Weekend in Cyprus - Border crossing in Nicosia, Kikkos monastery and Limassol
Filmed on : February 19-20th, 2023
Filmed in : Cyprus
On our second day in Cyprus, we woke up to find our hotel almost empty. As the car terminal was not working (which might have been on purpose), we were taken by the husband to the local ATM, allowing us to pay cash and make everyone happy.
After a good breakfast, we took a scenic drive on a winding road that led us to the charming village of Campos. We took that opportunity to try the iced coffee that we kept seeing everywhere :)
As we drove through the rugged mountains, we stumbled upon the impressive Kikkos Monastery almost by chance. The mosaics are in an incredible shape, and there is a super impressive gold-filled church somewhere inside. We were not alone there though, as many buses park and bring masses of people at the place.
We continued our journey towards snow covered Mount Olympos, but there was actually too much snow to go uphill, so we ended up skipping it. Anyway, apparently there is not much to do, and the actual peak is a military zone.
Feeling hungry, we headed to the picturesque village of Kakopetria for lunch. The narrow streets, old houses and locals seating outside made it a very memorable moment. The city center was full, sunny and vibrant. Our first time trying some gyros in Cyprus !
With our appetites satisfied, we decided to explore the Santa Irena Winery. There, we had the opportunity to taste some of Cyprus's finest wines. It was a delightful experience that gave us a deeper appreciation for Cypriot wine, and we ended up bringing some back home !
We reached Nicosia right before sunset, a city that is divided between Greek and Turkish influences. We parked our car and crossed the border on foot. On the turkish side, there were many cool restaurants and a cute lively corner and we enjoyed a shisha.
We knocked on a few hotels and the third one finally had a room avaible for us. The next morning, we enjoyed a great breakfast and we started our day.
In search of relaxation, we made our way to the stunning white rocks along the coastline. The peaceful atmosphere and the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks provided a serene escape. We spent some time sunbathing and debrieffing our last days on the island.
Before leaving Cyprus, we made a quick visit to Limassol, a lively coastal town. We walked along the promenade, taking in the vibrant atmosphere and enjoying some local food. It was the perfect way to end our time in Cyprus.
These 3 days in Cyprus were incredible, filled with sun, freedom, good food, great people and lots of learning of it's history. Special shoutout to the car rental, which was so cheap, and yet super on top.
