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All excursions are bookable on the ship
Lefkara
Who needs museums when you can walk the streets of
Larnaca? It’s bulging at the seams with historical
sites, including the Church of St Lazarus, which is the
first calling point. The limestone building dates back
as far as the 9th century, and was beautifully restored
in the 17th. Plus, it’s one of only three Byzantine
churches still left in Cyprus. It guards a very precious
cache – the tomb of St Lazarus, which can be seen from
inside the sanctuary. There’ll also be time to explore
the town’s old quarter before moving on to Lefkara. It’s
a quaint-looking maze of winding alleys where women sit
in the sun working on embroidery. The village is famous
for lefkaritika – lacework - and rumour has it Leonardo
da Vinci was that taken by it, he had an altar cloth
made for Milan cathedral.
£31.00/£22.00 (4hrs)
Nicosia - Walk The Line
If you’re after a good holiday story, how about being
able to say you’ve visited the last divided capital city
in the world? Nicosia is a real mix of old and new.
Dating back to 1665, St John’s Cathedral is the
centrepiece of Archbishop Kyprianou Square, and a great
place for a photo stop. As you then walk down Ledra
Street, try and keep a control on your credit card –
this is the heart of Nicosia’s shopping district. And at
the end of the road is the UN Green Line checkpoint that
divides the city. After the Turks invaded in 1974, one
half of the city fell under Turkish rule, while half
remained Greek. Because of the division, it’s not
unusual to be walking down the street, only to find a
brick wall blocking one end. Crossing into northern
Nicosia is a bit like stepping back in time. Take a look
at Buyuk Han – the Great Inn – which was originally a
rest stop for travellers. It’s now an open-air museum of
sorts, with traditional music, talks and demonstrations
giving you a peek at life in old Nicosia. Just so you
know… You will need to carry your passport to cross the
checkpoint.
£49.00/£39.00 (5hrs)
Nicosia City Tour
Culture vultures take note – this tour takes in some
serious history and architecture. You’ll start with the
Cyprus Archaeological Museum, a hangover from the
British Empire days. It’s packed to the rafters with
artefacts spanning Neolithic to early Byzantine periods.
And it’s most famous resident is the statue of Aphrodite
from Soli, which is now the symbol of Cyprus. You’ll
also visit the Venetian walls which protect the old city
and lead up to the Paphos Gate. It’s now a UN watchpost
marking the divide between Turkish and Greek Nicosia.
There’s also plenty of time to mooch around the city
itself, whether you fancy a bit more sightseeing and
souvenir shopping. Or, if all that history has worn you
out, stop for meze or coffee at a taverna in the Laiki
Yeitonia district.
£34.00/£23.00 (4.5hrs)
Famagusta
The ancient town of Salamis is the first stop on this
half-day tour. Once the capital of Cyprus, it’s a
treasure trove of Roman and Byzantine remains. You’ll
have an hour to look around, then, after a quick stop
for a coffee, you’ll head to the Medieval centre of
Famagusta. The first must-see here is the huge citadel.
It’s known as Othello’s Tower, and it was built to
protect the harbour from invasion. You’ll also pay a
visit to St Nicholas Cathedral, which dominates the
city’s main square. Under Ottoman rule, it became a
mosque back in 1571, and there’ll be time to take a look
inside it. After that, we’ll head back to the port via
Famagusta’s “sleeping city”. This area has been closed
off since the Turkish invasion of 1974, when its
inhabitants fled. Since then, nothing has been touched
and it’s remained empty, so it makes for a pretty eerie
sight. Just so you know… We’ll be visiting a place of
worship, so you’ll need to make sure your legs and
shoulders are covered. Women will need a headscarf, too.
£48.00/£33.00 (5hrs)
Aphrodite's Rock, Paphos Mosaics & Kourion Theatre
Up the romance factor with a trip to Petra Tou Romiou,
otherwise known as Aphrodite’s Rock. This is said to be
the spot where the goddess of love emerged from the sea.
Legend has it that if you swim around the rock naked,
it’ll bring good luck, although others claim you’ll be
fertile for life – so be careful what you wish for. It’s
then onto Paphos, which is all picturesque churches and
Medieval monasteries, plus a postcard-pretty harbour
watched over by a small castle. You’ll get to visit the
house of Dionysos, where Greek myths and legend are
played out on intricate mosaics that run throughout the
villa. By this time, you’re bound to have worked up an
appetite, so lunch at a taverna is next on the menu.
Last, but by no means least, you’ll visit the Acropolis
of Kourion. This impressive Greco-Roman site includes a
theatre built in the 2nd century, which is still used
for performances.
£41.00/£26.00 (7.5hrs)
Famagusta
A real history fest, this trip starts with Salamis, the
ancient capital of Cyprus. Today it’s all towering
columns, statues, and an impressive amphitheatre. Next
up it’s on to Othello’s Tower. It got its name from the
Shakespeare play and guards the entrance to Famagusta.
Head into the city’s now abandoned old quarter. It’s
like time stopped when Turks invaded in 1974. It’s eerie
to see department stores still with their window
displays. Later, you’ll hit Ayia Napa for lunch at a
harbour-side taverna, before finishing the day with a
stop in Larnaca. The big draw here is the Church of St
Lazarus, but you’ll have time to explore the city at
your own pace before heading back to the ship.
£53.00/£43.00 (7.5hrs)
Filoxenia
This trip takes you to the villages of Filoxenia. In
English the name means ‘friend of strangers’, so it’s no
surprise you’ll find a warm welcome here. First up is
Monagri. There you’ll get to try ‘commandaria’, a
traditional olive pie, as well as having a go at making
it. Then it’s on to Omodhos.Taking centre-stage at one
end of main cobble-stoned square is the pretty Monastery
of the Holy Cross. Have a mooch through the village
before finishing the day in Vouni. It’s a scenic jumble
of cobbled streets and Venetian-style houses. You’ll be
welcomed into one of the houses for a Cypriot aperitif
and traditional meze, including the delicious local ‘souvla’.
£53.00/£43.00 (7hrs)
Shore excursion and prices are subject to change and
latest prices will be available onboard the ship.
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