Optional excursions:

These excursions are available at €70.00 per person for each excursion. The price includes the services of a licensed and experienced English speaking guide; transport in fully air-conditioned bus; all entrance fees; and passenger insurance. Meals are not included. We reserve the right to make changes to the programme. Please note the excursions are subject to a minimum take-up of 15 persons.

1.     Thursday May 29^th, 2008 - Nicosia

Full day

Nicosia is the capital of the island and is the ‘last divided capital of Europe’ with the ‘Green Line’ splitting it to two. The town blends its historic past brilliantly with the bustle of a modern city.

The city’s origins date back to the Chalcolithic Age. From antiquity and until the first centuries AD, it was known as Ledra. By the time it received its first Christian bishop it was known as both Lefkousia and Ledra.

It became the capital of the island under Guy de Lusignan, after he bought Cyprus from the Templars, with permission from the Pope after the threats to the coastal towns. The exonym "Nicosia" appeared with the arrival of the Lusignans. The "Frankish” Crusaders either could not, or did not care to, pronounce the name Lefkosia, and tended to say "Nicosia". The historical Old Town lies within massive 16th century Venetian Walls designed by the military engineer Julio Savorgnano, and is home to important museums, Byzantine churches, medieval and neoclassical buildings, all standing along picturesque narrow roads that traverse the town’s fascinating old quarters.

The tour includes:

-            A visit the Archaeological Museum: housing the island's most important collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic Age to the Roman Period.

-            The Archibishopric and the late gothic (1665) St. John’s Cathedral home to outstanding frescoes

-            Cyprus Ethnological Museum at the House of Hadjigeorghakis Kornesios, the Dragoman to the Port; an imposing example of traditional 18^th century architecture.

-            Lunch at Laiki Yitonia (Folk Neighborhood) a pedestrian section, which has been carefully renovated to evoke the atmosphere of past days, with time for and ascend to the ‘Observation Tower’ in Ledra Street, as well as shopping. 

2. Saturday May 31^st, 2008 – Paphos

Full day

A former capital of Cyprus, Paphos has a history dating back thousands of years. Innumerable ancient sites are to be found in the area of Paphos and these are included in UNESCO's list of World Cultural Heritage sites. Today, Paphos has an air of holiday charm combining the elegance of its classical-style buildings in the upper part of town and the harbour life in the lower part of the town, known as Kato Paphos. Here you will find fish tavernas, souvenir shops as well as several archaeological sites. Bordered by a lovely coastline, the Paphos area has many charming villages in its mountains where life has gone apparently unchanged over the years and country traditions have been kept alive.

The tour includes:

-          A visit to the coastal town of Yeroskipou 3km east of Paphos with its remarkable 11^th century Byzantine church of Ayia Paraskevi containing frescoes dating from the 15^th century.

-          The famous Mosaics of the House of Dionysos, House of Theseus and the recently excavated House of Aion. The mosaic floors of these 3^rd century noblemen's villas are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They mostly depict scenes from Greek mythology.

-          The Tombs of the Kings. This is a wide area containing underground tombs carved out of solid rock dating from the 4^th century BC. Many tombs are decorated with Doric pillars. Whether Kings were buried here or not, the magnificence of the tombs gave the area its name.

-          Free time at the picturesque port of Kato Paphos.

3. Monday June 2^nd 2008– Troodos Mountains

Full day

Escape the heat of the coast with a visit to the Troodos Mountains. The Troodos range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus, offering cool sanctuary in its scented pine forests in summer and winter sports and skiing in winter. The area is characterized by one of the largest groups of churches and monasteries of the former Byzantine Empire, with 10 monuments included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The rich profusion of flora and fauna found on the mountains and the picturesque villages attract many outdoor enthusiasts every year.

The tour includes:

-          A visit to Kykkos, the most famous and richest monastery in Cyprus. You will enjoy a scenic ride through the mountains to the site, which is situated at an altitude of 1,318m on the western face of Troodos. Kykkos Monastery was founded in 1100 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is the most opulent and impressive of all Byzantine monasteries on the island.

-          A visit to the tomb of Archbishop Makarios at Throni, at a scenic spot 3km west of Kykkos Monastery.

-          The village of Omodhos. This is one of the most famous wine-producing villages of Cyprus and there will be an opportunity to taste locally produced wine and sample other traditional products. The Monastery of Stavros (Holy Cross), standing in the centre of the village, contains old icons, excellent wood carving and other ecclesiastical objects of interest.

4. Wednesday, June 4^th 2008– Limassol and surrounding area

Full day

Limassol is the second largest city with a population of around 168,000 and an important tourist and commercial centre. Since the crusades of the Middle Age, Limassol has been known to traders for its wine and sugar cane – today one of the major festivals on the island is the 10-day Wine Festival held each September. The city is famed for its splendid archaeological sites, fun-loving reputation, designer shops and allegedly the best nightlife on the island. 

The tour includes

-          A visit to the Amphitheatre at Curium (Kourion), west of Limassol. Kourion is an important ancient city and one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island where excavations are still bringing new treasures to light. The magnificent Graeco-Roman theatre was originally built in the 2^nd century BC and is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances. Other highlights include the House of Eustolios, a Roman villa complex with baths and a number of rooms with beautiful 5^th century mosaic floors, and the mosaics in the House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators.

-          A visit to Kolossi Castle a few kilometres outside the city. More like a fortified tower and a castle, this fine example of military architecture was originally constructed in the 13^th century and subsequently rebuilt in its present form in the middle of the 15^th century. It served in the 13^th century as the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and in the 14^th century under the Knights Templar.

-          A visit to the bustling Old Market in the picturesque old part of Limassol.  

-          Free time to explore the city.