Incentives ideas: Food & Wine Tours Through Cyprus

Magazine:
10th Oct, 2015
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Cyprus may be the third smallest member of the EU, but it's teeming with a large history—spanning 10,000 years—scattered around an island the size of a large metropolis.

Located in the Eastern Mediterranean, tucked between Turkey to the north and Syria and Lebanon to the East, Cyprus is a compact destination enjoying over 300 days of sun a year. Thanks to its size, it's quick for groups to get from point A to point B, with 309 conference rooms around the island, 30,604 people seating capacity and 34,189 beds in hotels with conference facilities alone.

A number of unique venues and archaeological sites throughout Cyprus lend themselves to small conferences, gala dinners, themed nights or opening ceremonies, offering unusual surroundings that are bound to impress your conference participants or incentives group like the ancient Kourion Theatre, the Pafos Castle square, the Medieval Manor at the Aphrodite’s Temple.

With a fascinating blend of cultures, it’s no surprise the country is rich in cuisine that's essentially Mediterranean with hints of Middle Eastern and Asian influence. There's no better way to witness Cypriot food firsthand than with a Jeep excursion into the countryside, tasting local fish and vegetables, olive oil and wine, straight from the farms and vineyards. Spend the afternoon soaking up village life, drinking freshly brewed Cypriot coffee in the humblest coffee shop, while playing a traditional game of backgammon. For companies looking to strengthen the bond between employees, add a local touch to teambuilding experiences learning how to bake olive pies or halloumi bread with the locals.

Better yet, pair Cypriot cuisine with local wine exploring one of the six wine routes snaking their way around the island, with 40 boutique wineries along the way. You can for instance explore the Commandaria region, known for producing Cyprus' most popular wine. Commandaria is acknowledged as the oldest named wine in the world and probably the first ever to be given an ‘Appellation of Origin', having had the same name for eight centuries. Richard the Lionheart is said to have enjoyed it greatly at his wedding in Cyprus and to have pronounced it "the wine of kings and the king of wines!"

Outdoor activities also take place all year round in Cyprus, especially on the island’s many beaches, which have been named the cleanest in Europe! Cycling, golf, trekking, paragliding, bird-watching and windsurfing are among the many additional activities for delegates to enjoy outside of the meeting room. Whether you want your share of adventures, need to converse with nature and are fond of learning all about traditions, anything seems to be possible in Cyprus!

Contact
Cyprus Convention Bureau
Cyprus Tourism Organisation
T. (+357) 22 69 12 51 /54 / 55
ccb@visitcyprus.com
www.visitcyprus.com
 

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