Cyprus Tours

PROGRAM

 

SUN

Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Limassol.

Accomodation in hotel. Dinner and overnight.

 

MON - PAPHOS -

Breakfast at the hotel.

Spend half day sightseeing the wonders of Paphos: the whole town is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

We start our daily visit at church of Ayia Paraskevi, one of the most interesting Byzantine churches on the island, dating from the tenth century.

Then we will be guided through the famous mosaics of the House of Dionysus. The floors of these villas dating back to a period between the third and fifth centuries AD and are considered among the most beautiful mosaics in the Eastern Mediterranean.

We continue to the Tombs of the Kings dating back to the fourth century BC, cut into the rock and decorated with Doric columns.

Next stop at the monastery of Ayios Neophytos founded in the late twelfth century by the Cypriot hermit and writer Neophytos. The Engleistra contains some of the most beautiful Byzantine frescoes (XII and XV century).

The last visit will take place at the church of Panagia Chrysopolitissa, built in the thirteenth century, in the complex where you can see the column of St. Paul, where, according to tradition, the saint was scourged.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

 

TUE - NICOSIA NORTH AND SOUTH

Breakfast at the hotel.

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.

 

WED - TROODOS - Byzantine Churches

(San Nicolaos, Kakopetria, Podithou, Omodos)

 

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 village of Omodos, well-known for its enchanting cobblestone streets and the monastery of the Holy Cross, founded by St. Elena in 327 A.D.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

 

THU - CURIUM - KOLOSSI - APOLLO YLATIS - half day

 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Between history and mythology, we will be guided, today, across different ages.

Proceeding Eastbound along the beautiful coast, we stop at Petra tou Romiou, where, according to Greek mythology, Aphrodite emerged from the foam of the water.

Then we visit Curium, an important city-state, today one of the most important archaeological sites on the island. Amongst the rest, It features a magnificent Greek-roman amphitheatre of the second century BC and the house of Eustolios, originally a Roman villa, used as a public center for recreation activities, next to an early Christian basilica dating from the fifth century, which was probably the Cathedral of Kourion.

Next stop at Kolossi Castle, a fine example of medieval military architecture, originally built in the thirteenth century. After the fall of Acre in 1291, became the military base of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem.

 

The last visit will take us to the Temple of Apollo Ylatis, god of the woods, whose cult was celebrated between the eighth century BC and the fourth century AD. Excavations have brought to light spas, places for pilgrims, a gym and a sacred garden.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

 

FRI - Departure

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

 

** The order of the visits may vary according to the date of arrival