6 Days Timeless Cyprus: A Cultural and Culinary Adventure

Day 1: Arrival Paphos (13km – 30min)

Upon landing at Paphos Airport, head to the Arrivals hall where you will find a representative holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel, where you can settle in before spending the rest of this first day at your leisure (private transfer from Larnaca Airport is available at additional cost). Overnight in Paphos.

Day 2: Paphos – Kourion, Kolossi, Omodos & Wine Full Day Tour

Delight in a tasty breakfast at the hotel and prepare for a full-day tour, where you'll see the archaeological site of Kourion, venture to the village of Omodos and cap off the day with a wine tasting. First, we will dive straight into the past to see Petra tou Romiou, a sea stack where, local legend has it, the goddess Aphrodite was born. The ancient past takes on a more tangible form at Kourion, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Cyprus. Visit its Roman baths and amble into its centrepiece, the Greco-Roman theatre. It's still used for concerts. And up next is the Crusader-built Kolossi Castle, which belonged to the Knights Templar from the 14th century. Lunch is in a family-owned restaurant. It's as famed for its country fare made from locally sourced ingredients as it is for its scenic location in the hills. Then, we'll head to the mountain-nestled village of Omodos, where you'll have free time to wander around skinny cobbled streets lined with Byzantine buildings. And to round off the day, we'll visit the winery. Here, you'll sample some of its award-winning wines, including the commandaria variety, which Richard the Lionheart baptised as the ‘wine of kings and the king of wines'. Overnight in Paphos.

Day 3: Paphos – Lefkara & Nicosia Tour

Have breakfast at the hotel before today's walking tour of Lefkara and Nicosia. After being picked up, you'll head to your first stop, the village of Lefkara. This picturesque little spot is known across the island for its silver and lace handicrafts. You'll have plenty of opportunities to shop for some yourself as you follow your guide around some of the village's cobbled lanes. From here, drive to Nicosia, where you'll kick off your tour at Laiki Geitonia. This part of the city is completely pedestrianised and is nestled inside 16th-century Venetian walls. Most of the houses here have been restored from the 18th century, so be sure to have your camera ready – the stonework on show is something else. Finally, you'll follow your guide through the checkpoint and into the northern part of the city. There are loads of postcard-worthy landmarks on display here, like the Cathedral of Saint Sophia, the most important religious building in Nicosia. It's over 700 years old and, although it was built as a cathedral, it's now used as a mosque. *Pickup for the Lefkara & Nicosia walking tour is at the Atlantica Bay Hotel. Please make your own way to the hotel. The exact pickup time will be provided in the booking confirmation. Overnight in Paphos.

Day 4: Paphos

Recharge your energies with a delicious breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the day free at leisure. Overnight in Paphos.

Day 5: Paphos – Troodos Mountains – Paphos (180km 3hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel, get ready to discover some of the rural gems of Cyprus on the Troodos Mountains full-day tour. First up is a visit to the small, olive tree-lined village of Platanisteia. The place's claim to fame is the 20th-century artist Hambis Tsangaris, who lived and worked here in the 80s. You'll tour the printmaking museum that he established, see his work and learn about his inspirations, from the Cypriot landscape to folk stories and war. From here, you'll begin climbing into the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, making your next stop at the little village of Arsos. It's set among the many vineyards of this wine-making centre, giving it a rustic feel that gets stronger as you see the terracotta rooftops and brightly painted shutters of the houses here. Pull up a chair and relax for a morning coffee at one of the local cafes. Finally, you'll take scenic mountain tracks to reach a dense forest. Hiding among the pines is the Medieval Tzelefos Bridge, a Venetian stone bridge over the Diarizos River. It's a great place to grab a selfie and then take a wander in the woods, where you can breathe in the wild herbs that grow along the river before returning to Paphos Overnight in Paphos.

Day 6: Departure Paphos (13km – 30min)

After one last breakfast at your hotel, bid farewell to Cyprus as you hop onto a comfortable transfer to Paphos International Airport, where you will catch your flight to your following destination. We hope the memories of this trip will stay with you for a lifetime – have a safe journey!