EXOTIC ESCAPES

The Beauty of Cyprus

The maqaam of the Prophet's blessed aunt beside a salt lake, and the cliffs of Cape Greco.

6 Days / 5 NightsLarnaca, Ayia Napa, Nicosia, Limassol

FROM$7,000per person

The trip

The maqaam of the Prophet's blessed aunt beside a salt lake, and the cliffs of Cape Greco.

Cyprus is where the footsteps of the Sahaba reached the Mediterranean, and the island keeps its history close. You base yourself in Larnaca for all five nights, so the days go out and come back rather than moving you on. The centre of it is Hala Sultan Tekke, beside the salt lake, where Sayidatuna Ummu Haram, the blessed aunt of the Prophet, rests. You return there for Maghreb and Isha on three of the evenings. Around that sit the cliffs of Cape Greco, the divided capital at Nicosia, and the Grand Kebir Mosque in Limassol, an Ottoman mosque still in daily use. The food is its own reason to come: olives, slow-roasted meats, tahini and halva.

The blessed aunt of the Prophet rests beside a salt lake in Larnaca, and you pray Maghreb and Isha there with the local Muslim community.

Day by day

Every day, already considered.

Prayer, dining, and where you rest, planned into each day, so you are never caught out.

01
DESTINATION
Hala Sultan Tekke, and the salt lake
You arrive in Larnaca and go straight to Hala Sultan Tekke, where Sayidatuna Ummu Haram, the blessed aunt of the Prophet, rests beside the salt lake. Then the Old City: active mosques, Ottoman architecture, narrow streets. Maghreb and Isha are prayed alongside the local Muslim community, and the sun sets over the lake.
02
DESTINATION
Nissi Beach and the Cape Greco cliffs
East along the coast to Ayia Napa and Cape Greco. Nissi Beach comes first, white sand and turquoise shallows, good for a quiet hour or a quick splash. Then the Monastery of Ayia Napa, the historic old town whose lanes resemble a medina, and Cape Greco National Forest Park, with its cliffs and sunset viewpoints. Maghreb and Isha back at Hala Sultan Tekke.
03
DESTINATION
Nicosia, and the Green Line
Inland to Nicosia, the world's only divided capital, where Islamic history sits beside Venetian fortifications. A panoramic tour covers the historic centre, then Laiki Yeitonia, the old town of narrow lanes and Ottoman-style neighbourhoods. Free time to shop, or to cross the Green Line if you carry your passport. Maghreb and Isha at Hala Sultan Tekke.
04
DESTINATION
The Grand Kebir, still in daily use
Limassol, and the Grand Kebir Mosque, Cami-i Kebir, a historic Ottoman mosque still in daily use. After that the Old Town and the marina, Limassol Castle for a glimpse of the medieval island, and a slow walk along the sea promenade. The flavours here are Ottoman, Arab and Mediterranean: olives, slow-roasted meats, tahini and halva.
05
DESTINATION
Nothing to be on time for
A full day with no transfers and no schedule, nothing to be on time for. Walk the golden beaches, sit with a coffee in the old cafes, take one more dip in the turquoise Mediterranean. Optional visits and shopping in Larnaca if you want them. The street food is worth hunting down: sheftalia, pides and warm sesame bread.
06
DESTINATION
The island lets you go gently
Your transfer to Larnaca International Airport, and the island lets you go gently. You take home the Sahaba and the olive groves, the sea breeze, the warmth of Cypriot Muslim hospitality, the blessed aunt of the Prophet, and the Islamic heritage of an island that keeps its history close.