicolas cathedral, the largest medieval Gothic style building in Famagusta.  Drive to the first Hellenic civilisation settlement of the island - Salamina - the capital of Cyprus as far back as 1100 B.C. Walk around the impressive well preserved amphitheatre and Gymnasium. Continue to see the tomb of Apostle Barnabas – who introduced  Christianity in Cyprus.

 

Day 7

Larnaca - Lania 70km/1h  - Monastery of Kykkos - Monastery of Troditissa - Larnaca
Departure to the village of Lania. Explore the traditional handcrafts and try some local wine. See Mount Olympus – the highest point of Cyprus. Take in the panoramic views from Troodos Square. Drive to “Throni”. See the Tomb of Archbishop Makarios 3, the first President of Cyprus. Enjoy the spectacular views of the countryside and the pine forest, driving to the famous Holy Monastery of Kykkos, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The monastery houses one of the three surviving icons painted by St. Luke. Continue to the Monastery of Troditissa. Admire a spectacular panoramic view.

 

Day 8

Transfer to the airport.