Ploegos Travel And Tours

 

YEAR ROUND EXCURSIONS

7-DAY HOLIDAYS IN WHICH WE INTRODUCE YOU TO THE MANY FACES OF CYPRUS PAST AND PRESENT.

Here is an example of the excursions we offer for the year round programme. It may be necessary to vary the programme because of local conditions. We will always do our best to offer you the best options available on the day. Our intention is to help you gain maximum enjoyment from your holiday.

In Cyprus the 21st century rubs shoulders with a civilization 10,000 years old; and shares the result generously with the many visitors who grace the island. The beauty of the landscape, the mildness of the climate and the charm of the people merge with a myriad of other threads to weave a unique tapestry of living history.


YOUR HOLIDAY

We will transfer you between Larnaka airport and your hotel on arrival and departure
Accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your holiday price except for lunch on the seventh day. On this day we offer you the opportunity to spend some free time in Lefkosia and sample a taverna of your choice.

During your holiday you will be offered six full days of excursions that will take you to many different areas of the island. Pre booked hotel accommodation will be in Larnaka, Pafos or Polis, whichever is nearest to our excursion destination each day.
At the time of booking we ask you to inform us of any special requirements you have.
On request we can arrange a second week's accommodation, either including or excluding excursions.


Climate

Cyprus normally enjoys sunny weather from May to September, with between eleven and thirteen hours of sunshine each day. In summer the nights can be extremely sticky and humid near the coast, though cooling sea breezes moderate daytime temperatures.
Lefkosia has consistently high temperatures in the summer months and this is the time of year when the coolness of the mountain air beckons.
Mixed weather and sudden storms are possible in spring and autumn, however they are usually short-lived. From November onward winter is likely to bring some rain in all areas and snow on the Troodos Mountains.
Even in winter it is possible to enjoy six hours of sunshine daily.

Because of the nature of this holiday a certain amount of walking is necessary if you would like to see everything in the programme. We suggest you bring suitable footwear and clothing. Temperatures will vary according to the time of year, so will the type of clothing required to keep you comfortable. Please ask at the time of booking if you need more advice about what to bring with you.

Beachwear and light clothing are ideal for the summer months, with comfortable, lightweight lace up shoes for walking and sandals for other occasions. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for walking on the nature trails.
Warmer clothes are needed for the winter, even at sea level. Heavier attire is necessary for visits to the mountains; anoraks and fleeces are ideal. The air can sometimes feel cool, even in the summer months.

The Greek Orthodox Churches and Monasteries we will visit have a dress code. In order to show respect women are requested to wear skirts that reach below the knee and men are requested to wear long trousers.


Day One

ARRIVAL DAY:

Reception and dinner
This is the opportunity to meet your tour leaders and receive information about the programme for the coming week.

Accommodation in Larnaka

Larnaka

Larnaka, a town with an easy going pace, has strong links to the past. In the heart of modern Larnaka one finds remains of the ancient city-kingdom of Kition, reminiscent of its glorious days.
The Mycenaean Greeks fortified the town with cyclopean walls in the 12th Century BC while the Phoenicians founded a powerful kingdom here in the 9th Century BC. Kition is the birthplace of the philosopher Zeno, founder of the Stoic School, and it is here that Saint Lazaros
came to live after his resurrection. In the 18th Century it became a commercial centre and the seat of European consulates. The delightful Palm Trees Promenade, its fort and its old quarter give Larnaka its unique character. The nearby salt lake is a favourite stop over spot for thousands of migrant birds in winter, while on its edge in a tranquil setting stands a popular Muslim pilgrimage place.
The whole district of Larnaka has something special to offer the visitor, including Khirokitia, the oldest Neolithic settlement on the island, Stavrovouni Monastery and the famous Church of Angeloktisti.


Day Two
1) Kition excavations.
One of the most important ancient city-kingdoms, with architectural remains dating back to the 13th century BC.
In about 1200 BC the Mycenaean Greeks rebuilt it, and excavations have revealed cyclopean walls made of giant blocks of stone as well as a complex of five temples.
2) Larnaka District Archaeological Museum
An interesting collection of finds from the Larnaka area dating from the Neolithic age to the Roman Period.
3) Agios Lazaros Church
Saint Lazaros is the patron Saint of Larnaka. Kition became his second home after his resurrection by Jesus Christ.
Saints Barnabas and Mark ordained him Bishop of Kition and he lived here for 30 years.
In the 9th century Emperor Leo VI erected a magnificent church over Saint Lazaros' tomb, which can still be seen under the sanctuary.
The church, faithfully restored in the 17th century, is one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus.
The iconostasis is an excellent example of baroque woodcarving.
There is an ecclesiastical museum behind the church.
Picnic at the Salt Lake forest
4) Temenos Tekke
Built in 1816 over the tomb of Umm Haram, allegedly a relative of Prophet Mohammed who died on this spot in 649 during the first Arab raids. The mosque is an important place of Moslem pilgrimage ranking immediately after the shrines of Mecca, Medina and Al Aqsha in Jerusalem.
5) Kiti Church, Angeloktisti
Angeloktisti means 'Built by the Angels' This 11th Century Byzantine church was erected over the ruins of an early Christian basilica. The original apse survives; together with one of the finest pieces of Byzantine art. The rare 6th century mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Child between the two archangels rivals the Ravenna Mosaics.
6) Light House at Cape Kiti for swimming or the sunset
This breathtaking area is at the southeastern tip of the island. First impressions show the seascape as such deep shades of green and blue they would be unbelievable in a painting. But a closer inspection proves the seawater to be crystal clear, inviting the keen snorkeller and the timid bather to venture in for a cooling swim.
From the west at sunset the area is bathed in the whole spectrum of red, orange and gold. A magical place to visit.

Dinner and Accommodation in Larnaka

Day Three

1) Khirokitia
This site represents, through its consecutive phases of building, the whole history of the Neolithic period in Cyprus and divulges precious information about the spread of the Neolithic culture throughout the region. The settlement is in a better state of preservation than most others from this period, not only in Cyprus, but also in the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Five dwellings have been reconstructed following the Neolithic model, using the same methods and traditional materials. They have been furnished with copies of objects actually found inside the houses during excavations to give a more realistic impression of the original layout of the village.
The plants and trees around the huts are representative of flora grown in Cyprus since Neolithic times.
The ancient site of Khirokitia was added to the UNESCO world Cultural Heritage official list in 1998.
2) Agios Minas Convent
A 15th Century monastery with a church at the centre of the cloisters. The nuns, besides performing their religious rites, are involved with icon painting.
3) Lefkara
A picturesque village, famous for its local lace known as 'Lefkaritika' and for its silverware. According to tradition, Leonardo Da Vinci visited the village and bought an altar cloth, which he donated to Milan Cathedral. The beautiful House of Patsalos is home to the Lace and Silverware Museum of Lefkara. The lace is featured on the Cyprus one-pound note.
The Church of Archangelos Michail in Kato Lefkara is of a single aisled, domed type and has wall paintings of the 12th Century. At Pano Lefkara there is the Church of the Holy Cross with a beautiful 18th Century iconostasis and a unique 13th Century silver cross. A religious fair takes place on the 13th and 14th of September, in celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.


Lunch is Cyprus meze at a traditional taverna in the village of Vavatsinia
4) Pottery workshops at Kornos
Village women use coarse red clay from the Mountains of Stavrovouni to fashion water and wine jars using traditional methods. Pots are fired in ovens fuelled by wood from the forests. The Cyprus one-pound note carries an illustration of the pots.
5) Agia Thekla Monastery
Dating from 1471, this monastery is believed to have links with St. Helena who is reputed to have founded a monastery here in the 4th century AD. There is a holy well beneath the apse of the church. Resident nuns tend the monastery with loving care.
Dinner and accommodation in Larnaka


DAY FOUR
To Paphos via
1) 1) Amathous
One of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus where, according to mythology, Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne to be taken care of after his battle with the Minotaur. A very important cult of Aphrodite-Astarte flourished here. Excavations have revealed parts of the Acropolis and Agora areas, as well as part of the upper and lower city. The remains, including five early Christian Basilicas, date from the Archaic, Roman and Christian periods.
2) Through Limmassol and Fasouri plantation
The plantations are near the Akrotiri Salt Lakes. This is a fruit growing area with many kinds of citrus fruit trees, particularly grapefruit, but also lemons, oranges and mandarins.
The grape vines have a long growing season. The earliest varieties are picked in May and harvesting of the red and white table grapes continues until October.
3) 3) Kourion excavations
An important ancient city-kingdom, and one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island where excavations still bring new treasures to light. The magnificent Graeoco Roman Theatre was originally built in the 2nd Century BC and is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances.

The House of Eustolios, originally a private Roman villa, became a public recreation centre during the Early Christian period. It consists of a complex of baths and a number of rooms with beautiful 5th Century AD mosaic floors. The Early Christian basilica dated to the 5th Century was probably the Cathedral of Kourion with a baptistery attached to the north face. The House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators have beautiful mosaic floors. The Nymphaeum, dedicated to water nymphs, is an elegant Roman structure. The Stadium is sited 1km to the west, on the right side of the road to Pafos, and is dated to the 2nd Century AD.
Lunch or Picnic
4) 4) Petra tou Romiou - Birthplace of Aphrodite
Traditionally, the birthplace of Aphrodite Goddess of love, beauty and fertility. The majestic white rocks rising from the foam mark the place where, legend would have us believe, Aphrodite rose from the sea.
5) 5) Yeroskipou, 'Holy gardens of Aphrodite'.
The Church of Agia Paraskeve is one of the most interesting Byzantine Churches on the island and dates from the 9th Century AD. It is a basilica surmounted by five domes forming a cross and has beautiful mural paintings dating from the 9th to the 15th Centuries.
Pafos or Polis for dinner and accommodation

Day Five
1) 1) Akamas
A wildly beautiful peninsula where plants flourish throughout the year. Mountains, gorges and open spaces are worth exploring to see how many of the 33 endemic varieties of flowers can be discovered.
2) 2) Baths of Aphrodite
According to legend, the goddess Aphrodite used to take her beauty baths in a pool of a natural grotto, shaded by a fig tree, which can still be visited.
3) 3) Nature trail of Aphrodite or Adonis
The nature trails set off from Akamas to lead nature lovers to incomparable views of unspoiled land.

Picnic or lunch at a village taverna


4) 4) Copper mines
For many centuries Cyprus was the biggest producer of copper in the known world. Production and export peaked in the late 14th and early 13th centuries BC. Copper production and trading brought wealth to the Cypriot people, enabling them to import durable luxury goods made from gold, silver and ivory. Archaeological excavations of slag heaps in the Troodos foothills and other parts of the island are providing valuable insights into the life styles of previous inhabitants of the island.
5) 5) Agios Rafael Church or villages and the Monastery of Chrysovoyiatissa
A new church by the seaside, with many paintings in the Byzantine style.

Dinner and accommodation at Pafos or Polis


Day Six

To Larnaka via
1) 1) Monuments of Pafos
The archaeological site of Kato Pafos includes areas and monuments from prehistoric times up to and including the Middle Ages, with most remains dating to the Roman period. The remarkable mosaic floors of four villas of the Roman period are the epitome of all these findings. Other important monuments are the Odeon, the early Christian basilica and the fort of Saranta Kolones

2) 2) Tombs of the Kings
Spread over a vast area, these impressive underground tombs date back to the 4th Century BC. They are carved out of solid rock with some being decorated with Doric pillars. High officials rather than kings were buried here, but the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name.


3) 3) Mosaics and other excavations
The mosaic floors of these noblemen's villas dating from the 3rd to the 5th Century AD are considered among the finest in the eastern Mediterranean. They mainly depict scenes from Greek mythology.

Picnic at the picnic site near to Pafos Airport

4) 4) Kouklia
Palaipafos, old Pafos has been recorded in the World Heritage List as the most important and ancient sacred precinct in Cyprus.

5) 5) Museum of Kouklia
Housed in the Lusignan Manor, a house that has been restored by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities; it contains many interesting finds from the area, and excavations continue on the site of the sanctuary, the city and the necropolis.

6) 6) Sanctuary of Aphrodite
Palaipafos, Old Pafos, was one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the ancient Greek world, and once city-kingdom of Cyprus. Here stood the former sanctuary of Aphrodite, the most ancient remains of which date back to the 12th Century BC. The glorious days of the sanctuary lasted till the 3rd-4th Century.

7) Revisit Birthplace of Aphrodite if there is time

Dinner and accommodation in Larnaka


Day Seven
Lefkosia lies roughly at the centre of the island and has a rich history that can be traced back to the Bronze Age. It only became the capital of the island in the 11th Century AD. The Lusignans turned it into a magnificent city with a Royal Palace and over fifty churches. Today it blends its historic past brilliantly with the bustle of modern life.
The heart of the city, enclosed by 16th Century Venetian walls, is dotted with museums, ancient churches and mediaeval buildings, preserving the nostalgic atmosphere of years past. Yet this old heart is split in two, leaving Lefkosia as the only remaining capital still divided by force. The new Lefkosia developed outside the walls, and has become a contemporary cosmopolitan business and cultural centre.
Excursion to Lefkosia to visit museums and the old city.

1) 1) Cyprus Museum
A priceless and fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic age to the Early Byzantine period.
2) 2) Kasteliotissa
This Medieval hall, with its strong gothic elements, was once part of a Lusignan Palace that dates back to the 13th-14th Centuries.
3) 3) Shopping
Two hours free time to wander through Lefkosia at your own pace and sample the taverna of your choice for lunch.
4) 4) The Leventis Municipal Museum of Lefkosia
The historical museum of Lefkosia revives life in the capital from ancient times to the present day.
5) 5) Agios Ioannis Cathedral
Built by Bishop Nikiforos in 1662, the 18th Century wall paintings depict scenes from the Bible and the discovery of the tomb of Saint Barnabas at Salamis. Dedicated to Agios Ioannis Theologos (Saint John the Theologian
Gala Dinner and Accommodation in Larnaka

Day Eight DEPARTURE