Coach Excursion – Famagusta & Salamis

• Visit Monastery of St Barnabas
• Archaeological site: Ancient city-kingdom of Salamis
• Famagusta old Town centre – browse and have lunch
• Beach at ghost town of Varosha – swimming stop

A coach/bus trip takes you back to biblical times of Cyprus and gives an insight into Cyprus History. We travel to the coastal town of Famagusta, which, back in its ‘hey day’, was frequented by the rich, famous and celebrities alike. (We will be travelling to the Northern Territory of Cyprus - Turkish Territory. We go through a check-point where EU ID cards and international passports are to be presented for identification. See Notes below for exclusions*)

We then travel as near as possible to the fenced and sealed off part of the town that is known all around the world as the 'ghost city' of Famagusta (Varosha), trapped in a time-warp since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Our first stop is the church of St Barnabas, the founder of the Cypriot Orthodox Church. Here you can visit the Icon museum of the monastery and the tomb of St Barnabas who was martyred in the area in 52AD.

The trip continues with a visit to the ancient city-kingdom of Salamis (dates back 1100 BC) founded right after the Trojan War, by the archer Teucer, who came from the Greek Island of Salamis. Here there is a guided tour around the archaeological site, which includes a beautiful ancient Greek theatre, marble columns, Roman Baths and a Gymnasium.

We further our journey back to Famagusta Old Town Center, where free time will be given for lunch (optional extra) and sightseeing. During your free time there, we highly recommend a walk around the Venetian Walls that surround the old part of the town and a visit to the Gothic Church of Saint Nicholas and also to the Othello Castle – which is mentioned by William Shakespeare in his play Othello (guiding – optional extra). (for the guided tour around both the Tomb of St Barnabas and City-Kingdom of Salamis, a fee is payable – usually €5 per person for both – ie. 2.50 each tour)

Our Last stop will be the beach located right next to the Ghost Town of Varosha. Here you can have a swim in the crystal clear blue waters of the beautiful Gold Sand Beach of Famagusta, whilst taking in the eerie sight of the abandoned buildings which have been desolate since 1974. On our way back, we drive right next to the Ghost Town of Varosha, where you can see exactly what the area looks like, that was once the best tourist resort of the Island.

* Notes:

• If you would like to swim at the “Golden Beach” in Famagusta, bring swimwear and towels.
• Passports and EU National Identity (ID) Cards: Only the citizens of
  European Union Countries are allowed to use their National Identity (ID) Cards to cross the checkpoint. All other nationalities must use their Passports for crossing. Only original documents can be used for crossing. Photocopies of the original documents, or other forms of identification (e.g., driving licenses, temporary residence permits, etc.) cannot be used for crossing.
• Armenian, Syrian, Nigerian, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh and Nepal citizens cannot join this excursion, unless they have a special visa.
• Ukrainian citizens living in Cyprus with a refugee status cannot join this excursion as they are not allowed to cross the border.
• Greek citizens that have the old National Identity (ID) Cards which are handwritten with a pen, cannot join this excursion. Greek citizens must have with them either a new National Identity (ID) Card or their Passport to be allowed to join this excursion.

• Pickup from meeting point
• Live Tour Guide
• Refreshment stops
• Swimming stop
• Time for shopping
• Refreshments, lunch
• Not suitable for Wheelchair users

• Towel, swimsuit, hat and sunglasses (summer only)
• Sunscreen
• Pocket money

• Pets
• Smoking on the bus
• Eating on the bus
• Luggage or large bag
• See Notes * above

• People who do not wish to visit St Barnabas and Salamis can have extra free time in Famagusta Old Town Centre.
• Double entry ticket to St Barnabas and Salamis is an optional extra payable on the day of the excursion.
• Passports or European Union ID cards are needed on the day of the excursion.
• All travellers must have with them original travel document (Passport or EU ID card - no photocopies will be accepted).
• Only EU nationals are allowed to use their ID cards. All other nationalities can only use their passports

• You may cancel your booking for free until 24 hours before the date of the trip. If cancelled after that or in case of no show, the whole amount will be charged.
• If for any reason, the excursion is cancelled by us, we will offer you an alternative trip, an alternative day to take the same trip or a issue refund.