Wine Festival dates: August 28 to September 6, 2009       

“Drink Wine, It Gives You Life”
(The slogan of the Wine Festival in Lemesos)

The cultivation of the vine in Cyprus is as ancient as the roots of the people of Cyprus. It is a well known fact, confirmed by various historical references, that wine has been produced in Cyprus for over 4,000 years until now.

The following, sample program will travel us through the wine villages and give us the opportunity to discover the wines of the different areas, the food and enjoy the sunshine, the scenery and the culture of Cyprus.

Day 1:
Welcome to Cyprus!
After we meet, upon arrival at Larnaka Airport, we will be taken with an air-conditioned bus to a hotel in Lemesos (Limassol). A welcome drink will give us the first “taste” of the Island.
Dinner and overnight.

Day 2 / Lemesos (Limassol):
The cultivation of the vine in Lemesos (Limassol) is also as ancient as the Kingdom of Amathus and Curium many centuries B.C.
Nowhere else in Cyprus is such a great presence of wineries as in these, wine growing, villages of Lemesos district, known locally as Krasochoria, the Wine Villages. In Omodos and Koilani alone there are 10 such wineries. The route is outstanding, not resembling any other. A dry climate combined with a unique geology is responsible for some excellent wines, made mostly from the local grape varieties Xynisteri and Mavro and also from some imported ones, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro, Grenache and Syrah.
Our today’s tour will include visits of 4 wineries in Malia, Vasa, Omodos, and Arsos.
The tour will be completed with a visit of the Ancient City of Kourion which is one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island. Here, we visit the magnificent Graeco-Roman Amphitheatre dated back to the 2nd century BC, (it is now, fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances) and the House of Eustolios, consisting of beautiful 5th century AD mosaic floors.
The lunch, which will be offered in Arsos, at Agora Tavern.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Lemesos.

Day 3 / Chrysorrogiatissa, Paphos:
Panoramic excursion into a glorious inland landscape, accompanied by the delights of the locally produced wines.
In the western part of the island, Paphos district, at an altitude over 800 meters, the route Vouni Panagias - Ambelitis offers an unparalleled wine experience. The wineries are numerous, the diverse pleasures of equal magnitude. The local Xynisteri grape variety stands out once more, offering white wines of particular finesse in smell and lightness in body.
A taste of green apples, peaches and apricots overflows from the glasses of the Xynisteriots of the area. Additionally, red fruit, violets and roses enrich the other local grape, Maratheftiko, which is also cultivated here. In the villages of this route and especially the Vouni Panagias, Chrysorrogiatissa and Statos - Agios Fotios, you will discover also some of the best wines of the indigenous Mavro grape which benefits from the relatively high altitude and a mild climate, offering pleasant dark and rose wines.
The tour will take us to the Monastery of Chrysorrogiatissa, founded in 1152. The monastery’s old winery produced some of the best vintage wines on the island.
We continue visiting two wineries of the area in Panayia and Statos-Agios Photios and drive to Paphos.  Here, we visit the beautiful Mosaic Floors of the House of Dionysos, date from the 3rd to the 5th and depict the god of wine.These mosaics are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The lunch will be offered in Paphos.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Lemesos.

Day 4 / Koumandaria Wine Tour
A trip that takes us back in time, to the secrets of the island's most ancient and famous wine, the world famous Koumandaria.
The route through Koumandaria villages goes back to 1192 AD when the knights of St. John were perfecting the production of what was perhaps, the first wine in the world identified by its name. Koumandaria! The sun, acting as a valuable ally partly dries the harvested grapes, condensing their natural sweet flavors and enriching their taste. Cooperative wineries of the region, operating within an internationally accepted and protected zone, are worth a visit.
We start the tour with a visit of the Medieval Castle of Kolossi, a fine example of military architecture. After the fall of acre in 1291 it served as the Grand Commander of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and in the 14th century came under the domain of the Knights Templar. During this period it was produced and exported the “Koumandaria” sweet wine.
Continue to Erimi village to visit the Cyprus Wine Museum, which offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of wine production in Cyprus. Ancient jars and canisters, medieval drinking vessels, old documents and instruments illustrate the social, economic and symbolic aspect of wine production.
We then drive to Laneia village, to visit the refurbished wine press, which has been kept alive throughout the centuries, a reminder of the land's glorious past in winemaking.
From here, we drive to Agros Village, located in the heart of Pitislia region, to visit the 19th century Byzantine style church of Panagia Eleousa. The village is also well known for its traditional products such as aromatic rosewater, sweets and smoked - spicy sausages.
On the way back to Limassol we pass by the villages Kalo Chorio and Louvaras. In Louvaras we visit the small but very interesting church of Agios Mamas, built in 1455 and decorated with wall paintings.
Lunch in Agros village.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Lemesos.

Day 5 / Chirokitia, Lefkosia (Nicosia)
The day today will drive us to the centre of the island and the capital of Cyprus, Lefkosia. Its rich history, can be traced back to the Bronze Age.  Capital of the island, became in the 11th century AD.
On the way to Lefkosia, we visit the Neolithic settlement of Chirokitia, dated to 7000 BC.
In Lefkosia, we visit the Archaeological Museum, housing a priceless and fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic Age to the Early Byzantine period. We continue passing by the 16th century Venetian Walls (enclosing the heart of the old city) and the Liberty monument, to the Archbishopric where we visit the Cathedral of St John built in 1662, and the Byzantine Icons Museum, housing the largest collection of Icons on the island, covering the period from the 9th to the 18th century. Before we leave Lefkosia, we also visit Laiki Yitonia, a restored 19th century quarter, with shops, restaurants, galleries and traditional houses.
Lunch in Laiki Yitonia.
In the evening, we will enjoy the Wine Festivities taking place in the Lemesos (Limassol) Municipal Gardens, which are situated on the east side of the town near the sea. On entry to the Festival, we see a giant statue of a Cypriot village winegrower in his traditional local costume. Have fun and enjoy the wine, which is offered free from a number of local wineries.

Day 6 / Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Larnaka Airport for Departure. Back home, we will have a unique and unforgettable experience in Cyprus.

The Wine Festival is an event which has direct connection with humanity. It has been an activity of the human race since ancient times when similar feasts were held related to wine. If the group happens to be in Cyprus during the Wine Festival period, we will enjoy a night tour to the Festival