This trip is truly a tour de force of Byzantine art and the history of Cyprus and Cappadocia, the ancient region of Asia Minor famed for its early Christian heritage and extraordinary rock-cut churches. During our tour, we will visit both sides of the island of Cyprus: the southern “Greek” part and the northern part of the island, occupied by Turkey. By exploring nearly every corner of this beautiful island—known in pagan Antiquity as the birthplace of Aphrodite—we will visit a great number of churches and monasteries that, in addition to their spiritual and historical value, serve as incredible repositories of Medieval Byzantine sacred art.

Cyprus endured a very difficult history, with countless invasions and destructions. And yet, time and time again, people found the strength to rebuild, renew, and redecorate. In just under two weeks, you will be given a full panorama of Byzantine art—from its Paleochristian origins, through the height and sophistication of the Komnenian period and the Palaiologan Renaissance, all the way to the naïve but heart-warming images of the post-Byzantine Middle Ages.

Our journey will culminate with an unforgettable visit to Cappadocia, whose breathtaking landscape of volcanic valleys is home to some of the most extraordinary cave churches and monastic complexes of the Byzantine world. Here, among ancient hermitages and beautifully preserved frescoes, you will encounter a different yet deeply connected chapter of early Christian and Byzantine spirituality.

This trip was initially conceived as an educational tour for iconophiles, but I am sure that absolutely anyone will benefit immensely from experiencing these lands with their profound religious spirit, incredible history, and astonishing art.

Arrival to Larnaca International Airport  (LCA). Group transfer to the hotel. Welcome Dinner. Orientation. Overnight near Larnaca.

After breakfast, cross into the occupied northern part of Cyprus. Visit St. Barnabas Monastery, founded in the 5th century and dedicated to Barnabas, the island’s patron saint and companion of St. Paul. The monastery was closed under the Turkish occupation and now serves as a historical museum.

Continue to Agia Triada Basilica, renowned for its early Byzantine mosaics dating from the 6th century. These mosaics are especially important as they represent the transitional period from pagan to Christian art, marking a key moment in religious artistic expression on Cyprus.

Next, explore the Agios Filon Basilica (10th century), once a significant early Christian basilica and now a spectacular ruin overlooking what was once an important Roman, and then Byzantine, port.

In the afternoon, return to your hotel with a stop at the Panagia Theotokos Church in Trikomo Village, which contains well-preserved 12th-century frescoes. These frescoes illustrate biblical scenes with iconographic features typical of the middle Byzantine period.

At the end of the day return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight.

Visit the Church of St. Anthony in Kellia, dating to the late 9th or early 10th century. This early Byzantine church is notable for its frescoes, which include rare iconographic cycles depicting Christ Pantocrator and scenes from the life of Christ—representing some of the earliest surviving Byzantine wall paintings in Cyprus.

Visit the Angeloktisti Church in Kiti, built in the 6th century over an earlier basilica. The church is especially notable for its early Byzantine apse mosaic of the Virgin and Child, one of the most refined in the eastern Mediterranean.

In the afternoon, visit the Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from circa 7000 to 4000 BCE. This is one of the best-preserved prehistoric sites in the region, offering insights into early human habitation. The site includes a reconstructed Neolithic village, enabling visitors to visualize early domestic architecture and social organization.

Then proceed to a beekeeping and honey-producing facility in Vavla Village, before arriving at Lefkara Village, known for its traditional lace-making. The Church of Archangel Michael in Kato Lefkara contains frescoes ranging from the 12th to the 15th centuries, offering a rich timeline of Byzantine and local religious painting.

Start at the Paphos Archaeological Park, a major UNESCO site with Roman-era mosaics of exceptional artistic quality. These include mythological themes (such as Theseus, Dionysus, and Orpheus) and date from the 2nd–5th centuries.

Visit the Tombs of the Kings, an extensive necropolis used during the Hellenistic and Roman periods, carved directly into the rock with monumental architecture.

Continue to St. Paul’s Pillar, traditionally associated with the Apostle Paul’s flogging while preaching in Paphos. According to Acts 13, it was here that Paul and Barnabas encountered the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus, who became one of the first high-ranking converts to Christianity.

Visit the Archaeological Museum of Paphos, followed by the Church of Agia Paraskevi in Yeroskipou, a 9th-century Byzantine church. Its unique architectural style is a five-domed, three-aisled, barrel-vaulted basilica—a form found only in two other locations on the island. The church contains frescoes from various periods, with layers dating from the 8th to the 15th centuries, and an icon museum attached that houses a significant local collection*.

* Currently, the museum is under restoration, but we hope that it will be open by the time of our visit

Depart Paphos and visit the Monastery of Agios Neophytos, founded in the 12th century by the recluse Neophytos. The Enkleistra, or hermitage, features some of the most refined frescoes of the Komnenian period in Cyprus.

Continue to Kykkos Monastery, the most famous monastery in Cyprus, founded in the late 11th century. It houses a revered icon of the Virgin attributed to St. Luke. The monastery also features an extensive and academically significant collection of icons, vestments, manuscripts, and ecclesiastical objects.

Arrive at the Monastery of St. John Lampadistis in Kalopanayiotis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site composed of three interconnected churches. The wall paintings range from the 11th to the 17th centuries, presenting a near-continuous development of Byzantine art in Cyprus.

Spend the day exploring some of Cyprus’s most celebrated Byzantine painted churches, all listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their outstanding frescoes dating mainly from the 12th to 16th centuries.

Visit Panagia tou Moutoulla, a 12th-century church with vivid frescoes illustrating biblical scenes and saints. Then see the Church of the Virgin Mary of Podithou, famous for its 14th-century frescoes depicting the life of Christ with remarkable artistic detail.

Continue to the small churches (St. Sozomenos and St. George) in Galata, with their well-preserved 14th-century frescoes, reflecting the rich Byzantine artistic tradition in the region.

Visit St. Nicholas Tis Stegis in Kakopetria, notable as the only surviving Byzantine church with a timber roof, housing frescoes dating from the 11th to 15th centuries that showcase early Byzantine iconography.

End the day at Panagia Asinou in Nikitari, a jewel of 12th-century Byzantine art, with elaborate frescoes that vividly narrate Christian themes and saints, some attributed to the renowned artist Theodore Apsevdis.

Begin with Panagia tou Araka in Lagoudera, a small 12th-century church famous for its exceptional fresco cycle depicting New Testament scenes with vivid colors and fine detail.

Optionally visit Platanistasa Village, a tranquil mountain settlement where you can experience local culture and, if time allows, visit the nearby Stavros Ayiasmati Church, another UNESCO-listed site with 14th-century frescoes renowned for their expressive style.

Next, visit Timios Stavros Church in Pelendri, distinguished by its comprehensive 14th-century frescoes that provide an exquisite example of Late Byzantine ecclesiastical art.

At midday, enjoy wine tasting, lunch, and leisure in Omodos Village, a charming wine-producing village famous for its traditional lifestyle and the Timios Stavros Monastery, which holds a relic of the True Cross, though not a UNESCO fresco site.

In the afternoon, visit Archangel Michael Church in Pedoulas, known for its serene mountain setting and 16th-century frescoes that blend traditional Byzantine themes with local Cypriot elements.

Today we will explore Nicosia, the divided city and the capital of the Republic of Cyprus. Here, we will visit the Archeological Museum, and then after passing through the maze of Medieval streets we will come to the main Cathedral of the island, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. Next door there is a Byzantine Museum with an incredible collection of icons, frescoes and mosaics that could rival any Byzantine collection, not only of the continental Greece, but certainly the World. Later in the afternoon, we will cross the border to visit the Monastery of Antifonitis with some of the best Byzantine Art to be found on the island. It also bears deep scars of the war, as some of the frescoes were damaged in an attempt to smuggle them from the island to be sold to western dealers.  

Though heavily damaged and looted after 1974, it remains a site of academic importance. The earliest surviving paintings date from the late 12th century, showing a local interpretation of the Late Comnenian style. A second phase of frescoes from the late 15th century includes elaborate compositions such as the Last Judgment and Tree of Jesse, remarkable for their scale and iconographic richness. The monastery suffered multiple attempts at looting and damage during the occupation, making its preservation particularly poignant.

Conclude the day with a farewell dinner in the north, followed by transfer to the northern airport for departure to Tarsus/Adana Airport.

Departing from Adana, the first stop is near the city of Niğde, where the remains of Andaval Church, a 6th- to 7th-century basilica with a cross-in-square plan, provide an early example of rural Byzantine religious architecture. Vibrant frescoes from about 1100 survived relatively intact until the 1970s when much of the church was destroyed by a local farmer in protest against the government’s expropriation of the edifice in order to convert it into a museum.

A short distance away is Gümüşler Monastery, a 10th- or early 11th-century rock-cut complex carved into a massive cliff face. Its central church preserves a rare fresco program featuring scenes from the New Testament, including a well-known Deesis composition. The paintings, unusually well-preserved, show characteristics of the Macedonian Renaissance style, with elongated figures and architectural backgrounds.

Continuing northward, the journey enters the Kızılırmak River Valley and arrives at St. Jean Church in Gülşehir. It is suggested that this rock-cut church was originally carved in the 6th or 7th century and later decorated with frescoes in the 13th century. Beneath the later paintings, traces of geometric ornamentation from an earlier phase are still visible. The upper fresco layer includes scenes such as the Nativity, Crucifixion, and Dormition, rendered in a provincial yet expressive style characteristic of the late Seljuk period.

Near Gülşehir lies Tatlarin Church, part of a small monastic settlement integrated into a fortified complex. Dating from the 11th century, the church features a barrel-vaulted nave and preserved frescoes including the Hospitality of Abraham and various saintly portraits, likely intended to support communal liturgy in a time of regional instability.

The day begins in Ortahisar, where Ali Reis Church, also referred to as St. Nino Church, reflects late Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture. The frescoes, though fragmentary, still retain their colorful vibrancy, and the image of the Pantocrator is hauntingly beautiful.

From Ortahisar, travel south to Şahinefendi, to the recently restored Church of the Forty Martyrs. Dated to the 11th century, the church preserves a full decorative program, including the martyrdom of the eponymous Roman soldiers and multiple apostles. The frescoes exhibit stylistic restraint, with a narrative clarity typical of Cappadocian provincial churches during this period.

Returning north to the Göreme region, the itinerary includes a group of rock-hewn churches that reflect a wide chronological and stylistic range.

Durmuş Kadir Church, one of the earliest in the area, likely dates to the 6th or 7th century. It is notable for its unpainted surfaces, architectural sculpting, and absence of figural decoration, possibly reflecting iconoclastic influence or earlier liturgical function.

El Nazar Church, carved into a free-standing cone of volcanic tuff, dates from the 10th or 11th century. Its interior features painted medallions, bands of geometric ornament, and narrative panels depicting the Annunciation, Nativity, and Baptism of Christ.

Yusuf Koç Church, located on the edge of Göreme, retains a comprehensive cycle including the Last Supper, Crucifixion, and scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The stylistic features i.e. elongated faces, patterned garments, and linear drapery suggest a date in the 11th or 12th century.

Tagar Kilise, located within the Göreme valley, is a smaller chapel with a domed apse and a faded but visible fresco cycle, including frontal depictions of Christ Pantocrator, angels, and select saints. The limited program likely reflects private or monastic use.

In the evening, a visit is scheduled to a traditional carpet weaving workshop, where local artisans demonstrate hand-knotting techniques and natural dye processes. While not religious in nature, the Anatolian carpet tradition shares aesthetic and symbolic motifs with ecclesiastical art and reflects a continuous craft heritage in the region.

The final day begins in Avanos, a town historically known for pottery production. A visit to a working clay workshop offers insight into regional ceramic techniques that date back to the Hittite period and have persisted through the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Contemporary workshops often preserve wheel-throwing methods and utilize locally sourced red clay.

From Avanos, the route continues toward Pancarlık Church, located in a secluded valley near Ortahisar. This 11th-century cruciform church is built into a cliff and contains some of the most complete fresco programs in the area. The Transfiguration, Raising of Lazarus, and Baptism are among the preserved scenes, each framed within architectural motifs and stylized vegetal borders.

The final ecclesiastical site is Aziz Theodore Kilise (also called another Tagar Kilise) in Yeşilöz Village, distinct from its namesake in Göreme. Though modest in scale, this church features a well-articulated dome and remnants of figural frescoes, including standing saints and evangelists. Its remote location and limited alterations make it a particularly authentic example of Cappadocian religious architecture from the 10th to 11th century.

Transfer to the airport in Keyseri for an evening flight to Istanbul

Istanbul—formerly Constantinople—needs no introduction. As the historic capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, this city has been a cultural and religious crossroads for over a millennium. Our visit to this glorious imperial city will begin with a tour of what was once the spiritual heart of Eastern Christendom: the magnificent Cathedral of Hagia Sophia. Built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia served as the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years and remains an architectural marvel renowned for its massive dome and stunning mosaics.

Our exploration of the city will continue with a visit to the Chora Church (Kariye Museum), celebrated for its exquisite mosaics and frescoes that depict biblical scenes with remarkable detail and vibrancy. This church is considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine art, offering a rare and intimate insight into the religious and artistic life of the era.

Afterward, we will take a stroll through the bustling Spice Market, one of Istanbul’s oldest bazaars, where vibrant colors, exotic scents, and a lively atmosphere evoke the rich commercial history of the city as a crossroads of East and West.

At the end of a rewarding journey, a cruise on the Bosphorus would feel like the perfect grand finale. As the boat gently glides through the shimmering waters of Bosphorus Strait, the magnificent skyline of Istanbul unfolds like a living storybook. Majestic landmarks such as Dolmabahçe Palace and the elegant span of the Bosphorus Bridge drift past, reminding travelers of the rich history and beauty they have discovered along the way. With the cool evening breeze and golden reflections dancing on the water, this final adventure feels both peaceful and exhilarating, a memorable closing chapter to a truly fruitful journey.

Farewell dinner and an overnight in Istanbul.

Breakfast and transfer to the airport in Istanbul (Airport code IST) for your departure.

Our tour comes to an end. We hope you carry the blessings and memories of this journey with you and look forward to welcoming you again soon!