My Holiday to Paphos - part two! (Olympic Holidays)

Member Name: MeganFF

Product:	Olympic Holidays
Date:	22/07/09 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The guides makes the trips

Disadvantages: The variety on offer is really lacking

I have just come back from my first trip to Cyprus, staying in Paphos, with Olympic Holidays.

I have rambled on about the hotel on another review, and the airline on yet another, so I wont mention them again here.

I'm pretty certain we have travelled to Greece with Olympic before, but I may be wrong. However, I would be happy to do so again (airline aside).

This review will focus only on the reps and the tours we took with Olympic.

First off, the welcome meeting. This was a little disappointing. He (Ian) was friendly and approachable, but didn't offer us much insight to the tours on offer at all. The paraphernalia given to us did give us some info tho, so we picked our outings via that.

That brings me to the tours themselves. What a disappointing list. The vast majority where for cruises and trips to the water park. Just three jumped out as being not of that ilk. Two jeep safaris and a coach tour. They are the ones we did.

My bloke did ask said rep if there was a guided tour that covers the Tomb of Kings and the Mosaic Villas (found in Kato Paphos) but was told that they were too nearby to cover.

Mmm

Anyway, we signed up and paid for both jeep safari's and the coach trip to Limassol.

The first Jeep trip was for the Troodos Mountains. I have to say this is the best way to see the island - and the 'real' Cyprus. We were taken to some lovely spots to see things you wouldn't otherwise see, like a Venetian Bridge, a beautiful waterfall, normal everyday villages full of character. And the Kykkos Monastery, which is still a working monastery.
Although the monks have a strict dress code, they supply you with purple robes so that you can enjoy the wonder of the interior - amazing paintings of various religious scenes, pictures of Jesus and God, finished with real gold. The effect of walking around is simply breathtaking, and very humbling.

Lunch is included in the tour, and it was simple Cypriot food at its best. Bread, Tatziki, Greek Salad, cous cous, vegetables, pork cooked in red wine, roast potatoes (greek style, not crispy like English ones) and of course, wine! (Water was also available)

The pick up time was a little early for me, eight thirty am on a holiday shouldn't exist, but due to the heat, it was necessary. With a couple of 'facilities' stops, we were back at the hotel about five thirty. We even saw the 'other side' of the island - the Turkish side. But only from a distance. A full day in all senses of the phrase.

The second jeep trip was for the Akamas Peninsula. So where the first trip was inland and mountainous, the second was coastal. Aphrodites baths, Lara Cove (sometimes known as Turtle Beach, the last nesting site for the turtles on the island), the Akamas Gorge and a dip in the sea are all included on this trip.
Again, lunch is thrown in, as is plenty of off roading. While that is fun, watch your head if you're lucky enough to be in the back of the jeep!

Both guides on these jeeps were great. Any question was answered as fully as possible, even when it was a little insensitive about the Turkish Occupation of the north side of the island!

The Coach trip was to Limassol, and stopped to show us Aphrodites rock, Kourin village, it drove us by the British bases (both Army and Air Force), and took us to a winery! That was a huge hit, as you can imagine.
The two n half hours of free time in Limassol is perfect for lunch and a spot of window shopping. There is a castle that you can go round, but we decided the entrance fee and the signs stating you can't take pictures cancelled out any desire we had to stroll around it.
The pick up for this trip was a little more palatable 9am, and we were returned just after 4pm.

Each of the jeep trips were about 68 euros each, but as I said that included lunch with wine. The Coach trip was about 39 euros each.

We enjoyed the trips we took, but I think the variety on offer could be greatly improved.

All in all, I think Olympic are a pretty good tour operator, but as with everything, you get out what you put in

Summary: Gods of Greek Holidays - please widen your tours!