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Limassol Orientation

A short drive along Limassol's coast brings you to the Sea Sponge Exhibition Centre where you'll be able to see how the natural sea sponges and loofahs are cleaned and prepared. You can also purchase handmade natural soaps and beauty products made from olive oil.

From here you'll walk past Limassol's Castle, where Richard the Lionheart is said to have married Princess Berengaria. You'll visit an old mosque and the beautiful Ayia Napa church. There's plenty of handicraft shops in the local area too, in case you're looking for some traditional mementos.

Half day

Episkopi village

This tiny traditional village, approximately 12 kilometres from Paphos, is built on the hill of ancient Kourion to the west of the Ezousas River. En route to the village look out for the cave that was once inhabited by Saint Hilarion the Great, an important religious figure for Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, who spent the last years of his hermit life living on the outskirts of the village. Within the village you’ll see the church built in his honour. There are several nature trails surrounding Episkopi, and the imposing monolith of the Rock of Episkopi is home to rare falcons.

Half day

Omodos Village

Visit Omodos, one of Cyprus’ traditional wine-producing villages, set some 800 metres above sea level in the Troodos mountains. With cobbled streets and just a small population, 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 stands was believed to have been founded in the 4th century and associated with miracles.

During your trip you’ll also stop at a family winery where you can look forward to a tour of the wine production area and a tasting of local wines, as well as other local products including olive oil and carob.

Half day

Paphos, Aphrodite's Rock and the Tomb of the Kings

Visit the site of 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. From here, travel into Paphos where legend is exchanged for archaeology as you visit the ‘Tombs of the Kings’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This underground burial site carved out of rock dates to the Hellenistic and Roman periods and was the resting place of prominent citizens (but not Kings), with the decoration of tombs varying from those emulating houses to simple tombs.

Afterwards, perhaps visit Paphos Castle (entrance fee applies) – also a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and learn about its fascinating history and Byzantine origins.

Half day

Kyrenia and Nicosia

A unique chance to see the untouched North of the island. You’ll cross the “Green Line” at the Ayios Dometios checkpoint, and head to Kyrenia Castle, which dominates the picturesque harbour, home to the remains of what is claimed to be the world’s oldest shipwreck. Next head high up in the Pentadactylos Mountain range to the magnificent 800 year old, gothic-style Abbey of Bellapais. The village of Bellapais was home to Lawrence Durrell, who chronicled his life here in the famous book “Bitter Lemons”, and the Abbey of peace is the main focal point of the village.

Heading back towards the heart of the island, Nicosia is a tale of two cities. As Cyprus’ capital, it is the world’s last divided city. It’s a buzzing hub of old and new, and your guide will give you its full history as you drive through the city. From the Gate of Kyrenia, continue on foot to visit the St. Sophia Cathedral and the Great Khan or the Closed Bazaar.

Full Day

Troodos and Kykkos

Enjoy breathtaking views as you venture into the Troodos Mountains today. You'll drive through wine growing villages, where time seems to have stood still, as you make your way up to the Troodos, passing just below the peak of Mount Olympus. Travelling through the village of Prodromos, you 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'll see Throni, the seat of the Virgin Mary, and nearby is the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III, the first president of Cyprus. Enjoy some different views on the way back to Limassol as you follow an alternate mountain road back this afternoon.

Full day

Panagia Village

Chrysoroyiatissa is a monastery dedicated to Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate located about 40km north-east of Paphos at an altitude of around 2,700 feet and will be our first stop today. Founded by a monk named Ignatius in the 12th century, the present building dates to 1770. The ancient and idyllic monastery of Chrysoroyiatissa is famous for its excellent wine and in the mid 1980s the old winery of the monastery was reopened and now runs on a commercial basis, producing wines from the Monastery's own vineyards.

From here, a short drive will take you to the village of Panayia, the birthplace of Archbishop Makarios – the first president of the Republic of Cyprus. The son of a poor shepherd, Makarios was ordained in 1946, became bishop in 1948 and archbishop in 1950. His humble house has now been converted into a museum. Finally, we will drive to a winery that has been producing quality grapes for decades. Here you will be given a tour of the premises to see how the wines are produced, visit the cellars and also sample some of the delicious wines.

Half day