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7 DAY PACKAGE
Day 1:
Welcome to Cyprus!
After we meet, upon arrival at Larnaka Airport, we will be taken with an air-conditioned bus to a hotel in Lemesos (Limassol).
Dinner and overnight.
Day 2 / Lemesos (Limassol), Botanical Park:
After breakfast transfer to the ancient city-kingdom of Kourion which is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island. Here, we visit the magnificent Graeco-Roman Amphitheatre dated back to the 2nd century BC, (it is now, fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances) and the House of Eustolios, consisting of beautiful 5th century AD mosaic floors.
Then, we will take a trekking path from Kourion area to the Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis. Apollo, was god of the woodland and protector of the city of Kourion (estimate trekking time 30 minutes). Apart from the beautiful scenery we admire while trekking, we also pass by a Basilica and the Stadium of Kourion.
On the way to the Botanical Park, we will stop at Petra tou Romiou (the legendary birthplace of the goddess of love and beauty).
Arriving at the Botanical Park, we will take the “Traditional Tour”, and discover traditional village pieces which were used in Cyprus villages until the past century. As we walk in the park, we listen to the traditional folk music and watch the dancers performing folk dances.
Ofcourse we will not miss the demonstration of making olive bread and “halloumi” (Cyprus cheese), which will taste during lunch time. The meal consists of traditional delicacies, wine and “zivania” (local schnapps).
In the afternoon we will stroll around the 13 thematic gardens. The characteristic of the park is closely connected with traditional elements which include ethos and agricultural occupations, some of which are presented with a lot of detail.
Return to the hotel.
Enjoy dinner in a Taverna.
Day 3 / Larnaca, Lefkara village
Larnaka, may pride itself for its contribution to the island’s rich cultural heritage. Built on the site where ancient Kition once stood, it is the successor of one of the ancient city kingdoms of Cyprus and the seat of Christianity from its earliest years. Kition was the birthplace of Zenon, the Greek philosopher, who founded the Stoic school of thought, and the second home of Jesus’ friend, Lazarus.
We visit the church of St. Lazaros. St Lazarus was ordained Bishop of Kition by Saints Barnabas and Mark. In the 9th century a magnificent church was erected over his tomb, which is one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus, restored in the 17th century. The iconostasis is an excellent example of baroque woodcarving.
The visit to Ceramists studios, which will follow, will give us the possibility of a new experience. Here, we will get information about pottery making and try to make our own creations!
The lunch (consisting of fish dishes) will be offered at Monte Carlo restaurant, located by the sea side.
In the afternoon, we will proceed to the Pierides Foundation Museum, which houses ancient, medieval, Byzantine and more recent objects.
On the way back, we will drive to the picturesque village of Lefkara, well known for its local lace ‘Lefkaritika’ and for its silverware. According to tradition, Leonardo Da Vinci visited the village and bought an altar cloth, which he donated to the Milan cathedral.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 / Troodos Mountain Villages:
Troodos mountain range raises its highest peak to 1951m above sea level and with its idyllic forests stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus, is offering cool sanctuary in summer and opportunities for sports in winter. Famous mountain resorts, divine Byzantine monasteries and churches as well as picturesque mountain villages, make up the splendour of Troodos.
Our first visit of today today, is Anogyra village, where we visit the Oleastro, an Olive Oil Park and an olive oil museum featuring olive oil extraction methods of the past (millstone, olive press) and various items related to the storage and uses of the olive oil as well as its history, an olive store specializing in olive products, a visitors’ center, a state-of-the-art ecological olive mill, bottling, and storing facilities. We will have the opportunity to compare the extraction methods of the past to the modern process of the ecological olive mill.
We continue to Omodos village, one of the main wine-producing villages of Lemesos. One admires this village for its gravel-paved central square and its rich traditional architecture. The history of the church of the Holy Cross (once it was a monastery), standing at the square, is long and dates back to 327 AD. We will take a stroll around the village and visit also the famous wine press, known as "linos".
Chryssoulla, always hospitable, will prepare for us the lunch.
In the afternoon we will drive to Agros village. Here, we will be introduced to its unique homemade products. Small privately owned home industries invite visitors to see the various processes required to manufacture chemical free delicious products.
Rosa Damascena, a rose bush brought to Cyprus in antiquity from Mesopotamia is extensively and exclusively cultivated at Agros. It produces a bright pink flower whose delicate petals and intoxicating smell are a source of delightful concoctions.
In the House of Roses we will have the opportunity to see how rose water is made, hand made pottery for the storage of the products is made, the process of perfumed candle making and other rose products like rose aperitif and rose liqueur.
At Niki’s Sweets House, observe how women turn seasonal fruits into mouth-watering marmalades and jellies. From a large array of whole fruit preserves, “karydaki” (young tender walnuts) and their famous “soutzouko” made from fresh grape juice, flour and almonds are highly sought after.
Return to the hotel.
In the evening transfer to Lemesianes Vradies restaurant for a nice meze dinner and enjoy the live, guitar music.
Day 5 / Chirokitia, Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Lefkosia lies roughly at the centre of the island, with a rich history that can be traced back to the Bronze Age. It only became capital of the island in the 11th century AD. The Lusignans turned it into a magnificent city with a Royal Palace and over fifty churches. Today it blends its historic past brilliantly with the bustle of a modern city. The heart of the city, enclosed by 16th century Venetian walls, is dotted with museums, ancient churches and mediaeval buildings.
On the way to Lefkosia, we visit the ancient city of Chirokitia, which is included since 1998 in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage official list. It is the site of a Neolithic settlement found in a better state of preservation than most others from this period, not only in Cyprus but in the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean. It represents through its consecutive phases of building the whole history of the Neolithic period in Cyprus and divulges precious information as to the spread of the Neolithic culture throughout the region.
Arriving in Lefkosia, we will break at Theodora’s place, where she will show us the way of making some traditional delicacies like “bourekia”, olive pies, cheese pies, mushroom pies etc...
We continue our tour, passing by the Venetian Wall, the Liberty Monument and the Archbishopric, where we visit the Cathedral of St. John, built in 1662. Its wall paintings depict scenes from the Bible and the discovery of the tomb of Saint Barnabas.
Then, we visit Laiki Yitonia with its charming winding alleys, traditional houses, shops, restaurants and galleries. Here, we will break for lunch.
The last visit of the day is the Archaeological Museum, consisting of a priceless and fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic Age to the Early Byzantine period, with emphasis on the culinary utensils.
Return to the hotel.
The dinner tonight will be offered in a near-by village where we will taste a variety of local specialities and local wine.
Day 6 / Paphos:
The whole town of Paphos is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world heritage.
In Paphos, we first visit the Tombs of the Kings, one of the major archaeological attractions of Paphos. These monumental underground tombs carved out of solid rock date back to the 4th century BC.
We continue by visiting the Early Christian Basilica and St Paul’s Pillar. According to legend the Apostle was flogged before converting the then Roman governor Sergius Paulus to Christianity.
Our next visit is at the beautiful mosaic floors of the Houses of Dionysos, Aion and Theseas, dating from the 3rd to the 5th century AD and are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. Some free time will be available at the picturesque harbor.
The lunch will be offered at Kiniras tavern in Paphos (this project was awarded the “Vakhis” certificate of Authentic Traditional Cypriot Cuisine) and then head back to the hotel.
Afternoon free.
Farewell Dinner.
Day 7:
After breakfast, transfer to Larnaka Airport for Departure.
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