Kreuzfahrt nach
Limassol

OVERVIEW

Spend a carefree day at a spectacular beach on the island’s southern shore, where you can relax most anyway you please. It won’t take long to reach this idyllic stretch of sand, giving you all the more time to enjoy the beachfront setting. You might take a refreshing swim in the turquoise sea, stretch out on a towel and bask in the radiant sun, stroll along the lengthy shore or simply lie back and gaze out over the gorgeous scenery. No matter what beach is chosen, it should be easy to find your own slice of paradise on it. Many of the beaches on the southern shore of Cyprus have earned a Blue Flag eco-designation for the high quality of their water and strict environmental preservation. Chances are, restaurants, bars and shops will be in easy walking distance, which will make the experience all the more pleasurable.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax however you wish on a beautiful stretch of sand on Limassol’s southern coast.
• Spend the time however you please, whether swimming in the sea or just relaxing on shore.
• Take comfort in knowing that most beaches have earned a Blue Flag eco-designation.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Drive into the gorgeous countryside and meet the owners of a winery and a restaurateur who will demonstrate how to make traditional products. You will first visit the 12th-century monastery Agios Neophytos and observe the founding monk’s cave that he hand-carved. The interior is covered with extraordinary Byzantine frescoes. This remote area is also ideal for winemaking because the stony, free-draining soil forces the grape roots to grow deep and absorb character from the earth. To further understand the terroir, you will visit the winery Tsangarides in nearby Lemona. After touring the vineyards and observing the production process, you will sample a selection of wines. Next stop, Sofia's Traditional House. You will be fascinated by the warm welcome. Get the opportunity to discover demonstration of bread and halloumi making. Enjoy a traditional brunch consisting of halloumi, bread, fruit of season, olives, eggs, ravioles, salad, marmalades, butter, xerotigana.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Observe the interior of a cave that a 12th-century monk hand-carved from solid rock.
• Tour a winery to understand the challenges of growing grapes there and to sample wines.
• Savor an organic lunch before watching how Cyprus bread and marmalades are made.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover the lesser-known side of Limassol at attractions that will take on new meaning once you hear the stories behind them. You will first follow a local guide to Heroes Square, a former red light district that has been dramatically transformed with the addition of trendy cafés, street art and shops. The revitalization of the entire area is inspiring, especially since it has renewed interest in historical sites nearby such as Panagia Kathoki Church and the Agia Napa Cathedral. Despite public protests, the latter was constructed after the Ottoman rule ended in Cyprus. The origin of the name Agia Napa is also somewhat controversial as there are differing opinions of what it refers to. Browsing the Lanitis House can shed light on Limassol’s history and architecture in the 19th century. Built as a consulate for foreign countries, it features a neo-baroque façade.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit attractions known mostly to locals and hear their fascinating backstories.
• Learn how Heroes Square has been transformed and revitalized the neighborhood.
• Gain an insight into the religious architecture of Limassol at a church and a cathedral.
• Browse the neo-baroque façade and surroundings of Lanitis House, a building that is an architectural work of art.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Recognize how Limassol’s architecture has evolved through the centuries by visiting landmarks that were built during different time periods. Although Limassol Castle was originally medieval, the Ottoman-built version that stands today dates to the late 16th century but still lends great insight into ancient fortifications. As you meander narrow Agiou Andreou – the city’s oldest and longest commercial street – you will come upon many neoclassical buildings from the 18th and early 19th centuries. Nearby Agia Napa Cathedral was constructed a bit later over the ruins of a Byzantine church. The urban landscape will turn dramatically modern along the waterfront, where you will find the Oval, One Limassol and the Trilogy Limassol Seafront, three bold projects that have come to symbolize the city’s vision for the future. Free time follows at Limassol Marina, another innovative venture that besides accommodating yachts has become a hub for shopping and dining.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View landmarks with a guide that will describe their designs and historical significance.
• See an array of buildings constructed between the 16th and 20th centuries.
• Behold three ultra-modern building projects that have transformed Limassol’s waterfront.
• Spend free time shopping, dining or whatever you please at Limassol Marina.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Travel through the fertile foothills where most of the country's vineyards and the orchards of the Phassouri citrus groves are found and past Kolossi Castle, a well-preserved stronghold standing three stories tall. You’ll arrive at the ancient ruins of the city of Kourion, an impressive Greco-Roman site where you can view remaining pavement mosaics.

Nearby is the Greco-Roman theater built in the 2nd century BC. Still used today for many performances, including ancient dramas, perched high on a cliff, this beautiful and unspoiled location offers spectacular views of the ruins and the sapphire sea below. A short distance away, you’ll find the Temple of Apollo with its stunning Cypro-Corinthian columns. The sanctuary is the largest and one of the most important religious centers on the island.

Leaving the Kourion area, you'll proceed to what is considered by many to be the most beautiful and picturesque of the old villages in Cyprus, Omodos Village, which is still preserved in its original state. Here explore the monastery of the Holy Cross with its wood carvings and old icons and see the restored wine press Lino. Visit some of the local homes, experiencing the history associated with them. Enjoy some free time to wander down the narrow streets and visit the quaint local shops, famous for their vitraux and hand-made pieces of traditional stained glass.

You will be picked up from port and head to the Rock of Aphrodite, the mythical birthplace of the Ancient Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty. Many legends are linked to this particular place. The site is an interesting geological formation of huge rocks along a beautiful coastline. Free time will be provided to take the perfect picture from a view point. Participants will also be transferred on the beach, where the rock of Aphrodite is located, in order to take more photos. Hop back on board and head to Limassol old town for a walking tour. A map and road book of Limassol old town will be provided, indicating the hotspots and allowing you to navigate in the old town in your own pace. An English speaking escort may help you with directions if needed. Some of the suggested places for photos will be the following.

Your tour will start with a drive to the Rock of Aphrodite. Your tour will have designated selfie stops at: • Limassol Municipal University Library where you will have the opportunity to take photos outside the building. The impressive building is unlike any other in Limassol and dates back to 1919.
• The popular sea side Multi-Functional Park, also called Molos by the locals. It is a buzzling with life, park that includes jetties, piers, fountains, open-air sculpture park, green areas, piers and play areas making it the perfect setting for Instagram photos and stories.
• Limassol Old Port. The renovation project has recently turned the traditional fishing port into a destination full of life, with trendy cafes, restaurants. The picturesque pier, which stands since 1880, offers the perfect spot for romantic walks, relaxation, endless sea and town views and the perfect photo! During your time in Limassol old town, take a break to enjoy a Cyprus coffee in a typical kafenio.

We would like to recommend that guests bring their own selfie sticks and charges to ensure that they are compatible with their devices. As Intercruises Cyprus, we will have 5 basic selfie sticks just in case needed. No chargers will be provided.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a scenic drive through Limassol that presents a wealth of attractions, including historical ones from medieval times and new skyscrapers whose designs push the envelope. As you travel up the coast, you will pass the city’s popular seaside promenade and continue on into another revitalized area with landmarks you can’t miss, even from a distance. One Limassol has the distinction of being the tallest residential seafront tower in Europe. It represents the epitome of luxury island living, much like Trilogy Limassol Seafront, a trio of towers that is the largest mixed-use skyrise development in the Mediterranean. Seeing the iconic Agia Napa Cathedral, built more than century ago, shows that Limassol still deeply respects its past as it eyes the future. During free time in the Limassol Agora – a sprawling indoor food mall – you will notice that the shell of the building is historical but the interior has been repurposed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the gorgeous views while driving along Limassol’s beautiful coast.
• Behold One Limassol, Europe’s highest residential tower on the sea.
• Be awed by the Trilogy Limassol Seafront, three boldly designed mixed-use skyscrapers.
• Spend free time independently exploring the indoor food mall Limassol Agora.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore some of Limassol’s most historical and popular coastal attractions before relaxing on one of the finest beaches nearby. While walking along the seafront promenade – which stretches from the Old Port to the Amphitheatre of Molos – you will soon encounter an open-air sculpture park with inspiring works from Cypriot, Greek and international artists. The setting couldn’t be lovelier as towering palm trees shade much of the promenade and the sparkling sea rims the entire park. Just one block inland, you will find the 19th-century Agia Napa Cathedral, the narrow atmospheric Agiou Andreou – the oldest commercial street in Limasso – a bustling municipal market and Limassol Castle, an imposing centuries-old fortification that overlooks the Old Port. Before long, you will reach Kebir Mosque, a 16th-century landmark in the old Turkish quarter. You will have seen plenty to reflect upon as you head to a lovely beach to relax as you see fit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk along Limassol’s seaside promenade and admire the art in an outdoor sculpture park.
• Gain an understanding of the religious diversity while passing a cathedral and a mosque.
• Meander down the medieval street Agiou Andreou and by historical Limassol Castle.
• Spend free time relaxing at one of the city’s most spectacular beaches.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Nicosia, the largest town in Cyprus and capital since the 11th Century AD, has the distinction of being the last divided capital city in the world after the fall of the Berlin Wall. This remarkable city which is encircled by the old city walls, has managed to successfully blend its bustling modern day business and cultural centers with its historic heart while retaining its charming character.

Visit the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia, dating back to the 7th and 4th millennium BC. This very unique and well-preserved site consists of a cluster of dwellings situated on the slope of a hill overlooking the Maroni river valley and is considered one of the most important prehistoric sites of the eastern Mediterranean, the site is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Continue on to the Cathedral of St. John, built in 1662 by the Archbishop Nikiforos. View the 18th century frescoes that embellish the walls with colorful biblical scenes.

Drive by the Green Line checkpoint at Ledra Street where you’ll view the Turkish side, which occupied half of Nicosia and the northern territory of Cyprus. The tour proceeds through the impressive Venetian Walls into the old city via the Paphos Gate. Enjoy some free time in the restored 19th century neighborhood called Laiki Yitonia. The quaint, narrow pedestrian streets in this neighborhood are lined with traditional houses, craft shops, taverns and galleries, making for a delightful stroll or souvenir shopping.

Nicosia, the largest town in Cyprus and capital since the 11th Century AD, has the distinction of being the last divided capital city in the world after the fall of the Berlin Wall. This remarkable city which is encircled by the old city walls, has managed to successfully blend its bustling modern day business and cultural centers with its historic heart while retaining its charming character.

Stop at the Cathedral of St. John, built in 1662 by the Archbishop Nikiforos and see the 18th century frescoes that embellish the walls with colorful biblical scenes. Leaving the cathedral, continue on to the Cyprus Archaeological Museum, where the most significant collection of Cypriot antiquities is housed. Perhaps the most famous exhibit is the statue of Aphrodite from Soli - now the symbol of Cyprus.

Drive by the Green Line checkpoint at Ledra Street where you’ll view the Turkish side, which occupied half of Nicosia and the northern territory of Cyprus. The tour proceeds through the impressive Venetian Walls into the old city via the Paphos Gate. Enjoy some free time in the restored 19th century neighborhood called Laiki Yitonia. The quaint, narrow pedestrian streets in this neighborhood are lined with traditional houses, craft shops, taverns and galleries, making for a delightful stroll or souvenir shopping.

Delve into a world of ancient history with this primarily panoramic tour that makes photo stops at some of the sacred sites in the jasmine-scented Cypriot countryside.

Delve into a world of ancient history with this primarily panoramic tour that makes photo stops at some of the sacred sites in the jasmine-scented Cypriot countryside. You’ll arrive at Petra tou Romiou for a photo stop, legend tells us it was here that the goddess of Cyprus, Aphrodite, was born from the foam of the sea and carried by the sea's waves to the coast of Cyprus.

You’ll continue on a drive through a landscape of citrus groves and vineyards to several other significant sites from antiquity. There's the Apollo Hylates, known as the Sanctuary of Apollo of the Woodlands, which was severely damaged in a 3rd-century earthquake. Its enormous Roman columns make for an impressive picture.

Other ruins await you at nearby Kourion, an archaeological site famed for its 2nd-century Greco-Roman theater. Fully restored, it looks over the Mediterranean and provides an inspirational setting for modern-day musical and theatrical performances. Following this photo stop, you’ll return to Limassol, stopping briefly at Kolossi Castle, a medieval fortress once occupied by the Kings Templar before returning to your ship.

View astonishing remnants of antiquity in the seaside town of Paphos and at the ancient ruins of Kourion, enjoying a typical Cypriot lunch in Pissouri Village. Glide through vineyards and the Phasouri citrus groves to stirring Petra tou Romiou, symbol of Paphos and the legendary site where Aphrodite, ancient Greek goddess of Beauty and Love, was birthed from the foamy waves. You’ll discover that modern-day Paphos is a quaint resort town, but in Hellenistic and Roman times, it was the grand capital of Cyprus. Moving from the picturesque fortress guarding the harbor to the enchanting mosaics in the 3rd-century House of Dionysos, you’ll quickly learn why this is a revered UNESCO World Heritage site. Savor free time to shop or explore picture-perfect Paphos before a lovely lunch of Cypriot specialties near the ancient city of Kourion, blanketed with intricate mosaics, which also boasts a superb Greco-Roman theater built in the 2nd century BC, still in use today. You’ll appreciate the spectacular views of the ruins and sapphire seas from the theater’s cliff-top location, an ideal vantage point from which to contemplate Cyprus’ vital role in the classical age.

Enjoy enlightening tours of vineyards that grow ancient Cypriot grape varieties and sample wines much like those that were produced centuries ago. The family-owned Zambartas winery is credited with re-discovering a dozen lost varieties and you will sample several of those wines, some of which may be organic. Similarly, Mallia Estate is dedicated to restoring ancient Cypriot grape varieties such as the Maratheftiko, which was mentioned in documents as far back as the Middle Ages. The wine has been re-introduced and may be among the ones you sample there along with local delicacies. If so, be sure to note its distinct aromas of violet and black cherries. You will also visit the Gerolemos winery, another family-owned operation that produces traditional Cypriot wines. Chances are, you will sample a fruity Morokanella and a Riesling that is often served as an aperitif. It is known for its nose of limes and lemons and nuances of fresh grapefruits.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit three wineries that have resurrected Cypriot grape varieties known in ancient times.
• Discover how the grapes were brought back and how they reinvigorated the local industry.
• Sample wines that reflect the terroirs of the three vineyards.

Möchten Sie mehr über die Küche Zyperns erfahren? Zunächst geht die Fahrt in eine Weinkellerei. Sie verkosten einige der hier hergestellten leckeren Tropfen. Danach geht es weiter in ein kleines Dorf. Hier heißt es "Kopiaste" (willkommen) und Ihnen werden in gemütlicher Runde die typischen Mezze serviert, eine reichhaltige Folge von lokalen Vor- und Hauptspeisen. Ein absolutes Muss: Kleftiko - Lammfleisch über mehrere Stunden im Holzofen gegart. Während des Abendessens wird unbegrenzt lokaler Wein gereicht und zu begleitender zyprischer Live-Musik lassen sich danach die Kalorien wieder abtanzen.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Ca. 45-minütige Busfahrt zur Winzerei
• Rund 30-minütige Weinprobe inkludiert
• Weiterfahrt in ein kleines Dorf
• Gut 2-stündiges Abendessen mit zypriotischem Wein und Live-Musik inkludiert

Erleben Sie ein unvergessliches Abenteuer mit dem Seekajak und entdecken Sie zusammen mit einem erfahrenen Kajakguide die spektakuläre Küstengegend von Limassol. Nach einer kurzen Sicherheitseinweisung geht es aufs Wasser: Ihr Ziel ist der Strand von Zapalo, dem Strand „voller Löcher“. Angekommen wartet vor Ort eine kurze Erfrischungs- und Snackpause auf Sie. Nach der kleinen Stärkung und etwas Entspannung paddeln Sie zurück zum Strand von Kourion, wo Sie noch etwas Freizeit genießen können.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

· Etwa 30-minütiger Transfer zum Kourion Strand

· Kurze Einführung und Sicherheitseinweisung

· Gut 2-stündige Paddeltour mit Snackpause am Strand von Zapalo

· Zeit zur freien Verfügung mit Erfrischung am Kourion Strand, etwa 45 Minuten

Auf dem Weg zum Ausgangspunkt Ihrer Wanderung fahren Sie mit dem Bus an Petra tou Romiou vorbei. Der Sage nach handelt es sich um den Geburtsort von Aphrodite. Ihre anschließende Wanderung führt Sie entlang von Gärten mit Zypressen und Oleander sowie durch dramatische Passagen, die durch herabgestürzte Felsbrocken charakterisiert sind. Die Sie umgebenden Kreidefelswände erreichen hier erstaunliche Höhen von bis zu 300 m. Am Ende dieser an botanischen und landschaftlichen Sehenswürdigkeiten reichen Tour verwöhnt Sie Ihr Reiseleiter mit einer kleinen Erfrischung.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

• Insgesamt gut 1,5-stündige Busfahrt zum Ausgangspunkt der Wanderung
• Unterwegs Fotostopp und kurze Pause an der Küste, am Geburtsort der Aphrodite
• Rund 2-stündige Wanderung
• Kleiner Snack und 1 Flasche Wasser pro Person inkludiert

Genießen Sie eine Panoramafahrt entlang der Küste zum sagenumwobenen Felsen der Aphrodite, dem Geburtsort der Liebesgöttin. Unterwegs legen Sie weitere Fotostopps am Apollon Tempel und den Ruinen von Kourion ein, die als historisch bedeutsame Schauplätze gelten. Abgerundet wird Ihre Entdeckungsreise vom Besuch der Kolossi Plantage, wo Sie frisch gepresste Limonade und süße Früchte genießen können.

Der Ausflug, kurz zusammengefasst:

· Panoramafahrt mit Fotostopps am Aphrodite-Felsen und dem Apollon-Tempel

· Weiterer Fotostopp aus der Ferne an den Ruinen von Kourion

· Ca. 45 Minuten Plantagenaufenthalt mit Verkostung von Limonade und Früchten