You need to come to Cyprus and swim under the full moon to find eternal love.

Program

Cyprus, a no-man’s land at the crossroads between Europe and the Orient.

There are numerous exchanges between Cyprus and Beirut and Tel Aviv, lying to the east, due to their close proximity with one another. Egypt is around 400 kilometres to the south, but most importantly, the Turkish coasts are less than 100 kilometres to the north.

From the 12th to the 15th century, Cyprus belonged to the French Lusignan family and relics of the family’s past can be seen today.  After the fall of Acre in 1291, the island was home to the Grand Commandery of the Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem.

Richard the Lionheart, King of England, eager to participate in the 3rd crusade, changed his strategy and took to the seas to capture the island. At that time, it was in the hands of Isaac Comnenus, a tyrant and dissident member of the family who ruled the Byzantine Empire.

Richard the Lionheart then handed the island over to the Templars before selling it to Guy de Lusignan, his vassal based in Poitou.

From 1192 to 1489, for almost three centuries, the Lusignan family reigned over Cyprus, a geo-strategic Mediterranean crossroad.

The royal family knew how to create a new art of living, where East and West intimately mingled.

100% customisable programmes.

THREE REASONS FOR CHOOSING AFEL TRAVEL

      1. IRREPROACHABLE QUALITY

• Enjoy full board throughout your stay : tour price includes catering from dinner on the first day to lunch on the last day.
• Reap the benefits of small group travel : 18 participants maximum.
• Be accompanied by an experienced bilingual and knowledgeable tour guide. Individual audio-phones for all guided tours will also be provided.
• Delight in the high standards and comfort of the 4* and 5* hotels we have chosen for you.
• Participate in food and wine tastings of local products.

      2. ABSOLUTE COMFORT

• Discover Cyprus while having fun and relaxing. Our tours are designed to give you just the right amount of time to explore.  This trip combines both rest at a seaside resort with the discovery of historical sites such as Salamis, Kyrenia, Bellapais and Soli.
• Airlines : Turkish Airlines, Onur Air, Pegasus Airlines, Sun Express.
• Comfortable, spacious and air-conditioned coaches equipped with Wi-Fi.
• Excellent roadway infrastructure, guaranteeing comfortable travel.

      3.UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

• Cyprus is a clever mixture of nature and civilisations.  During your trip, you will discover splendid historical testimonies, grandiose monuments, breathtaking landscapes and ancient ruins.
• Itinerary

DAY 1 : Arrival at Nicosia

Arrival at Nicosia Ercan airport, after a stopover in Istanbul.  At the airport, you will be greeted by your guide then transfer to your hotel in Kyrenia, the most attractive coastal town on the island.  Welcome cocktail before heading to your room.

Accommodation and dinner for 7 nights at the Acapulco Resort Convention SPA Casino Sports 5* or similar hotel.

There is a legend which says that Cyrus was the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite.  Situated in the eastern part of the Mediterranean and 75 km south of Turkey, it is the third largest island in the Mediterranean.

DAY 2 : Kyrenia

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Today’s excursion will take us to the mountain tops where the imposing castle of Saint Hilarion was built.   Then, you will visit the Bellapais Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic art and one of the most beautiful monasteries in the entire Middle East.  It is said that the first monks who settled here were part of the order of Saint Augustine who fled Jerusalem when the city fell into the hands of Saladin in 1187.   On to the port and its fortress from where you will have breathtaking views of the entire city.  This fortress also houses the Museum of Maritime Wrecks, where the oldest shipwreck in the world is on display.  You will then have free time to discover the charming port of Kyrenia.

Of all the major tourist places on the island, Kyrenia is one of the most lovely spots.  Situated on the north coast against the Kyrenia mountain range, it nestles in the hollow of a bay; this picturesque small town is surrounded by olive groves and carob trees.

DAY 3 : Famagusta

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

You will visit the Monastery of Saint Barnabas, a place of major importance for Christians, dedicated to the eponymous apostle who, with Paul, came to preach the Gospel around AD 50.  Then en-route towards Famagusta, a port city located in the east of the country, near the «Green Line», which separates the Turkish part from the Greek part.  The old town is surrounded by Venetian ramparts whereas the new town stretches beyond the rampart walls.  You will visit its famous fortifications as well as the Othello Tower and the ancient Cathedral of Saint Nicolas.   After lunch, discover Salamis of Cyprus, the island’s ancient Greco-Roman capital.

In Famagusta, the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicholas is strongly influenced by Western religious art, both in terms of its construction and decoration.  Similarities can be found in buildings north of the Loire and the countries along the Rhine.

DAY 4 : Nicosia: a divided capital

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

The excursion will be devoted to visiting Nicosia.  In 1963, a line was drawn with a « green pencil» on a map of the island defining the last capital to be divided in the world.  As you stroll through the picturesque alleys of the historic city centre, with its mixture of west and east, you will discover the Turkish and Greek communities.

Visit the Venetian column and the Arab-Ahmet mosque dating from the 17th century.  At the end of the pedestrian streets, you will reach the Cathedral of Saint Sophia / Selimiye Mosque.  You will have free time in two caravanserai: Büyük Han and Kumarcilar Han, both dating from the 16th century.

The 16th century Büyük Han, literally meaning « big inn », was originally a place to welcome travellers and, in particular, merchants who could leave their horses and belongings there in safety.

DAY 5 : Karpas

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Your excursion today, will take you to the Karpas Penninsula and the first visit will be of the Kantara Castle, built on a rock 630 m above sea level and located east of the Besparmak Mountain.   This impressive fortress dates from the 10th century and from its summit, you will have the most magnificent view of the Karpaz peninsula, the plains and beaches of the eastern Cypriot coast and the deserted coves of the north coast and the  Pentadactylos mountain range.   Further on, you will have a closer view of the Karpas peninsula with its endless expanse of almost deserted dunes and beaches and a privileged nesting place for turtles (Caretta caretta).

Afterwards, take a walk along the peninsula populated by wild donkeys and visit of the Apostolos-Andreas Monastery.

The Monastery dedicated to Saint Andrew.  Just like his brother, Simon Peter, he was a fisherman on Lake Tiberias and was the first of the apostles to meet Jesus.  He was also the Patron Saint of the Church of Constantinople.

DAY 6 : Free day

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Discover Cyprus on your own or let us know should you wish us to organise an excursion for you.

DAY 7 : Free day

Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Discover Cyprus on your own or let us know should you wish us to organise an excursion for you.

DAY 8 : Return flight home

Breakfast and transfer to Nicosia/Ercan airport according to your flight schedule.

Assistance with check-in and departure to your destination.

 

The price includes

✈ International round trip flights with stopover in Istanbul.

o Meeting upon your arrival.

o Transfers airport/hotel/airport.

o Assistance from your experienced bilingual guide during the tour.

o Double room accommodation in the assigned hotels or ones of similar standing, hotel luggage porters.

o Full board from dinner on the first day to lunch on the last day.

o Transportation in comfortable vehicles adapted to the size of the group, a window per person.

o Visits and entrance fees to sites and museums mentioned in the programme.

o 24/7 assistance from our agency.

The price does not include

X Single room supplements.

X Drinks and personal expenses, tips for the guide and the driver.

X No insurance is included (Afel Travel recommends you purchase travel insurance).