What is NCCT?

The NEPOMAK Cyprus Culture Tour (NCCT) offers young Cypriots an unforgettable 10-day journey through Cyprus with Cypriots from around the world.

This unique tour immerses participants in learning about Cyprus’s vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes. Through professionally guided tours and authentic, hands-on experiences, you’ll discover your heritage while making lifelong friends who share your roots.

Designed exclusively for young Cypriots aged 23-30, the NCCT is more than just a cultural tour – it is also a gateway to deeper involvement with NEPOMAK.

All accommodation, activities, and travel during the tour are subsidised by NEPOMAK with the support of the Government of Cyprus and the Youth Board of Cyprus, ensuring this experience is accessible to everyone.

Reignite your connection to Cyprus and make memories that will last a lifetime with the NCCT!

What Our Alumni Say

“NCCT was the most unforgettable experience of my life! I discovered my roots, met incredible people, and fell in love with Cyprus. Highly recommend!”
— Maria P., UK

“The program connected me with a global Cypriot network, and I gained a deeper understanding of my heritage. It’s something every young Cypriot should do!”
— Andreas K., Australia

Read more testimonies here!

Antonia

Antonia Michael (South Africa)

NCCT was probably one of the highlights of my life. The trip made me feel so connected to my Cypriot identity. It was also the most amazing way to meet young Cypriots from all over the world.
The advisors were organised and ensured a great environment for all of us. One of my tour highlights was getting to live in a beautiful village in Troodos for a few days with the friendliest hosts!
I am so thankful to NEPOMAK for this opportunity! This trip is a must as it is a once in a lifetime experience!

NCCT 2022

Dorothea

Dorothea Papantoniou (United Kingdom)

What a life changing and exceptional opportunity, I met and made the most amazing friends from all over the world, that I will definitely keep in touch with - the itinerary was rich in traditional wholesome activities that made us bond as a group even more !! I would highly recommend to anyone looking to connect with their Cypriot roots - thank you for the absolute best time, and allowing me to go home with a new found love for our Cypriot patrida in my heart.

NCCT 2022

Katie

Katie Bedrossian (United Kingdom)

NCCT was an amazing experience. I formed friendships with people from around the world. This programme has been insightful, memorable, and wonderful.
I would recommend doing NCCT if you want to deepen your connection and love for Cyprus. Since taking part in NCCT, I feel motivated to raise awareness about the history of Cyprus, whilst building on my Armenian-Cypriot roots. Overall, it was an experience I will never forget!
NCCT 2022

Manolis

Emmnanuel Diinis (Australia)

The NCCT offers an incredible opportunity for young Cypriots to build connections and relationships with the island, its people and the broader diaspora. It provides a structured program for the rediscovery of what it means to be Cypriot by contextualising language, religion and ethnicity through the history of Cyprus and the experiences of its people.

The key value of the program lies in the lifelong friendships created amongst the participants who bonded over common themes which at times may have felt isolating back at home; themes such as guilt over an inability to speak the language of their family or barriers in relating to family trauma stemming from historical events in Cyprus.

Cyprus should be commended for providing its diaspora the privilege of participating in NCCT, and it would be an understatement to say that all applicable NEPOMAK members should not think twice about applying for this opportunity to learn, grow and most importantly, have fun!

NCCT 2019

Andrea

Andrea Themistokleous (Canada)

You are in a quaint home-style hotel, take in the breathtaking panoramic mountainous view as you are in one of the highest villages in Troodos mountains. Best of all, you are surrounded by your new friends, 21 Cypriot diaspora from around the world.
From nature hikes through the Akamas peninsula and touring historical byzantine monasteries to wine tasting tours and sailing into the sunset, NCCT is a once in a lifetime culturally immersive travel experience with professional guided tours that are both educational and fun.
Through NCCT I gained a deeper understanding of my heritage and culture and highly recommend this trip to any Cypriot diaspora.
NCCT 2021

Nadia

Nadia Papalexandri (Greece)

My favourite moment from NCCT was when our boat cruise stopped in the waters close enough to view my mother’s hometown Famagusta, and the guide spoke about what happened there. This was an incredible and indescribable moment for me.

NCCT 2016

Maria

Maria Chrysostomou (South Africa)

NCCT was an incredible experience to connect with all types of people from all walks of life. It also gave me a chance to experience the beautiful culture of our country. I got to see things I've never seen before. Attending the World Conference as a NEPOMAK delegate made me feel like I was a part of something big in the world. Something that is really important and special. Thanks for giving me this opportunity, it really changed my life. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

NCCT 2016

Ertem

Ertem Vehid (Denmark)

NCCT was amazing and a unique way of seeing Cyprus, an island that means so much to me.

Most importantly, NCCT showed me that the hope of uniting all overseas Cypriots, despite a divided heritage and sometimes “plastic”/confused identities, was still alive. The trip managed to bring together a bunch of strangers and create a big family in such a short time.

Our nation has a complicated history, and nearly throughout my adulthood, I felt like I was alone in my views about how to move towards the future. I understood how wrong I was when I felt the solidarity of the current and previous participants with me regardless of their professions, religions or native languages.

I would not have been aware of any of these without NCCT.

NCCT 2018

Annie

Annie Kolatsis (South Africa)

When I sat down and thought about what to write about NCCT, nothing seemed good enough. How could I properly put into words what this tour had done for me? How it had changed me? While those 10 days were spent discovering Cyprus, a huge part of the trip was also about discovering myself.

Here is what I managed to figure out along the way. Being Cypriot goes beyond knowing how to speak the language. It also goes beyond knowing how to order a frappe, doing a zembekiko or being able to do the head tilt “tsou” as a way of saying “no”. That being said, I’ve always felt inadequate around my Cypriot family, and Cypriots in general, not being able to speak the language. This trip was the first time I didn’t feel that way. The reason? With everything I was learning and experiencing, I didn’t feel like a tourist anymore. The activities, the guided tours; they gave me what I had been missing all these years. The story. And not just from 1964 onwards. The WHOLE story – or as much as you can hear in 10 days. Knowing more about the island other than which beach to visit, or where to get the best sheftalies, made such a difference.

Once you start discovering the history, you can’t stop. The fact that Cyprus is known as the birthplace of Aphrodite creates an almost mystical air. Visiting places like Petra tou Romiou, the Baths of Aphrodite and the Paphos mosaics made me realize just how impressive the island’s history is. Seeing ancient mosaics that date back to second century A.D. fueled my imagination and awakened a thirst in me to know more. Thankfully, there is plenty more history for me to sink my teeth into.

NCCT 2017