4VIP Tour

Day 1

Arrival to Cyprus and accommodation in the Hotel

Day 2

Full day trip to Birth Place of Aphrodite (Paphos).

According to one legend, Aphrodite was born from the waves on the site off the coast of Cyprus. Hesiod, in his Theogony (circa 8th century BC), provides a dramatic account of the event. Cronus, son of Gaia, castrated his father Uranus on his mother’s orders because of Uranus’ infidelity, and his testicles fell into the sea. A cascade of effervescent white foam appeared from which a damsel of extraordinary beauty arose. This maiden was named Aphrodite who was then escorted ashore on a shell by the soft breezes of the Zephyrs to the rocks known as Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek) and also Aphrodite’s Rock.

According to another, this place is indeed the birthplace of Aphrodite. It is believed that she emerged from the sea at this bay. Aphrodite herself chose the famous rock to begin her life as a human. It is said that Aphrodite first traveled to the island of Cythera, but she found it too small and therefore reached Paphos and settled here. Whichever the legend, this is a popular site for an excursion in Cyprus.

After the lunch we will continue our journey to the Bath of Aphrodite.

The ‘Baths of Aphrodite’ is an area on the way to Akamas National Park just after pictures village of Latchi which attracts many visitors. This beauty spot is situated close to the tip of the Akamas peninsula. A natural pool grotto surrounded in greenery, the site lies at the end of a small nature trail. As its name suggests, the grotto is said to be where the Goddess of Love used to bath in a pond just before her marriage to Hephaestus, the maker of the weapons for the gods. Another version says she was married to Ares, the God of War. Whichever the version, the Baths of Aphrodite provide a magnificent view of the Bay of Polis. You can enjoy the most beautiful sunset during the dinner from the restaurant on the cliff.

Day 3

Tours in Cyprus generally include an excursion to one of the traditional Cyprus village for Olive Oil making experience, which is something unique and unforgettable. If you want to do something different and memorable during your stay in Cyprus, then Olive Oil making trip is a must for you.

The olive tree has co-existed with the inhabitants of Cyprus from the Neolithic period (6th millennium BC) to the present day, not only in the countryside but also in the towns. One can see in the gardens of houses, side by side the beloved traditional trees of Cyprus: the lemon tree and the olive tree.

The cultivation of the olive tree began during the 2nd millennium BC but the earliest evidence of production of olive oil on the island goes back to the end of the 13th century BC, the period to which the oldest olive presses that have been discovered in settlements and temples date back (Hadjisavvas 1992 and Hadjisavvas 1996, 59-63).

In antiquity Cyprus was well-known as a place rich in olive trees and olive oil, evelaios according to Strabo, and Cypriot olive oil was much sought after as being light and easily digestible (Strabo 14. 6 .5).

The olive tree is hardy and long-lived. There are some very old olive trees in Cyprus, their trunks full of roomy hollows. The so-called frankoelies (Frankish olives) are thought to go back to the period of Frankish rule (1191-1489), while another variety of olive tree is called apostolitzi (apostolic) because according to tradition these trees sprang from the olive stones thrown on the ground by the Apostles Paul and Barnabas during their stay on Cyprus (Aristidou 1986, 53).

During the period of Venetian rule (1489- 1571) olive trees were abundant and were distributed all over the island. Most of them, however, were wild, arkoelies (oleasters). This problem existed in recent times as well, since in 1937 Cyprus had 2.25 million olive trees of which one million were wild. With grafting and systematic cultivation from 1946- 1958, olive trees increased in number by 40% (Christodoulou 1959, 171).

Guest will be invited to use different method of oil making. After our guest satisfied with the results of their own oil, they will be invited to the village to sample many of local delicacies including FULL Cyprus meat meze which will includes halloumi, village breads, olives, fruits, etc., all a produce of (or made in) the village, as well as the best local wines, tending to the stronger varieties.

Day 4

Free day to explore the city

Day 5

Full day trip to Troodos for wine Making and Tasting experience.

Cyprus is renowned for the various wines it produces. Vintners have vineyards ranging from just one acre to tens of hectares. Wine is not a new story for Cyprus. Recent archaeological excavations which have been undertaken on the island have confirmed the thinking that this small island has been producing wine for almost 5,000 years. The discoveries testify that Cyprus may well be the cradle of wine development in the entire Mediterranean basin, from Greece, to Italy and France.

This historic panorama of continuous wine history that the island possesses is just one of the reasons that make a trip to the wine villages such a fascinating prospect. A second important reason is the wines of today -finding and getting to know our regional wineries, which are mostly small and enchanting.

All visitors will be able to try unforgettable experience in wine making ceremony and after that will be able to sample as many different sort of wine as you wish during your journeys along the ‘Wine Routes’ of Cyprus.

We will stop for dinner in some of the pictures villages with waterfalls along the route.

Day 6

We continue our journey with visit to one of the famous Archeological site mount of Kourion, on which the ancient city-kingdom developed, occupies a dominant position on the coast 4 km southwest of the village of Episkopi in Limassol district. The earliest evidence of settlement in the broader area of Kourion dates to the Neolithic period (4500-3900 B.C.), whilst the most ancient remains in the area of the ancient city itself are connected with settlements and tombs of the Middle and Late Bronze Age. According to tradition Kourion was founded by Argives in the 13th century BC, during the first wave of the Mycenaean expansion and others followed the Argives in the 12th century as a result of the Dorian invasion of Greece.

Systematic excavations were undertaken in 1933-54 by the Pennsylvania University Museum with a break during the war years. During the excavations, the building of the Achilles Mosaic, the Theatre, the Baths and the Complex of Eustolios, the Stadium and the Sanctuary of Apollon Hylates came to light. In 1974-1979 the American Mission of the Dumbarton Oaks Centre for Byzantine Studies carried out excavations in the Early Christian Basilica of Kourion. At the same time (from 1964 until today) the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus excavated the Agora, the House of Gladiators, the Small Basilica next to the Stadium and the newly discovered Coastal Basilica. The Department is also responsible for the creation of the archaeological park of Kourion.

The city has a very large market place and you can find an early Christian Basilica as well within the city walls. Furthermore, large public baths which were equipped with cold, warm and hot spas were built. The large amphitheater sits 2000 spectators and held mostly gladiator games in the city; there is also a Palestra or a training place for gladiators. It’s one of the best sightseeing tours in Cyprus and must be on your Cyprus Holiday agenda.

We will stop for early dinner at one of the traditional Fish tavern on the beach at the bottom of Kourion.

Day 7

Tours in Cyprus generally include an excursion to one of the traditional Cyprus village for Halloumi making experience, which is something unique. If you want to do something different and memorable during your stay in Cyprus, then a Halloumi making trip is a must for you. Haloumi is traditional Cypriot cheese which now been exported to more than 150 countries around the World.

After our guest satisfied with the results of their own cheese, they will be invited to the village to sample many of local delicacies including FULL Cyprus meat meze which will includes also Haloumi, village breads, olives, fruits, etc., all a produce of (or made in) the village, as well as the best local wines, tending to the stronger varieties.

Day 8

Free day to explore the city

Day 9

Full day trip to Omodos to visit World famous Timios Stavros Monastery or the Monastery of the Holy Cross at Omodos which holds relics taken directly from Golgotha, the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. The most important is the Great Cross with the Holy Rope. The piece of rope was given by St. Helena on her visit in 327-328 AD. A wooden Cross with a gold and silver-plated cover is placed in a special canopy at the iconostasis, bearing various depictions from the life of Christ. At the centre of the Cross, sheltered by a golden wicket that opens, lies the ‘AGIOS CANNAVOS’ (Holy Hemp-made Rope), also called the ‘AGIO SCHINIO’ (Holy Rope), a piece of the rope that the Romans used to fasten Christ upon the Cross and is stained red with His blood. It is the sole existing piece in the world. This church is a wonder of the World where visitors come to pray, asking for miracles related to family issues, health and happiness.

After the Visit to Monastery, we will walk around the beautiful pebble stone street village to take the pictures and buy some souvenirs.

Surprise experience will wait for you in the afternoon when you will be invited to join Plates smashing Traditional Cyprus dinner. Every tourist is curious about is the tradition of smashing plates or glasses during celebratory occasions. The origin of this strange custom is not known in much detail. What is certain is that it originated in Greece and soon filtered down to Cyprus. Tour will arrange this experience in a trip to one of the many different Cyprus village style taverns that still conduct the ritual. One of better village taverns is in Omodos, near Troodos, with old style musicians, singers and traditional dancers included. Visitors will be offered local drink –Zivania together with full Cypriot meat meze and allowed to smash plates. After the meal, guests are entertained with Greek and Cypriot music and dancing, including the famous Sirtaki, which is an entrancing and enticing dance which will tempt you to join in.

Day 10

After breakfast, free time to explore the city. Transfer from the hotel to the airport and return to Warsaw.