Cyprus

Cyprus has one of the longest summers in Europe, and its coast is the main draw. Larnaca, home to the island’s main airport, has a palm-lined seafront and the Church of Saint Lazarus, built in the ninth century over what is believed to be the saint’s tomb. Limassol is livelier, with a marina, a castle in the old town and good restaurants along the promenade. Nicosia, the capital, is a divided city, and walking through its Venetian walls and across the Green Line is one of the more thought-provoking experiences in the Mediterranean.

Beyond the cities, the Troodos Mountains hold painted Byzantine churches and cool villages, and the coast near Paphos has Roman mosaics and the rocks where Aphrodite is said to have risen from the sea. Our current programme includes Limassol city breaks of three or five nights and a private guided walk in Larnaca, which can be extended with day trips and transfers on request.

Food and drink

A meze in a village taverna can run to twenty small dishes: halloumi grilled until golden, sheftalia sausages, kleftiko lamb baked slowly in a sealed oven, and dips such as tahini and talattouri. Commandaria, a sweet dessert wine from the Troodos foothills, is one of the oldest named wines in the world.

How to travel

Cyprus suits a relaxed city break with one or two excursions rather than a long touring itinerary. Base yourself in Limassol or Larnaca, add a guided walk and a day in the mountains, and let us arrange private transfers between the airport, your hotel and the sights. Cyprus is also one of our destinations for MICE and incentive groups.