15/05 THURSDAY :THESS/NIKI - LARNACA - LIMASSOL
Gathering in the morning at 07:30 at "Macedonia" airport. With a direct flight of Aegean Air we fly at 09:45 to Larnaca.Arrival in Larnaca at 11:35. Visit to the majestic church of St. Lazarus where we will venerate the second tomb and the Saint's cart. The church was built by Emperor Leo VI the Wise in the 9th century and was restored in the 17th century. The church is one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus. Board the buses and depart for Limassol. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.
16/05 FRIDAY : LIMASSOL I.M. MAHAIRA - AGIOS HERAKLIDIOS - NICOSIA
Breakfast and departure for the Monastery of Panagia Machaira, one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Cyprus. It was founded in 1148 by two monks after the discovery of an icon of the Virgin Mary in a nearby cave. During the years of the Turkish occupation it was a centre of education like the other monasteries of Cyprus. The Monastery of Machairas was also home to the martyr Archbishop Cyprian, who was executed by the Turks with hundreds of other clergy and laity on 9 July 1821. We continue with a stop at the Holy Mass of St. Heracleides, son of a pagan priest, who was ordained bishop of Tamassos by the apostles Paul and Barnabas. He was martyred at the age of 60 and buried in the cave where he had lived and from which he preached the Gospel.In 400 AD a church was built over his tomb, and the relics of the saint are kept in the church. Departure for Nicosia with a first visit to the Tomb of Makedonitissa, the monument to the fallen Greeks from the Turkish invasion. We continue to the prisoner's tombs, where the graves of the brave of the anti-colonial struggle are located. Next, a tour of the "shared" Cypriot capital, Nicosia, where we will see the Archbishopric and the Cathedral of St. John the Theologian with its magnificent frescoes. Free time in the "Laiki Geitonia", a small pedestrian area, reminiscent of the atmosphere of the old days for coffee and food (on your own). Back to Limassol. Dinner.
17/05 SATURDAY : LIMASSOL - I.M. KYKKOS - HOMOS
Breakfast and departure for a full day excursion to the mountainous green resorts of Cyprus where picturesque villages, Byzantine churches and gurgling waters make up an amazing landscape. Crossing the Troodos mountain range we will visit the Monastery of Kykkos, the most famous and richest monastery in Cyprus. It was founded in 1100 AD and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It holds one of the three surviving icons of the Virgin Mary attributed to the Apostle Luke. In Throni 3km. West of the monastery is the tomb of the National Archbishop Makarios, who served as a novice in the monastery. Visit to the picturesque village of Omodos. There is the Monastery of the Holy Cross, where the Holy Hemp, the rope that bound the hands of Jesus Christ during the Divine Passion, is kept. On our way back we will visit the picturesque Platres. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.
18/05 SUNDAY : LIMASSOL - AG. NEOPHYTOS - PAPHOS
Breakfast and departure for a full day excursion to Paphos. Crossing the vineyards and orange groves of Fasouri, we see the Tower of the Knights in Kolossi from a distance. The road then brings us to the Petra tou Romiou, where, according to mythology, the goddess Aphrodite emerged from the foams of the waves. Then we will visit the Monastery of Agios Neophytos. The monastery was founded around 1200 by the Cypriot hermit and writer Agios Neophytos. The Enclave dug into the rock by the saint himself contains some of the finest Byzantine frescoes dating between the 12th and 15th centuries. Continuing our excursion we arrive in Paphos, with its magnificent mosaics and the Apostle Paul's column and the catacomb of Agia Solomyssis. At noon we will arrive at the picturesque harbour of Kato Paphos where we propose (optional) lunch in the picturesque taverns with traditional fish meze. Return to Limassol. Dinner. Overnight stay.
19/05 MONDAY : LIMASSOL - AGIAS NAPA - LARNACA - THES/NIKI
Breakfast. Departure for Dherynia, passing through Pyla, the only mixed village in Cyprus and arriving at Dherynia, the place where the two lads were murdered by the Turks. Visit to the most extreme point of free Cyprus to see the Dead City of Famagusta and the magnificent Venetian Monastery at Agia Napa. There you will admire the best beaches of Cyprus. Transfer to Larnaca. Transfer to the airport at 14:00 and flight at 16:10 to Thessaloniki.
