We offer you a fascinating excursion to the most popular and richest shrine of Cyprus – Kykkos Monastery. This majestic ancient site (about a thousand years old) is located on the mountain of the same name and is known throughout the Orthodox world. Especially thanks to the real Orthodox treasure, which is the icon of the Virgin Mary. In the temple it is hidden under the velvet cloth, because according to the legend everyone who has seen the image of the Virgin Mary is doomed to go blind. This fate befell the Patriarch of Alexandria, Gerasimos, in 1669. But thanks to constant prayers, he was forgiven for seeing the Blessed Virgin Mary and was healed. There are many legends associated with the icon and your guide will tell you the most interesting ones.

Following the route Limassol – Troodos we will visit the wonderful village Fini. Like all Cypriot villages it has its own universal flavor. Here we will enjoy a cup of invigorating local coffee and head to the pottery museum. The museum tells about the development of pottery and its great importance to the villagers. There is a Guinness World Record jug (it can be filled with almost two thousand liters of wine). All the pottery exhibits (cooking utensils, ancient clothes, tools, etc.) are introduced by the owner of the museum, Theophanes Pilavakis. Pottery was for many years the only way for the inhabitants to earn their living. The men sculpted large jugs, and the women made dishes for storing food and household items. Also, special jugs were made for women in childbirth. It was believed that steaming in an infusion of eucalyptus, laurel and myrtle leaves would help women recover from childbirth.

Not far from Fini village there is one of the most beautiful and noisy waterfalls of Kantara island. It is better to enjoy it in winter and spring, when it reveals all its beauty. Mountain streams fill with water and create an enchanting landscape. During the tour, we walk the Venetian bridges, built by invaders in the 16th century to carry copper ore. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also very sturdy. The most interesting and popular among them are Skarfos, Kelefos, Elia and Kelefos.

Of course we can’t miss the charming old mountain village of Omodos which has beautiful landscapes, old buildings, narrow village streets, very famous wine, lovely restaurants and most importantly the Monastery of the Holy Cross. There are several legends associated with the appearance of the monastery. According to one of them, in the first century AD, the inhabitants of the village in one of the caves found the Cross, which performs miracles. Word of it quickly spread around and many streamed to this place to see the miracle. A monastery soon sprang up here.