The Cypriot cuisine is influenced by Greek, Ottoman, Armenian and Middle East products and cooking techniques.
In this program we introduce to you the specialities of the different regions: the wines of the Troodos mountains, the crops of the fertile soils of Karpaz and Famagusta and exotic ingredients from the Middle East.
We from FSA are one of the rare travel operators who offer you the experience of visiting both parts of the island of Cyprus!
For the CULINARY TOUR we are happy to advice you to pick the right season for your specific interests!
IMPORTANT NOTE: to enjoy our programs in Cyprus, we will not bother you with factory shopping stops like carpet and leather! We will only advise you if you are interested in local products like wine, Halloumi, Zivania and many more.
For more information and prices please check the TRIP TYPES section!
On the arrival day we pick you up at the airport of Larnaca (LCA) or Nicosia (ECN) according to your arranged flight. Your CYPRUSTRAVEL guide welcomes you and gives you all the necessary information for an amazing week on the wonderful island of Cyprus.
Our welcome cocktail is the national drink of Cyprus, the Cypriot Brandy Sour.
Today you will discover the Kyrenia region with its magnificent castles, monasteries, and old harbour. You will take a break in one of the most beautiful villages in the mountains and explore the city of jasmine, the Walled City of Nicosia.
The picturesque seaside town of Kyrenia is known as ‘jewel’ and the city owes its reputation to its unique location between the sea and the mountains and its stunning views, nature and history. Walking in the footsteps of crusaders you will discover the unique architecture of the Bellapais Abbey, you will visit the crusader castle Saint Hilarion in the Five Finger Mountains and enjoy the amazing views from above. Kyrenia Castle at the harbour will offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of Cyprus.
For lunch we offer you some of the local fish mezzes in a tavern in Kyrenia.
In the afternoon you will explore Nicosia, the last divided capital in Europe with its crooked and narrow streets, gothic churches, Venetian walls, cathedrals and mosques, courtyard houses and caravanserais. In Nicosia you will be stunned by the architecture of the 13th century gothic coronation cathedral Saint Sophia, and enjoy the 16th century Great Inn with its small artist workshops.
Apart from the classic sights we are visiting the Bandabuliya market hall in Nicosia to show you the mostly unknow ingredients Kolokas, Molohia and other.
Our dinner in the hotel will be one of the traditional home cooking meals with the mentioned ingredients.
A full day trip to explore the picturesque villages of Troodos Mountains with their hidden churches, lush scenery of vineyards and vegetation and splendid views. Driving through the forest you will visit different mountain villages and reach the peak of the Troodos Mountains, Olympos. You will visit the traditional Pedoulas Village and become familiar with the exceptional setting of the green Marathasa Valley with its cherry trees and vineyards, excellent climate, and picturesque scenery. Here you will visit a World Heritage Site, the15th century Archangelos Michael Church with its unique frescoes.
In Pedoulas we will enjoy the charms of a local tavern and their traditional meat dishes like Kleftiko and Souvla.
In the afternoon we continue to the wine village of Omodos on the southern flanks of the Troodos mountains. In a sea level from 700-1300 meters the traditional grapes of Mavro and Xinistery developing the best aromas for the traditional wines, including the famous sweet wine Commandaria.
Today you will explore the beautiful ‘Wild West’ which is known as the water reservoir of Cyprus and the beautiful land. Omorfo (Güzelyurt) and Lefka regions are known for their lush green landscapes and are home to many endemic flowers and historical sites. We will visit the Saint Mamas Monastery, see the amazing icons and the tomb of Saint Mammas and admire the Golden Leaves of Soli at the Archeological Museum while enjoying the fresh orange juice and the traditional sweets.
This region is very well known for its citrus fruits, vegetables, grapefruits, pomegranates, strawberries, and melons – almost always a fresh fruit of this list available during the 4 seasons.
Once home for copper mining, the cittaslow town Lefka today, is the green heart of the West. You will enjoy the tranquillity of the beautiful landscape in this romantic town with its orange gardens, dates, and walnut trees.
In Lefke we have the possibility to taste different kinds of sweets produced from these fabulous fruits.
The evening of day 4 we spend in a traditional Mehane in Gönyeli in Nicosia. Advice from a local: don´t eat much bread with the starters, you might be full before the main courses arrive!
On your free day you can either just relax, go for shopping in Nicosia or we can arrange a transfer to one of the nice beaches in Kyrenia or Omorfo region.
No gourmet tour in Cyprus without the traditional cheese of the island, the Halloumi (Greek) or Hellim (Turkish). The original cheese is made from a mixture of goat and sheep milk, nowadays the mass production uses cowmilk as well.
We are going to visit one of the small producers of village Haloumi and taste their fresh products.
Today’s lunch we have at the village tavern of the Maronite village of Kormacit – this place is famous across the island for its tender Kleftiko (lamb from the oven).
The afternoon we spend with a pleasant hike in the fertile fields on the shores of the azure blue Mediterranean Sea. Depending on the season, here we have the chance to see many of the wildflowers of Cyprus, amongst them the famous endemic Tulipa Cypria.
On this day you will discover the famous east coast and the panhandle of the island; the Karpaz Peninsula with its beautiful landscape, turtles, and wild donkeys.
Our first visit to the Minia Cyprus Open Air Museum will give you insight into the history and architecture of different eras. At this Open-Air Museum, the models of the most important historical buildings in Cyprus are shown in a beautiful green setting.
After this short visit we will head northeast to Karpas Peninsula and take a break in Rizokarpazo which is the last village on the peninsula. In this small mixed village where two communities live side by side, you will meet local people and taste the traditional limonade. Afterwards we will drive to the Apostolos Andreas Monastery through the National Park, feeding the wild donkeys. The monastery which is situated at the far edge of the panhandle is known as the Lourdes of Cyprus used to be a place of pilgrimage for all Cypriots. The Monastery has been a landmark of the island for ages.
One of the highlights of this trip is doubtlessly the beautiful Golden Beach which is the nestling ground for endangered sea turtles. Renowned for its miles of sandy beaches, wild donkeys and Caretta-Carettas, Karpaz Peninsula is an important sanctuary for wildlife.
Apart from the usual touristic highlights we will have a nice fish lunch and visit a producer of Zivania, the traditional Cypriot Grappa!
We say goodbye and wish you a safe flight home with a lot of good memories – and hope to welcome you again in Cyprus!
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