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 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 might tower over Ben Nevis – and there’s often sufficient snow for snowboarding in winter.
In case you’re visiting outdoors the summer season months, don’t be stunned to search out the roads lined with snow too, so solely drive in the event you’re ready. In the course of 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 mean rent automotive, in addition to venturing additional off highway in a 4×4.
Having had such a superb 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 undoubtedly wouldn’t have coped with).
And like our earlier tour, the day was filled with quirky sights in addition to the better-known highlights of the mountains, plus a couple of energetic 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 largest dam in Cyprus, the Asprokremmos dam, which may 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when it’s full, drowning a medieval village constructed by the Franks – lower than half full proper now, we may spy the outdated buildings on the hillside above the bluey inexperienced water.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 top of summer season – this 12 months noticed solely a single week of snow, so ranges are far under regular.
Whereas hoping for a lot cooler temperatures and better rainfall subsequent 12 months, it did imply we may take advantage of 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 outdated, slopes steeply upwards to its excessive level within the center – a sign of simply how excessive water ranges was once, and nonetheless could 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 bushes, our subsequent cease was the Chantara waterfalls.
From the warmth of the sunny highway to the shady waterfalls, you might really feel the cool of the water within the air as quickly as you arrive. In case you don’t fancy a climb or a dip, the bottom falls make for some nice photographs, whereas the subsequent cascade and the one above are good for a refreshing dip.
Very refreshing, in reality! 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 if you first went in – after which massively invigorating when you had obtained used to it.
It’s effectively price bringing water sneakers or waterproof sandals in the event 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 under, I climbed again down much more cautiously earlier than we headed again on.
For a somewhat completely different expertise in Omodos, one of many prettiest villages within the mountains. House 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 a number of the cross, the monastery nonetheless homes a relic of a bit of rope, mentioned to have been used to tie Christ to the cross.
It’s an necessary website for Orthodox Catholics (and plenty of Christians), with a small museum housing historical church regalia and icons, in addition to one other small one on conventional lace making, so there’s lots to understand even when not spiritual.
In case you’re carrying shorts or have naked shoulders, you too can borrow robes to be able 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 loads of Cypriots will go to then, together with to go to the monastery – with tempting little memento outlets, in addition to a transformed home displaying conventional every day life, in addition to one other promoting varied completely different liqueurs.
In case you’re not taking a tour of the Troodos Mountains, Platres is one other excellent 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 points of interest too, such a chocolate workshop and journey ropes course
In the course of 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 even have a fast take a look at the way it’s made, a course of that takes effectively over a day, earlier than attempting a couple of samples.
Whereas I managed to withstand shopping for a dozen packing containers to convey residence, I couldn’t resist temptation at one in every of our later stops, Linos vineyard – one in every of solely six on the earth which produces blue wines.
Utilizing pink grape skins to get the color, it tastes very very like white wine, however is an oddly vibrant blue. In case you don’t fancy that, there are a number of different white, rose and pink wines, together with a vegan pink 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. Luckily 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 – lots for youths and large parts.
Most likely a superb 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 highway again to Paphos for a fast sea swim at Aphrodite’s rock.
Top-of-the-line-known myths connected to Cyprus is that it’s the birthplace of Aphrodite, and you’ll nonetheless go to the spot at the moment.
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 wonder emerge from the waves close by – nowadays, the rock and the seaside are very firmly Aphrodite’s although.
It’s mentioned in the event you swim as soon as across the rock, you’ll get good luck. In case 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 seaside is pebbly so water sneakers are a good suggestion right here as effectively.
There’s additionally a secure route from the automotive park below the highway to the seaside, so that you needn’t dodge site 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 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
Must know: Troodos Mountains tour with children
The tour takes round eight hours formally, however often runs over so it’s greatest to maintain any plans afterwards versatile, and contains 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 individuals within the jeep, and do anticipate to be bumped round – the ahead going through seats are extra comfy, particularly in the event you’re taller. Lunch and occasional shouldn’t be included within the worth of the tour.
E book tickets with free cancellation by way of GetYourGuide or you too can ebook 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 day trip in Avakas Gorge with children
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Chantara waterfall pool picture courtesy of Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels