Alexander the Great Beach Hotel QQQQQ

Paphos Orientation

Home to an array of fascinating archaeological finds, enjoy an orientation tour of Paphos, located on the south-west coast of Cyprus. Enjoy a stroll past many of its coastal curiosities.

Half day

Episkopi Village

Spend the morning in traditional Episkopi Village, set on the west side of the Ezousas River amid a landscape of citrus trees. The village entrance is marked by a steep rock, and a few metres away is the Saint Ilarion Church, which dates back to 1192.

Half day

Kyrenia and Nicosia

Visit the unspoilt north of the island. Cross the ‘Green Line’ to Kyrenia Castle, overlooking a picturesque harbour containing the remains of possibly the world’s oldest shipwreck. Next head to the 13th-century Abbey of Bellapais high in the Pentadactylos Mountains. The village here was home to author Lawrence Durrell, who wrote his famous book Bitter Lemons here. Afterwards, continue to Nicosia, Cyprus’ capital, and the world’s last divided city. Discover its history as you drive through the city. From the Gate of Kyrenia, you’ll walk to the St. Sophia Cathedral and the Great Inn, an Ottoman caravanserai.

Full Day

Troodos

Tour the Troodos Mountains for breathtaking views and to visit picturesque villages including Agros, Kakopetria and Platres. Agros is famous for cultivating rose bushes for rose water. Visit the Tsolakis factory where they produce rose water, rose oil, rose tea, rose jam, rose soaps, a skincare range and scented candles. After an included coffee, head to beautiful Kakopetria village, classified as an ancient monument by the Department of Antiquities and famous for its delicious freshwater trout. Lunch will be included here. Continue to Platres, the largest resort in the Troodos Mountains, which becomes a ski resort in winter.

Full day

Limassol and Aphrodite’s Rock

Set on the sun-drenched south coast of Cyprus, Limassol is a resort blessed by beautiful sandy beaches and palm-fringed promenades. Enjoy its sights coupled with journey along the coasts to view Aphrodite’s Rock – a beautiful seascape where legend has it the goddess was born as the sea struck the rock known as Petra tou Romiou, and Aphrodite was brought ashore on a shell.

Half day

Famagusta

Travel to the East coast of Cyprus on this scenic excursion. Drive through the Dhekelia Sovereign Base into the occupied region of Cyprus. Turkey invaded northern Cyprus in 1974, leading to the establishment of the internationally unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Your first stop will be at St Barnabas monastery where the remains of the saint are believed to be housed in the chapel. Continue to the ancient city of Salamis, capital of Cyprus in 1100 BC. Under Roman rule, the city was one of the greatest commercial centres of the eastern Empire until it was destroyed by Arab invaders in 648 BC. The ruins are well preserved, having been buried beneath the sand for thousands of years. 

The next stop is at the coastal port town of Famagusta, where you can stroll through the old town and visit the Gothic Cathedral of St Nicolas. Then continue to the coast to see the ghost city of Varosi. abandoned since 1974 when the Turkish Invasion took place.

Full day

Aphrodites Baths

Description currently unavailable.

half day

Omodos Village

Visit Omodos, one of Cyprus’ traditional wine-producing villages in the Troodos mountains. Omodos is known for its Zivania wine, as well as ‘Arkatena’ bread and handicrafts. It is also home to the Timios Stavros Monastery of the Holy Cross. The original church where the monastery now stands was believed to have been founded in the 4th century and associated with miracles.

Half day

Kolossi village

Located on the outskirts of Limassol, the village of Kolossi is actually part within the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Episkopi. The main focus of the visit will be to the magnificent castle, which is still largely intact. Dating back to the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, this castle offers a real insight into Medieval life. The village is also renowned for its sweet red desert wine, the Commandaria. Richard the Lionheart once pronounced Commandaria as the "wine of the kings and the king of the wines".

Half day