A grape celebration

As well as sea and sun, visitors to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus can enjoy a taste of the country's ancient history this autumn as October marks the return of the Afamia Grape Festival.

Held every year in the village of Koilani, near Limassol, in the heart of Cyprus' oldest wine growing region the festival, which this year will take place on October 7th and 8th, signals the end of the grape harvest and the beginning of the boozy celebrations.

Travellers heading to Cyprus can enjoy a whole range of wine tastings in Koilani including Muscats, pine-flavoured Retsinas and the island's renowned dessert wine, Commanderia, which was reputedly created by the crusaders in the local Kolossi Castle.

With a wine-making heritage that dates back some 6,000 years, tourist are well recommended to make the 30 km journey north from Limassol to the Koilani village square, to sample the Cypriot celebrations and enjoy some traditional food and wine.

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