Experience Cyprus culture (sample tour)
Day 1: Transfer to hotel, welcome drinks and introduction to programme which includes the following visits:
Day 2: Limassol (Lemesos) District: ancient city-kingdom & medieval village and castles
- Kourion, important ancient city-kingdom perched dramatically on a cliff top and destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th Century AD
- Ascend the vine-covered foothills to the wine–producing village of Omodhos - visit the Monastery of the Holy Cross which dominates the village centre and walk to the traditional wine press to taste some of the local wine
- Crusader Castle of Kolossi built in its current form in the 15th Century
- Limassol town centre with its medieval Castle, a fabulous monument which forms an important part of the history and culture of Cyprus.
Day 3: Nicosia (Lefkosia): Divided Capital
- Capital of Cyprus and the world's only divided city after the fall of the Berlin wall
- Cyprus Archaeological Museum housing the most important collection of Cypriot antiquities
- Enter the city’s Venetian Walls to the Byzantine Museum to view an icon collection spanning 1000 years of art
- The magnificently painted Cathedral of Nicosia
- Laiki Geitonia, a restored 19th Century neighbourhood restored to its former glory and full of tavernas, shops and curiosities.
Day 4: Paphos: UNESCO town of Ancient Greek & Roman archaeology & mythology
- All sites visited today are protected by UNESCO
- Photostop at Petra Tou Romiou, a rugged rock marking the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, Ancient Goddess of Love & Beauty
- Sanctuary of Aphrodite – visit to museum housing ritual objects used for the worship of her cult
- Tomb of the Kings, an ancient necropolis carved out of solid rock and given this regal name because of its imposing character
- Roman mosaics mostly dating back the 3rd Century AD and which offer a dazzling journey through ancient myths and legends
- Pillar of St Paul near Chrysopolitissa Church, where tradition dictates that the Apostle was tied and flogged prior to converting the Roman Proconsul to Christianity
Day 5: Larnaca: city of St Lazarus & Lefkara: village of lace
- Church of Panayia Angeloktisti, meaning "built by angels", which houses a famous 6th Century mosaic
- Hala Sultan Tekke - the Mosque rests on the shores of a Salt Lake that is full of migratory birds and flamingos during winter. Built in 1816 over the tomb of an aunt of the Prophet Mohammed who died here in 649 and an important pilgrimage centre for Muslims
- Church of St Lazarus, a fine example of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus. After his resurrection Lazarus travelled to Cyprus where St Barnabas ordained him Bishop. He was buried in the accessible crypt near the altar.
- Historic village of Lefkara, renowned for its "Lefkaritika" lacework which has been added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Day 6: Churches & Monasteries of the Troodos Mountains
- Kykkos Monastery, richest and most famous of all the monasteries of Cyprus- the iconostasis contains an icon of the Madonna said to have been painted by St Luke. The Monastery also houses an impressive Ecclesiastical Museum.
- At Kalopanagiotis Village there is the Medieval Church of St John the Illuminator decorated with frescoes from the 13th and 15th Centuries
- The frescoes at the Church of Archangel Michael at Pedoulas village which dates back to 1474 AD
- Both churches are included on the UNESCO List of World Heritage sites
Day 7: Transfer to airport for departure flight
