DAY 1Arrive Limassol You are met upon arrival and taken to your resort hotel in Limassol. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure to relax and enjoy the amenities at your resort or explore this seaside region. The resort is your home for your four nights on Cyprus.
Grand Resort, Limassol
DAY 2Nicosia excursion Today, travel to the center of the island of Cyprus and explore Nicosia, a modern city with a well‐preserved center that dates back to the Bronze Age. Visit the archaeological museum with its fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures and the Byzantine museum with its exceptional collection of Byzantine icons. See the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and its 18th century wall paintings depicting scenes from the Bible. Drive past the Venetian walls of the old city and Famagusta Gate, to explore “Laiki Geitonia,” an old and colorful Cypriot neighborhood. After lunch in a traditional tavern, stroll along Ledra street with its enchanting and inviting shops. Return to Limassol by the late afternoon. (B,L)
Grand Resort, Limassol
DAY 3 Paphos excursion Depart Limassol, driving alongside the sea front, past the citrus plantations, to visit the medieval Kolossi Castle, built in 1210 and once the headquarters of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. Your next stop is to visit the ancient Kingdom of Kourion, with its open‐ air theatre. See Petra tou Romiou, the legendary Petra tou Romiou – Birthplace of Aphrodite birthplace of the Goddess Aphrodite where she is said to emerge from the sea. Then continue on to today’s main destination, the city of Paphos – a leading cultural center with history so rich the whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy lunch in a seaside tavern, overlooking the Byzantine castle. Next, visit catacombs at the famous Tombs of the Kings,an exclusive Cypriot monument from the 3rd century and burial site for the aristocrats. See the impressive Roman Villas of Aion, Dionysus, and Theseus, with their magnificent mosaics inspired by Greek Mythology. Explore the Church of Chrysopolitissa and St Paul’s column, marking the spot where the Apostle was arrested while preaching Christianity in Roman times. The last stop on your tour today is in the village of Yeroskipou to see the Ayia Paraskevi Church, built in the 10th century AD, with five domes decorated with frescoes. Enjoy a tasty visit to a traditional loukoum (or Turkish Delight) factory before returning to Limassol in the late afternoon. (B,L)
Grand Resort, Limassol
DAY 4Troodos Mountain excursion Today, travel to the Troodos Mountains, whose peaks dominate the central and western part of Cyprus. This is a unique geological area with deep green pine forests and beautiful native wild flowers and plants. Drive through picturesque villages, stopping to explore their celebrated UNESCO protected Byzantine churches, renowned around the world for their wall paintings (frescoes). Hidden in the Troodos region, we visit the isolated Kykkos Monastery. Founded in the 11th century AD, it is the richest and most important monastery on the island. From there, take a short stroll to Throni to visit the tomb of the late Archbishop Makarios III, first President of the Republic of Cyprus. After a relaxing lunch in the mountains, enjoy the scenic drive back to Limassol and your luxurious resort. (B,L)
Grand Resort, Limassol
DAY 5Depart Limassol Today you are taken to the Larnaca airport for your flight home or on to your next destination. (B)
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Visit the unforgettable crossroads of three continents on this 5-day Independent Journey to Cyprus. Explore Petra tou Romiou, the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, visit the catacombs of Paphos, and experience the scenic drive through the Troodos Mountains en route to the Kykkos Monastery.
- Join Travcoa on this ready-to-book Independent Journey