Cyprus - Lemesos

The island’s second largest city, Lemesos (Limassol) is the island’s main port, the centre of the wine industry and a bustling holiday resort.

The city fans out between two of the most spectacular archaeological sites in Cyprus built on cliff tops with spectacular views overlooking the sea – the ancient city-kingdoms of Amathous to the east and Kourion to the west. Finds from these sites have made their way abroad, such as an enormous stone vase, one of the largest ever found, unearthed at Amathous is now at the Louvre Museum in Paris, while objects from Kourion are displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The sun-kissed southern slopes of the Troodos mountains with their vineyards form a pleasant green backdrop to the city, dotted with delightful hillside villages known collectively as the 'Krassochoria' (or wine villages). The old forms of viticulture are still kept alive here producing the island’s best dry red wines.

The most famous of all the wines is Commandaria, one of the oldest named wines in the world, having had the same name for eight centuries. It was originally produced and exported by the Hospitallers, the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, from Kolossi castle, where they had their headquarters (Grand Commandery), and which can still be seen today on the outskirts of the city.

Germasogeia dam and Akrotiri salt lake are unique wetlands ideal for observing nature and wildlife and peaceful places to relax, go for a walk or indulge in some angling. Birdwatching enthusiasts may see herons, ducks, chaffinches, cormorants and kestrels, or even the Greater Flamingo which winters at Akrotiri in the thousands.

 In the southern foothills of the Troodos mountains and only a few minutes away from the main hotel area of Lemesos, there is a different kind of Cyprus, the Cyprus off the beaten track, a rural retreat and a place of peace and tranquility.

There, you can enjoy beautiful unspoilt countryside at any time of year, villages that time forgot.

Kourion Archaeological Site

One of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island, Kourion was an important city kingdom where excavations continue to reveal impressive new treasures. Noted particularly for its magnificent Greco - Roman Theatre, Kourion is also proud home to stately villas with exquisite mosaic floors and an early Christian Basilica among other treasures.

Originally built in the 2nd century B.C., Kourion’s awe - inspiring theatre is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances.

The House of Eustolios, consisting of a complex of baths and a number of rooms with superb 5th century A.D. mosaic floors, was once a private Roman villa before it became a public recreation centre during the Early Christian period.

The Early Christian Basilica dates to the 5th century and was probably the Cathedral of Kourion, with a baptistery attached to the north face.

The House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators also have beautiful mosaic floors. The Nymphaeum, dedicated to the water nymphs, is an elegant Roman structure.

The 2nd century A.D. stadium is located outside the main Kourion site, about 1kilometre to the west on the right hand side of the road to Pafos.

Also impressive is the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, situated about 2,5 kilometres west of the ancient city.

 Pitsilia Wine Route

Pine and vines grow freely into the mountainsides exuding rural charm. Neat villages and friendly people complete the picture. 
 

Several villages are included in the 'Nom d'Origine' Pitsilia, an area that spreads around the mountain peaks of Madari, Papoutsa and the north-western part of Machairas.

Here the altitude secures a more slow and effortless grape maturity, whilst the arid and sloping earth forces the vines to huddle together and produce richer wines.

Classic local grape varieties continue to have a dominant presence amongst the vineyards of Pitsilia, with occasional encounters of the Maratheftiko, a rare variety which the old wine frowers cultivated in between the Mavro in order to enrich the colour and smell of their wines.