Most of us have a tendency to consider Cyprus being solar, sea & sand – and whereas that’s undoubtedly true, you shouldn’t miss a day exploring the Troodos Mountains with children to find a unique aspect of Cyprus.
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Away from the seaside resorts, Mount Troodos is 1,952m excessive – the island’s highest peak, it might tower over Ben Nevis – and there’s often sufficient snow for snowboarding in winter.
In the event you’re visiting exterior the summer time months, don’t be shocked to seek out the roads lined with snow too, so solely drive for those who’re ready. Through the summer time, the principle roads are good (if twisty, that is the mountains in any case) so you’ll be able to discover independently in even a median rent automobile, in addition to venturing additional off street in a 4×4.
Having had such a great 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 presently 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 way of the mountains away from the principle roads (which my little rent automobile undoubtedly 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 a number of lively thrills and a few tradition, to not point out an opportunity to study extra about Cyprus from Konstantinos.
Together with our first cease, on the second largest 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it’s full, drowning a medieval village constructed by the Franks – lower than half full proper now, we might spy the outdated buildings on the hillside above the bluey inexperienced water.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 peak of summer time – this yr noticed solely a single week of snow, so ranges are far under regular.
Whereas hoping for a lot cooler temperatures and better rainfall subsequent yr, it did imply we might profit from peak summer time’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 outdated, slopes steeply upwards to its excessive level within the center – a sign of simply how excessive water ranges was, and nonetheless might 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 aside from the sound of the wind within the timber, our subsequent cease was the Chantara waterfalls.
From the warmth of the sunny street to the shady waterfalls, you could possibly really feel the cool of the water within the air as quickly as you arrive. In the event you don’t fancy a climb or a dip, the bottom falls make for some nice pictures, whereas the following cascade and the one above are good for a refreshing dip.
Very refreshing, the truth is! 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 while you first went in – after which vastly invigorating when you had received used to it.
It’s nicely price bringing water sneakers or waterproof sandals for those who 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 aspect.
Having each inched ourselves beneath the waterfall itself for an impromptu bathe and a victory pose for our photographer on the pool under, I climbed again down much more cautiously earlier than we headed again on.
For a quite totally different expertise in Omodos, one of many prettiest villages within the mountains. Residence to the Monastery of the Holy Cross, the place Saint Helena (mom of Emperor Constantine, who transformed the Roman Empire to Christianity) is claimed to have introduced among the cross, the monastery nonetheless homes a relic of a chunk of rope, mentioned to have been used to tie Christ to the cross.
It’s an vital web site for Orthodox Catholics (and plenty 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 lots to understand even when not non secular.
In the event you’re sporting shorts or have naked shoulders, you may as well borrow robes in an effort to go contained in the monastery church.
We might fortunately have spent longer wandering by way of Omodos too – it’s price realizing that it will get even busier at weekends, as loads of Cypriots will go to then, together with to go to the monastery – with tempting little memento retailers, in addition to a transformed home displaying conventional day by day life, in addition to one other promoting varied totally different liqueurs.
In the event 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 children – one other fairly village with a close-by waterfall, it has some enjoyable household sights too, such a chocolate workshop and journey ropes course
Through 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 – undoubtedly not Turkish delight!) together with rose and bergamot flavours. You can too have a fast take a look at the way it’s made, a course of that takes nicely over a day, earlier than attempting a number of samples.
Whereas I managed to withstand shopping for a dozen packing containers to carry residence, I couldn’t resist temptation at one among our later stops, Linos vineyard – one among solely six on the earth which produces blue wines.
Utilizing crimson grape skins to get the color, it tastes very very similar to white wine, however is an oddly vibrant blue. In the event you don’t fancy that, there are a number of different white, rose and crimson wines, together with a vegan crimson 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, referred to 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 an entire string of different conventional dishes on the menu – lots for youths and big parts.
Most likely a great job we had nothing to do for a short while 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 street 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 as we speak.
Its actual identify is Petra tou Romiou; in line with legend it was thrown into the ocean by a hero and solely later did the goddess of affection and wonder emerge from the waves close by – lately, the rock and the seashore are very firmly Aphrodite’s although.
It’s mentioned for those who swim as soon as across the rock, you’ll get good luck. In the event 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 automobile park beneath the street 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 large plans for the night – it was round 6pm once we arrived again residence, salty, soggy and having had an enormous quantity of enjoyable.
For an additional nice day tour with Sunshine Safaris, try the Akamas Nationwide Park and Avakas Gorge journey we tried earlier in our vacation in Cyprus
Have to know: Troodos Mountains tour with children
The tour takes round eight hours formally, however often runs over so it’s finest 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 upfront.
There’s area for a most of eight folks within the jeep, and do count on to be bumped round – the ahead dealing with seats are extra comfy, particularly for those who’re taller. Lunch and low just isn’t included within the value of the tour.
E book tickets with free cancellation by way of GetYourGuide or you may as well e book direct at Cyprus Sunshine Safaris Excursions.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Paphos with children, try my prime picks, in addition to our time out in Avakas Gorge with children
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Chantara waterfall pool picture courtesy of Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
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