Day 6: Limassol, Cyprus

This morning we didn’t dock in Cyprus until 10:00.  Our small group wine tasting group met in the auditorium.  Then we walked a LONG way to the very modern terminal and finally to our minibus.  There were 16 in our group, from newlyweds to us.  I was glad we’d checked the weather, because today was our first warm day.

The wineries are in the mountains north of the port, so we rode for about 30 minutes to the first one.  Our guide Ariadne gave us a lot of information about Cypriot history.  Basically, due to the climate and strategic position, everyone wanted to control the island, and just about everyone has! They drive on the left, because Great Britain controlled them when cars arrived.  And it’s one more place on Paul’s missionary journeys.  

We started at the Zambartas winery, one which started in 2006.  There we tried three wines, a white, a rosé, and a red.  They also gave us beautifully arranged plates of halloumi, smoked pork, bread, olive oil, a and apples.

View en route

They were labeling and packing bottles today.

Then we headed to the second winery. The views of the ancient terraced fields were amazing. 

At the second winery, we sampled six wines, including dessert wines. 

This blue wine was startling! It’s made by adding crushed dried grapes to white wine.  We enjoyed it!

At the last winery, we tried five wines with a delightful older Cyprian man.

Almond trees were flowering everywhere!

Then we had about an hour to explore a small village before heading back to the ship.

We got to see an old-fashioned wine press that was donkey-powered.

These Easter eggs were everywhere, given the season.

Then we had time for a good mezze plate and, yes, more wine at an outdoor restaurant.

Potatoes, sausages, tomatoes, halloumi, cucumber, and several dips

It was a long day, and we didn’t return to the ship until about 5:15.  We’ve decided to order room service tonight. Thank goodness tomorrow is a relaxing sea day!