Most of us have a tendency to consider 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.
accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
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.
If you happen to’re visiting outdoors the summer time months, don’t be shocked to search out the roads coated with snow too, so solely drive for those who’re ready. In the course of the summer time, the principle roads are good (if twisty, that is the mountains in any case) so you possibly can discover independently in even a mean rent automobile, in addition to venturing additional off highway in a 4×4.
Having had such 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 way of the mountains away from the principle roads (which my little rent automobile 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 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 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 time – this yr noticed solely a single week of snow, so ranges are far beneath regular.
Whereas hoping for a lot cooler temperatures and better rainfall subsequent yr, it did imply we may profit from peak summer time’s climate to stroll alongside a dried-up river mattress, in an space that’s house 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 once, 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 aside from 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. If you happen to 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 excellent for a refreshing dip.
Very refreshing, the truth is! It might 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 massively invigorating when you had bought used to it.
It’s properly 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 facet.
Having each inched ourselves beneath 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 fairly 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 alleged to have introduced among the cross, the monastery nonetheless homes a relic of a bit of rope, stated to have been used to tie Christ to the cross.
It’s an vital 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 a lot to understand even when not non secular.
If you happen to’re carrying shorts or have naked shoulders, you may also borrow robes with the intention to go contained in the monastery church.
We may fortunately have spent longer wandering by way of 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 retailers, in addition to a transformed home exhibiting conventional every day life, in addition to one other promoting varied totally different liqueurs.
If you happen to’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 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
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 – positively not Turkish delight!) together with rose and bergamot flavours. You may also have a fast take a look at the way it’s made, a course of that takes properly over a day, earlier than attempting a couple of samples.
Whereas I managed to withstand shopping for a dozen bins to convey house, I couldn’t resist temptation at one in every of our later stops, Linos vineyard – one in every 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. If you happen to 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. Fortuitously 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 – a lot for teenagers and big parts.
Most likely 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 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 finest-known myths connected to Cyprus is that it’s the birthplace of Aphrodite, and you’ll nonetheless go to the spot immediately.
Its actual title is Petra tou Romiou; in accordance 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 stated for those who swim as soon as across the rock, you’ll get good luck. If you happen to 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 properly.
There’s additionally a secure route from the automobile park beneath 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 house, salty, soggy and having had an enormous quantity of enjoyable.
For an additional 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 finest 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 house for a most of eight folks within the jeep, and do anticipate to be bumped round – the ahead going through seats are extra snug, particularly for those who’re taller. Lunch and occasional just isn’t included within the worth of the tour.
Ebook tickets with free cancellation by way of GetYourGuide or you may also ebook direct at Cyprus Sunshine Safaris Excursions.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Paphos with youngsters, take a look at my high picks, in addition to our time out in Avakas Gorge with youngsters
Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Chantara waterfall pool picture courtesy of Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER