Cultural Roundtrip

Published on July 10, 2020

DAY 1 –  Arrival

Our guests will be welcomed and greeted by our Drakos uniformed guide at Larnaca or Paphos International airport and will drive to chosen hotel in Limassol. They will have some time to relax and freshen up, before their dinner at the hotel.

DAY 2 – In the footsteps of Aphrodite – exploring Paphos

Our guests will meet their private guide at the hotel’s lobby for a full day tour of Paphos. Our first visit will be to the Tombs of the Kings.  We continue to The Church of Panayia Chrysopolitissa. Within the compound one can see St. Paul’s Pillar. Our guests can enjoy their meal the Limanaki of Paphos with stunning views of the fishing harbour and the medieval castle of Paphos. In the afternoon, we will visit the archaeological site. The city is home to Mosaics of the Roman period, dating from around the 3rd century AD. Our final stop will be the village of Yeroskipou, just outside Paphos; where the Ayia Paraskevi with beautiful frescoes church stands. While in Yeroskipou, we will visit a traditional Loukoumi factory and taste this famous local delicacy.

DAY 3 – Nicosia – the medieval capital

Our guests will meet their private guide at the hotel’s lobby for a full day tour of Nicosia.

The heart of the city, enclosed by the 16th century Venetian walls, is dotted with museums, ancient churches and medieval buildings preserving the nostalgic atmosphere of years past. The famous Famagusta Gate still stands today, proudly protecting the still-ancient town within from the modern city without. From there, we will drive to the cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and its 13th and 18th century wall paintings; depicting scenes from the Bible and the discovery of the tomb of St. Barnabas in Salamis.

Our next visit will be the Archaeological museum with its fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic age to the Early Byzantine period.

We will then continue to the old town of Nicosia and arrive at “Laiki Geitonia” where the guests can stroll at leisure down its stone paved streets. Guests will explore the famous Ledras street and enjoy their lunch in a local restaurant and some time at leisure for shopping.

DAY 4 – Limassol City Tour and Omodos Village

Our guests will meet their private guide at the hotel’s lobby for a full day tour of Limassol and Omodos village.

Our first visit will be the medieval Castle of Limassol is where according to tradition, after conquering the island in 1192, King Richard the Lionheart of England married Princess Berengaria of Navarre in the castle’s small chapel.

Passing though the Fassouri citrus plantations; we come across the medieval Castle of Kolossi. It is a fine example of military architecture originally constructed in the 13th century during the crusades.  After the Siege of Acre in 1291, it served as the Grand Commanderie of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem; and thus gave its name to the world famous Commandaria wine, which is still produced in the area.

Our next visit is the ancient Kingdom of Kourion, which is placed on one of the most spectacular sites in the island, with extensive archaeological ruins including well-preserved mosaics. We will then continue to the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates that is charmingly situated amongst woodlands just in the outskirts of Kourion.

Our excursion then takes us to Omodos village. The village is renowned for its Monastery of the Holly Cross standing by the stone-paved square. Apart from its byzantine era icons, it holds excellent wood carvings and other ecclesiastical objects of interest, as well as a small national museum.

We will then visit the local bakery for demonstrations and tasting of the local products, like arkatena bread and shoushoukos dessert. A traditional wine press known as Linos is preserved, where we will stop and sample the local wines and liqueurs. Traditional lunch will be served at a local tavern in Omodos village.  After lunch, visitors can stroll around the village’s winding streets and mingle with the locals and do some shopping at the various small shops selling traditional Cypriot items such as crafts, lace and local delights.

DAY 5 – Departure

Our guide will meet the group at the lobby of the hotel to assist them with check out and will then accompany them during their departure transfer.

Bon Voyage!

Contact our team at info@drakosdmc.com for additional recommendations, expert advice and tailor made itineraries.