LIMASSOL, CYPRUS
HALF DAY PAPHOS
DURATION: Approx. 4 ½ hrs
This tour will take you to the beautiful city of Paphos. Paphos is a World
Heritage site included in the UNESCO list of cultural and natural
treasures.
On our way to Paphos, we will pass by the Aphrodite’s Rock, the
birthplace of the Goddess of Love and Beauty, who according to the legend, arose
from the foaming waves at this spot. We will have a short break for taking
pictures
In Geroskipou village, we will visit the Byzantine church of Ayia
Paraskevi, the one of only two Churches in Cyprus with five domes forming a
cross. It has beautiful mural paintings dating from the 8th to the 15th
centuries. You will continue to visit the stunning mosaics of the House of
Dionysos depicting scenes from Greek Mythology and considered to be some of the
finest in the Mediterranean.
Next stop will be at the Tombs of the Kings; a
Hellenistic cemetery of monumental tombs dating back to the 4th century BC.
These magnificent and mysterious tombs are carved out of solid rock. Return to
the port of
Lemesos.
HALF DAY LIMASSOL
DURATION: Approx. 4 ½ hrs
On our way to Curium we pass by Kolossi Castle, a fine example of military
architecture, built by the Crusaders in the 13th century. This is where the
production of ‘Coummandaria’ began (the sweet wine of Cyprus), during the period
when Kolossi served as the Grand Commanderie of the Knights of the Order of St.
John of Jerusalem.
Next stop: the important ancient city-kingdom of Curium,
one of the most important archeological sites of the island.
The magnificent
Greco-Roman Theater with its breathtaking view, originally built in the 2nd
century BC, is now fully restored and is used for musical and theatrical
performances.
Within the area, we also visit the House of Eustolios with its
stunning 5th century mosaics as well as its unique complex of baths with mosaic
floors.
2km away from Curium we will visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis,
God of the Woodland, and protector of the city of Curium. There we will see the
pilgrim halls, the palaistra and
a smaller complex of baths.
And there’s
more today; next stop, the Medieval Castle built in the 14th century. According
to tradition this is where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre
and crowned her Queen of England in 1191.Inside the castle is the Cyprus
Medieval Museum. We’ll have some free time in the Old town of Lemesos for
shopping, before we head back to the port.
HALF DAY NICOSIA
DURATION: Approx. 4 ½ hrs
Lefkosia lies roughly at the center of the island with a rich history
that can be traced back to the Bronze Age. The heart of the city, enclosed by
16th century Venetian walls, is dotted with museums, ancient churches and
mediaeval buildings preserving the nostalgic atmosphere of years past.
In Lefkosia first stop is the Archbishopric and the Cathedral of St. John, which houses some outstanding frescoes. The 18th century wall paintings depict scenes from the Bible and the discovery of the tomb of St. Barnabas at Salamis. A short drive past Liberty Monument and the Venetian Walls surrounding the old part of the town leads to the Cyprus Archaeological Museum. Here you will see the priceless collection of Cypriot antiquities and art treasures from the Neolithic Age to the Early Byzantine period.
You will have the opportunity to visit Laiki Yitonia, a 19th century
neighborhood lovingly restored to its former glory with houses, shops and
taverns lining the cobbled street. You’ll have enough time for shopping before
we head back to the port.