Based in Paphos on Cyprus’ south west coast, this break in the winter sun offers a few days of relaxed exploration far removed from the British weather, and includes three wonderful excursions. Join us to discover Paphos’ fascinating past on a guided walking tour, explore the snow-capped Troodos Mountains, and visit lively, lovely Limassol.

Current Departures:

• Dates and prices published on this page are for the departures flying from Edinburgh only.
• Flights also available from other UK airports – Birmingham, Bristol,  East Midlands, London Gatwick, Livepool John Lennon, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle & London Stansted – click here for more information on available dates and prices.

Cyprus Discovered Tour Highlights

• Spend a week soaking up some winter sun
• A walking tour of ancient Pano Paphos
• A tour through the snow-capped Troodos Mountains
• Exploring the fascinating city of Nicosia on an optional excursion
• Visit Petra tou Romiou – the legendary birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite
• Bustling Limassol’s old port and castle

Price Includes

• Seven nights’ half-board accommodation at your chosen hotel
• Return flights from the UK to Cyprus
• Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
• Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced Tour Manager

Single supplements apply. Subject to availability.

Itinerary

Day One: Fly to Cyprus

Fly to Cyprus, meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your Paphos hotel.

Day Two: Included Paphos guided tour

Today’s included half-day guided walking tour of Paphos will reveal the extraordinary ‘Tombs of the Kings’ burial site, the famous Paphos Mosaics housed in ancient Roman villas, and the Byzantine Church of Ayia Paraskevi. There will also be an entertaining stop to see how Loukoumi – the Greek Cypriot version of Turkish Delight – is made.

Day Three: Included Troodos Mountains tour

Our second included tour takes us to the spectacular Troodos Mountains, which rise above the plains and the coast, and which have been home to remote villages and religious communities, including several wonderfully decorated Byzantine churches, for centuries.

Stop in Omodos, a pretty village of white stone buildings that is known for its wine production, see Throni Park, the burial place of Archbishop Makarios, Cyprus’ first president, and visit ancient Kykkos Monastery, famed for its Byzantine Museum, mosaics and frescoes.

Day Four: Optional Nicosia tour

Today’s fascinating optional excursion visits historic Nicosia, the island capital for more than 12 centuries. Divided in 1974 by the ‘Green Line’ separating Greek and Turkish Cypriot territories, the city is both a bustling metropolis with a sophisticated cafe culture, and a fascinating gateway to the island’s turbulent past.

You’ll also head into northern Cyprus to visit the Bellapais Abbey, made famous by author Lawrence Durrell, and the coastal port-town of Kyrenia, with its picture-book harbour and castle.

Day Five: Day at leisure

Relax in Paphos today. In addition to your hotel’s facilities, the town has sights to see, shops to discover, and even nearby golf courses to tempt the energetic.

Day Six: Included Limassol and Aphrodite’s Rock tour

Today begins with a visit to the glorious beach that is home to Petra tou Romiou, Aphrodite’s Rock, where the goddess of love is said to have risen from the waves. From here we’ll head east along the coast to the ancient ruins of Kourion, where a magnificent Second-Century BC Greco-Roman theatre that is still in use today, sits spectacularly atop the cliffs.

Your next stop will be Limassol. Here a guided tour will reveal the fascinating sights, excellent shopping, and compact Old City – home to a picturesque fishing harbour and yachting marina – of this bustling city and centre of the Cypriot wine industry. Stroll through the streets of the Turkish Quarter surrounding the Castle in search of the historic Grand Mosque and the traditional hammam bath houses that still operate here.

Day Seven: A taste of authentic Cyprus

Our final optional excursion begins with a visit to the ancient village of Anogyra. Here, amid the traditional limestone houses and cool courtyards, you will find the Pasteli museum, which chronicles the history of traditional Cypriot sweet-making.

Continuing the foodie theme, your next stops will be at a family-owned halloumi factory and at a herb farm in the
foothills of the mountains before lunch is served at a traditional tavern in the picturesque, wine-making village of Lania. Your gastronomic journey ends with an afternoon visit to Monagri, where several other Cypriot delicacies are produced.

Day Eight: Fly back to the UK

Say farewell to Paphos, and transfer to the airport to board your flight home.