NICOSIA Our excursion to the capital Nicosia offers you the opportunity to see and visit its most important monuments and experience a day in this historical city. Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus since 10th century AD and its historical center is surrounded by a Venetian 16th century city wall. The highlight of the morning is a visit to the Cyprus Handicraft Center , where you can visit the different ateliers of the craftsmen and women, whose handicrafts are sold on site. We will thereafter drive around the Venetian Walls, past the Famagusta Gate and discover the old city together: We will first visit St. John's cathedral dating back to 17th century with 18th century frescoes and then take a trip through Cyprus' 1000 years history in the Archaeological Museum Lunch time is taken in the restored commercial center "Laiki Yitonia", where you have the oppor tunity to go shopping, have lunch or simply just relax over a drink... LEFKARA The afternoon is highlighted with a visit to the village of Lefkara which is classified as a monument and is famous for its Lefkaritika embroideries, silverware and traditional architecture.
UP HIGH IN THE TROODOS MOUNTAINS Our excursion into the Troodos mountains will convince every guest that Cyprus is an island of contrasts. We will drive up through vineyards, orchard country and majestic pine forests up to the mountain resort of Platres. The enchanting mountain range offers you a unique variety of plants. We continue through picturesque mountain villages until we reach the most famous place of pilgrimage and monastery on the island: Kykkos monastery with its impressive mosaics and frescoes. The monastery houses a miracle icon of the Virgin Mary which was believed to be painted by the Evangelist Luke. On the summit above the monastery we will thereafter visit the tomb of the former Archbishop and first President of Cyprus , Makarios III, from where you can enjoy magnificent views all around the mountain range. Lunch awaits us in the village Pedoulas, located in the Marathassa valley and famous for its cherry production.
BYZANTINE CHURCHES KAKOPETRIA Today will be spent discovering a treasure trove of Byzantiine art. Passing through the Solea valley with many sleepy villages our first stop will be at Ayios Nikolas Tis Stegis church set in it`s own picturesque surroundings. It has some of the most important Byzantine frescoes from the 11th to the 17th century. We then go the village of Kakopetria . The old quarter of the village has been declared a protected area and traditional houses have been restored. Here you will have the chance to walk around the village. Our next stop is the church of Assinou , dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with frescoes of the 12th century. Time for lunch will be given in a restaurant in Kakopetria to sample its famous speciality Trout. After lunch another two important Byzantine churches in Galata village, Panagia, Podithou, with paintings of the Itaic-Byzantine style and Archangelos Michael, completely painted in the post-Byzantine style of the 16.th century.
