Sun, Sea and Cyprus

Saturday 26th April

Fly to Larnaca, Cyprus, and transfer to our coastal accommodation. Unwind after the journey and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner included. Overnight in Germasogeia, Limassol.

Sunday 27th April

This morning we will orientate ourselves around our beachfront location, before heading out to explore Limassol Old Town. Built in around 1000AD and reputed to be where King Richard the Lionheart married his sweetheart, Limassol old town is a maze of winding cobbled streets and beautiful old buildings. Home to Limassol castle and many traditional artisan shops and eateries, this is a great place to also indulge in our first taste of traditional Cypriot cuisine with an included lunch of delicious local dishes.

After our lunch we will drive out to the ancient site of Kourion for a guided visit. Set high on a cliff, offering striking panoramas of the surrounding region, this site is best known for the beautiful mosaics decorating its ancient villas and for its stunning amphitheatre.

Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Germasogeia, Limassol.

Monday 28th April

This morning is at your leisure. A perfect time to either relax in the sunshine by the pool, stroll along the seafront, or head down to the sea and enjoy the sand between your toes (or a dip if that’s more your thing!). Later this afternoon we will drive to the mountain village of Omodos, on the slopes of the Troodos Mountains, for a visit to the Gerolemo Winery and a chance to enjoy the aromas and taste of some locally produced wines. From here we will take the short drive into Omodos itself where we will have time to explore this traditional village before our meze dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight in Germasogeia, Limassol.

Tuesday 29th April

Today we’ll drive along the coast to the UNESCO-listed city of Paphos. On route we will stop briefly to view Petra tou Romiou (Rock of Romans), a distinctive geological formation of huge rocks, reputed to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, where she apparently rose from the sea foam of waves crashing against the rocks. We will then continue on to Paphos and enjoy a mix of archaeological wonder as well as seafront splendour. There will be guided visits to the Roman Villas and the Hellenistic Tombs of the Kings, coupled with a tasty fish meze lunch and time to wander the bustling promenade of this lovely coastal town.

Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Germasogeia, Limassol.

Wednesday 30th April

Today we will learn about the more recent history of Cyprus by heading inland to the capital, Lefkosia (also known as Nicosia). This beautiful vibrant city, surrounded by medieval Venetian walls, has a turbulent past and remains the only divided capital in the world. Whilst here, we will get the chance to visit the ‘Green Line’, crossing no man’s land into the northern Turkish occupied territory, as well as see the monuments of St John Cathedral, the Leventis Museum and Büyük Han on the north side, considered to be one of the finest buildings on the island. Late afternoon we will return to Limassol and dinner at our hotel.

Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight in Germasogeia, Limassol.

Thursday 1st May

This morning is at your leisure. Take time for a good book, a mid-morning snooze in the sunshine, or an iced latte in one of the many cafes along the seafront… or maybe all of the above! In the early afternoon, we will drive out to Choirokoitia village to the Petros Nikolaou Basketry Museum and residence. Hosted by Petros himself, we will discover how fresh halloumi cheese is made and get the chance to taste it – still, mouth wateringly warm – before learning how local baskets are woven, feeling how they intertwine and fit together. It will then be time, with expert guidance, to try our hand at making bourekia, local sweet pies made from filo pastry and filled with a Cypriot sweet cheese… be warned, they are utterly delicious! In the early evening, we will be treated to a wonderful home cooked dinner in the beautiful gardens of Petros’ house, before driving back to our hotel.

Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight in Germasogeia, Limassol.

Friday 2nd May

Today has been left free for you to enjoy as you wish. Local buses from outside the hotel, or a short taxi ride, will take you back into the centre of Limassol where you might want to do some last minute souvenir shopping, visit the castle, or just relax in a streetside cafe with a refreshing drink. You’ll also have time to swim in the sea, or chill by the pool, soaking up some of that beautiful Cypriot sunshine, before our final dinner at a local taverna, and a chance to reminisce about the week on this fabulous island.

Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight in Germasogeia, Limassol.

Saturday 3rd May

After a relaxed start to the day, we’ll transfer to Paphos Airport for our flight home.

Breakfast included.