Akamas jeep safari (full day)
This guided safari, in a long-wheel-base four-wheel drive vehicle, takes you for a day out in the Akamas peninsula, a place of great natural beauty.
Your driver acts as your guide, and shows you the beauty of the area both on and off-road. Admire the rugged coastline with its wildlife and plants.
Some degree of fitness is required to access the jeeps, and these tours are not recommended for those with walking difficulties or back ailments.
Kyrenia (full day)
Kyrenia is a bustling harbour town, but away from the harbour there are several historical sites of great interest, including Kyrenia Castle, the Shipwreck Museum, St Hilarion Castle and the magnificent Gothic-style Bellapais Abbey. The museum has the remains of what is claimed to be the world’s oldest shipwreck.
Situated in the mountains, Bellapais was for some years the home of Lawrence Durrell who chronicled his life here in his book ‘Bitter Lemons’.
Panayia Village (half day)
This excursion visits the beautiful village of Panayia, the birthplace of Archbishop Makarios III, the first president of Cyprus. Panayia stands 800 metres above sea level within the evergreen Paphos forest.
You also visit the idyllic Chryssoroyiatissa Monastery, famous for its excellent wine.
Continue to the famous monastery of Ayios Neophytos that was founded around 1200 by the Cypriot hermit and writer Neophytos. The ‘Encleistra’ (Enclosure) was carved out of the mountain by the hermit and consists of the finest Byzantine frescoes, dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries. The monastery’s church contains a fascinating collection of icons and remains of 16th-century frescoes.
The return journey takes you via Tsada, a village surrounded by vineyards which enjoys spectacular views of the Troodos Mountains to one side and Paphos Bay area and town to the other. Tsada also has a beautiful golf course that looks up to the Troodos Mountains.
Introduction to Paphos (half day)
Today you'll travel the short distance to the village of Yerouskipou to visit a small maker of the confectionary, loukoumi - also known as Turkish (or in this case) Cyprus delight. You'll be able to see how the sweets are made, and even sample some of the different flavours, along with sugared almonds and coconut slices - a real highlight if you happen to have a sweet tooth!
You'll then head to Paphos, where you'll pass its market area, the Catacombs of Solomoni and the Pillar of St Paul. It is believed St Paul was tied to the pillar and lashed before he converted the Roman Governor to Christianity. Finally, you'll be taken to the town's harbour, where you may wish to visit the House of Dionysus - famed for its beautifully preserved, ornate floor mosaics, or you can visit Paphos Fort, which was built by the Turks and dates from 1592.
Alternatively, you could take some time out in one of the cafés on the edge of the harbour before returning to your hotel.
Panayia Village (half day)
Your first stop on this excursion takes you north of Paphos to Chrysoroyiatissa, a 12th century monastery founded by a monk called Ignatius and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, or the Cypriot 'Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate'.
The present building dates from 1770, sitting at an altitude of 2,700 feet, and is famous for its excellent wines created from the monastery's own vineyards. A short drive takes you to Panayia
Days Gone By (half day)
Today we will drive in an easterly direction following the coast to the birthplace of Aphrodite. Legend states that the Goddess was born out of the form of the waves at this particular spot. We will continue our journey until we reach the ancient city of Kourion, set high upon a cliff overlooking stunning views of the Mediterranean.
This ancient city has passed through many different phases - Hellenistic, Roman, and Christian periods. For this reason the city has a very large Agora (market place) and you can find an early Christian Basilica within the city walls. There are also large public baths which were equipped with cold, warm and hot spas and a nymphium with large octagonal swimming pool.
In the large ampitheatre which sits 2000 spectators mostly gladiators. the whole city has beautiful floor mosaics and they are mostly found in the house of Achileas and the provate bath of the founder of the city.
Our next stop will be at Kolossi Castle a very fine example of military architecture, originally constructed in the 13th century and subsequently rebuilt in its present form in the middle of the 15th century. After the fall of Acre in 1291, it served the guard of the Knights of St.John of Jerusalem whilst in Cyprus and then in the 14th century for a time under the domain of the knights.
Troodos and Kykkos (full day)
See breathtaking views from the Troodos Mountains and the picturesque mountain villages in the heart of Cyprus, where time seems to have stood still. Drive through wine-growing villages on the way up to the Troodos, passing just below the peak of Mount Olympus, through the village of Prodromos to reach Kykkos, at a height of about 1,200 metres above sea level.
Kykkos Monastery was founded in 1080 by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komnenos, who gave it one of three surviving icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary that were reputedly painted by St Luke.
Two kilometres uphill from the monastery, you see Throni, the seat of the Virgin Mary. Nearby is the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III, who became the first president of Cyprus.
Stop for lunch (not included) in the delightful village of Pedhoullas, and in the afternoon you return to your hotel via a different mountain road.
Nicosia Shopping (full day)
Nicosia is a tale of two cities. As Cyprus’ capital, it is the world’s last divided city. It is a buzzing hub of old and new and your guide will give you its full history as you drive through the city. Our first stop will be on our way to Nicosia for a coffee stop at Choirokitia.
Next, we will stop at the handicraft centre in Nicosia, where you can see some of the local handicrafts being made that you can find in Cyprus. We will continue on to the city centre, passing by Famagusta Gate and the Venetian Walls, until we reach the Archbishopric Square, where we will make a photo stop.
Your guide will walk you through the Laiki Yitonia – an old neighbourhood which has been brought back to its former glory and down to Ledra Street, where you will find the border crossing. Here you can choose to spend your free time in Ledra Street or pass through the border to see at your own pace such places as the St. Sophia Cathedral, the Great Khan or the Closed Bazaar.
After your free time, you will meet up with your guide again and start your return journey back to Paphos. Please note: If you wish to cross the border, you must take your passport.
Cyprus Sweets (full day)
Heading towards Limassol we arrive at the quaint old village of Anoyira to visit the Mavros Chrysos Carob Museum. The museum is housed in a traditional stone building and is devoted to relaying the history of the carob in Cyprus.
We will see how the carob syrup and “pastelli” (carob toffee) is made and you will be able to sample some. We continue to see a museum and visitors centre, showing the method of production, extraction, bottling and trading of organic olive oil.
Enjoy the lovely surroundings of the olive park before leaving for the beautiful pine clad mountain village of Pano Platres, where we will find the Platres Chocolate Workshop. The owner John will give a demonstration on how he makes the chocolates.
Enjoy the fresh mountain air with a stroll around this lovely village before lunch in a nearby restaurant. After lunch, we will stop in the foothills amidst panoramic views, at the village of Doros, home of the famous Katerina Cyprus Sweets Factory. Here you can watch the sweets being made and also sample some sweets.