Day 1: Larnaca
Arrival at the airport
Transfer from Larnaca Airport
Check-in at the hotel
Night at the hotel
Day 2: Larnaca – Lefkara – Larnaca
Breakfast at the hotel
Meeting with the guide at the hotel
CITY TOUR OF LARNACA BY BUS
Travel around Larnaca, discovering the city’s attractions – from the Pierides Museum to the Winged Lion of Venice and other highlights. “We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we say.” So said Zeno of Citium. And there will be plenty of stories to hear from your guide at the statue of this famous Larnacian who founded the Stoic school of philosophy. You will follow the scholarly journey of Zeno and the dramatic life story of Kimon, a prominent Athenian strategist, as you contemplate his bust. Your tour will continue to the medieval Castle of Larnaca, the picturesque Kamares Aqueduct. But the highlight of this tour will be your visit to the Saint Lazarus Church. The building is believed to be erected upon the second tomb of the famous Biblical character and is, therefore, highly revered.
Lunch at the restaurant
VISIT TO LEFKARA VILLAGE WITH LOUKOUMI TASTING
Travel to the Lefkara Village, home of world-renowned Cypriot embroidery. “Lefkaritika,” the unique lace originating in the village, has well-deserved its place on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Culture Heritage. Leonardo da Vinci is reputed to have visited Lefkara to buy the exquisite embroidery for the main altar of Milan Cathedral. And you will learn why lefkaritika attracted the legendary artist as you discover its finest examples at the Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmith. But Lefkara has more to offer. The village is famous for lokum, confections made of starch and sugar, also known as Turkish delight. You will try fresh samples of the sweet treat at a small lokum confectionery in the old streets of Lefkara. As you explore the village, you will contemplate buildings made almost entirely from locally sourced stone. The tour will take you to the 14th-century Holy Cross Church where you will witness the remaining piece of the True Cross. At the Chapel of Agia Marina, you will hear the stories of the old monastery upon which the present place of worship was built.
HALLOUMI WORKSHOP: DEMONSTRATION AND TASTING
Taste halloumi, a Cypriot cheese, and watch it being made.
Discover the secrets of halloumi, a delicious Cypriot specialty, and take the time for an original culinary experience.
Halloumi cheese is believed to have been invented between 395 and 1191. At the time, there were no cows on the island, so the cheese was made from goat and sheep's milk. It was only in the 20th century that the first cows from Britain arrived in Cyprus, after which locals began adding cow's milk to halloumi.
Locals eat halloumi combined with different ingredients. They fry it, they put it in salads and in many other recipes. Cypriots are crazy about this cheese and you will understand why.
You will learn everything you need to know about this traditional Cypriot cheese. During this tour, you will have the opportunity to taste freshly prepared halloumi and learn the secrets of its making. An experienced cook will show you how to tame the fire and the milk to create this specialty that will delight your taste buds.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 3: Larnaca – Troodos – Larnaca
Breakfast at the hotel
Meeting with the guide at the hotel
VISIT TO THE HEART OF CYPRUS – VILLAGES OF TROODOS MOUNTAINS (OMODOS, KYKKOS)
Explore the centuries-old villages, breathtaking nature and Medieval monasteries of Troodos Mountains. Stunning views of the highland will unfold before your eyes as you walk to the Omodos Village. Once there, you will amble along the cobbled streets all the way to the renowned Holy Cross Monastery. Cyprus's oldest, the monastery will charm you with its arched galleries and rough stone walls. Another monastery awaiting your exploration is Kykkos. Dedicated to Virgin Mary, it preserves the iconic image of the Mother of God, which is believed to be capable of working miracles. Besides the religious significance, the monastery offers stunning mountain views. But the best viewing platform on the island will present itself to you near the monastery, at the peak of Throni Hill. There, you will visit the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III, who is highly revered in Cyprus as a clergyman and the first president. You will contemplate the fate of this political and religious leader while enjoying a breathtaking panorama of the highland.
Lunch at the restaurant
VISIT OF LOCAL WINERY WITH TASTING
Wine has been made in Cyprus for almost 6000 years. Historians even believe that the first fermented grapes in the Mediterranean were cultivated on the island. Over the past fifteen years, the wine trade has been growing on the island with exports reaching as far as the USA, Switzerland and all around Europe. Indeed, the warm climate and high altitude vineyards are prerequisites for unique tasting pleasures. Cypriot varieties are resistant to disease and soak in the heavenly climate of the island. At the vineyard, you will tap into some of the secrets of growing the right vines and making tasty wine. Red wines will impress you with their boldness and rich structures.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 4: Larnaca – Paphos – Larnaca
Breakfast at the hotel
Meeting with the guide at the hotel
VISIT TO PAPHOS
Grasp the spirit of ancient history by visiting the archaeological attractions of Paphos. Your journey will begin at the Rock of Aphrodite, a large Jurassic-era coral limestone. It is believed to mark the place where the goddess of love, once widely worshiped in Cyprus, was born from the sea foam. You will continue to the Paphos Archaeological Park (Nea Paphos) to explore what remains of early Greek and Roman civilizations. The archaeological complex is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and you will see why. Just marvel at the astonishing mosaic floors of Roman villas and contemplate the fates of 100 Ptolemaic aristocrats buried in the Tomb of the Kings. As you continue exploring, the Paphos Castle will vie for your attention. It still bears the marks of its multiple owners: Byzantines, Lusignans, Venetians, Ottomans… Next, you will find yourself at a site popular with pilgrims: the archaeological complex of St. Paul’s Pillar. Legend has it that it is here the Saint was tied up and whipped for preaching Christianity. The complex is renowned for Agia Kyriaki Church and Agia Solomoni Church, both of which you will explore on your visit.
Lunch at the restaurant, sea food meze
Overnight in the hotel
Day 5: Larnaca – Nicosia – Larnaca
Breakfast at the hotel
Meeting with the guide at the hotel
VISIT TO NICOSIA, THE DIVIDED CAPITAL
Nicosia is famously split between the Republic of Cyprus (the Greek part) and the Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. And you will see the best of each part. You will make a journey into history in the Cyprus Museum, the largest and oldest archaeological museum on the island. The Venetian walls and Famagusta Gate, which have witnessed the city’s major events since the 16th century, will spread before your eyes. The journey will take you further, to the Archbishop’s Palace, where an impressive collection of religious icons awaits your admiration. Once you’ve passed the main city square of Eleftheria, you will cross the border and find yourself in Northern Cyprus. There, you will explore original Christian and Muslim places of worship, such as the 11th-century Cathedral of St. John the Theologian. As you walk around the old city, you will end up at the picturesque Great Inn, also known as Büyük Han. The largest caravanserai (courtyard and marketplace) on the island, its merchants will offer you all kinds of traditional Cypriot handicrafts.
Lunch at the restaurant
Overnight in the hotel
Day 6: Famagusta The Ghost Town
Breakfast at the hotel
Meeting with the guide at the hotel
VISIT TO THE GHOST TOWN – FAMAGUSTA
Find out how the development of the Turkish Cypriot republic changed one of the island's historically rich neighborhoods: Famagusta. Your journey will begin at the foot of Othello Castle built in the 14th century. With a little imagination, the events of Shakespeare’s famous play, which unfolded in a harbor town of Cyprus, will come alive in your mind. You will go on to contemplate the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque. Founded in the 13th century, this so-called "Reims of Cyprus" presents an example of Gothic architecture marked by war, natural disasters and religious conversion. The ancient city-state of Salamis will present to you the trails of many nations who used to occupy it. Founded in the 11th century BC, the city changed hands between Phoenicians, Assyrians, ancient Greeks, Persians, ancient Macedonians, Romans and Ottomans. The tour will continue to Saint Barnabas Monastery, which dates back to the 5th century. Abandoned following the change to Turkish Cypriot rule, the monastery now hosts a museum of icons and an archaeological museum, both awaiting your exploration. Finally, you will visit Varosha. Now a ghost city, it was one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world up until 1974. Luminaries like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Bridgitte Bardot considered Varosha a favorite travel destination.
Lunch at traditional tavern
A STOP FOR A SWIM AT BEAUTIFUL BEACH
During the hot summer months in Cyprus there is nothing better than a refreshing swim. You will be given a chance to relax yourself on the beach and swim in the warm turquoise waters.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 7: Free Time
Breakfast at the hotel
FREE TIME
Larnaca is a very charming and very beautiful city for many reasons! During your free time, you can discover some of the architectural attractions, museums, religious attractions, and shopping centers or simply relax on one of the city's beaches.
Overnight in the hotel
Day 8: Départ
Breakfast at the hotel
Hotel check-out
Transfer to Larnaca Airport
Departure from the airport
