Traditional Cyprus Experience

Ancient Kourion tour with Paphos Harbour visit

Cyprus is home to some hugely important ancient Greek and Roman sites. On this tour, you'll take in Aphrodite's Rock, ancient Paphos and the Tombs of the Kings, visit Kourion – and enjoy free time in the Paphos harbour area. Andreas, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The Tombs of the Kings offer us a valuable insight into ancient Mediterranean culture. There are very similar tombs in Alexandria, demonstrating the strong ties between the two cities in ancient times.'After a coffee pit-stop along the way, you'll stop by Kourion archaeological site to see landmarks such as the theatre – dating from the 2nd century BC – and the Agora. En route to Paphos, there's a photo stop at Petra tou Romiou – or Aphrodite's Rock – where, legend has it, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty emerged from the sea foam. Andreas says, ‘At Kourion, you see the ruined house of Eustolios and find out what life was like here before the city was destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century.'Next, we'll head to ancient Paphos for a guided visit of the Tombs of the Kings, the House of Dionysos and its well-preserved mosaics. Andreas says, ‘The rock-hewn Tombs of the Kings were not actually intended for royalty, but instead the aristocracy and island governors were laid to rest here. The name reflects the sheer grandeur of the necropolis.' Later, you'll enjoy some free time to shop and wander around Paphos Harbour. Maybe you can stroll along the waterfront or grab a bite to eat at one of the many terrace cafés.

Full-day guided tour of Fikardou, Machairas and Lefkara

You'll leave no stone unturned as you explore Cyprus's hidden corners. This exclusive excursion takes in remote highland villages, dramatic landscapes and a revered monastery. It also includes a traditional Cypriot lunch. Stavroula, one of our local guides on this tour, says, ‘Fikardou village is an excellent example of rural mountain life, where the 19th-century architecture is in complete harmony with the environment.' A real taste of what's to come.Heading inland, you'll arrive mid-morning at rustic and laidback Fikardou. All cobblestones and historic houses, time seems to have frozen here. And with free time to explore, you'll find that ancient traditions still hold their way. It's so well-preserved that it's on UNESCO's tentative list of world heritage sites. Next, you'll head to the 12th-century Macharias Monastery, which is located on a remote hillside. Its lavishly decorated interior houses a sacred icon of the Virgin Mary.Then, it's time for a traditional Cypriot lunch, prepared with locally sourced ingredients and served at a family-run restaurant on the way to Lefkara. The tour ends on a high in charming Lefkara, a village famed for its handmade lace and embroidery. ‘Women, young and old, can be seen seated outside their homes and shops making lace,' says Stavroula. ‘For hundreds of years, the men from the village have travelled all over Europe to sell it, even Leonardo da Vinci bought some.'

Caledonia Waterfalls full-day tour with local guide and lunch

Trade the beach for the cool, shaded vibes of the Troodos Mountains – where nature's about to blow your mind. We're talking a three-kilometre hike, leading you to Caledonia Falls, one of Cyprus's tallest and most beautiful waterfalls, before heading to the village of Platres for a tasty, traditional lunch. Andi, one of our expert local guides, says, "You'll love the hike as much as the destination – it's like stepping into a fairytale, with cute little bridges crisscrossing along the stream all the way to the waterfall." But first, you'll kick things off at Kolossi Fruit Garden. Think juicy fruit and zesty lemonade to get you prepped for the adventure ahead. As you wind through the forest, the bubbling Kryos Potamos stream keeps you company – it's the perfect backdrop for those Insta-gold pics, almost like the Greek Gods are keeping tabs on you. You'll delve deeper along the forest nature tail, among old pines and strawberry trees, until reaching the showstopper – Caldonia Falls. Here, you can dip your toes in the shaded freshwater pool, snap some pics, and soak up the magic. The falls were named by a Scottish expedition in 1878, who were so wowed by how much it reminded them of home, they named it after Caledonia, the Roman name for Scotland. Afterwards, you'll head to Psilo Dendro, in Platres, for a well-deserved lunch. With its own trout farm, the fish here is as fresh as it gets – the perfect way to wrap up your mountain adventure.

Troodos Mountains 4x4 tour with meze lunch

Spend the day travelling through the forested Troodos Mountains and discover some of Cyprus' wildest landscapes on this 4x4 tour. See vineyards, waterfalls, mountain villages like Lefkara, pine forests and more.We'll kick off the action at the impressive Dipotamos Dam for a photo stop. Then, it's onto the sleepy mountain village of Lefkara, renowned for its intricately-made lace and silverware. We'll go a bit off-piste into Mesa Potamos Forest where you can take part in an optional hike, too.Once you've built up an appetite, a meze-style lunch will be served in a village taverna. Then, we'll head to a beautiful forest waterfall with ice-cold water cascading down 20m. There'll also be a stop for some wine-tasting, followed by a visit to Omodos village, where you can walk through narrow streets and try a Cypriot coffee in a local ‘kafenion'. A refreshing end to an action-packed day.

Traditional Cyprus Experience

Sample the Cypriot lifestyle with this evening experience. In the countryside surrounds of a donkey sanctuary, you'll get hands-on in halloumi-making and bread baking and tuck into the tasty results. Then, when the sun sets, you'll dine on a feast of local dishes with free-flowing drinks, followed by live music and Greek dancing under the stars.

Famagusta tour and Blue Lagoon cruise

Unlock all the secrets of Cyprus by both land and sea. By road, you'll visit two of the island's most intriguing spots – the old town of Famagusta and the ‘ghost town' of Varosha. Then by sea, there's time to chill out on a relaxing cruise to the Blue Lagoon.

WaterWorld Waterpark ticket in Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa's WaterWorld is where you and the kids can come on down to cool off from the heat of the midday sun and have bucket loads of fun – all with an ancient Greek twist. Get your swimsuits and sun cream ready for a day of splashing about in the wave pools, shooting down chutes and whirling down the lazy river.

Limassol, Omodos and wine-tasting tour

Combining history, culture, and cuisine makes for a great day out in Cyprus. A trio of treasures await on this tour, with the vibrant city of Limassol, the quaint village of Omodos and a wine tasting session at an award-winning winery are all on the cards.Kickstart your day with a visit to Limassol, a city that seamlessly blends the old with the new. You'll have around an hour of free time here to explore and soak up the local atmosphere. Take a stroll along the marina, pop by the castle or simply unwind at a cafe – the choice is yours.Then, you'll head to the village of Omodos, nestled amidst the Troodos Mountains. Here, you will take a guided walk along narrow, cobbled streets adorned with Byzantine-style buildings. After visiting the old winery to hear how wine was made in the old days, it's time to rest and refuel over a local lunch at a family-owned taverna. To round off your day, you'll visit Gerolemos Winery for a well-deserved sampling session of their award-winning wines.

Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa Snorkelling Experience

As far as snorkelling experiences go, this one's hard to beat. The Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa is a one of its kind for Cyprus, combining nature-inspired art with the thrill of the underwater world. You'll head out by boat, and after donning your mask and snorkel, jump right in for a chance to see up to 93 organic sculptures, all designed with the local fish and marine life in mind.

Mountain villages with lunch and honey-tasting from Ayia Napa and Protaras

You're in for an authentic taste of Cyprus on this tour through the lower regions of the Troodos Mountains, where food is a cornerstone of the local culture. You'll eat your way from village to village, visiting Agros and Arakapas, as well as Odou to taste local honey.Heading out of Ayia Napa, the journey begins in Palaichori with a short break in the village, where you'll see the warm Cypriot greeting of kopiaste – ‘come join us' – in action. Next, it's on to Agros to taste its famous homemade spoon sweets, made from fruit preserved in syrup.Tuck into a typical Cypriot lunch in a traditional taverna in Arakapas before finishing the day at Odou. You'll dive into the sweet world of honey at family-run beekeepers and honey producers, Oros Machairas. There's a short lesson in the art of production and the chance to taste freshly harvested 'liquid gold', with plenty of bee-related souvenir options to snap up if you like, before heading back to your resort.