Tour Description
Private Holiday
7 Days ex Limassol
Departs Daily
Highlights:
– Stand in the stunningly restored amphitheatre of Kourion, first built in the second century BCE
– Explore the Archaeological Museum which includes artifacts predating the Bronze Age
– Mingle with locals and hunt for a bargain at the Omodos markets
Upon arrival at Larnaca airport you will be welcomed by our English speaking driver and transferred by first class air-conditioned Mercedes E-Class or Vito to your hotel in Limassol (45 minutes)
After a welcome drink and Check-in the afternoon is at leisure to relax or make use of the hotel’s facilities before meeting up at the hotel’s’ lobby with you English speaking driver who will transfer you to a local restaurant in Limassol for dinner.
Overnight at the hotel in Limassol.
Following breakfast at your hotel, your guide will meet you at the lobby to set off for today’s tour. Limassol traces its history to the Middle Ages, and is named so being situated between (anamesa) the ancient Kingdom of Kourion and Amathus. The medieval Castle of Limassol is where, according to tradition, King Richard the Lionheart of England married Princess Berengaria of Navarre in the castle’s small chapel. The castle itself is surrounded by the old town’s winding shopping streets where visitors can bargain with the local shopkeepers for handicrafts. The Limassol harbour and Marina, with its range of upscale shops and restaurants, is only a short walk away.
We will then proceed to Kolossi Castle.
Passing though the area’s citrus plantations and scattered vineyards we come across the medieval Castle of Kolossi. It is a fine example of military architecture originally constructed in the 13th century during the crusades. After the Siege of Acre in 1291, it served as the Grand Commanderie of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem; and thus gave its name to the world famous Commandaria wine, which is still produced in the area.
Next, visit the ancient Kingdom of Kourion, one of the most spectacular sites in the island, with extensive archaeological ruins. Its Greco-Roman theatre, built in the second century BC, is famous for its vistas of the Mediterranean Sea. Fully restored, the theatre is today used for musical and theatrical performances. Kourion is also renowned for its preserved mosaic floors in the House of Eustolios, the House of Achilles, and the House of the Gladiators.
Our excursion then takes us to Omodos, a traditional Cypriot wine-producing village, which was once the property of Sir John De Brie, Prince of Galilee. The village is also renowned for its Monastery of the Holly Cross standing by the stone-paved square. Apart from its byzantine era icons, it holds excellent wood carvings and other ecclesiastical objects of interest, as well as a small national museum.
Time will be provided in Omodos for your meal at a local tavern before learning more about the town’s history of wine producing. A traditional wine press known as Linos is preserved, where we will stop and sample the local wines and liqueurs: a selection of white and red wines, the famous Commandaria desert wine and of course Zivania.
Visitors can stroll around the village’s winding streets and mingle with the locals, walk around for some shopping at the various small shops selling traditional Cypriot items such as crafts, lace and local delights.
Return to the hotel for overnight in Limassol.
Legend has it that Paphos was home of Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love. Still under the spell of the goddess, the area retains her magic and has remained intact by time. On the way to Paphos, we will have a short stop at Petra tou Romiou, the legendary birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite-Cypria. A spectacular beach with awe-inspiring views, this golden stretch of sandy coast is where the Greek goddess of love rose from wave and foam. Short break to admire the magnificent view and take some memorable photos.
Our next visit will be to the Tombs of the Kings, an early Hellenistic monument dating from the 4th century BC. They are burial caves carved into the bedrock of the hill and decorated with Doric columns and capitals.
Next stop will be the Church of Panayia Chrysopolitissa, 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, the saint was flogged before the Roman Governor Sergius Paulus converted to Christianity. The floor of the basilica was covered with colourful mosaics, some of which are still preserved today.
Lunch will be served in local traditional tavern.
In the afternoon, we will visit the archaeological site. The city is home to mosaics of the Roman period, dating from around the 3rd century AD. These are situated in four main houses: the House of Aion, House of Dionysos, House of Orpheus, and House of Theseus. They include many attention-grabbing geometrical decorations and draw inspiration from Greek mythological scenes.
Return to the hotel in Limassol.
Following breakfast at your hotel take a full day at leisure to relax and make use of the hotel’s facilities or explore the city in your own pace and style.
Overnight at your hotel in Limassol.
Following breakfast you will be met by your English speaking guide for a full day excursion to Nicosia.
Nicosia, or Lefkosia, lies roughly at the centre of the island, with a rich history that can be traced back to the Bronze Age. Today it blends its historic past brilliantly with the bustle of a modern city. The heart of the city, enclosed by the 16th century Venetian walls, is dotted with museums, ancient churches and medieval buildings preserving the nostalgic atmosphere of years past.
The famous Famagusta Gate still stands today, proudly protecting the still-ancient town within from the modern city without.
From there, we will drive to the cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and its 13th and 18th century wall paintings; depicting scenes from the Bible and the discovery of the tomb of St. Barnabas in Salamis.
Enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the capital of Cyprus with a visit to the prominent Archaeological museum (closed on Mondays) with its fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic age to the Early Byzantine period.
After a passing the Venetian walls of the old city and Famagusta Gate, we arrive at Laiki Geitonia and stroll at leisure down its stone paved streets where lunch can be served.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Limassol.
Option 1: En route to Larnaca
On our way to Larnaca, visit Choirokitia, the oldest Neolithic settlement in Cyprus. The site is one of the best preserved prehistoric sites of the eastern Mediterranean.
Our excursion takes us to the city of Larnaca, built on the ruins of Kition, which was one of several ancient city kingdoms of the island.
After a short city tour we visit the cathedral of St. Lazarus, the first bishop of Kition, originally built in 900 AD. With three large domes and decorated with an impressive iconostasis, tradition says that the place of Lazarus’ tomb was lost during the period of Arab rule beginning in 649. In 890, a tomb was found in Larnaca bearing the inscription Lazarus the friend of Christ. Emperor Leo VI of Byzantium had the Church of St. Lazarus erected over Lazarus’ tomb in the late 9th century.
We continue to the Tekke Mosque of Hala Sultan, an important place of pilgrimage for the island’s Muslims. Last visit will be the village of Kiti, which hosts the church of Angeloktistos with its magnificent mosaics dating to the early Christian period and believed to be built by Angels.
Return to the hotel.
Option 2: Kykkos – Troodos – Kalopanagiotis Village
Kykkos is the richest and most significant monastery on the island. Founded in 1100 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it possesses one of the three surviving icons ascribed to St. Luke. Its famous ecclesiastical museum houses icons and objects from the Byzantine era.
Not far from Kykkos we will take a short stroll to Throni, to visit the tomb of the late Archbishop Makarios III amidst the dense forest. We will then drive to Kalopangiotis village and visit the monastery of Agios Ioannis Lambadistis. This monument is built on the east bank of the river Setrachos, opposite of the village of Kalopanagiotis. In 1985, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which includes nine other painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos range.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, in Kalopanagiotis village. The view is spectacular.
Covered in dense pine and cedar forests and dotted in picturesque villages; the Troodos mountain range and Mount Olympus stand at 1,952 meters above sea level. It is a unique geological complex, which dominates the central and western part of the island. Troodos is home to beautiful native wild flowers and vegetation.
Return to the hotel for overnight in Limassol.
Following breakfast a full day is set aside at Leisure for you to relax and make use of the hotel’s facilities or explore the city in your own pace and style.
Overnight at your hotel in Limassol.
After breakfast and check out your guide will meet in the lobby of your hotel to coordinate departure transfer to Larnaca airport where you will be led to the check in counter and offered any necessary assistance for a smooth and quick check in.
Accommodation based on the below or similar
First Class – Mediterranean Beach Hotel (Twin Deluxe Inland View Room)
Deluxe Class – The Royal Apollonia Hotel (Twin Deluxe Inland View Room)
Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any, (eg. Early Bird Deals if applicable). All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are valid for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.
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