Tranquil Troodos Mountains

7th July 2017 I never tire of arriving in the beautiful country of Cyprus. Its Mediterranean charm has tempted tourists here for decades and my most recent trip took me to a part of Cyprus I never knew existed. So starkly different from the ‘touristy’ parts of Cyprus, my journey took me to the breath-taking Troodos Mountains.

New Helvetia Hotel

One of the oldest hotels in Cyprus, this family run hotel has been approved by the EU as a listed historic building. Having been owned by the current family since 1979, the hotel was completely renovated in 2007 yet it still holds onto its unique charm. While the hotel itself is quite basic, its surrounding views are truly stunning. Just a short walk from the heart of the village of Platres, this idyllic hotel has just 25 twin bedded rooms and eight junior suites which could easily accommodate a family, or a couple who want a little more room.

The food here is lovely and tastes even better knowing it’s homemade. Traditional in nature, its Greek restaurant and small bar leads out onto a terrace which overlooks the sensational surrounding views – perfect for those ‘sundowner’ drinks and a scenic setting for breakfast. In my opinion, the New Helvetia Hotel provides the perfect setting for walkers, cyclists, and those who love a rustic adventure as the hill is situated on top of a hill above the local village. Or, if you’re someone who wants to get ‘lost in the wilderness’ and a place to achieve total relaxation the New Helvetia Hotel is perfect.

Platres

This quaint and traditional village is an absolute joy to explore. Its winding streets are decorated with gorgeous fauna and flora, if you didn’t know better you’d think you were somewhere much further than the eastern Med.

I had the pleasure of dining at the local Anoi restaurant which I sampled some traditional Cypriot mezes which were an absolute delight; there’s nothing quite like traditional Cypriot food! The restaurants quality was reflected in the sheer amount of local villagers dining alongside the tourists.

Caledonian Trail

During my time here I was ‘encouraged’ to put on my walking boots and discover the wonders of the Caledonian Trail. Around 3-5km long depending on the route you take, the long winding trails make their way alongside some amazing fauna and is home to some of the highest waterfalls in Cyprus.

While not considered particularly difficult, there are parts of the trail where the gradient changes quite dramatically and the route can become quite steep quickly. For those who would prefer to get straight to the action and head directly to the falls there is an easy access route which leads directly to the waterfalls. After my trek, my evening was spent in the village of Omodos where I enjoyed a delightful dinner at the Yiannis Taverna; a wonderful mix of Cypriot mezes once can never tire of.

Forest Park Hotel

En route to Omodos, we stopped to tour the Forest Park Hotel, the only four star hotel in the area. This hotel is one of the oldest in Cyprus and is again, family run. While a renovation is planned, the hotel’s current décor is slightly dated and reminiscent of something you may see in the 1970’s but, the service here is second-to-none and, if you’re looking for somewhere just to sleep before embarking on an adventure, the Forest Park Hotel will do the job.

Kakopetria

Upon my arrival here, my first stop was the Linos Inn hotel; by far my favourite hotel so far. The whole location had a very traditional Cypriot feel. Its 30 rooms across two floors are filled with character and life and, located just 90 minutes from both Paphos and Larnaca airports, this hotel is the ideal destination for those who wish to explore the glorious Troodos Mountains. After a wonderful lunch at the local Mill restaurant, I took a jaunt to the Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis church; built in the 11th century and UNESCO heritage listed. Upon arrival, it doesn’t look much like what one would traditionally associate with a church...

This stone walled rectangular building is modest in its exterior, but step inside and you’ll be amazed by the wealth of historic and religious artwork adorning its walls. The only surviving monastery of its kind on the island, it is considered as one of the most interesting Byzantine churches in Cyprus; a must see on your visit here.

Casale Panayiotis

The village of Kalopanayiotis is home to the next hotel on my trip the Casale Panayiotis. Compared to other hotels on my visit, this one was much more modern and had a more boutique feel to it with just 28 designer rooms. The excellent spa facilities here definitely make this place my idea of heaven!

Each of the rooms here were once part of village homes and have been wonderfully restored to showcase their original character and charm. Now modernised, the rooms have a fresher feel to them whilst still maintaining their local tradition feel. Food here was again, excellent and the Casale Panayiotis is, ideal for anyone looking for the perfect honeymoon.

Healing Spa

The last day of this amazing trip was spent exploring the beautiful monastery of St John Lampadistis followed by a trip to the local museum. My favourite activity of the day was by far visiting the healing waters of the natural spa located in the grounds of the museum; surrounded by medieval stone bridges and the old water mill.

Final Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in the Troodos Mountains and, being a very active person, the location suited me perfectly. The area has an eclectic range of hotels, so advice before you travel is essential. The feeling of relaxation and calm here is evident and provides the perfect place to switch off and be completely at peace with the environment around you. If you are the outdoorsy type you will be hard pushed to find anything as stunning and as uplifting as the Troodos Mountains.

Sarah Wilkins, Travel Specialist