Botanical, Archaeological and Nature trail eco tourism.
Specialised weekly excursion trips around the most exciting but probably lesser known features of this wonderful island.
We put you up in nice hotels and the groups are exclusively tailored for the interest of that particular group, so if your special interest leans toward the botanical or the archaeological - let us know - also if you have fond memories of an earlier trip and wish to revisit certain spots - let us know when booking - this is not a standard package tour.
Cyprus is a botanical paradise with a temperate climate and breathtaking scenery. Endemic species of flora thrive from the flat plains at sea level to the highest peaks in the Troodos Mountains. After winter rains the land is carpeted with the bright colours of spring flowers to delight the eyes of appreciative travellers
The third largest and most easterly of the Mediterranean islands, Cyprus lies at a crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa. During the island’s tumultuous past numerous civilizations have left a rich cultural heritage. Experience a continuation through time as the 21st century reflects 10,000 years of history. Neolithic settlements, Ancient Greek Temples, early Christian churches, Byzantine art; all cherished and preserved in a unique and accessible way to delight discerning visitors and residents alike.
Delicious, fresh, locally grown, food eaten at a village taverna accompanied by the local wine provides the perfect ending to a relaxing sun filled day. Holiday perfection.
We offer a friendly welcome and warm hospitality when we share with you our love for the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite.
Churches
UNESCO is an agency of the United Nations, established in 1946. Its primary mission is to define and conserve the world's heritage by drawing up a list of sites whose outstanding values should be preserved for all humanity. In addition it endeavours to ensure their protection through a closer co-operation among nations.
Cyprus became a member of UNESCO on 6th February 1961.UNESCO helps with the preservation of archaeological sites at Paphos, Khirokitia in the Larnaca district and buildings in the Troodos region. Here on Troodos is to be found one of the largest groups of churches and monasteries of the former Byzantine Empire. The ten churches and monasteries from this area included on the World Heritage List are all richly decorated with murals from the Byzantine and post Byzantine period. The ten painted churches of the Troodos region are
1) 11th c Church of Ayios Nikolaos (St Nicholas) tis Steyis at Kakopetria
2) 11th c Ayios Ionannis (St John), Lambadhistis at Kalopanayiotis
3) 12th c Church of Panayia (The Virgin) tou Arakou at Lagoudhera.
4) 12th c Church of Panayia (The Virgin) Phorviotissa (Asinou) at Nikitart
5) 13th /14th c Church of Panayia (The Virgin) at Moutoullas
6) 15th c Church of Archangelos Michael (Archangel Michael) at Pedhoulas
7) 13th /15th c Church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) at Pelendria
8) 16th c Church of Panayia (The Virgin) Podhithou at Galata
9) 15th c Church of Stavros (Holy Cross) Ayiasmati at Platanistasa
10) 16th c Church of Ayia Sotira (of the Transfiguration of the Saviour) tou Soteros at Palaichori
Nature Trails
In ancient times footpaths and cart tracks linked the villages and towns of Cyprus. Since the arrival of ‘civilization’ and the dominance of the motorcar a modern road network has been constructed and made the old routes redundant as the main links between communities. There remain some traces of cart tracks near to old bridges, but the majority of the old tracks are over grown and impassable.
The Cyprus Tourist Organization funded the Forestry Department in their work to bring some of the old routes back into use by clearing a total of 200 kms. of pathways. Now there are almost 50 Nature Trails throughout the unoccupied part of the island, from Cavo Greko in the East to the Akamas in the West.
Travelling the trails allows the walker to come into close proximity with rich natural vegetation and culturally interesting sites. Gentle gradients and mainly circular routes make the Trails accessible to reasonably active people of all age groups.
We advise you to
1) Wear shoes suitable for walking on rough, hard terrain.
2) Wear a hat and sunglasses and carry a bottle of drinking water.
3) Wear suitable clothing when entering monasteries and churches.
4) Wear suitable clothing for walking in the mountains. Even in the summer months the air can feel cool, especially in the late afternoon and evening.
5) Respect the natural environment.
Copper
Copper
was first discovered and exploited during the Chalcolithic Age (3900 to 2500 BC). For many centuries Cyprus was the biggest producer and exporter of copper in the world.
The discovery of the rich stores of copper sulphide zones coincided with the pioneering development of advanced methods of extracting copper from its copper sulphide ores. The early pioneering metallurgists travelled around the Mediterranean in their search for tin a metal essential in the production of the copper-tin alloy, bronze. Weapons such as arrow heads, spears and lance heads were made from bronze, as well as this the metal was used for making tools and implements for domestic purposes. Bronze formed the most important trade for Cyprus for many centuries. Wealth was generated to the Cypriot people as their capacity for exporting the metals increased. This increased prosperity resulted in trade with other countries and the importation of luxury items made from gold, ivory and silver.
It is believed that an increase in population was the result of the increased wealth and prosperity of the island as people from the northern mainland were attracted by the active and flourishing life. Most of the copper produced in Cyprus was intended for export. Evidence of the trade with Cyprus has been found in Iraq, Iran, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Palestine, Crete, Sardinia, Greece, Italy and in the Black Sea.
The production of copper and bronze continued until iron replaced them in the manufacture of weapons and implements.
During the Roman period copper mining decreased and by the time Richard the Lion heart visited the island it was completely abandoned.
But the copper mining had lasted for 3,500 years and produced more than 200, 000 tons of copper metal. Evidence for this has been found in the extensive mounds of waste products, the ancient slag heaps, particularly in evidence on the lower slopes of the Troodos mountain range where more than 2 million tons of slag heaps are in the Skouriotossa area. At Kalavassos 750,000 tons of slag was found.
It took vast amount of energy to produce the copper from the ore and it is probable that the pine trees from many thousands of square kilometres of forests were destroyed in the process.
5 years ago mining restarted in Skouriotossa area. Copper is now exported in container ships from Lemesos harbour.
Mosaics.
Nea Pafos on the far west coast of the island is the site of some impressive mosaics, a relic of the Roman occupation of Cyprus. In 58 BC the Romans annexed the island and. Pafos became the political and organizational centre of their administration. The surviving opulent mosaics reflect the importance of the public and private buildings that were built towards the end of the 2nd century AD. To date the excavated buildings include an Agora, a Theatre, an Amphitheatre, an Odeon and an Asklepieion. There were also temples dedicated to Aphrodite, Artemis, Apollo, Zeus, Leto and probably Dionysos.
The first mosaics in Nea Pafos were discovered by chance in 1962. A systematic excavation carried out between 1962 and 1965 revealed the most spectacular group of mosaics in Cyprus.
The mosaics visible today survived earthquakes in the second half of the 4th century A.D. and the majority of them are displayed in their original position. Though now they are protected from the elements with shelters erected by the Department of Antiquities.
The ancient city of Kourion on the southern coast near to Episkopi was also a place of administrative importance for the Romans. Though there is evidence that, like Nea Pafos, the site suffered in the earthquakes of the 4th century AD. Here also the opulent mosaics are an indication of the importance of the Roman citizens who lived here so many centuries ago.
Thanks to the generosity of The Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation there are excellent guidebooks available which describe the mosaics in greater detail. But of course, no words can describe the thrill of actually seeing the magnificence of their craftsmanship for yourself.
Please contact us here for pricing and itinerary.
As these tours are never standard, we will need to know how many of you there would be, their ages and anything else you think pertinent.
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