While Cyprus has grown as a destination for visitors seeking sun, sand and sea, if you delve deeper, you鈥檒l find many of its traditions remain intact. This private tour gives you an authentic look at some of these customs.
You鈥檒l head inland to a small village to visit local artisans and hear how they came to make a living from their craft as you. Here, you鈥檒l likely see local women making lace while chatting together in the street, and your guide will tell you more about the history and technique behind the craft. It鈥檚 also an opportunity to glimpse the traditional way of life in this rural part of the island.
You鈥檒l then visit a local basket-weaver鈥檚 house, now a museum and workshop dedicated to the skill, where you鈥檒l have a chance to try weaving your own basket before sitting down to a brunch that includes freshly made local cheeses.
Your private driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel in Limassol, Paphos or Pissouri for the 45-minute journey into the island鈥檚 interior. Your first stop is the small village of Lefkara, where terracotta-roofed stone buildings huddle along cobbled lanes, surrounded by gentle mountains 鈥� the foot of the Troodos range.
The village is renowned for being the birthplace of lefkaritika lace 鈥� an embroidery art with distinctive geometric patterns. As you wander around, you might see some of the villagers sitting outside together as they embroider, using skills passed down through generations. Your guide will explain the history and importance of lacemaking to the local economy and explain the techniques used to create the various types of pieces.
You鈥檒l then continue on to the house of local basket weaver, Petros. After learning basket-weaving techniques from his grandparents, he turned his traditional stone home into a workshop and museum. Here, he鈥檒l guide you through the process of creating baskets, before you try your hand at weaving your own to take home.
Afterwards, you can enjoy a brunch including freshly made local halloumi and anari cheese at the house, before your driver takes you back to your hotel.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Cyprus specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Hiking in the Troodos Mountains
For a change of scene from Cyprus鈥檚 lively coast, head inland with a private guide to hike among the Troodos Mountains, spotting endemic wildlife as you go. You鈥檒l also pause for lunch in a small village and visit a centuries-old monastery.
Limassol, Ancient Kourion and the wine village of Omodos
Spend the day exploring Cyprus鈥檚 second city and the highlights of the surrounding area on this privately guided tour. You鈥檒l walk through Limassol鈥檚 old town, visit Roman villas and an amphitheatre in Kourion Archaeological Site and sample Cypriot vintages at a family-owned winery.
Paphos Archaeological Park
Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one day on this privately guided tour. You鈥檒l see Roman villas, mosaics and amphitheatres at Paphos Archaeological Park, as well as underground tombs carved from rock at a 4th-century necropolis.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tour below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
