Cyprus Business Development Trip
Discovering Cyprus with Honeywell and Pearl by Trudy Boyle
Matthew and I hosted eight clients with Andreas and Marina from Honeywell Events – Cyprus for a busy, informative, fun filled, action packed 3 nights and 4 days in March.
The first 2 nights we stayed at the 5-star Parklane Hotel, Limassol. Even though the group arrived late due to a delayed flight, the reception and welcome was warm and heartfelt. After checking in and a quick freshen up, we were treated to a wonderful dinner at the hotel LPM Restaurant. Several superb courses had been prepared. We were all very ready for our beds after!
The following morning after breakfast we had a show around the hotel and its facilities including the wonderful and well-appointed ballroom and break out rooms which would be great for conferences.
Then onto the first activity – Dragon Boat racing!! This proved great for team building and was fun filled. No previous experience is required and it was enjoyed by everyone – maybe by the winning team a bit more.
Then back in the bus to the Marina, Limassol where we were all boarded a catamaran and went out to sea. We were greeted with a glass of sparkling wine and although the sea was choppy, the atmosphere was fun with music playing and nibbles to eat. There was fishing available for those so inclined.
Then it was lunch at the Gazebo Mare Restaurant, which had lots of outside space, with views of the Mediterranean Sea, that could be used for an event or group. The Cypriot salads are so tasty and combined with seafood offered everyone had a delicious treat!
After lunch we visited the site of City of Dreams and after donning protective hard hats and boots, we managed to see the conference facilities on offer. Once completed it does look like it will be on everyone’s list to visit.
After a freshen up back at the hotel, it was back out for a wonderful meal at The Marina Breeze. With a DJ playing (not too loudly) the restaurant was buzzing. It was a great atmosphere with Asian inspired food and great cocktails!
From here, some went back to the hotel while others carried on the Columbia Beach bar to finish the night off into the small hours.
The next day and after saying goodbye to the Parklane Hotel, we all piled into Jeeps to take us to a local Artist’s retreat. His home included a wonderful garden where his art was on display. This could be set up for dinners etc. and there was an amphitheater. It showed how it can be used for a group as a different sort of venue space. After the team tried creating some art themselves it was back into the Jeeps and a quick stop at The Columbia Sun for a coffee. It is right on the beach on Lady’s Mile and has a Moroccan feel to it. Then we had a trip into the mountains to the winery village of Omodos.
Here we had a tour around the village before lunch in the traditional Cypriot, To Katoi Tavern, where full participation was encouraged in the dancing arranged. This went down particularly well and again the food was good and the wine flowed well.
We then had a tour around the local Oenou Yis Winery which had amazing views over the mountains and grapevines. The outside space available again can be used for events. After seeing the processing plant and wine cellars it was time to taste!!
After saying goodbye to the Jeeps, it was back on the team bus to check in at Cap St George. From seeing the breathtaking reception area, we knew we were in for a treat. After being shown to our rooms and again, a quick freshen up it was back to the main hotel for evening drinks before dinner. The Sapori restaurant had a calmer vibe and the food, like everywhere we had been, was wonderful. After an action packed few days, an early night was preferred by most with only a few staying up for a night cap in the great bar, which has terracing outside with views over the sea. (Point of Interest – the wow chandelier cost one million Euros!!)
The last day had a more relaxed feeling with a chilled morning. Spa treatments had been arranged, which went down a treat! The sun was out, so time by the pool was called for too. All too soon it was time to check out. We then had a tour of the hotel and grounds, which are beautiful and would work very well for incentives, and then it was time for the last lunch at the hotel’s outside restaurant, Mesoyious, with wonderful views. Andreas and Marina presented prizes and final gifts and then it was time to leave this wonderful land and board our flights back to the UK.
It was a wonderful fun filled few days that wrapped a lot of information in the warm embrace of the Cypriot people.
Yamas, Cyprus!! Until next time.
