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Full Day Private Tour at Limassol, Cyprus, Shore Excursions

LEMESSOS (LIMASSOL) CITY

Lemesos (Limassol) City
The city of celebrations since ancient times, Lemesos (Limassol) continues its status as the festive centre of the island to this day and is vibrant and lively, yet also provides all the elements for a relaxing beach break, or an unhurried expedition of historical discovery.

From the wedding of Richard the Lionheart and the feasts in honour of ancient deities, to today’s carnival celebrations and Wine Festival, Lemesos has always attracted visitors in their flocks for its exciting events and social revelling.

Its position between two large city-kingdoms of ancient times – Amathous and Kourion – has blessed the area with a significant archaeological status, whilst the town in between is modern and diverse with a range of coastal strips, shopping options, drinking, dining and entertainment.

And Lemesos has the added bonus of being the island’s maritime capital, thanks to its main commercial and business port, and the exclusive, modern marina where both residents and visitors alike can enjoy sea views at one of the many waterfront establishments.

As its rural areas stretch upwards to the mountains, some of the island’s main winemaking villages can be found, giving the Lemesos region its unique link with the age-old tradition of viticulture.

For a voyage of cultural discovery and celebration, combined with sand, sea and mountains, Lemesos offers an experience not to be missed.

TOUR PLAN (*Optionally) – Full Day Private Tour at Limassol, Cyprus, Shore Excursions

• Pick-Up from Limassol Port
• Visit Kolossi Castle, driving through the Phassouri Citrus Plantations.
  We will visit the castle that is a fine example of military architecture, originally constructed in the 13th century and subsequently rebuilt in its present form in the 15th century. In 1291AD it served as the Grand Commandery of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. In the 14th century it came for a few years under the domain of the Knights Templar.
• Visit Kourion – House of Eustolios
  Closed to Kolossi is the archaeological park of Kourion. Kourion was an important ancient city-kingdom founded by the Greeks in the 14th century BC. We will visit the Greco Roman Theatre and the House of Eustolios. The House of Eustolios originally was a private Roman villa that became a public recreation center during the early Christian period. It consists of a complex of baths and a number of rooms with beautiful 5th century AD mosaic floors.
• Lunch Break (*Optionally)
• The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates (Temple of Apollo)
  The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylati lies west of Kourion and is one of the most important sanctuaries of ancient Cyprus. This sanctuary was identical to the sanctuaries of Apollo at Epidavros and Argolida.
  
• Visit The Old Port of Limassol
  Finally we will move at the old port of Limassol, walk around, having free time by the marina and the old renovated fishing port.

*The program of the excursion can be adjusted always according to the requirements of the travellers.

Discover Cyprus, Private Day Tours

Included

• Pick up and drop off service from the port
• Transportation by air-conditioned V.I.P. car, minivan or minibus
• Professional English-speaking Driver (applies for transports by car or minivan)
• Professional English-speaking Driver & Escort of our office (applies for transport by minibus)
• Licensed English Speaking Guide
• Wifi on board (free)
• Bottle of water and coffee during the route (free)
  

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Not Included

• Gratuities (optional)
• Licensed Guide who speaks your language
• Entrance fees and any extra expenses
• Lunch Cost

Additional info

• Participants under the age of 12 must have a parent or escort.
• Because there are many sights worth seeing but a half day tour is not enough to visit all of them, before starting the trip we will present to you all possible sights to choose what you are more interest for.
• There are many beautiful sights. You are encouraged to bring a camera along.
• Weather will not affect the operation of the tours.
• However if canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions, you will be given the option of an alternative date or Gift Voucher
• Pick up from your hotel in Thessaloniki
• Meeting Time: It depends on the arrival time of your cruise ship
• Duration: 8 hours (approx.)
• Return details: Returns to original Pick up point
  

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Highlights – Full Day Private Tour at Limassol, Cyprus, Shore Excursions

• Kolossi Medieval Castle
  Serving as a fine example of military architecture, Kolossi castle was originally built in the 13th century, and rebuilt in its present form in the 15th century.
  After the fall of Acre in 1291, it served as the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and in the 14th century came under the domain of the Knights Templar. During their stay in Cyprus, the Knights produced and exported a sweet wine, which became known as the ‘vin de Commanderie’. Today, Commandaria wine is one of the island’s traditional wines and one of the oldest named wines in the world, having had the same name for eight centuries. Next to the castle are the ruins of a 14th century sugar mill.
• Kourion Archaeological Site
  The archaeological remains of Kourion – which was one of the island’s most important city-kingdoms in antiquity – are of the most impressive on the island, and excavations have unearthed many significant finds, which can be viewed at the site. The city-kingdom was built on the hills of the area, and overlooked and controlled the fertile valley of the river Kouris. According to archaeological finds, evidence suggests that Kourion was associated with the Greek legend of Argos of Peloponnese, and that its inhabitants believed they were descendents of Argean immigrants. The once-flourishing kingdom was eventually destroyed in a severe earthquake in 365 AD.The magnificent Greco-Roman theatre – the site’s centrepiece – was built in the 2nd century BC and extended in the 2nd century AD. The theatre has been restored, and is now used for open-air musical and theatrical performances – mainly during the summer months – making it one of the most popular settings for high-calibre cultural events. East of the theatre are the remains of a prominent building, the ‘House of Eustolios’, which was originally a private villa that was turned into a public recreation centre during the Early Christian period.Whilst the villa was modest in size, it was well equipped and richly adorned. Its remains consist of four panels of beautiful, 5th century mosaic floors in the central room, and a bathing complex that is located on a higher level, accessed by steps, north of the building. A roof structure allows visitors to enjoy the site all year round, and explore its remnants.The baths themselves originally opened off the central room to the north and east, where there were cold baths (frigidarium). Before each is a shallow foot-bath; while on the west, the remains of the hypocausts – which heated the medium room (tepidarium), and the hot room (caldarium) – can be seen. In the latter, the built-in basins for hot baths have survived, as have the firing chambers, where hot air was carried through the hypocausts, travelling up through specially-cut flues, through the walls, and beneath the terracotta tiles of the floor.Along with the House of Eustolios, there are further impressive mosaic floors in the ‘House of Achilles’ and the ‘House of the Gladiators’, with the villas named after the scenes depicted on the mosaics.The remains of the Roman Agora are also visible at the site. The structure dates back to the early 3rd century, with additions made later on, during the Early Christian period. The Roman Agora is built on the remains of an earlier public building, which was in use from the end of the 4th century to the end of Hellenistic period. The Agora of the city is surrounded by porticos with marble columns on both sides, whilst on its northwest side, is an impressive public bath and a small temple, the Nymphaeum, dedicated to the water nymphs.An early Christian basilica at the site dates back to the 5th century, with separate baptistery on the external northern side.The Stadium of Kourion lies 1km to the west, on the right side of the road towards Pafos.
• The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates (Temple of Apollo) (Video)
  The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylati lies west of Kourion and is one of the most important sanctuaries of ancient Cyprus. This sanctuary was identical to the sanctuaries of Apollo at Epidavros and Argolida. Apollo Hylati was considered God of the Forest and was the protector of Kourion and is believed to have been worshiped in the area since the 8th century BC. – in the 4th century AD.This sanctuary was built in the Copper Age and was destroyed in 365 AD due to a strong earthquake in the area. However, many of the destroyed buildings of the sanctuary were rebuilt.The sanctuary underwent many extensions and conversions in three different historical periods. The Archaic Sanctuary grew significantly in the 7th century BC, the Ptolemaic Sanctuary belonging to the 3rd century BC and the Roman Sanctuary in the 1st century AD. The Archaic Sanctuary was originally a closed place in the center. Today’s ruins date back to the 1st century AD. The site of the sanctuary is a palaestra, a gallery, a treasury, the baths, the Archaic mosque, the circular monument, the central courtyard and the temple of Apollo. The 365 BC was destroyed by an earthquake. It is worth mentioning that the remnants of the circular monument found were supposed to be processions or dances around a garden of sacred trees.The Roman sanctuary of Apollo had two basic architectural phases. The first dates back to the end of the Classical or Proto-Hellenistic period and the second half of the 1st century AD. The temple was destroyed by a major earthquake in 365 BC. In the southeastern part of the sanctuary is the palaestra, a central courtyard surrounded by colonnades, which was the place where the athletes practiced. In the sanctuary there are also Roman baths. Both the baths and the palaestra are outside the main sanctuary.The majority of the monuments, as they are today, belong to the restoration that took place in the temple in the 1st century A.D. and consist of the Temple of Apollo, the pilgrimage halls, the “palaestra”, a bath complex and the sacred enclosure. The destruction and abandonment of the temple dates back to the end of the 4th century. A.D.
• The Old Port of Limassol
  The old port of Limassol was constructed in the 1950s during the British rule. It served as a supplement to the port of Famagusta and served the country’s freight and passenger traffic for about two decades. As evident by its construction, it was meant to function as a port for boats. The Limassol Old Port area is part of Limassol’s wider section, which includes the cultural and historical center of the castle, the embankment area and the old town’s commercial center. The renovation of the old harbor included the construction of offices, restaurants, shops, large squares, pedestrian streets and cultural events venues. The old port of Limassol attracts thousands of local and foreign tourists and is a recreational attraction. A visit will leave you completely satisfied and will give you beautiful moments of relaxation and fun.

CANCELLATION POLICY
• In case of cancellation for any reason that prevents your arrival to Greece, our company will refund 100% the amount you paid.
• For a full refund, you must cancel at least 7 days before the service start time.
• If you cancel less than 7 days before the service start time, 100% refund with Credit Voucher*

*CREDIT VOUCHER – TERMS and CONDITIONS:
• The issued Credit Voucher entitled to the booking holder can be used as payment for future services until one year after the booking date of cancelled service
• The Credit Voucher can be transferable to any other person and can only be used on new bookings.
• This credit voucher applies to any of our products or services. The same voucher can be used for the purchase of several new services until its amount is zero.

Ful Day Private Tour at Limassol, Cyprus, Shore Excursions

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