Cyprus History and Taste Experience

On arrival at Paphos Airport, make your way to the Arrivals hall, where a representative will be waiting with a sign showing your name. From here, you are transferred to your accommodation in Paphos, a 13 km drive of around 30 minutes. Once you have settled in, the rest of the day is yours. A walk along the seafront or a relaxed first meal out are good ways to ease into the trip.

The day starts with a tasty breakfast at our accommodation, followed by a full-day tour with our guide. We see the archaeological site of Kourion and the village of Omodos, and finish with a wine tasting. First, we step into the distant past at Petra tou Romiou, a sea stack where local legend says the goddess Aphrodite was born.

History becomes more tangible at Kourion, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Cyprus. We visit its Roman baths before making our way to its centrepiece, a Greco-Roman theatre that still hosts concerts today. Next up is Kolossi Castle, built by the Crusaders and held by the Knights Templar from the 14th century.

We stop for lunch at a family-owned restaurant. It is as well known for its country cooking made with locally sourced ingredients as for its scenic spot in the hills. The afternoon continues in Omodos, a village nestled in the mountains, where you have free time to wander narrow cobbled streets lined with Byzantine buildings.

To round off the day, we visit the winery to sample some of its award-winning wines. These include commandaria, which Richard the Lionheart named “the wine of kings and the king of wines”. We then head back to Paphos.

This morning begins with breakfast at the accommodation before today’s walking tour of Lefkara and Nicosia. Once we have been picked up, our first stop is the village of Lefkara. This picturesque little spot is known across the island for its silver and lace handicrafts. Our guide leads us through some of its cobbled lanes, with plenty of opportunities along the way to shop for a piece or two yourself.

From here, we drive to Nicosia and begin our tour at Laiki Geitonia, a fully pedestrianised quarter set within 16th-century Venetian walls. Most of the houses here have been restored from the 18th century, and the stonework is well worth a photo.

Finally, our guide takes us through the checkpoint into the northern part of the city, which is full of postcard-worthy landmarks. Among them is the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, the most important religious building in Nicosia. Over 700 years old, it was built as a cathedral but is now used as a mosque. We then return to Paphos for the night.

Please note: Pickup for the Lefkara and Nicosia walking tour is from the Atlantica Bay Hotel., and you will need to make your own way there. The exact pickup time will be provided in your booking confirmation.

Today is yours to spend as you like, starting with a delicious breakfast at the accommodation. You might take a stroll around Paphos harbour or simply recharge with some time by the sea.

In the morning, after breakfast, we set out with our guide on a full-day tour to discover some of the rural gems of Cyprus in the Troodos Mountains. Our first visit is the small village of Platanisteia, lined with olive trees. Its claim to fame is the 20th-century artist Hambis Tsangaris, who lived and worked here in the 1980s. We tour the printmaking museum he set up, seeing his work and learning about his inspirations, from the Cypriot landscape to folk stories and war.

From here, we begin climbing into the foothills of the Troodos Mountains to the little village of Arsos. It sits among the many vineyards of this wine-making centre, and its rustic feel only grows as the terracotta rooftops and brightly painted shutters of its houses come into view. You can pull up a chair at one of the local cafes and relax with a morning coffee.

Finally, scenic mountain tracks lead us into dense forest, where the medieval Tzelefos Bridge hides among the pines. This Venetian stone bridge over the Diarizos River makes a great selfie spot. There is also time for a wander in the woods to breathe in the wild herbs growing along the river before we return to Paphos.

Please note: Today covers around 180 km, with approximately 3 hours of travel.

After your final breakfast at the accommodation, it is time to bid farewell to Cyprus. A comfortable transfer takes you 13 km (around 30 minutes) to Paphos International Airport for your onward flight.