Limassol, Cyprus

Ancient City of Kourion

Curium for Cyprus is roughly the same as the Great Wall for the Celestial Empire. You simply can’t not visit it. This ancient city of the planet was destroyed by an earthquake in the 4th century. The main difference between Curium and other similar places is that the city has been preserved quite well over the past millennia. Some mosaic work is even still there, and in the ancient amphitheater-whose upper viewpoint offers a crazy view of the sea-performances are still held to this day. A local pastime-once you’re on the amphitheater stage, next to the round opening in the stone, clapping your hands or stamping your foot-the resulting sound surprises adults and makes children laugh. In fact, it highlights the special geometry according to which this structure was built, as well as the amphitheater’s unique acoustics.

Limassol Castle

The Greeks claim that it was in this castle, after the conquest of Cyprus, that Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre. Be that as it may, the locals carefully preserve this story and tell it to anyone. In different years, the Limassol fortress has served different purposes. At one time, there was a prison here, and then a church. Today, the fortress walls protect artifacts, weapons, knight’s armor, ornaments, and even tombstones. The Museum of Medieval Cyprus is located here. After a walk through the cool stone corridors, it’s best to head out onto the castle roof. From there, you can plan your next route through the winding streets of the Old Town or along the ships anchored in the Old Port.

Monastery of Saint Nicholas

The monastery on the Akrotiri peninsula near Limassol is better known as the Cat Monastery, since a meowing pack of 60-70 runs things here among people, not the other way around. It is believed that all the furry residents of the monastery are descendants of the heroic cats brought to Cyprus by order of Constantine the Great to fight snakes. Now the snakes have been defeated, and the well-fed descendants of the hero cats rest on full board, graciously accepting the care of five devotees assigned to them.

Limassol Beaches

Curium Beach stretches at the foot of a cliff, on which lie the ruins of the ancient city of Curium. This is exactly the kind of situation where you can and should combine pleasure with something useful: swimming in the sea and exploring one of Cyprus’s main attractions. Ladie`s mile Beach is suitable for both those who want solitude-there are completely deserted spots here-and for those who aren’t averse to civilization: every 200-300 meters along the water’s edge you can easily find a bar or a cozy taverna with an exceptional menu and all the amenities such as sun loungers and umbrellas. The city Dasoudi Beach is notable for its eucalyptus grove, where you can hide from the heat in the shade.

Watermania Water Park

This place lives up to its name completely. Until you’ve tried the full range of extreme thrills-like the much-talked-about “kamikaze” slide with its talking name or a jump from an enormous zipline-you definitely don’t feel like getting out of the water. And even if you do get hungry, you don’t have to. The park grounds are surrounded by olive groves and orange trees. So a ripe, juicy orange may quite easily fall right on your head-you can enjoy the fruit without even leaving the pool. And after nerve-tingling, dizzying slides, you can try surfing by taming the artificial wave in a huge pool the size of a runway. For kids, there are several pools, one of which features an exciting obstacle course.

Old Town

Old Town is the historic center of Limassol, where colorful houses huddle close together and winding streets have survived numerous earthquakes and reconstructions. Start at Limassol Castle on the waterfront and continue deeper into the city, passing ancient Orthodox churches and Muslim mosques, tiny Greek shops lined with flowerpots, orange trees, and cozy bakeries where the heady, tickling aroma of freshly baked bread drifts out. In the Old Town neighborhoods, the spirit of provincial Greece still lingers. The farther you get from the waterfront, the more often you come across neighborhoods of vacant villas. If there’s no warning sign, you can quite easily take a tour of an old villa.

Wine Museum

Here you will be told and shown how the ancient Greeks made wine. You will be taught to appreciate and distinguish the variety of bouquets and grape varieties, and they will undoubtedly pour you a glass or two of young red wine or brandy-or offer you to drink a shot of “zivania,” a strong spirit made exclusively in Cyprus. And only then can you choose a bottle or two to go with dinner. Cyprus vineyards are the oldest in the world-about 150 years old. In the area around Limassol alone, more than 200 grape varieties grow.

Journey to the Middle Ages

The first item on the excursion program is the gem of Meniko village: the Church of Cyprian and Justina, where you will be able to venerate the relics of Cyprian and Justina, which are carefully kept in this church and, according to tradition, cleanse people from the evil eye and evil words. Next is Fikardo-an authentic medieval open-air village museum. The Maheras Monastery, founded as far back as the 12th century, attracts attention thanks to a miraculous icon of the Most Holy Virgin Mary. The icon, depicting “The Virgin Mary alone, without the Infant, as if praying, with outstretched hands,” was painted by the Apostle Luke. In the well-known “lace capital,” the village of craftsmen Lefkara, you can admire-and, if you wish, purchase-the famous Cypriot handmade lace, which has gained worldwide recognition. The trip will end in the neighboring village of Skarinou, known for its olive oil, produced using a unique drip-by-drip technology. During the excursion, you will see real Cyprus in all its original beauty.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can check after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.