Limassol port private guides

[Zimmy]

We are going to be in Limassol in late October. When I read through the existing threads on this board, it appears to me that the sights to see are Kourion and/or Paphos. However, when I contacted a guide service found on this board, I was offered a choice of two itineraries, and neither one seems to include either of these sights. The first itinerary includes Kourio Theatre, Apollo Hylates, Castle of Kolossi, Omodos, Platres and Troodos. The second itinerary includes Limassol Castle, Amanthunta, Choirokoitia, Lefkara, St Mina and Zugi. These may in fact be wonderful choices, but with the exception of Lefkara, I can't seem to find any mention of them on these boards. I haven't been successful in getting any more useful information from the guide service. If anyone has spent any time in any of these places, I would be most appreciative of any information or suggestions which you can provide.

[debsjc]

I haven't done a ships tour in Cyprus, but I have been on several land based vacations there.

 

I think the Troodos mountains and Platres are one of the best bits of the island

- more info here http://www.kypros.org/Cyprus/troodos.html

 

Kourion is also fantastic

 

http://cyprus.arounder.com/kourion_archaeological_site/

 

You should also try to visit the Birthplace of Aphrodite (Petra Tou Romiou) - beautiful spot for a walk along the coast

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra_Tou_Romiou

 

Would you maybe consider renting a car and just driving yourself to these places, it's very easy to find your way and almost everyone speaks English.

[maryann ns]

I will be there in November. I was all set to rent a car until I learned that they drive on the left. I would not be able to relax with my husband (or any other person used to driving on the right) doing that.

 

What are the chances of being able to hire a driver - not a tour guide?

 

I hear there is lovely scenery there, and with the short time we have, a drive in beautiful countryside would be great.

[debsjc]

I'm from the UK, so we drive on the left, but I've driven in lots of countries where they drive on the right. It's really not difficult switching sides to be honest. Maybe rent an automatic, because the hardest part is changing gear with the 'wrong' hand

[Zimmy]

[

Would you maybe consider renting a car and just driving yourself to these places, it's very easy to find your way and almost everyone speaks English.

 

Thanks for the info. The tour to Troodos is sounding better. We will stick with the tour guide, because my husband does not like to drive outside of the US or Canada, much less on the left side of the road. I'm sure that we would have much more freedom were that not the case.

[Roxanne319]

We are going to be in Limassol in late October. When I read through the existing threads on this board, it appears to me that the sights to see are Kourion and/or Paphos. However, when I contacted a guide service found on this board, I was offered a choice of two itineraries, and neither one seems to include either of these sights. The first itinerary includes Kourio Theatre, Apollo Hylates, Castle of Kolossi, Omodos, Platres and Troodos. The second itinerary includes Limassol Castle, Amanthunta, Choirokoitia, Lefkara, St Mina and Zugi. These may in fact be wonderful choices, but with the exception of Lefkara, I can't seem to find any mention of them on these boards. I haven't been successful in getting any more useful information from the guide service. If anyone has spent any time in any of these places, I would be most appreciative of any information or suggestions which you can provide.

Hi,

Which cruise are you on? We are on the Quest, Oct. 17 and will be in Limassol on Oct. 28. I have been in contact with a guide in Limassol and am awaiting further response from him. His suggestions for general itinerary were both Courion and Paphos, and etal. Have sent for more info and am awaiting his response. We are 2 couples (possibly a third) but if you are interested, I can check with him when I hear back. Are we on the same cruise? I can be reached at rocky9378@aol.com or on cc as Roxanne450.

Roxanne

PS We are also doing private guide touring in Izmir (Kusadasi) as we have been there many times.

[debsjc]

[

Would you maybe consider renting a car and just driving yourself to these places, it's very easy to find your way and almost everyone speaks English.

 

Thanks for the info. The tour to Troodos is sounding better. We will stick with the tour guide, because my husband does not like to drive outside of the US or Canada, much less on the left side of the road. I'm sure that we would have much more freedom were that not the case.

 

 

Of the 2 tours, I agree the first one visiting Kourion and the Troodos sounds better. I wasn't all that impressed with Paphos, so I don't think you are missing too much not seeing that area.

[Mands&Ian]

We are going to be in Limassol in late October. When I read through the existing threads on this board, it appears to me that the sights to see are Kourion and/or Paphos. However, when I contacted a guide service found on this board, I was offered a choice of two itineraries, and neither one seems to include either of these sights. The first itinerary includes Kourio Theatre, Apollo Hylates, Castle of Kolossi, Omodos, Platres and Troodos. The second itinerary includes Limassol Castle, Amanthunta, Choirokoitia, Lefkara, St Mina and Zugi. These may in fact be wonderful choices, but with the exception of Lefkara, I can't seem to find any mention of them on these boards. I haven't been successful in getting any more useful information from the guide service. If anyone has spent any time in any of these places, I would be most appreciative of any information or suggestions which you can provide.

 

Hi Zimmy,

 

A belated response, as it looks like you've made your choice, but it might add some colour to the suggestions made.

"Kourio Theatre, Apollo Hylates, Castle of Kolossi, Omodos, Platres and Troodos"

 

It's worth noting that spelling is a bit of a movable feast in Cyprus so don't be surprised if you see significant variations. Kurium becomes Curium and then Kouriun. It's all the same place! If you've not been before then it's well worth spending time there, the ruins are some of the best on the island.

 

Kolossi is pretty but there isn't a huge amount to see once you're inside. It's certainly worth taking a look but I wouldn't expect it to be a long stop. From memory there's a stall next to the castle that sells tasters of the wine Commandaria. The wine is considered to be the oldest named wine in the world. It's rather sweet, almost like a sherry if that appeals?

 

Omodos is a pretty village in the Troodos foothills. It's known for it's wine and has an annual wine festival. Continuing up the mountains you'll come to Platres with its houses perched on the side of the hills. The air is much fresher up there and it has an entirely separate microclimate to the coast. There are plenty of restaurants and tavernas, as well as shops selling trinkets and the like, so this would be a good place to stop for lunch. A year or two ago an englishman opened a chocolate shop specialising in making high quality chocolates with beans imported from South America and fillings from local fruits.

 

From Platres it's about a 20 minute drive up to the Troodos and, essentially, the highest point on the island. Weather permitting, the views should be fabulous. Once in Troodos there isn't a huge amount to do ... there's a small open market place which caters for tourists and, frankly, isn't the best the island can offer. There is an army camp at the very top of the mountain so it isn't possible to drive right up, a nice man with a machine gun will make that clear!

 

If you are wine drinkers there's a lovely winery not far from Platres on the way down. Let me know if you'd like details.

 

Limassol Castle, Amanthunta, Choirokoitia, Lefkara, St Mina and Zugi

 

So, the other itinerary. I'm not surprised you couldn't find mention on these boards!

 

No doubt you've already researched the castle. I think the intention is then to move on to the archaeological ruins at ancient Amathus and perhaps the village of Agios Tychonas? From there onto the neolithis settlement at Choirokoitia, listed as a World Heritage site by Unesco.

 

Lefkara gets the occasional mention on these boards. There are actually two villages; Pano (upper), and Kato (lower). The lower village is as worthy of a visit as the upper. It's smaller, less touristy and has a rather different feel to it. The two are only 5 minutes apart.

 

"St Mina" almost certainly refers to the convent at Agios Minas dating back to the 15th century where the nuns are famous for the icons they paint.

 

Finally, I suspect that "Zugi" refers to the village of Zigi/Zygi. It's on the coast and on the route back to Limassol.

 

I hope that helps some. If you have any questions that you think I can help with please let me know.

 

Mands

[Zimmy]

Thank you, Mands. You have given me more information that I could find in a guidebook, and certainly more than the private guide was willing to give me. We really haven't made up our minds yet, and your kind post will be a help. Again, thanks.

[Mands&Ian]

Thank you, Mands. You have given me more information that I could find in a guidebook, and certainly more than the private guide was willing to give me. We really haven't made up our minds yet, and your kind post will be a help. Again, thanks.

 

Happy to help :-)

 

If the information you gave in your initial post is all the the guide provided then that sounds like a poor effort on their part as there certainly wasn't enough to work from. I've driven passed St Minas, although not been inside, and it took me a minute or two to recall that locally it isn't referred to as that. Google for "St Minas" and there's little to be found, google for "Agios Minas" and that's a different matter.

 

Anyway, good luck planning and do shout if there's anything you think I might be able to help with!

 

Mands