We are warmly welcomed by our tour guide at Larnaca Airport and make our way to Nicosia, the only divided capital city in Europe. Our hotel is located in the heart of the old town. In the evening, we get to know each other over dinner. (A)
Den 2
The divided city of Nicosia
To kick things off, we take a look at the divided capital in the center of Cyprus on foot. Originating in the Bronze Age, Nicosia was known as Ledra in ancient and early Christian times and has been the capital of Cyprus since the late Byzantine period in the 11th century. The Lusignans transformed it into a magnificent city with royal palaces and churches. The city center, the old "Chora", surrounded by walls from the 16th century, preserves the atmosphere of times gone by. Along Ledra Street we reach the checkpoint, cross the border line and see the caravanserai, the bazaar and the Semilye Mosque. Back in the south of the city, we visit St. John's Cathedral and the Leventis Museum. After a visit to the Tachtakalas district, we have earned a coffee break in one of the many cafés and watch the hustle and bustle. (F)
Den 3
Bellapais - Kyrenia - Agros
Den 4
The famous Kykko Monastery
In the Marathassa Valley, we reach the picturesque village of Kalopanagiotis, where we visit the church of Agios Ioannis Lampadistis. The church was originally a monastery and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue to the largest and most famous monastery on the island, the Kykkos Monastery, with its colorful icons and frescoes. Not far from here is the tomb of Makarios III, revered by the Cypriots as the father of the nation and the first president of the island republic. 112 km (F, A)
Den 5
The barn-roof churches of the Troodos and cooking class at Skevi
Near Galata, we admire the barn-roof churches with their colorful Byzantine frescoes. In Kakopetria, a picturesque mountain village, we discover the old village center on a walk and visit the nearby church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, which, like many of the barn-roof churches, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In a picturesque mountain village, Skevi awaits us in his house to show us how to prepare some typical Cypriot dishes such as tzatziki and koupepia, stuffed vine leaves. Then it's our turn and we try our hand at preparing them under the "strict gaze" of the "chef". We enjoy what we have cooked together with a good drop of wine. 88 km (F, M, A)
Den 6
Fancy the north coast at Morphou Bay?
Den 7
Omodos, Kourion and a visit to a citrus plantation
Den 8
Would you like to hike with Aphrodite?
Den 9
Akamas Peninsula and Agios Neophytos
The natural paradise of the Akamas peninsula offers a particularly varied landscape and is one of the greenest parts of the island, so much so that the hermit Neophytos settled in this area in the middle of the 12th century. A brotherhood soon developed, and today we can admire the church carved out of the rock and the neighboring monastery. On the northwest coast of the island we reach the legendary Baths of Aphrodite. During a short walk on the nature trail, we learn a lot about the local flora. There is another surprise on the way back. 230 km (F, A)
Den 10
How about Famagusta and Salamis?
Den 11
Paphos and the royal tombs
On the drive along the coast to Paphos, we visit the church of Ayia Paraskevi, one of the most beautiful Byzantine churches in Cyprus. After a break at the picturesque harbor of Paphos, the Roman villas in Kato Paphos with their stunning mosaics take us into the world of mythology. The unique, monumental royal tombs look like houses carved into the ground. However, it was not kings who found their final resting place here, but the ruling upper class. 138 km (F, A)
Den 12
Bathing on the south coast
Our hotel in the Amathus district of Limassol offers everything your heart desires. It's up to you whether you want to relax by the pool or on the well-kept beach or get physically active in the hotel's own fitness room. On the last evening, we meet for dinner together in a taverna and round off the trip with typical dishes. (F, A)
Den 13
Farewell to Cyprus
On the way to the airport, you can admire the diversity of Cyprus once again. You fly back to your departure airport and start your journey home full of new impressions. (F)
Flight schedule, hotel and program are expressly subject to change.
(F=breakfast, P=picnic, M=lunch, A=dinner)