Most of us have a tendency to think about Cyprus being solar, sea & sand – and whereas that’s positively true, you shouldn’t miss a day exploring the Troodos Mountains with youngsters to find a distinct facet of Cyprus.
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Away from the seaside resorts, Mount Troodos is 1,952m excessive – the island’s highest peak, it will tower over Ben Nevis – and there’s often sufficient snow for snowboarding in winter.
When you’re visiting outdoors the summer season months, don’t be shocked to search out the roads lined with snow too, so solely drive in case you’re ready. Throughout the summer season, the primary roads are good (if twisty, that is the mountains in any case) so you may discover independently in even a median rent automotive, in addition to venturing additional off highway in a 4×4.
Having had such a very good time on our Sunshine Safari tour to the Akamas Peninsula earlier in our journey, we determined to ditch our plan of setting out on our personal to discover, and booked one other day journey with Konstantinos, whose mom was born (and at the moment lives) in a village within the Troodos Mountains.
I’m so glad we did too, as we visited locations on this Troodos Mountains tour which I doubt I’d ever have discovered solo, in addition to a bit extra off roading by the mountains away from the primary roads (which my little rent automotive positively wouldn’t have coped with).
And like our earlier tour, the day was full of quirky sights in addition to the better-known highlights of the mountains, plus just a few lively thrills and a few tradition, to not point out an opportunity to be taught extra about Cyprus from Konstantinos.
Together with our first cease, on the second greatest dam in Cyprus, the Asprokremmos dam, which might maintain over 50 million cubic litres of water when it’s full, drowning a medieval village constructed by the Franks – lower than half full proper now, we may spy the previous buildings on the hillside above the bluey inexperienced water.
Usually there are months of snow in winter which assist to fill the reservoirs and rivers throughout all however the top of summer season – this 12 months noticed solely a single week of snow, so ranges are far beneath regular.
Whereas hoping for a lot cooler temperatures and better rainfall subsequent 12 months, it did imply we may profit from peak summer season’s climate to stroll alongside a dried-up river mattress, in an space that’s residence to a number of medieval Venetian stone bridges.
The primary we noticed, round 500 years previous, slopes steeply upwards to its excessive level within the center – a sign of simply how excessive water ranges was, and nonetheless may be if there are storms and flash flooding.
After a brief stroll alongside the river mattress, in addition to a stroll alongside one of many mountain roads scented with pines and silent other than the sound of the wind within the timber, our subsequent cease was the Chantara waterfalls.
From the warmth of the sunny highway to the shady waterfalls, you may really feel the cool of the water within the air as quickly as you arrive. When you don’t fancy a climb or a dip, the bottom falls make for some nice pictures, whereas the subsequent cascade and the one above are good for a refreshing dip.
Very refreshing, in actual fact! It may need been August, with temperatures of over 30C even within the mountains (and nearer 40C by the coast) however the water was take-your-breath-away chilly once you first went in – after which massively invigorating when you had received used to it.
It’s nicely price bringing water sneakers or waterproof sandals in case you can. Having cleverly forgotten to pack mine, I climbed cautiously from one pool to a different utilizing the mossy grass for handholds, whereas my daughter (who DID have her waterproof sandals) went across the drier part by the facet.
Having each inched ourselves below the waterfall itself for an impromptu bathe and a victory pose for our photographer on the pool beneath, I climbed again down much more cautiously earlier than we headed again on.
For a somewhat totally different expertise in Omodos, one of many prettiest villages within the mountains. Dwelling to the Monastery of the Holy Cross, the place Saint Helena (mom of Emperor Constantine, who transformed the Roman Empire to Christianity) is alleged to have introduced a number of the cross, the monastery nonetheless homes a relic of a chunk of rope, stated to have been used to tie Christ to the cross.
It’s an necessary website for Orthodox Catholics (and lots of Christians), with a small museum housing historic church regalia and icons, in addition to one other small one on conventional lace making, so there’s loads to understand even when not non secular.
When you’re sporting shorts or have naked shoulders, you can too borrow robes with a purpose to go contained in the monastery church.
We may fortunately have spent longer wandering by Omodos too – it’s price understanding that it will get even busier at weekends, as a whole lot of Cypriots will go to then, together with to go to the monastery – with tempting little memento outlets, in addition to a transformed home exhibiting conventional every day life, in addition to one other promoting varied totally different liqueurs.
When you’re not taking a tour of the Troodos Mountains, Platres is one other good spot to cease throughout your day within the Troodos Mountains with youngsters – one other fairly village with a close-by waterfall, it has some enjoyable household sights too, such a chocolate workshop and journey ropes course
Throughout the day, we stopped at a number of companies displaying the Style Cyprus mark on the Heartland of Legends route, together with a household enterprise making loukoumi (Cypriot delight – positively not Turkish delight!) together with rose and bergamot flavours. It’s also possible to have a fast have a look at the way it’s made, a course of that takes nicely over a day, earlier than making an attempt just a few samples.
Whereas I managed to withstand shopping for a dozen bins to carry residence, I couldn’t resist temptation at considered one of our later stops, Linos vineyard – considered one of solely six on the planet which produces blue wines.
Utilizing purple grape skins to get the color, it tastes very very similar to white wine, however is an oddly vibrant blue. When you don’t fancy that, there are a number of different white, rose and purple wines, together with a vegan purple wine, plus Commanderia, a candy dessert wine which dates again to the time of the Crusades.
We had additionally stopped mid morning for Cypriot espresso, made utilizing a particular machine and stirred utilizing an olive stick, in addition to a plate of treats – village halloumi (able to eat with out grilling) in addition to a candy creamy creation from earlier within the cheese-making course of, drizzled with grape juice, known as Anari.
All accompanied by pita bread, cucumber, tomatoes in olive oil and black olives. Thankfully with all of the strolling and waterfall climbing, we nonetheless had loads of urge for food for lunch in Omodos, selecting to cease in Katoi restaurant.
Whereas I used to be tempted by kleftiko, there was additionally souvlaki, kebabs, charcoal grilled lamb chops and a complete string of different conventional dishes on the menu – loads for teenagers and large parts.
In all probability a very good job we had nothing to do for a short time besides to benefit from the views and a bit extra off-roading on the mountain routes, plus a spot of wine tasting.
However there was nonetheless yet another cease earlier than our day was full, on the highway again to Paphos for a fast sea swim at Aphrodite’s rock.
Among the best-known myths connected to Cyprus is that it’s the birthplace of Aphrodite, and you may nonetheless go to the spot immediately.
Its actual title is Petra tou Romiou; in keeping with legend it was thrown into the ocean by a hero and solely later did the goddess of affection and sweetness emerge from the waves close by – lately, the rock and the seashore are very firmly Aphrodite’s although.
It’s stated in case you swim as soon as across the rock, you’ll get good luck. When you solely have time for a brief go to as we did, we swam out to the touch it and again in about 10 minutes! The seashore is pebbly so water sneakers are a good suggestion right here as nicely.
There’s additionally a secure route from the automotive park below the highway to the seashore, so that you needn’t dodge visitors – it narrows to a reasonably skinny darkish tunnel earlier than rising once more into the daylight.
Don’t make any massive plans for the night – it was round 6pm after we arrived again residence, salty, soggy and having had an enormous quantity of enjoyable.
For one more nice day tour with Sunshine Safaris, take a look at the Akamas Nationwide Park and Avakas Gorge journey we tried earlier in our vacation in Cyprus
Have to know: Troodos Mountains tour with youngsters
The tour takes round eight hours formally, however often runs over so it’s greatest to maintain any plans afterwards versatile, and consists of pick-up from varied locations between Paphos and Coral Bay, which you’ll agree with Konstantinos prematurely.
There’s area for a most of eight folks within the jeep, and do anticipate to be bumped round – the ahead dealing with seats are extra comfy, particularly in case you’re taller. Lunch and occasional will not be included within the value of the tour.
Ebook tickets with free cancellation through GetYourGuide or you can too ebook direct at Cyprus Sunshine Safaris Excursions.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Paphos with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks, in addition to our time out in Avakas Gorge with youngsters
Disclosure: This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Chantara waterfall pool picture courtesy of Depositphotos, all different photographs copyright MummyTravels