Wim's journey in Cyprus

When you say Cyprus, you say culture. But did you know that Cyprus also has a lot to offer in terms of gastronomy and nature? Wim Lybaert was happy to map it out for us, and especially for you of course.

Eating mezze on a sun-drenched terrace in picturesque Omodos and a three-day trek through the Troödos Mountains were among his programme. If you love nature, as Wim does, you can't get enough of the mountain sides full of pine trees, vineyards, waterfalls, more than 250 kilometres of hiking trails and views to make you speechless.

Do you also like to roll up your sleeves and do you think good food is important? Perfect because you will have the opportunity to make Halloumi, the national cheese of Cyprus, which is gaining popularity in our country too. Wim already proved to have a feeling for this.

After his stay in the mountains, he spent a few more days on the coast where he visited the Akamas Peninsula. In this protected natural park, numerous turtles lay their eggs every year, you can still find pristine sandy beaches and you can prolong your youth by taking a dip in the baths of Aphrodite. And if that was not enough, he soaked up some culture at the numerous historical excavations at the various archaeological sites in Paphos.

Day 1: Departure to Paphos - Kalopanayiotis

Your trip will start in Paphos. From the airport, you will head straight to the Troödos Mountains where you will stay 3 nights at a Caractère hotel. Enjoy the beautiful route through the mountains and make sure to stop in Omodos for a delicious mezze lunch on a cosy terrace. Take a stroll through charming Omodos before continuing your drive. This cosy village is the capital of several wine villages scattered on the southern slopes of the Troödos Mountains and is known for its beautiful Timios Stravos monastery.

Day 2: Kalopanayiotis

This day is all about enjoyment. Today you will discover typical village life but also the enormous hospitality of the Cypriots. Start your day with a delicious breakfast on the hotel terrace with a breathtaking view of the surroundings. After breakfast, talkative Maria will gladly take you on a walking tour through the orchard. You will be given a basket to fill with fresh fruit picked by yourself. Bambos then tells you all about his bees and the honey he makes for the hotel. And of course you get to taste it too. In the afternoon, you will learn to make Halloumi cheese and end the day with a wine tasting in the hotel's wine cellar. The sommelier will tell you all about Cypriot wines and their drink of the gods: the Commandaria wine.

Day 3: Troodos Mountains

Today we explore the Troodos Mountains. Pine trees and vines characterise the landscape of this immense area. The mountains are a walhalla for hikers and nature lovers as you have hundreds of hiking trails to choose from here. The Caledonia route is undoubtedly the most popular of these. It takes you past one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Cyprus. Culture enthusiasts will also enjoy themselves here. You will discover a large collection of churches and monasteries from Byzantine history, all decorated with beautiful frescoes. A visit to the impressive Kykkos Monastery is a must. End your evening in the hotel's wellness, followed by a delicious Cypriot dinner.

Day 4: Troödos Mountains - Paphos

Leave the Troödos Mountains and drive towards Paphos, where you will stay for 4 nights at the beautiful Minthis Resort. Pure luxury in breathtaking surroundings. The hotel is located at the foothills of the Troödos Mountains, on a whopping 5 km² estate with 1 million olive trees and 300 different bird species. In the afternoon, enjoy the view from your terrace or by the pool, the extensive wellness facilities or wake up the Tiger Woods in you and hit a ball on the 18-hole golf course. If you can't play golf, no problem, David will be happy to give you a lesson. Would you rather take a bike ride to explore the surroundings? You can do that too!

Day 5: Akamas peninsula

Today we explore the Akamas Peninsula, at the westernmost point of Cyprus. Akamas is Cyprus' most important nature reserve. You will find pristine beaches and beautiful flora and fauna. Turtles come here to lay their eggs and you will find turtle nests everywhere. You hike (and climb) through the Avakas Gorge, one of the most beautiful in Cyprus, and visit the spring of Amorosa and the baths of Aphrodite (whoever washes in the bath (pond) would, according to legend, find eternal youth. After a well-filled day, rest on the pristine sandy beach of Lara Beach where you take a wonderfully refreshing dip in the water. Here you will enjoy a beautiful sunset before driving back to Paphos.

Day 6: Paphos

A day of soaking up culture is the programme for today. The first stop is Kato Paphos. This archaeological site gives you a great idea of what daily life was like for the ancient Greek and Roman inhabitants of Paphos. The Roman remains in particular are exceptionally well preserved. Excavations continue to this day. Worth another visit are the Royal Tombs; which are about 2 km from Paphos. This is an underground burial site carved into the massive rocks in the 4th century BC. After all that culture, relax on a terrace by the beach.

Day 7: Paphos

Because you never get tired of cosy Paphos, head back into town. The old town is a gem. It's lovely to stroll around here. Make sure to visit Paphos Castle, which guards the city's port and carries a long history with it. Paphos is also the mythical birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. It was here that the goddess of eternal youth appeared from the foam of the sea. The Rock of Aphrodite reminds you of this event. Legend has it that for every lane you swim around the rock, you become a year younger.