DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN CYPRUS
Arrival, transfer, installation, dinner and overnight in your hotel in Larnaca.
DAY 2 : VISIT OF LARNACA AND LEFKARA
Your discovery of Cyprus begins with Larnaca: Its Promenade lined with palm trees, its Old town, the St Lazarus Church, built on the actual tomb of the Saint and of the Museum of the Pierides Foundation with its remarkable collection of antiques (First Private Collection of the Island). Then, you will discover the Hala Sultan Mosque situated on the border of the Salted lake of Larnaca. This mosque, which shelters the tomb of Umm Haram, aunt of Mohamed, is considered to be the fourth holly place of the Muslim religion (7th century). After that, you will have the opportunity to discover the Church of Kiti called « Angeloktisti / Built by the Angels ». Enjoy a nice lunch during the excursion, then visit the Neolithic archaeological site of “Choirokoitia”, which has been on the UNESCO’ World Cultural Heritage list since 1988. Finish the day visiting the picturesque village of Lefkara, well-known for its hand-made lace embroideries, and its superb silverware. Departure for the capital of the island, Nicosia. Dinner and overnight in Nicosia.
DAY 3: VISIT OF NICOSIA
Discover the island’s capital, divided in two parts by the famous « Green Line». A charming and attractive city under both influences: The West and the East. This day will begin with a visit of the Cypriot Handicraft Centre. During this excursion, you will have the opportunity to observe the making of certain Cypriot most traditional art craft items (possibility of purchase). You will pass by the Presidential Palace, by the Archbishopric and visit St. John’s cathedral, famous for its beautiful frescoes. You shall then discover the Byzantine Museum with its large collection of icons from the 8th to the 18th century. Enjoy some time at leisure to stroll through Laiki Yitonia, a popular area and commercial centre of old Nicosia. Lunch in a typical Cypriot tavern will follow.
For the rest of this day trip you will pass by the 16th century Venetian ramparts and the Famagusta Gate. You will then visit the Archaeological Museum which houses the richest collection of the island with items from the Neolithic Era until the Byzantine Period. At the end of the day, on your way to the mountainous region of the Troodos, enjoy a fresh homemade lemonade or a Cypriot coffee in the traditional village of Kakopetria well known for its very scenic local architecture with grey stones. Dinner and overnight in the Troodos.
DAY 4: VISIT OF THE KYKKOS MONASTERY AND OMODOS
Taking the road of the perched villages, you will have the opportunity to stop at the local stands selling fresh nuts and sweets. We continue our journey until the Kykkos Monastery, the richest and most famous monastery on the island, founded in 1092 and whose collection includes the famous Icon of the Virgin Mary painted by the evangelist St Luc. Continue to the tomb of Bishop Makarios III, former Archbishop and 1st President of Cyprus from 1960 to 1977. Visit the Church of Archangel St Michel in Pedoulas. Take a break for lunch. We continue, in the afternoon, until the picturesque village of Omodos. Visit the “Church of the Holy Cross” and walk in the narrow-paved streets until the old wine press (“Linos”). Take the opportunity to taste the best wines of the region and the famous sweet fortified wine called Commandaria produced in Cyprus for millennia. Departure for Paphos. Dinner and overnight in Paphos.
Taking the road of the perched villages, you will have the opportunity to stop at the local stands selling fresh nuts and sweets. We continue our journey until the Kykkos Monastery, the richest and most famous monastery on the island, founded in 1092 and whose collection includes the famous Icon of the Virgin Mary painted by the evangelist St Luc. Continue to the tomb of Bishop Makarios III, former Archbishop and 1st President of Cyprus from 1960 to 1977. Visit the Church of Archangel St Michel in Pedoulas. Take a break for lunch. We continue, in the afternoon, until the picturesque village of Omodos. Visit the “Church of the Holy Cross” and walk in the narrow-paved streets until the old wine press (“Linos”). Take the opportunity to taste the best wines of the region and the famous sweet fortified wine called Commandaria produced in Cyprus for millennia. Departure for Paphos. Dinner and overnight in Paphos.
DAY 5: VISIT OF THE SAINT NEOPHYTOS AND LATCHI
After a visit of the Old Market of Paphos, you will visit the impressive site of the Tombs of the Kings. You will then go deeper in the hinterland of Paphos to visit the serene Monastery of Ayios Neophytos known for the Saint’s hermitage in the rocks and the fine frescoes and icons of its cells. And then you will pass by the famous Aphrodite’s Baths where the waters will give you the secret of an endless youth they say. Lunch during the excursion. Way back to Paphos driving along the seaside and more specially the very beautiful Coral Bay. Dinner and overnight in Paphos.
DAY 6: VISIT OF PAPHOS AND YEROSKIPOU VILLAGE
In the morning, finish the exploration of the antique City of Kato Paphos: After the little Harbor and the Medieval Fort you will visit the House of Dionysos, Aion and Theseus where mosaics which narrate the adventures of the Greek Gods are considered as some of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean area. Stop at the St. Paul’s Pilar, where the Evangelist received 40 whipping and visit the Chryssopolitissa Church. Lunch during the excursion on the Port. After the meal, on the way to Limassol, the bus will stop in Yeroskipou to taste some fresh “loukoums”, famous sweets of Oriental origin. There you will also visit St. Paraskevi’s Church, one of the first vaulted basilicas and considered as a rare example of Byzantine architecture. Last stop at “Petra tou Romiou / Aphrodite’s Rock”, the legendary Birthplace of the Goddess to take pictures or simply admire this amazing panorama and to visit the Sanctuary of Apollon Hylates, God of the Forests and Protector of the Kingdom of Kourion. Dinner and overnight in Limassol.
DAY 7 : KOURION, KOLOSSI, AFTERNOON AT LEISURE & NIGHT-OUT
After passing by the citrus fruit plantations of the plain of Fassouri, you will stop and visit one of the most beautiful archaeological sites of the island, former Kingdom-City “Kourion / Curium” : a magnificent Greco-Roman Theatre, the House of Eustolios with its fine mosaics dating from the 5th century and a Paleo Christian Basilica. Continuation towards the Dungeon of Kolossi, a beautiful example of military architecture, built in the 13th century which has hosted the Templar Order during the last Crusade. Last stop in a local winery to taste local wines of the region of Eirimi. Back to your hotel, lunch and afternoon at leisure to relax or to visit the Medieval Castle built by the Lusignans during the 13th century in the Old City. Then prepare for a “Mezze” dinner in a local Cypriot tavern to enjoy a last time this tasty cuisine and its Mediterranean flavors (including folkloric entertainment). Overnight in Limassol.
DAY 8: RETURN TO FRANCE
Breakfast. Transfer to Larnaca airport. Return flight.
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