ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL
Visit the ancient city-kingdom of Curium with its well-preserved mosaics in the house of Eustolios, Achill and the gladiators, its amphi-theatre and basilica. See the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates (“of the woodlands”).Later the tour takes you to the picturesque village Omodhos that is located in the “Krasochoria” area (wine villages) and is famous for its wine production.Visit to the Monastery of the Holy Cross, see the old winepress, traditional houses or just have a coffee at one of the “kafeneion” (coffee shop) at the main square.
PAPHOS
This excursion takes through the Sovereign Base Area of Episkopi to the legendary birthplace Aphrodite, where the goddess rose from the waves.Just before Paphos visit to the church of Ayia Paraskevi. It is a basilika surmounted by five domes forming a cross and has beautiful mural paintings dated mainly to the 15th century.In Paphos, belonging to the world heritage of the UNESCO, visit to the beautiful mosaics in the house of Dionysos as well as the shortly excavated Houses of Aeon and Theseus and Achilles which are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Then continue to the Tombs of the Kings, the amazing necropolis carved out of solid stone. See St. Pauls Pillar where according to tradition the Saint was flogged by the Romans.
Visit the church of Ayia Solomoni, a Christian catacomb with fescues from the 12th century.
After a break for lunch proceed to the Monastery of Ayios Neophytos with fescues and icons from the 12th century.
TROODOS-KYKKO-PEDHOULLAS-KALOPANAYIOTIS
The tour heads to the village of Pedhoullas with its church of Archangel Michael, a small church built in 1474, to the village of Moutoullas, a health resort and famous for its water to the village of Kalopanayiotis with its Monastery of Ayios Ioannis Lambaditis where three churches are united in one, one of them a rom.kath. church.
Continue to the most famous monastery in Cyprus – the Kykko Monastery, which possesses one of the three surviving icons ascribed to Saint Luke. The first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, served here as a novice. At his own wish he was buried at Throni.
NICOSIA
First visit to Khirokitia, a 9000 years old settlement. Excavations have brought to light one of the most important Neolithic cultures in the world.
The cosmopolitan city of Nicosia, since the 11th century the capital of Cyprus, provides the visitor with the opportunity to enjoy Cyprus’ past as well as its present.
Drive along the Venetian wall to the Archaeological Museum with its priceless and fascinating collection of Cypriot antiques and treasures from the
Neolithic Age to the Early Byzantine period.
Passing the Famagusta gate you come to the Archbishops Palace and the St. John’s Cathedral with its remarkable wall paintings. Visit the Byzantine Museum, which contains the largest collection of icons on the island covering the period from the 9th to the 18th century.
Continue to the Green Line, which divides the city.
Time for lunch and shopping at the restored quarter Laiki Yeitonia with charming winding alleys, traditional houses and shops.
LARNACA
First visit the Monastery of Ayios Minas, where the nuns practice the art of icon painting.Then continue to the picturesque village of Lefkara, which is famous for its handmade lace and silverware. According to tradition, Leonardo da Vinci visited the village and bought an altar cloth, which he donated to the Milan cathedral.Continue to the village of Kiti to see the church of Panayia Angeloktisti. The original apse and the rare 6th century mosaic of Virgin Mary are the finest pieces of Byzantine art.
Drive to the mosque Hala Sultan Tekke on the Salt Lake. This mosque is an important place of Moslem pilgrimage as the tomb of Umm Haram, allegedly a relative of Prophet Mohammed, is there.
Then visiting St. Lazarus Church from the 9th century, which was erected over the tomb of St. Lazarus, and the iconostasis is an excellent example of baroque woodcarving.
On the way back to Limassol visit of the Monastery Stavrovouni which is high on a single mountain and from where you have a beautiful view to Larnaca Bay. A special relique of the monastery is a piece of the Holy cross. The entrance for women is prohibited. Below the monastery is the workshop of the monk Kallinikos, who paints the most beautiful icons of the island.
BYZANTINE CHURCHES
This tour leads you through the fantastic scenery of the Troodos Mountains, passing Agros to the village of Platanistassa and visit of the byzantine
church of Stavros tis Ayiasmati with beautiful fescues from 1491. Continue to Lagoudhera and visit the church of Pabnayia tou Arakas that belongs as Stavros tis Ayiasmati to the world heritage of the UNESCO. Drive to the health resort Kakopetria. The old quarter of the village has been declared a protected area by Unesco. Passing through the Solea-Valley you reach Ayios Nikolaos “tis Stegis”, one of the most interesting Byzantine churches on the island.
Continue to Galata to visit the church of Archangelos Michael and the church of Panayia Phorbitissa in Asinou, where you can admire the beautiful mural paintings from the 12th century.
From there proceed to Asinou and visit the church Panayia Phorbitissa.
A. HERAKLEIDOS-TAMASSOS-MACHERAS-PHIKARDOU
This tour leads you to the central part of the Island, the East side of the Troodos Mountains. On the way visit the Royal Chapell in Pyrga and the church of the Ayioi Aposteloi in Pera Choria with fresques from 1160 to 1180.
Then proceed to the monastery of Ayios Irakleidos, which is located in a picturesque valley surrounded by very old olive trees.
The relics of the saint are kept in a silver gilt case. Very magnificent is the garden of the monastery with many colourful flowers.
Not far from the monastery is the ancient city-kingdom Tamassos that was well known for its copper mines.
See the Royal tombs constructed with gigantic stones.
Visit of the village of Phikardou, which has been declared an ancient “monument” in order to preserve the remarkable woodwork and folk architecture of the 18th century houses. Continue to the monastery of Machairas (Monastery of the Sword) from the 12th century, which is set in a pituresque dip in the Machairas mountains. The brotherhood is extremely devout, keeping vows as strict as those on the Mount Athos in Greece.
According to the client’s wish above programme can be shortened or extended.
Kindly note that the days of the programme always depend on Sundays and Public holidays.