Larnaca

Our thrilling Cyprus trip begins in Larnaca, the major international gateway to Cyprus. We meet this evening at our luxury hotel for a welcome drink and head out to a wonderful Cypriot feast with local wines. Enjoy a restful night’s sleep in preparation for the upcoming week of adventure…

Larnaca

After breakfast at our hotel, we head out with our tour leader on a walking tour of Old Larnaca and visit the Church that holds the remains of Saint Lazarus. Lazarus came to Cyprus after returning from the dead and lived the remainder of his life in Larnaca.

Salamis

Then we head across the UN Buffer Zone into Northern Cyprus to meet our archaeologist for a private tour of the ancient Greek city-state of Salamis on the coast of eastern Cyprus. There is evidence that the site was first occupied in the 11th Century BC.

Famagusta

We travel just a few miles further to ancient and stately Famagusta, which was founded in 274 BC after an earthquake toppled much of Salamis. Here we try local cuisine and wines over lunch and tour this remarkable city, marvelling at its churches, mosques, and medieval buildings and mighty walls. Next, it’s on to 1974. We tour the abandoned Famagusta coastal resort of Varosha that was abandoned in terror of the advancing Turkish tanks and troops on 14 August 1974. You have the choice of walking or cycling this eerie open-air museum. Returning to Larnaca, we end our day with a farm‑to‑table dinner, featuring time‑honored local recipes, as the sun sets on our first full day of adventuring in Cyprus!

Cyprus Museum

After breakfast at our hotel, we travel north to the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia. We begin with a tour of the Cyprus Museum

Green Line Nicosia

We then take a private guided tour of the UN Buffer Zone, the Green Line that marks the northern part of the city as under the occupation of Turkey.

We then cross the border zone into North Nicosia, where lunch options range from contemporary cafes on ancient sites, to the cafe of the Great Inn, to the many cafes lining Northern Nicosia’s Old Town squares. Meeting again after lunch, we take a private guided tour of the astonishing Old Town of North Nicosia, before crossing the Green Line again and checking into our luxury boutique hotel just outside the city walls of Old Nicosia. Dinner tonight is an old, atmospheric, high-quality traditional Nicosian restaurant with an elegant twist on traditional Cypriot and Greek specialties.

Saint Hilarion Castle

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we cross the Green Line to visit St. Hilarion Castle, high on the Kyrenia mountain range. Named after an obscure monk who lived on the hilltop, the Byzantines fortified the hillside in the 11th century, and it is the best preserved of the three castles that defended the island against Arab raids. Built in three separate self-contained levels, the third level is for the very active (and mountain goats!)

Kyrenia

We travel from the heights of the Kyrenia Range to Kyrenia Harbor, where lunch is at a lovely harborside taverna – a postcard-perfect spot for lunch! After lunch, we tour the 16th-century Venetian Castle that is built over a Crusader fortification, including its 12th-century chapel and Shipwreck Museum.

Bellapais Monastery

Our final stop of the day in Northern Cyprus is Bellapais, where Lawrence Durrell lived and where he wrote “Bitter Lemons.” We tour Bellapais Abbey, a 13th-century monastery that was home to the canons who had been the custodians of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre before the fall of Jerusalem.

Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement

After breakfast at our hotel, we bid farewell to Nicosia and head south to one of the most exciting Neolithic sites in the world – the UNESCO World Heritage site of Choirokoitia. Our archaeologist guide leads us on a private tour of this ancient site, inhabited from the 7th to the 4th millennium B.C.

Kolossi Castle

Beginning our journey west to Paphos, we tour the Crusader stronghold of Kolossi Castle. It was fought over by both the Knights Templar and the Knights of St John because of its strategic significance.

Aphrodite's Rock

After lunch at a village taverna, we enter the realm of the goddess Aphrodite, visiting the beach where, according to myth, she emerged from the sea, carried naked on a wave of sea foam.

Sanctuary of Aphrodite at Palaipafos

We travel further westwards to the archaeological site of Palaipafos. We have a private tour of Palaipafos by our archaeologist guide. The oldest part of Palaipafos is the Sanctuary of Aphrodite, which was built by the Myceneans around 1200 BC. It’s time now to continue our journey to Paphos, check into our harborside hotel, and eat a meze feast at one of Paphos’ oldest and most famous traditional tavernas – a truly fitting ‘welcome’ to Paphos!

Paphos

After breakfast at our hotel, our tour guide leads us on a walking tour of old Paphos and Paphos harbor. We visit ancient churches, the catacombs of Agio Solomoni, a medieval fort, and much more.

Archaeological Site Of Nea Paphos

After a leisurely lunch, we enjoy a private tour of the astonishing archaeological site of Nea Paphos with our expert archaeologist guide. The Roman mosaics of this UNESCO World Heritage site will amaze you! This evening is free for you to choose a traditional taverna or chic contemporary restaurant to discover Paphos specialties and regional wines.

After breakfast, we’re later reunited with our archaeologist guide as we explore the important ancient city of Curium (Kourion).

Tombs of the Kings

We head down the clifftop to Kourion Beach for a seafood feast, and in the afternoon we return to Paphos to visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tombs of the Kings where our archaeologist guide. Dinner tonight is at your leisure along the Paphos waterfront.

Paphos District

After breakfast at our hotel, today is yours to spend however you like. Whether it’s reading a book on your balcony, getting in some spa time, or simply walking, shopping, and eating, that day is at your leisure. We recommend a harbor cruise or a tour of the Akamas National Park by boat and Jeep that includes a visit to the Blue Lagoon.

Kalopanayiotis

After breakfast at our hotel, it’s time to leave the southern coast of Cyprus and head into the mountains. We journey to the village of Kalopanayiotis, high in the Troodos Mountains, and check into our Small Luxury Hotels of the World mountain lodge. After lunch, we take a tour of the village of Kalopanayiotis, which includes a visit to Agios Ioannis Lampadistra Monastery (Saint John Lampadistis Monastery), one of the monasteries included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Painted Churches of the Troodos Mountains. We venture further along the Setrachos River trail (Trail No. 1) to a 16th-century Venetian bridge. Our walk takes 90 minutes, is a circular route, is 3.9 km and is graded “easy.” Dinner tonight is in an award-winning restaurant with a panoramic view of the Marathasa Valley.

Painted Churches in the Troodos Region

After breakfast, we’re reunited with our archaeologist guide as we go hunting for the UNESCO World Heritage 10th-century painted Byzantine churches and monasteries hidden throughout the Troodos Mountains. We’ll stop on the way at a sensational winery for another Cyprus feast and local wines. For our last evening together, we gather in an elegant restaurant with spectacular views for a farewell dinner.

Larnaca

After our last breakfast together, our lovely driver returns us to Larnaca airport. If you’d like to stay in Cyprus, we’ll be happy to help you make reservations to extend your stay until next time, when we see you on tour with us again.