Cyprus Insight Tour Package

On arrival at Larnaca (Cyprus) proceed to Limassol and check in to the hotel. Limassol located on the southern shore of Cyprus is the largest seaside resort of the Island. We will visit Lemesos Castle, the Medieval Museum, the Folk Art Museum and the Colossi Castle, the lush Municipal Gardens. Later you can take a walk on ten miles of beautiful beaches. Overnight at Limassol.

Visit the amazing archaeological site of Kourion, one of the most spectacular sites on the island, built in 2nd century BC with it's Greco Roman theatre and mosaics. Depart for Paphos on the west coast. Brief stop to view Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite's Rock). It is here where according to the legend that the goddess of love & beauty was born from the sea. View the amazing landscape of the area combining sea and mountains. Paphos town is a UNESCO 'World Heritage Site'. Visit the tombs of the Kings with impressive underground tombs carved out of solid rock. Visit the archaeological park. View the Roman Villas with their extensive floor mosaics are of particular interest with new ones still being excavated since it is widely believed that there are many treasures still to be discovered. Admire a series of beautifully preserved mosaics depicting scenes from Greek Mythology such as the House of Dionysos (the god of wine) is one of the largest and best known of the mosaic houses and other smaller ones are the House of Theseus and House of Aion. Return to hotel in Limassol.

Tour begins with the visit to the small mountain village of Lefkara, which is famous for its handmade lace, known as Lefkaritika, for silverware and olive oil. Visit the Embroidery and lace museum, with a large collection of old Lefkara embroidery, for which the village is renowned. Many houses in Lefkara have been declared ancient monuments. Depart for Larnaca, first stopping Kiti village to visit Panayia Angeloktisti, 11th century Byzantine church, whose name means built by angels Erected over the ruins of an Early Christian Basilica. The original apse survived together with one of the finest pieces of Byzantine art of the Justinian period, a rare 6th century mosaic of the Virgin and Child between two archangels. Drive past Larnaca' s Salt Lake, an important migratory route. If lucky we may see the pink flamingos in the lake and various species of water birds. Pass by Hala Sultan Tekke on lake, which is the 4th important mosque in the Moslem world. Visit the magnificent Church of St Lazarus, built by Emperor Leo Vl, in the 9th century and restored in 17th century - a fine example of Byzantine architecture. Walk along the Finikoudes Promenade the famous palm tree lined seafront with the fort along the seashore. Return to Limassol.

Visit the mountain village of Omodos, a picturesque wine producing village, built on the Troodos hillsides amidst expanses of vines, with its narrow-cobbled streets and 4th century Holy Cross monastery, built in the shape of the Greek letter Pi. Visit the medieval winepress, evidence that production of traditional wine took place since ancient times. Travelling through the winding roads amongst tall pine trees is Kakopetria village, walking tour to explore the village of Kakopetria with its water mill and restored houses and winding streets of this picturesque medieval mountain village. Just outside the village is the painted church of St Nicholas of the roof (UNESCO) (closed Mondays) completely painted with murals dating from 11th to 17th Centuries. The church took its name from the steep pitched timber roof that was built to protect it from the weather. Continuing to Galata village and visiting church of Panayia Podithou, (UNESCO), the mural paintings are of the Italo-Byzantine style that appeared on the island towards the end of the 15th century. Visit one of the principal mountain resorts, Platres village heavily forested with pine and cedar trees located at the foothills of Troodos Forest, a resort visited by many famous personalities, poets and royalty. Return to hotel in Limassol. (B, L)

Visit the only divided capital city in the world - Nicosia or Lefkosia in Greek. Walking tour of the old city within the Venetian walls, from the East is the Famagusta Gate, which is one of the three entrances into Old Nicosia. The Venetian walls have a perimeter of 4.5 km with 11 heart shaped bastions and completely encircle the old City. Continue to St John's cathedral, see the colourful frescoes mostly inspired from stories of the Bible. Pass by the House of Hajiyiorkatzis, the resorted building houses the Cyprus Ethnological Museum and given the Europa Nostra award. Walk around the Laiki Yitonia (old folk neighbourhood) with winding alleys. This area has seen the restoration of houses that are typical examples of traditional Cypriot urban architecture and are used today as shops, restaurants, and craft centers. Visit the Leventis Museum (closed Mondays) whose exhibits portrays ways of life in the city from ancient times to the present, including collections of old maps, medieval ceramics, embroidery and lace, silver work and more. Visit the northern territory by crossing the green line which divides North and South at the Ledra Street checkpoint and visit Buyuk Han, an ancient stone building from Ottoman era and Selimiye Mosque which was once St Sophia cathedral. Continue to the Cyprus Archaeological Museum (closed Mondays) where most of the treasures of Cyprus past are housed with artefacts discovered during numerous excavations on the island as well as an extensive collection of Cypriot antiquities. (Passports required to be shown at the checkpoint). Return to Limassol. (B, L)

Departure transfer from hotel in Limassol to Larnaca airport. (B)