Day 1: Larnaca
After clearing Immigration and Customs at the airport you’ll be met by our driver who will transfer you to your chosen hotel. Rest of the day free. Dinner at your hotel. [D]
Day 2: Larnaca (Limassol, Kourion, Omodos)
Breakfast and departure to Limassol (Lemesos), the largest port on the island and main center of the wine industry, to visit the old town. Walk with the guide through the old town and free time. You can visit the Medieval Castle, which although small in size had vital historical importance. According to tradition, the wedding of Doña Berenguela, daughter of Sancho IV of Navarre, to Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was celebrated In its chapel in 1191, thus being proclaimed Queen of England and Cyprus. We will continue west through the citrus groves to reach the ruins of the city of Kourion. This city, founded in the middle of the 2nd millennium BCE, constitutes today one of the most important archaeological sites of the eastern Mediterranean. Among its innumerable remains we will visit the House of Eustolio (5th century CE) with its magnificent mosaics, the Theater with its unique scenery on the sea, the Agora, the Baths, the Nymphaeum, the remains of the Paleo-Christian Basilica seat of the Bishop of the city (5th century CE), as well as the newly restored Baptistery. Once the visit is over, continue to the mountain, a wine-producing area par excellence, to reach the beautiful town of Omodos, one of the most traditional and beautiful of the island, where we’ll visit the Monastery of the Holy Cross and a medieval wine press, finishing the day with a wine tasting in a winery of a peasant family. Return to Larnaca in the afternoon. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel. [B/D]
Day 3: Larnaca (Petra tou Romiou, Paphos, Geroskipou)
Exit to the southwest, direction Pafos. Down the highway that borders the southern coast of the island we arrive at a unique and beautiful place near Cape Asaron, “the Rock of Aphrodite”, Petra tú Romiou (Stone of the Romans), the place where Bizantine mythology places the birth of the goddess Aphrodite. After enjoying the mythological place, continue to Paphos, to visit the “Tombs of the Kings”. An awesome set of underground tombs carved into the rock whose chronology extends from the 4th to the 3rd century BCE. After the visit, continue to the nearby archaeological site of Kato-Paphos. In 1962 the secrets of Kato Paphos, the capital of the island during the Roman Empire. The site declared Heritage of the UNESCO Humanity contains remains of temples and civil buildings from two thousand years ago, decorated with magnificent mosaics of great detail, considered one of the best-preserved complexes in the entire Mediterranean. It also preserves a tower from the Middle Ages that protected the city from the Arab attacks and now houses a museum. In the afternoon visit the Pilar of St. Paul, the place where the apostle Paul was bound and flogged before converting Roman governor Sergio Paulo to Christianity. Then, continue to Geroskipou, a small and charming village to visit the 9th century Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi, which interior is beautifully decorated with 15th century wall paintings. After the visit return to Larnaca enjoying the beautiful landscape. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel. [B/D]
Day 4: Larnaca (Nicosia)
Departure for Nicosia, the country’s capital, located in the center of the island. The the most beautiful view in the old city of Nicosia (Lefkosia in Greek) is the surrounding well-preserved magnificent Venetian walls from the 16th century. In the old city’s southern part, first visit the Archaeological Museum whose collections allow us to know the island’s very long history. Then, go to the Archbishop's Palace where the 17th century Metropolitan Cathedral of San Juan Teologo is located and admire the beautiful 18th century frescoes. Take some time to tour the historic center, enter one of its small churches, admire mansions of British colonial times, rest on a terrace or go shopping, or if you you want to cross the check point of the famous Ledra street, commercial heart of the city, and cross to the Turkish area of Nicosia to visit the Buyuk Han and the grandiose, once gothic Cathedral of Saint Sophia transformed into a mosque after the conquest of the island by the Turks in the 16th century. Return to Larnaca to visit the beautiful 10th century Church of Agios Lazaros (St. Lazarus) and the tomb of the saint, who, according to tradition, came to Cyprus after his resurrection becoming the first Bishop of Kition. The church constitutes a refined example of Byzantine architecture of Cyprus and one of the most important Christian places of worship of the island. Then, go to the nearby town of Kiti to visit the Church Panagia Angeloktisti (11th century), dedicated to the Virgin Mary, whose greatest attraction It is the magnificent mosaic of the apse, a work of the 6th century. Return to Larnaca for sccommodation and dinner at the hotel. [B/D]
Day 5: Larnaca (Peristerona, Kalopanayiotis, Kykkos)
Departure to the Troodos’ mountains, the true green heart of the island, the largest of Cyprus mountain ranges. Traveling through beautiful forests of conifers, cypresses, cedars and fruit trees, crossing small villages arrive at the 10th century Church of San Barnabas and San Hilarión, in the town of Peristerona. The Church’s interior houses a large wooden iconostasis dating from 1550 and preserves frescoes from the 16th century illustrating the life of King David. Continue to the Marathassa valley to reach the picturesque town of Kalopanayiotis, famous for its sulphurous waters, where we will visit the Agios Ioannis Lampadistis (Saint John of Lampadistis) Monastery, one of the most interesting places in Cyprus. It houses an interesting church decorated with beautiful frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the visit continue to the Kykko Monastery, Cyprus richest and most famous. This monastery, a true pilgrimage center of the Cypriot Orthodox Church, located in the middle of a coniferous forest of great beauty, was founded in the year 1100 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Of all the artistic treasures that it contains, we must mention the wonderful Byzantine mosaics and especially an icon of the Madonna and Child, which tradition claims was painted by Saint Luke and who has miraculously been saved from several fires suffered by the monastery throughout its history. Return to Larnaca for accommodation and dinner at the hotel. [B/D]
Day 6: Larnaca
After breakfast we drive to the Strovilia check point to cross into the Turkish area and visit the ancient city of Salaminas (Salamis), the largest archaeological site in Cyprus, which ruins occupy a vast area by the sea. This city founded by the Greeks kept its independence during the Assyrian and Persian dominions thanks to its magnificent commercial port, being later embellished by the Roman Caesars Trajan and Hadrian. Visit the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theater and the magnificent Gymnasium ruins. A few miles away is the 16th century Monastery the St. Bernabas where tomb of the saint who accompanied Saint Paul in evangelization of the island is located. Continue to the city of Famagusta founded by the Ptolemies in the 3rd century BCE during Ciprus Egyptian occupation. The city had its moment of splendor in the Middle Ages during the time of the Crusades, later during the Frankish rule and also Venitian occupation whose imposing walls still amaze the visitor. Visit the grandiose Cathedral of St. Nicholas built at the end of the 13th century in a marvelous French Gothic and transformed into a mosque in the 16th century after the conquest of Cyprus by the Turks. Some free time to approach the Castle of Othello that inspired Shakespeare's play, before continuing our journey across the Pentadaktylos mountain range to rech the picturesque Kyrenia city with its beautiful Byzantine port and imposing Castle. In the afternoon return to Larnaca for accommodation and dinner at the hotel. [B/D]
Day 7: Larnaca, USA
At the appointed time our driver will pick you up at the hotel to transfer you Larnaca’s airport to board your connecting flight back home. [B]
[B] = Breakfast | [D] = Dinner | [B/D] = Breakfast and Dinner
