Kolossi Castle, Omodos and Winery Tour

Cyprus is all rolling hills dotted with pretty villages. On this adults-only tour, you'll see where a legend was born, visit the ruins of Kourion, venture to the village of Omodos and cap off the day with a wine tasting. Eva, one of our local guides, says of this excursion, âYou'll wander through layers of history, culture and mythology, and learn about Aphrodite. The rituals connected with her, as well as the plants and seashells associated with her legacy.'
You'll dive straight into the past to see Petra tou Romiou â a sea stack where, according to legend, love goddess Aphrodite was born. We keep the theme ancient at Kourion, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Cyprus. Visit the Roman baths and amble into the site's centrepiece, the Greco-Roman theatre. Concerts are still held to this day. The 15th-century Kolossi Castle is up next. This Crusader-built fortress is surrounded by blooming plants.
Then, we'll head for a local lunch in a family-run taverna before visiting mountain-fringed Omodos, where you'll wander around skinny cobbled streets lined with Byzantine buildings. It's Eva's favourite village. She says, âThe charm of the stone houses, the tranquillity and peacefulness â it's as if it has sprung from a fairytale. I love dropping into one of the cafés and seeing locals have philosophical discussions, political arguments and a bit of gossip.' Plus, there's a wine tasting, where you'll learn all about sweet commandaria wine.
HIGHLIGHTS:See the still-in-use Greco-Roman theatre during a tour of Kourion archaeological siteVisit Petra tou Romiou, where legend says the goddess Aphrodite was bornDiscover the crusader-built castle of Kolossi, which dates from the 15th centuryWander through the charming village of Omodos before a wine tastingExpert local guide with an unrivalled knowledge of Cyprus and its people
Kourion is one of the most impressive archaeological sites on the island. Visit itâs classic Greco-Roman theatre, with a half-moon of seats, is facing out to sea. You will also visit the âHouse of Eustoliosâ, which was originally a private villa that was turned into a public recreation centre during the Early Christian period.