What to expect

1st DAY: Wednesday 9/10/2013: BEIRUT-LARNAKA -DERINIA – LIMASSOS

Arrive early at morning in Larnaca and start our program in the beautiful city with many palm trees. We will worship the famous church of St. Lazarus, where the second tomb of  the Saint and his carriage, the ancient Church of Panagia Aggeloktisti, the women’s Monastery of Agios Minas and we will visit the beautiful and picturesque village of Lefkara. Late afternoon transfer to Limassol. Arrange in our hotel. Dinner.

2nd DAY: Thursday 10/10/2013: LEMESOS – TROODOS – CYPRUS

After breakfast, depart for a full day excursion to the mountainous green resorts of Cyprus and the pristine Troodos. Route through the picturesque wineglasses of Limassol, the lively Platres and the lush villages Prodromos, Pedoulas. Stop in the picturesque village of Omodos where in the center of the village is built one of the oldest and most historic monasteries of the island, the monastery of the Holy Cross. When Saint Helen visited Cyprus, she leftat the Monastery a piece of the Holy rope and the Holy Wood. With this rope, the Romans tied Christ to the Cross describing it as reddish and “engraved by the blood of Christ.” Crossing Troodos Mountains, we reach the Monastery of Trooditissa, founded in the 13th century, where there is the precious icon of the Virgin, covered with silver leaf, which has been transferred from Asia Minor. Departure for the historic and famous Monastery of Panagia Kykkos, built in 1092 AD by the Byzantines. The monastery ownes one of the three saved images of the Virgin Mary attributed to Lucasthe Apostle. Pilgrimage to the throne of the virgin. Return to Limassol. Dinner, overnight.

3rd Day: Friday 11/10/2013: LEMESOS – SAINT HERALKEIDOS – NICOSIA

After breakfast depart for Nicosia. Visit to the Byzantine Monastery of Machairas, one of the most important Monasteries of Cyprus, which was founded in 1148, where the holy refuge of Machairas. Guided tour of the city of Nicosia. Visit to the Green Line, the Church of St. John, the Holy Archdiocese, the Tomb of Makedonitissa, where the memorials of the Greek fighters of 1974 and the Prisoned Memories are the tombs of the brave men of the anti-colonial struggle. We continue with Laiki Neighborhood, the Presidential Palace, and the Venetian Walls. Return to Limassol where time is free for shopping in the city’s rich market. Dinner, overnight.

4th DAY Saturday 12/10/2013: LEMESOS – PAPHOS-LIMASSOS

After breakfast Departure for the beautiful city of Paphos. Crossing the vineyards and orange groves of Fassouri, we will see the Knights’ Tower in Kolossi and continue for the Greco-Roman Kourion with its baths and Ancient Theater. The path passes by the stone of Rome, where mythology says that Aphrodite was born. In Pafos visit the picturesque harbor of lowerPaphos with the Venetian Castle and the Byzantine Church of Agia Paraskevi and the villa of Dionysus. A guided tour of the unique mosaics of Paphos, the tombs of the Kings, the Church of Theoskepasti, the column of Apostle Paul. Pilgrimage to the Monastery of Agios Neophytos, was founded in 1200 AD, famous for it, carved in the rock by the hermit himself Agios Neophytos, and its exceptional Byzantine frescoes. Lunch (optional) at the picturesque harbor of Kato Paphos with the picturesque taverns. Return to Limassol. Dinner and overnight.

5th DAY Sunday 13/10/2013: LEMESOS – AMMOCHOSTOS – LARNAKA

Breakfast and departure for the Holy Monastery of Saint Kendea. Visit to Ayia Napa and Famagusta where we admire the best beaches of Cyprus and the most extreme spot of free Cyprus to see the Famagusta Neighboring City and the magnificent Venetian Monastery in Ayia Napa. Transfer   afternoon to Larnaca airport and flight to Beirut