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Itinerary |
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Day 1 Depart USA Evening departure. Meals and refreshments served on board. Day 2 Larnaca/Limassol Arrival at Larnaca Airport where you will be met and transferred to your Limassol hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel. Day 3 Limassol (Nicosia) When Saints Paul and Barnabas came to Cyprus, they were guided to Tamassos by Irakleidios, whom they later consecrated as Bishop of Tamassos. The monastery, founded in 400 AD, was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Nicosia, the island's capital, offers visitors plenty to see. Driving along the Green Line, which divides the city in two, the only divided capital in Europe. Visit the Cathedral of St. John and the Byzantine Museum, which houses the island's largest collection of icons, and continue to the Cyprus Archaeological Museum containing priceless artifacts. We end the visit at �Laiki Yitonia', a recently restored quarter town. After some free time, back to Limassol for dinner. Day 4 Limassol (Troodos/Kikkos Monastery) Traveling through idyllic mountain villages, this tour takes you just below the highest point on the island -Mount Olympus - standing 6404 feet above sea level. On the way we will visit Archangelos Michael church in Pedoulas, dating back to 1474 (Included in the Unesco list). We will then drive to Throni Peak to see the tomb of Archbishop Makarios, first President of the Republic of Cyprus. From there we visit Kikkos, the island's most famous monastery. Here you will be able to admire the miraculous icon of Christ and the Virgin Mary painted by St. Luke himself. Visit at Kikkos Museum and its collection of consecrated vessels and Cypriot antiquities. We continue with a visit to Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis church, an 11th century structure that used roughly cut stones (included in the UNESCO list) and end our excursion at the village of Kakopetria. The old quarter of the village has been declared a protected area. Back to Limassol hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 5 Limassol (Curium/Paphos) The day begins with a visit to Curium, an impressive Greco-Roman site that includes mosaics and a superb amphitheater. Our next stop is Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite's Rock), the very spot where the legendary goddess of love emerged from the foaming waves. On the way, visit Agia Paraskevi church and then visit St. Neophytos Monastery founded at the end of the 12th century by Neophytos. The monastery church contains beautiful icons of the Post-Byzantine period. Once in Paphos we will visit the 3rd century House of Theseus and Dionysus and see its mosaics depicting mythological scenes. We then pass by the catacombs of Ayia Solomoni, the Byzantine castle of forty columns and St. Paul's pillar. We return to Limassol for dinner and overnight. Day 6 Limassol (Larnaca) After breakfast we will have the chance to visit Pyla village, the only village that has been inhabited by Greeks and Turks after the Turkish invasion in Cyprus. We will continue traveling along the green line and will reach Deryneia village, where you will be able to see from a distance the dead city of Ammochostos (Famagusta), which is under Turkish occupation. We continue our tour with a visit to the mediaeval monastery dedicated to �Our Lady of the Forests', standing in the middle of Ayia Napa Village surrounded by a high wall. Its 16th century church is partly underground and cut into the rock. We then drive to Larnaca and visit Saint Lazarus Church. Saint Lazarus is the patron saint of Larnaca. Kition became his second home after his resurrection by Christ, and he lived here for another 30 years. Saints Barnabas and Mark ordained him Bishop of Kition. In the 9th century, Emperor Leo VI erected a magnificent church over his tomb. Return to Limassol for dinner and overnight. Day 7 Limassol to USA (or extend your stay) Morning transfer to Limassol Airport for your return flight home. Meals and refreshments are served aloft. |
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Information/Restrictions
We hope you enjoyed our sample itinerary for this group travel program. Tour features are not included in our sample programs as these may be customized with your group's travel preferences in mind. The number of passengers in your group, their accommodation standards, duration of stay, seasonality and other factors will allow us to offer you a competitive rate for your particular group. Please contact us for further details - our team of group and destination specialists are delighted to assist you in designing the most suitable program for your group's interests and budgets.
Shipping Information
Sightseeing




Tour Features 2012
Itinerary 2012
Hotels
Information/Restrictions