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agrotourism
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Rural recreation
Cyprus villages invite you to discover agrotourism’s timeless pleasures
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here is an undoubted allure to knowing that, having arrived on foreign shores, particularly those of a Mediterranean island, your airport shuttle or taxi will deposit you at an elegant seaside resort. Cyprus is, after all, justifiably known for its sun, sand and celebration, with a slew of luxurious hotels and A different kind of rest villas to tempt those bent on leaving with a and recreation await those willing to take a tan.But a different kind trip back in time of rest and recreation await those willing to take a trip back in time. For, preserved in their rustic charm and managed by staff most often following in their family’s footsteps, are houses in the island’s picturesque villages, waiting to play host via a variety of restored traditional dwellings, boutique hotels and enticing rural abodes. In short, the pleasures of agrotourism are set to unfold for visitors looking to explore Cyprus’ mountainous and rural areas, as part of either a mini-break or longer vacation amid fragrant forests, lush valleys, spectacular nature trails, fresco-covered churches and breathtak-
A corner of paradise hides behind the Red and Blue Doors of two traditional houses in Lefkara village. Photo credit: Christos Papantoniou
ing panoramas. Before it took off on the island, agrotourism as a unique form of hospitality had already been popular around Europe and in more distant countries such as the US, Australia, Canada and the Philippines. In Cyprus, it was established in the Nineties via state subsidies and incentives to renovate and convert traditional lodgings to accommodation units as
part of the push to make the island a year-round tourism destination. The fruit of such efforts led to the establishment of the Cyprus Agrotourism Company, a body dealing exclusively with holidays in the Cyprus countryside, which to date represents a network of 100 traditional houses and boutique hotels in 60 island-wide villages. The abodes offer traditional architectural characteristics, while also boast-
ing exclusive, private facilities, fullyequipped kitchens, modern showers or bathrooms, and romantic balconies, as well as swimming pools, fireplaces, gardens and courtyards. For their part, the boutique hotels offer hotel services, with some in particular boasting spa facilities, special organic menus and other themed perks. As for the restored or refurbished houses, they are self-catering and some offer traditional breakfasts, with visitors usually also having the option of dining at one of the village taverns as well. Agrotourism accommodation is spread across the island’s rural communities, from the Larnaca and Paphos coastal regions, to the foothills of the Troodos mountains, to the Limassol and Nicosia regions. But if you’re looking for a respite of this kind, be sure to book ahead, as units tend to fill up fast, including in the summer months. Among the best online resources for this purpose are: www.agrotourism. com.cy, www.heartcyprus.com/agrotourism and www.mydestinationcyprus.com/accommodation/agrotourism, although many establishments will have their own websites as well.
AMPLE Places, Member of Cyprus Agrotourism Company
PHOTO By CTO
Authentic Cyprus – discover it… Traditional accommodation and activities in the countryside
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yprus enjoys an enviable worldwide sun and sea holiday destination with year-round sunshine, blue skies and warm waters. However, this fascinating island has much more to offer. Away from the tourist areas, the Cyprus countryside has a diverse wealth of its own with traditional villages, vineyards and wineries, tiny frescopainted churches, remote forests. Enjoy a different kind of holiday in Cyprus off the beaten track in peace and tranquillity by staying in a restored traditional house or a hotel in one of the island’s many picturesque
villages. By staying in one of the villages one has the opportunity to explore the beautiful nature of Cyprus, flora and fauna, to meet the locals and listen to their stories, to visit the wineries and follow the wine routes, to dine in the local taverns and taste delicious Cyprus food, to walk and discover, bike and discover. Further activities are also available like climbing, riding, cycling and angling, bird watching, skiing and diving and the places where you can find some traditional products (sweets, crafts, etc).
The 10 Unesco world heritage churches in the Troodos Mountains and famous archeological sites are also worth a visit. The houses are spread over 60 villages, near the coast of Larnaca and Paphos regions and in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, covering Limassol and Nicosia regions. Cyprus Agrotourism Company has a new website (www.agrotourism.com.cy) and a central reservations system, at which visitors can find all the details for each house/hotel, the villages, the activities, the events and festivals taking place in Cyprus.
With every reservation, through our booking system, our guests have the benefit of enjoying special discounts in traditional restaurants, wineries and a lot more. You are only a click away. Contact Cyprus Agrotourism Company for the new catalogue ‘Rural Cyprus’ – A guide to traditional accommodation. Tel: +357 – 22340071, email: info@agrotourism.com.cy Find us on Facebook https: //www.facebook.com/agrotourism. cyprus
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FRIDAY JUNE 24 2016
AGROTOURISM
All-natural and unplugged The Cypriot countryside offers several diversions for lovers of the great outdoors
A detail from the panoramic Stavrovouni monastery complex PHOTO credit: Dick Elbers
MOUNTAIN bikers will be able to indulge their hobby across a range of terrains
The island has a wondrous network of nature trails, taking you along remote mountain passes, across traditional bridges and through valleys dotted with wild flowers or fruit trees
Photo credits: Cyprus Agrotourism Company
Routed in history For one thing, the winding roads and relative proximity of other communities mean wheels and a trusty map ensure endless day trips to locales equally as lovely as your current base. Highlights of Nicosia’s region include Machairas Forest and the historic monastery of the same name, housing the miraculous icon of Panagia (the Virgin Mary). You’ll also find the abandoned village of Phikardou, owned by the Department of Antiquities, which in 1978 was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Limassol region, a short drive out into the surrounding countryside will take you to villages – many of them wine-producing - like the beautiful Anogyra, famous for its ‘pasteli’ (Cypriot carob honey and sesame pie) and its large, paved central square, surrounded by traditional, stone-built houses. The Larnaca region boasts the listed village of Lefkara, famous for its filigree silverware and traditional ‘lefkaritika’ lace, as well the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia – another UNESCO landmark – Kiti village’s Angeloktisti church, with its rare 6th-century mosaic of Virgin and Child, and the craggy, dramatically-positioned Stavrovouni monastery. Finally, the Paphos region, blessed with the wild loveliness of the Akamas peninsula, plays host to picturesque communities such as Polis Chrysochous and Kathikas villages, tantalisingly close to the coast and Lara Bay’s turtle hatchery, as well as a swathe of vineyards, famous gorges and nature trails. Meanwhile, for oenophiles, there are also the island’s wine routes to explore. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) has set out seven such paths for visitors to trace and encounter the island’s enchanting wineries, and the official CTO Cyprus Wine Route Guide is available at all tourist information offices. These wine routes in the Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos districts are visible on many different roads with signs bearing the specific name
Photo credits: Cyprus Agrotourism Company
N
ot for you the phalanxes of tanned flesh in skimpy bikinis, sipping margaritas at seaside bars or snorkelling in some popular bay. No, you’ve opted for rural pursuits and serene recreation, heading to the island’s countryside or mountains for a fragrant break from the heat. Your suitcase now on a generously-proportioned bed, a quick glance round your room reveals stonework and traditional furniture, juxtaposed with the decadence of an en-suite power shower. Tomorrow, you’ll wake from a deep slumber, refreshed and ready to start the holiday. But, how best to pass the time? While there may well be a spa or herb garden at which you The winding roads might enjoy a spot of pampering and relative proximity or a leisurely wander, and WiFi so the kids can play games and you of other communities can scan the news on your tablet, mean wheels and a here how you fill your schedule trusty map ensure is going to be refreshingly handson. endless day trips to Never fear, however: agrotourlocales equally as ism in Cyprus offers a wealth of lovely as your current diversions for lovers of the great base outdoors.
MAHAIRAS Forest boasts five hiking trails spanning 19 km
of the route. Routes 1-3 wind through the Paphos region, to Laona-Akamas, Vouni Ambelitis and the Diarizos Valley; Routes 4-5 are dedicated to Limassol’s wine villages and the Koumantaria wineries; Route 6 encompasses the Troodos villages and Route 7 loops through the Nicosia and Larnaca regions. Hikers’ heaven And speaking of nature trails, the island has a wondrous network of them, taking you along remote mountain passes, across traditional bridges and through valleys dotted with wild flowers or fruit trees heavy with their sweet and fleshy treasures. Which of course means birdwatchers and photography enthusiasts are also in luck. All nature trails are divided into three categories of difficulty. Category 1 demarcates an easy trail, with a gentle gradient, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Category 2 signals an average degree of difficulty, suitable for adults of fair to good fitness levels. The route is likely to have sudden changes in gradient (uphill and/or downhill) as well as possibly narrow or rough terrain. Finally, Category 3 represents a high degree of difficulty and is for experienced hikers. Such trails are suitable only for adults of good to excellent fitness levels, and not for young children. To learn of all the different options, and the landmarks accompanying you along the way, check out the Forestry Department’s handy online list at: www.moa.gov.cy/moa/fd/fd.nsf/ DMLtrails_en/DMLtrails_en?OpenDocument
Biking benefits But let it not be said cars and shoe leather are the only game in town. For mountain biking fans, the island is, according to Helen M Smeaton’s Cyprus Cycling Guide, “criss-crossed with a myriad of different trails and terrain that change rapidly as you climb up and down the multitude of hills and valleys on the island”. While early June is still clement enough, temperature-wise, for all-day cycling, Smeaton cautions riders in July and August against dedicating the whole day to the activity, and to be sure to set off early, before the true heat of the day sets in. Smeaton’s handy guide - viewable at: www. cyprus-travel-secrets.com/support-files/513gch. pdf - sets out the key cycling opportunities in the Troodos mountain range, the Polis-LatchiAkamas area, the Paphos forest area and the Akamas peninsula, as well as the biking options in Limassol, Larnaca and Ayia Napa. Traditional dishes After so much healthy activity, you’re sure to have worked up an appetite. On an agrotourism break, eating traditional dishes under, say, a canopy of fragrant vines, is a true feast for the senses. The traditional Cypriot diet includes plenty of seasonal vegetables, pulses, village bread, fruit, olive oil and smaller quantities of meat, but you can also indulge on local cheeses, healthy dips, clay oven-cooked specialties and syrupy des serts, all washed down with local wine. And the best part? At many of the villages hosting you, the contents of your plate will have come directly from local producers. Thus, stimulating yet relaxing, serene yet full of vitality, your stay is tailor-made to replenish you from every angle. So why not take an adventure off the beaten track, and discover exactly what Cyprus agrotourism can offer you?
Hospitality, comfort, tradition Tradition goes hand- in-hand with luxury at
very reasonable prices to ensure satisfaction ARSORAMA VILLAGE HOMES
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Omodos Village Houses S
ituated within the wine region of the Limassol district, Omodos is one of the most well-known and beautiful villages in Cyprus with rich culture, tradition and one of the most historically significant religious sites on the entire island, the Monastery of the Holy Cross. If you love Cyprus village life, if you enjoy great wine, if you fancy agrotourism and seek unforgettable holidays filled with nature, relaxation and fresh air then you must visit Omodos Village Houses. Omodos Village Houses is a family company that has provided accommodation for more than 20 years.
The friendliness, warm hospitality and long years of experience guarantee that your holidays in Omodos will be dreamlike. The newly-renovated, traditionally-built village houses consist of one twin and one double bedroom each, bathrooms, fully fitted and equipped kitchens with a large living/dining room and a beautiful courtyard with chairs, tables and umbrellas where one will definitely enjoy the sun and the stunning view of the Afames Mountain. Visit www.omodosvillagehouses.com. cy or call 00357-99749065 for reservations and any other information you may need.
or those looking for an oasis to escape to, Arsorama is a warm nest of hospitality to be found in the village of Arsos, (just 40km from Limassol and 45km from Paphos), ideal for couples, families and groups on weekdays, weekends and festivals. The complex, approved by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, comprises of four fully equipped autonomous apartments able to house from two up to four persons. Each apartment comprises of a bedroom, fully-equipped kitchen, living room, bathroom with shower, heating, air conditioning, satellite television and internet connection. At Arsorama tradition goes hand-in-hand with luxury at very reasonable prices. “Due to the many beautiful memories we have had in the years gone, by with our great grand-parents, we wanted to honour their memory by bringing back life to our ancestral home,” said Mrs Zooulla Kounounis, general manager of Arsorama. “Our intention, she added was to provide our
visitors with quality, beauty, comfort, luxury, friendliness, but at the same time close links with tradition. Bearing this in mind, we gave much attention love and care to provide a truly atmospheric agricultural resort in the central square of the village”. Arsos, one of the wine villages of Limassol, has 40% of its area planted with vines. The village has two wineries; Nikolettivo and Laona, as well as a spring water factory also named Laona.North west of the village, the nature trail which has been created displays the inextricable natural beauty of the narrow valley. The six medieval village springs are located along the riverbed, while the view from “Agios Constandinos” Observatory is breathtaking. Within a short drive you can also visit the Arminou Dam,
Chelefos Bridge and the Diarizos valley. The village’s Folk Art Museum is one of the best museums of its kind. Combine your stay at Arsorama with excursions to the picturesque wine villages where you will enjoy the beauty of nature and taste traditional Cypriot cooking. Arsorama also provides a fully-equipped conference room for all types of seminars and conferences. FOR INFORMATION, RESERVATIONS tel. +357 25 817000, + 357 97889999 info@arsorama.com.cy www.arsorama.com.cy
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Customary considerations If you’re going to be spending some time in a typical Cyprus village you’re bound to bump into local customs, which are particularly on display during religious holidays such as Easter, or at celebrations such as weddings or baptisms. Festivities such as the latter are sure to involve plenty of music and dancing. Cyprus folk dances are typically accompanied by the violin and lute, with both male and female dancers having to be very nimble-footed as they bob, jump and weave. Meanwhile, hardly a week goes by in Cyprus without a communal event of some sort, whether a colourful cultural festival (like the September wine revels) or the feast of an Orthodox saint’s name day, with the ‘paniyiri’, a traditional open-air fete, a common sight at such times. These are perfect occasions at which to indulge in syrupy and fried desserts, buy traditional preserves, win knick-knacks for your mates or sweetheart and hobnob under a canopy of stars. Of course, the custom most ubiquitous of all is that of hospitality. You are likely to be invited to join locals for a cup of coffee at the village tavern or a glass of wine, or be spontaneously gifted with bags of produce anything from oranges, grapes or figs to ‘papoutsosika’ or prickly pears - from a resident’s garden or orchard. Expect to be asked a lot of friendly questions and swap stories about your home and family in turn.
TOCHNI village
MACAIRAS monastery
Plenty of choices Name Agios Andronikos Agios Theodoros Cottage Agrotiko Agrovino Amarakos Inn Ambelikos Ample Places Cyprus Andri’s House Androniki Anerada Antigone’s House Antony’s Garden House Apokryfo Traditional Houses Archontiko i Misirlou Archontiko tou Meletiou -Meletios Mansion Aristos House Arkela Arsorama Atratsa Mountain Suites Aunt Maria’s Avalon village houses Avli House Ayii Anargyroi Natural Healing Spa Resort Blue Cottage Casale Panayiotis Traditional village Charalambos holiday cottage Chloe’s House Cornaro house Danae House B&B Dino’s House Elpida’s Stonebuilt Houses Evgenia’s House Garden Kamara House - (2-4 persons) Hani Chrysomilou 2 bedroom house Iosiphis Stonebuilt houses Karydhia Cottage Konatzi tou Flokka Kontoyiannis Traditional House Kostaris (Goudi village houses) Lasmari’s Bouquet Leonidas village houses Liakoto Linos Inn Livadia Hotel Loxandra’s House Lyhnos Maison Elena Michalis Anoyia Modus Vivendi Mouskos house Moustos House Nicolas and Maria’s Cottages Oinoessa Boutique Houses Olga’s Cottage Our House
Town Nicosia Pafos Pafos Limassol Pafos Limassol Larnaka Larnaka Pafos Limassol Nicosia Limassol Limassol Nicosia Pafos Larnaka Limassol Limassol Nicosia Larnaka Limassol Nicosia Pafos Limassol Nicosia Larnaka Pafos Limassol Larnaka Pafos Pafos Nicosia Larnaka Nicosia Larnaka Pafos Larnaka Larnaka Pafos Limassol Pafos Pafos Lefkosia Limassol Pafos Nicosia Nicosia Pafos Larnaka Pafos Limassol Limassol Limassol Pafos Larnaka
Telephone Area 99646151 Kalopanayiotis 99622396 Houlou 99418427 Kallepeia 25470202 Lofou 26633117 Kato - Akourdaleia 25522211 Potamitissa 99613771 Pano Lefkara 24332528 Kalavasos 99619146 Episkopi 25822670 Apsiou 22923064 Spilia 25932502, Episkopi 25813777 Lofou 70009131 Kalopanayiotis 26935011 Panayia 24-333413 Kalavasos 25375355 Vasa Koilaniou 25817000 Arsos 22318543 Kalopanayiotis 99356652 Pano Lefkara 25452952 Fasoula 22493922 Lythrodontas 26814000 Miliou 25822670 Apsiou 22952444 Kalopanayiotis 99 619396 Kalavasos 26952268 Pano Akourdaleia 25358836 Arsos 24332998 Tochni 22490620 Trachypedoula 99356129 Goudi 22642344 Askas 99892677 Kato Drys 99530540 Kalopanayiotis 24664677 Pano Lefkara 24634680 Pano Arodes 24323201 Agios Theodoros 25584131 Kalavasos 99463813 Goudi 25381436 Sykopetra 26955588 Goudi 26935597 Panayia 22923161 Kakopetria 25532929 Kyperounta 99608333 Kathikas 22642641 Askas 70 006062 Kalopanayiotis 26944229 Kathikas 99446479 Psematismenos 22772413 Panayia 25313022 Arsos 25331963 Anoyira 99373371 Lofou 22879248 Kato Akourdalia 97667198 Vavla
Palati of Xylari Pantelis House Pinou’s House Piskopos House Polyxeni’s house Porfyrios country house Red Blue Door Rigena’s house Samolasi Inn Sappho manor house Spanos house Stelio’s house Stratos Art Deco House Ta domata tou Zeniou Teacher’s house Tenta House The house of Achilles The house of Xenis The Library hotel The Mill hotel Themis ‘ house To Chorio To Kastri To Palataki tis Vasilikis Traditional village houses Skarinou Vasilias Nikoklis Inn Vasilion agrotourism Vasilopoulos House Vavla Rustic Retreat Vouni Lodge Vrakas House Omodos village houses A view from Route 7 of the wine network
Pafos Limassol Pafos Pafos Nicosia Larnaka Larnaka Pafos Pafos Pafos Pafos Pafos Larnaka Larnaka Larnaka Larnaka Larnaka Nicosia Larnaka Nicosia Limassol Limassol Nicosia Nicosia Larnaka Pafos Pafos Larnaka Larnaka Limassol Larnaka Limassol
22332333 99527458 22516530 99619146 22497509 99520973 22446552 26932581 99808853 25321254 99413244 26722343 99104208 22351000 24332132 24332998 96440328 22922391 24817071 22922536 99614822 99491455 99475458 70000099 24322089 26432211 22382018 24332531 96865404 22323385 99468446 99527458
Panayia Omodos Goudi Episkopi Kalopanayiotis Choirokitia Pano Lefkara Houlou Giolou Droushia Goudi Panayia Kalavasos Troulloi Maroni Tochni Choirokoitia Galata Kalavasos Kakopetria Lemithou Vasa Koilaniou Kalopanayiotis Kalopanayiotis Skarinou Nikokleia Polis Chrysochous Tochni Vavla Vouni Tochni Omodos