Excursion Program – Sightseeing

Paphos – Kourion

Today will be spent discovering the legends and history of one of the most beautiful parts of Cyprus. Our first stop on the route to Paphos will be at the ancient city of Kourion, an impressive, unspoiled site perched high on top of steep cliffs. Admire the famous Greco-Roman theatre and mosaics, and enjoy the dazzling view. Our next stop will be at Aphrodite’s Rock, where approximately 30 minutes will be given for you to swim or just chill by the shore. According to legend, the Goddess of Love and Beauty was born from the foam of the sea at this spot. Then join us whilst we discover the remarkable history of Paphos.

UNESCO awarded the coveted status as a “World Heritage Site” to the entire town of Paphos. In Kato (“Lower”) Paphos we will visit the catacomb of St. Solomoni and see the Pillar of St. Paul. Then we will visit the House of Dionysos, and admire a series of beautifully preserved mosaics depicting scenes from the Greek Mythology. Ample time will be given for lunch, allowing the opportunity to wander around the harbour area or to visit the Paphos Aquarium, where at a small extra cost, you can discover a superb range of salt and fresh water fish. Finally, on our return journey, we pass the 9th century Basilica of Ayia Paraskevi and stop at Yeroskipou Village to sample the famous Cyprus Delights or “Loukoumia,” as they are called locally.

Luxury Grand Tour – Kykkos

It may be difficult to see the whole Troodos with its volcanic peaks and pine forests in one day, but we have designed an exclusive itinerary that includes all the major sites and allows you to experience all the different aspects of the Troodos Mountains in one action-packed sightseeing excursion.

Step aboard our air-conditioned mini-bus for a magic journey to these unforgettable destinations:

- Lefkara Village: Positioned right on the edge of the eastern Troodos, this village features narrow streets, newly restored stone architecture, small coffee shops and great shopping opportunities for traditional handicrafts such as silver jewelry and the world famous “Lefkaritika” (hand-embroidered lace).

- Passing alongside numerous small villages, our journey continues northwards through the outskirts of Lefkosia, the divided capital of Cyprus, and up into the elevated foothills of the Troodos Mts. We climb to elevations above the clouds to reach the highest point in Cyprus, Mt Olympus, for fantastic views over Morphou Bay, the Kormakiti Peninsula, the Mesoria plain and the Kyrenia Mts.

- The world-renowned Kykkos Monastery, not only the richest (golden mosaics, ancient icons, various religious relics), but also the largest and most prestigious active monastery in Cyprus. Don’t miss the famous icon of Panayia Eleousa (Most Merciful Virgin Mary), painted by St Luke and believed “to produce miracles.”

- A traditional village winery for free wine tasting and an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the whole winemaking process.On this tour, you will see and experience more of Cyprus in one day than many average tourists do in a week!

Strongly suggested: Modest dressing is required when visiting monasteries and churches, i.e. no shorts and low-cut tops.

Nicosia & Lefkara

Visit the only divided capital in the world. We enter Nicosia by driving along the Green Line, the capital’s dividing line. Passing by the newly restored Famagusta Gate, we proceed to the Archbishop’s Palace where we visit the 17thC Cathedral of St John the Evangelist and the Byzantine Museum, with its priceless collection of fascinating icons and religious relics. Our tour continues to the city centre and the picturesque old quarter of “Laiki Yitonia”, where you will have time for lunch and a stroll around the charming winding alleys lined with shops and galleries. We leave Nicosia and drive you to the village of Lefkara, which is famous for its handmade “lefkaritika” laces and silverware. It’s said that Leonardo Da Vinci visited the village and bought an altar cloth, which he donated to the Milan Cathedral.

Troodos – Holy Monastery of Kykkos

Discover the Troodos Mountains – the green-coloured heart of Cyprus. A memorable day off the beaten track through idyllic mountain villages unchanged for generations. Our first stop will be at Troodos Square, a spot just below Mount Olympus – the highest point in Cyprus at 1952 metres above sea level.

We journey onwards to the prominent peak of “Throni”, to see the Tomb of Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of Cyprus. Enjoy the spectacular views of the countryside and pine forests as we drive to the famous Monastery of Kykkos, which was built in 1092 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It houses one of the three surviving icons painted by St Luke. A break for lunch will be taken in a nearby restaurant.

On our return we pass outside Trooditissa monastery and make a stop at the village of Lania, which is famous for its true Cypriot architecture, handicrafts and excellent wine. Please note that modest attire is required when visiting monasteries and churches, i.e. no shorts or low-cut blouses.

“Bitter Lemon” – Kyrenia (Northern Cyprus)

Our morning drive towards Nicosia, the island’s capital, brings us to the “Green Line,” the political divide between the Republic of Cyprus and the northern third of the island, an area occupied by Turkey since 1974. We make the routine crossing and enter into the less developed, yet supremely beautiful landscape of the Pentadaktylos (“Five Fingers”) Mountain Range. For our first stop in the North, our bus climbs to the top of a spectacular peak where we tour the grounds of St Hilarion Castle, an impressive stone-built fortress, dating back to the 8th-10th C., and offering some of the best views over Kyrenia and the northern coastline.
Our next visit is to the must-see Bellapais Abbey, situated in the village of the same name, made famous in the novel Bitter Lemons by Lawrence Durrell. This monastery is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Gothic architecture on the island and is built almost entirely out of local limestone. The first settlers of the abbey were the priests of the Augustinian order who had migrated from Jerusalem. The first phase of the monastic complex was constructed between 1198-1205.

The balance of the day will be devoted to exploring the picturesque town of Kyrenia with its horseshoe-shaped harbor, its awesome medieval castle, and its maze of narrow streets with finely preserved stone houses. The most important monument inside the town is the Kyrenia Castle Museum, which houses, amongst other exhibits, the famous Kyrenia Shipwreck. This wooden ship dates to ca. 300 BC and was raised up from the seabed and preserved in a special environmentally controlled chamber, where it is proudly displayed today as the oldest shipwreck ever brought out of the water.

During the day ample time will be given for lunch and coffee breaks, and you will be able to explore the picturesque harbour of Kyrenia, before we make our way back across the Green Line and onwards to the hotels. Please don’t forget to bring your passport

Private Tours

Do crowds or strangers put you off? Would you rather go it alone in the company of your own family, friends or travelling companion(s)? If so, we have the answer: for private small group adventures, we have a host of pre-arranged itineraries including both standard tours to the Troodos Mts., major tourist attractions and shopping excursions, or adventurous off-the-beaten track discovery expedition to the best beaches, most delightful villages, remote forests and monasteries, painted churches, undiscovered wilderness. Everything and anything is possible. You can choose to do one of our standard brochure tours on a private basis, or by special request one of our expert excursion consultants will sit down with you and your party to design an itinerary tailor-made for your interests. We can and will go anywhere in Cyprus.