Social Events

Professional and Sightseeing Excursion on Friday 08 April, 2022

The excursion will start from the venue and will follow a scenic route through the Fassouri orchards. Our first stop will be at the Kolossi medieval castle, (https://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/rural/sites-monuments/2401-kolossi-medieval-castle). Serving as a fine example of military architecture, Kolossi castle was originally built in the 13th century, and rebuilt in its present form in the 15th century.

We will then continue to the Ancient Kourion (https://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/rural/sites-monuments/2402-kourion-archaeological-site).  Kourion was one of the island’s most important city-kingdoms in antiquity. The city-kingdom was built on the hills of the area, and overlooked and controlled the fertile valley of the river Kouris. According to archaeological finds, evidence suggests that Kourion was associated with the Greek legend of Argos of Peloponnese, and that  its inhabitants believed they were descendents of Argean immigrants. The once-flourishing kingdom was eventually destroyed in a severe earthquake in 365 AD.

The magnificent Greco-Roman theatre – the site’s centrepiece – was built in the 2nd century BC and extended in the 2nd century AD. The theatre has been restored, and is now used for open-air musical and theatrical performances – mainly during the summer months – making it one of the most popular settings for high-calibre cultural events.

East of the theatre are the remains of a prominent building, the ‘House of Eustolios’, which was a private villa. Whilst the villa was modest in size, it was well equipped and richly adorned. Its remains consist of four panels of beautiful, 5th century mosaic floors in the central room, and a bathing complex that is located on a higher level, accessed by steps, north of the building. Along with the House of Eustolios, there are further impressive mosaic floors in the ‘House of Achilles’ and the ‘House of the Gladiators’, with the villas named after the scenes depicted on the mosaics.

The excursion will continue with a visit the the renowned wine villages of Limassol District with a stop to Vlassides Winery (https://vlassideswinery.com) at Koilani village where we will visit the vines of the winery and discuss with one of top Cypriot winemakers (Mr Sophocles Vlassides). Sophocles (University of California – Davis graduate in Viticulture and Oenology) will take us through the phytopathological problems of the Cypriot vines, the challenges and opportunities to be making wines in a heavily impacted terroir by climate change phenomena and the amazing history of Cypriot wine and non-grafted indigenous varieties. We will then have a tasting experience of the Winery’s wines together with a light lunch with Cypriot traditional products.

Participation fee is inclusive of:

Transfers in luxurious fully air-conditioned coaches, officially licensed tour guides, entrance fees to all sites, wine tasting and light lunch.

Time schedule

08:30 Departure from hotel

09:00 Arrival at Kourion

10:15 Departure from Kourion

11:00 Arrival at Vlassidis for wine tasting

12:00 End of wine tasting and visit of vineyards 

13:00 Departure from Vlassidis to Omodos Village

15:30 Return to the hotel

Cost: 35€

*The Full Day Study Tour in Paphos on 08/04 has been replaced with the above excursion. Participants who booked the excursion will be refunded or may use the amount paid for booking for this excursion.

**Minimum participation: 25 persons

Book your spot through the registration system!