Cyprus
8 days - by Air

Discover alluring beaches, bustling resorts, fragrant mountain peaks, vineyards studded with olive trees and ancient ruins on this superb value winter sunshine holiday to the Jewel of the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus!

Perfectly located in the Eastern Mediterranean, English speaking Cyprus is an island of contrasts where it is possible to ski in the Troodos mountains in the morning and water-ski in the warm Mediterranean Sea in the afternoon. It gives you a chance to experience a fascinating country that effortlessly combines modern European culture with ancient traditions and rich historical past.

The island enjoys a very agreeable climate all year round. It has many delightful beaches and is steeped in history, with many places of architectural and archaeological importance, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not only do most of the locals speak very good English, but they also drive on the left making it feel like a home from home - only rather warmer!

Our holiday includes an orientation tour of Paphos so you can familiarise yourself with the area around the hotel, and also, excursions to the Troodos Mountains and Nicosia. For your convenience you can fly to Paphos from Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester airports, and we have chosen a superb hotel in Paphos, the 4 star Athena Beach, as the base for your winter sunshine holiday.

Paphos
Situated on the west coast of Cyprus, Paphos has grown into a very popular and cosmopolitan resort whilst still boasting many amazing mosaics, palaces, Roman theatres and forts, together with the Tombs of Kings. The Old Town is where you will find the main shopping area, whilst the resort area, situated by the sea, hosts numerous tavernas, restaurants, shops and bars. The resort’s focal point is the charming fishing harbour by the ancient Paphos fort. Nearby is Petra Tou Romio, the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. Needless to say there are several beaches nearby, with the best being in the Coral Bay area, just a short bus ride away.

Troodos Mountains
An excursion into the mountains is the ideal way to discover the alternative side of Cyprus to its golden beaches. Rising to almost 2,000 metres above sea level, the Troodos peaks provide panoramic views to all corners of the island, a cool retreat from the heat of the coast and are popular for taking in the healthy mountain air and enjoying nature in all its majesty. Charming villages, some with cobbled streets and preserved folk architecture, nestle on terraced slopes amongst the pines or amid vineyards, orchards, and burbling mountain streams. The Troodos Mountains are where the painted churches of Cyprus can be found - superb examples of Byzantine art, ten of which have been put on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Nicosia
Lefkosia (Nicosia), the island’s capital, combines both old and new in a busy modern commercial and business centre juxtaposed with a centuries-old culture. The centre of the city is its old quarter, surrounded by a Venetian sandstone fortress wall with a moat and heart shaped bastions. Mosques and palm trees give an exotic atmosphere to the old city. Wander round narrow streets with overhanging balconies and the beautifully restored pedestrian precinct with craft shops, cafés and tavernas. Take time to visit St. John’s Cathedral with its frescos and also, the marvellous museum of Byzantine icons. Another must see is the Famagusta Gate, one of the three original entrances into the old city, which has now been restored and is used as a cultural centre. Lefkosia offers the best in shopping and Stasikratous Street is the place for the ultimate shopping experience!

This tour is organised and operated by Omega Holidays plc ABTA V4782 ATOL 6081

• Return flight from your chosen airport to Paphos†
• Return transfer from Paphos airport to your hotel
• Seven nights stay in a twin/double bedded room* at the 4 star Athena Beach Hotel, Paphos
• Half board, dinner and breakfast
• A sight-seeing tour of Paphos
• Included excursions to the Troodos Mountains and Nicosia
• Entrance to the Mosaics in Paphos
• Admission to the Cathedral of St. John and the Byzantine Museum in Nicosia
• Free time to explore Paphos and the surrounding area
• Services of an English-speaking representative
• All airport taxes and security charges and the
• Government tax on air travel (APD)
• VAT at the government's prevailing rate at the date of travel

† Our price includes your flights for which we have allowed a reasonable budget. However, at your time of booking, should the cost of your flight exceed this budget, we reserve the right to charge a supplement, which we will advise you of before we confirm your reservation. Flight supplements are payable in full at the time of booking.

Day 1 - Gather at your chosen departure airport for your flight to Paphos. On arrival, you will be met by our English-speaking representative and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - After breakfast, you may if you wish attend a Welcome Meeting held by your representative. Useful information about Paphos and the surrounding area will available, and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. The rest of the day will be free to relax and enjoy the hotel’s many facilities.

Day 3 - This morning we will depart on a tour around Paphos town. Our first stop will take us to the picturesque harbour area where we will visit the famous Mosaics, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with particular attention to the House of Dionysos dating back to the 3rd-5th centuries AD. We continue to St Paul’s Pillar which is situated in the church courtyard of an early Byzantine Basilica. According to legend, the Apostle was flogged before converting the then Roman Governor Sergius Paulus to Christianity. Our next stop will be the market area in Upper Paphos where there will be free time to look around the various small shops. A visit to the nearby village of Geroskipou is a must where the famous ‘Cyprus Delight’ is made; there will be an opportunity to taste some of the various types! We will return to your hotel in the early afternoon.

Day 4 - After breakfast we will depart on our full day excursion to the Troodos Mountains, the green heart of Cyprus with its traditional and picturesque villages, lovely churches and peaceful monasteries. We begin just below the peak of Mount Olympus and arrive at Kykkos Monastery, the wealthiest and most famous Monastery on the island. The monastery was founded at the end of the 11th century and it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It also possesses one of three surviving icons of Our Lady said to have been painted by Saint Luke. We will then continue to the village of Omodos, once the property of Sir John de Brie, Prince of Galilee, famous for its wine and the Holy Cross Monastery standing by the stone paved square. There will be some free time here for lunch and a stroll around the village before we return to Paphos via Panayia village and Cedar Valley.

Day 5 - Today is free for you to spend at leisure in and around Paphos or venture a little further afield to maybe Coral Bay to enjoy the fabulous beaches there.

Day 6 -No visit to Cyprus would be complete without taking in a visit to its fascinating capital city, the only divided capital in the world. Nicosia is bustling with life and it has the ability to blend the old with the new. Among other places of interest, we will visit the Cathedral of St. John and the Byzantine Museum dating back to the 16th century. Among the paintings there are also four large icons that were painted by John Kornaro in the 18th century. We will continue towards the centre of Nicosia and the city within the walls. Take a walk, lunch or do some shopping and explore ‘Laiki Yitonia’, the old neighbourhood with its souvenir shops, cafes and tavernas. Walk down to the point where the city is divided in two. We will leave Nicosia in the late afternoon and return to our hotel.

Day 7 - Your last full day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel’s surroundings or some last minute shopping for souvenirs and presents to take home.

Day 8 - Sadly it is time to say farewell to beautiful Cyprus and return to the airport for your flight home.

This break is a day trip and therefore does not use a hotel