Leda Tour 8 Days/7 Nights

 

PROGRAM

 

st Day Arrival and transfer to the hotel in  Ayia Napa/Protaras

  

2nd Day 

CURIUM – PAPHOS ► Distances

The drive to Paphos reveals ever - changing scenery from vineyards and citrus groves to archaeological sites, all in a beautiful Mediterranean frame.

Driving along the coast we head to the prominent archaeological site of Kourion. It is home of a magnificent Greco-Roman Theatre, stately villas and an early Christian Basilica with a baptistery attached to the north face, dating to the 5th century, which probably was the Cathedral of this city kingdom.

Next stop is at Petra tou Romiou, regarded since ancient times as the birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love and fertility. Once in Paphos we head to the church of Panagia Crysopolitissa , built in the 13th century over the ruins of the largest Early Byzantine basilica on the island. Within the compound one can see St. Paul's Pillar, where, according to tradition, Saint Paul was flogged before the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus was converted to Christianity.

Next to the picturesque harbor, in the Houses of Dionysus, we have the chance to admire some of the finest Roman mosaics dating the 3rd to the 5th century AD. This restored  Roman villa probably belonged to a member of the ruling Roman class or to a local wealthy  family. 

We finally visit the Tombs of the Kings. Spread over a vast area, these impressive underground tombs date back to the 4th century BC. They are carved out of solid rock with some being decorated with Doric pillars.

Returned to your hotel late afternoon.

  

 

3rd Day NICOSIA NORTH AND SOUTH -  

Meeting with the guide and departure for Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, whose city centre is hedged by majestic Venetian walls.

It is renowned for the archaeological and artistic treasures collected in its museums and, especially, to be the last city in the world divided by a wall.

First visit at Archbishopric complex, which hosts the famous Byzantine museum, one of the most important museums in Europe of its kind, featuring the largest collection of icons on the island, and the Cathedral of St. John the inside contains a fresco cycle dating 1731.

Through the Venetian Walls, via Famagusta Gate, we get to the Archaeological Museum where you can admire the fascinating collection of Cypriot artefacts and treasures of inestimable value.

We continue to the old town of Nicosia (Laiki Yitonia), across the check-point, we will be guided to the Caravanserai, Buyuk Han, one of the best preserved Ottoman architecture. The Buyuk Han stands in the centre of the traditional market, within the walls, nearby the Selimiye Mosque, known formerly as the St.Sophia Cathedral.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

 

4th Day TROODOS - Byzantine Churches

(San Nicolaos, Kakopetria, Podithou, Asinou)

 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure to the Troodos mountains and guided tour of some of the famous Byzantine churches, included in the 'UNESCO "World Heritage list: the Church of Ayios Nicolaos, completely painted with frescoes ranging from the eleventh to the seventeenth century , and the Byzantine church of Panagia of Pothithou.

Free time for lunch.

We continue our journey visiting the Panagia Tis Asinou Church, in Nikitari village, one of the ten UNESCO World Heritage churches on the Troodos. Built in a pine-clad area, it has some of the finest examples of Byzantine wall painting on the island.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

 

5th Day 

From the Commander of the Crusaders to cabernet.

(KOLOSSI - WINE MUSEUM - OMODOS – Vouni - Koilani - LIMASSOL) ►Distances

A journey that will take you back in time, to discover the secrets of the oldest and most famous wine on the island, Koumandaria, famous throughout the world.

The itinerary, passes through some villages of wine production and Koumandaria, ideally takes you back to 1192 AD, when the Knights of San Giovanni dedicated themselves to perfecting the production techniques of what, perhaps, was the first wine in history to be identified by his name, Koumandaria in fact. The sun, a great ally of winemakers, partly dries the harvested grapes, concentrating their natural sugar content and thus enriching the taste.

Departure after breakfast to learn about the history of the island's wine. First stop at Kolossi Castle located in the village of the same name, 11 kilometers west of Lemesos (Limassol). It was built in the fifteenth century, on the ruins of a previous fortress, dating back to the early thirteenth century. The latter belonged to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem and was the center  of the most important Central Command among those belonging to them. For a few years, in the 14th century, it was under the control of the Knights Templar. The area also produced and exported the traditional sweet wine of Cyprus, which became known as "Vin de Commanderie", or Commandaria. This is one of the oldest “appellation” wines in the world, having carried the same name for eight centuries. Continue to the village of Erimi and visit the wine museum located in the heart of the island's wine production area, the Cyprus Wine Museum will take you on a fascinating journey through the history of Cypriot oenology. Photographs and audiovisual presentations, ancient jars and vessels, medieval chalices and old documents touch every aspect of wine production.

We continue to the village of Omodos and visit this important wine center and the famous monastery of Stravos (Santa Croce), founded by S. Elena in 327 AD Located in the center of the homonymous square . We also visit the Linos cellar and taste the wine of place. Free time for lunch and we continue to the village of Koilani, visit the village and the winery of the village. Passing through  Vouni village we will return to the hotel in the afternoon.

 

6st Day FAMAGUSTA -

Due to  the temporarily closure of check points, the excursion to the northern part of the island ( Famagusta ) cannot be carried out. In its place, the excursion to the Venetian bridges - Kykkos - Kalopanayiotis will take place as follows)

 

( Famagusta not operated until further notice )

Departure in the morning for Famagusta. After we cross the check point we will visit Salamis, founded by Teucer in 1180 BC, on his return from the Trojan War . We will visit the theater, the amphitheater, the gymnasium , the spa and palaestra.

Then we will move to the 'medieval city of Famagusta, whose mighty walls bear witness to the glorious past and the historical needs' to defend against enemy attacks.

  Next visit to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas (turned in the mosque of Lala Mustapha Pasha) in which, at the time of Lusignan, took place the coronation of many of the kings of Cyprus and Jerusalem . Free time to stroll in the streets of Famagusta and we will then  visit the Castle of Othello (Venetian governor of Cyprus), and finally we have the "visit" of the part of Famagusta notorious as the "city 'ghost'.

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Temporarily replaces of Famagusta

Venetian Bridges - Kykkos - Kalopanayiotis

Departure for an interesting guided tour to discover the Venetian bridges of Tszelefos and Elia. From Venetian and medieval times the two bridges cross the Diarizos river in the Paphos forest where gold mines were at the time. Next stop at the village of Kaminaria for a coffee. Continue to the Kykkos monastery founded in 1100 to venerate the Icon of the Madonna and Child attributed to San Luca. Free time for lunch near the convent and next stop at the village of Kalopanayiotis visiting the complex of San Giovanni Lampadistis, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The main church of the monastery, dating back to the 11th century, is an arched structure with a Greek cross plan. The chapel of Agios Ioannis Lampadistis was built in the 12th century, north of the first church, on the tomb of the saint. Subsequently the chapel collapsed and was, for the most part, rebuilt in the 18th century. Another chapel was built north of Agios Ioannis during the second half of the 15th century. Later it became known as the "Latin Chapel", since it was believed to have been built for Catholics. The large wooden roof, which covers all three churches and gives the complex its particular appearance, was added at a later date.

 

7th Day Free day for leisure . Half board in the hotel

 

8th Day  Departure

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out and transfer to the airport

 

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