Cyprus Discovered for Solo Travellers

EXCLUSIVELY FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

Based in Paphos on Cyprus' south west coast, this break in the winter sun offers a few days of relaxed exploration far removed from the British weather, and includes three wonderful excursions. Join a group of friendly solo travellers to discover Paphos' fascinating past on a guided walking tour, explore the snow-capped Troodos Mountains, and visit lively, lovely Limassol.

Highlights

Spend a week soaking up some winter sun
A walking tour of ancient Pano Paphos
A tour through the snow-capped Troodos Mountains
Exploring the fascinating city of Nicosia on an optional excursion
Visit Petra tou Romiou - the legendary birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite
Bustling Limassol's old port and castle

Inclusions

Seven nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at the five-star Louis Ivi Mare Hotel
A Welcome Drink on your first evening
Return flights from the UK to Cyprus
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

1

Fly into Paphos, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel. You'll then have the rest of the day free to rest, relax and enjoy the surroundings until the evening when you are invited to join your group for a free Welcome Drink.

2

Today's included half-day guided walking tour of Paphos will reveal the extraordinary 'Tombs of the Kings' burial site, the famous Paphos Mosaics housed in ancient Roman villas, and the Byzantine Church of Ayia Paraskevi. There will also be an entertaining stop to see how Loukoumi - the Greek Cypriot version of Turkish Delight - is made.

3

Our second included tour takes us to the spectacular Troodos Mountains, which rise above the plains and the coast, and which have been home to remote villages and religious communities, including several wonderfully decorated Byzantine churches, for centuries.Stop in Omodos, a pretty village of white stone buildings that is known for its wine production, see Throni Park, the burial place of Archbishop Makarios, Cyprus' first president, and visit ancient Kykkos Monastery, famed for its Byzantine Museum, mosaics and frescoes.

4

Today's fascinating optional excursion visits historic Nicosia, the island capital for more than 12 centuries. Divided in 1974 by the 'Green Line' separating Greek and Turkish Cypriot territories, the city is both a bustling metropolis with a sophisticated cafe culture, and a fascinating gateway to the island's turbulent past.You’ll also head into northern Cyprus to visit the Bellapais Abbey, made famous by author Lawrence Durrell, and the coastal port-town of Kyrenia, with its picture-book harbour and castle.

5

Relax in Paphos today. In addition to your hotel's facilities, the town has sights to see, shops to discover, and even nearby golf courses to tempt the energetic.

6

Today begins with a visit to the glorious beach that is home to Petra tou Romiou, Aphrodite’s Rock, where the goddess of love is said to have risen from the waves. From here we'll head east along the coast to the ancient ruins of Kourion, where a magnificent Second-Century BC Greco-Roman theatre that is still in use today, sits spectacularly atop the cliffs.Your next stop will be Limassol. Here a guided tour will reveal the fascinating sights, excellent shopping, and compact Old City - home to a picturesque fishing harbour and yachting marina - of this bustling city and centre of the Cypriot wine industry. Stroll through the streets of the Turkish Quarter surrounding the Castle in search of the historic Grand Mosque and the traditional hammam bath houses that still operate here.

7

Your last optional excursion offers the chance to journey to the traditional village of Agios Georgios Silikou to meet local 'celebrity baker’ Mrs Paraskevi and enjoy a demonstration in the delightful lady’s home. Learn how to make Cypriot bread, olive and halloumi pies in a traditional oven, and sample the end product. After a short stroll through the village of Monagri, where several Cypriot delicacies are produced by the villagers, you will continue with the foodie theme and stop for lunch in a traditional tavern in the wine-making village of Lania. You'll end your gastronomic journey with an afternoon’s visit to the village of Mandria, in the foothills of the mountains, to sample tea made from locally grown herbs. This evening, join your fellow guests for a farewell dinner at the hotel, and a chance to recall your favourite memory of your holiday and toast your new-found friends goodbye.

8

Say farewell to Paphos, and transfer to the airport to board your flight home.

The Louis Ivi Mare, Paphos

This elegantly modern five-star hotel stands right by the beach, about a mile along the coast from Kato Paphos.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.