It’s no coincidence the Greek goddess of love was born in Cyprus. There’s much to love about this captivating island nation, cast adrift in the Mediterranean Sea. Based in the coastal city of Limassol, we’ll explore Cyprus from sea to summit, taking in the country’s awe-inspiring ruins, historic trade routes and traditional villages. See 1800-year-old mosaics at the ancient kingdom of Kourion, learn how to make moussaka with village locals in the Troodos Mountains, and pay your respects to Aphrodite at the sea rock where the mythical goddess was born.
Arrive in Larnaca and transfer to the seaside resort city of Limassol and your superb five-star hotel. Take a short orientation tour, strolling through the city’s charming historic heart.
Get acquainted with Limassol during a half-day tour. Limassol is Cyprus’s second-largest city and has been an important wine and sugarcane trading hub since the Middle Ages. Passing through Fasouri’s citrus plantations, we arrive at Kolossi Castle, first built in the 13th century. Walk over the drawbridge and step back in time as you marvel at the castle’s medieval architecture.
Afterwards, explore the ancient kingdom of Kourion, one of the country’s most important archeological sites, dating back to the 13th century BC. Climb to the top of the 2000-seat amphitheater for magnificent views across the Mediterranean Sea and explore the houses of Eustolios, Achilles and the Gladiators, stopping to admire their intricate mosaic floors.
Share lunch at a local tavern then enjoy free time to further explore Limassol at your own pace.
Today we visit the beguiling harbor town of Paphos, fabled birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. Our first stop is World Heritage-listed Kato Paphos Archaeological Park, which for 600 years served as the capital of Cyprus up until the 4th century.
See Roman-era mosaic floors embellished with scenes from Greek mythology in the four main houses, Aion, Dionysos, Orpheus and Theseus. Visit the Tombs of the Kings, a grand necropolis of caves and soft sandstone crypts where local nobility was interred more than 2000 years ago.
After lunch visit the 9th century Ayia Paraskevi church in Yeroskipou to admire its five domes, each decorated with beautiful frescoes.
Our final stop is for cocktails at Aphrodite’s Rock, a sea stack on the shoreline where, according to legend, the goddess was born.
Enjoy free time this morning – now is the perfect time to recharge by the hotel’s oceanfront infinity pool.
In the afternoon, visit Lefkara Village, stopping by Choirokoitia, the oldest Neolithic settlement in Cyprus. Lefkara is a picturesque village nestled at the foot of the Troodos Mountains, replete with narrow winding streets and terracotta-roofed limestone houses. Renowned for its lace embroidery and filigree silver, Lefkara is where Leonardo Da Vinci purchased the lace cloth used to decorate the altar of Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral) in 1481.
Walk through the evocative streets and meet the silversmiths and lace makers continuing the traditions of their forefathers. Be sure to grab a cup of traditional Cypriot coffee before returning to Limassol.
Today, we make for the mountains to explore rural Cyprus, where smiles are warm and the hospitality legendary. Our scenic drive winds through bucolic countryside and traditional villages, before going off road to explore Kelefos Bridge. Built around the 1500s, the single-arch Venetian bridge was used by copper traders and looks like a relic from Lord of the Rings.
Arriving at Omodos, exchange a friendly “yia sou!” (hello) with the locals as they share their cultural traditions with you. Get set for an afternoon of wine tasting, moussaka making and lashings of Cyprus pastry.
Transfer to Larnaca and fly to Amman to join the main conference.