Troodos

When you start making the ascent into the Troodos Mountains, you’ll suddenly realize that the geography of the area is completely different to anywhere else in Cyprus. Picture it – you’ve left one of the coastal towns, with the sparkling sea and the flat houses and the scrub vegetation and all of a sudden as you’re making your way up curving roads, you’ll notice the pine trees with their beautiful smell, the houses with their peaked roofs and the little streams of fresh mountain water.

Of course, if you’re very, very lucky (and exceptionally quiet) you might even stumble across a Moufflon, Cyprus’ indigenous mountain goat which until a few years ago was on the verge of extinction.

We are rather proud of Troodos, which is not only the youngest mountain range in the world (apparently it’s still growing), but also provides visitors with a glimpse of a completely different view of Cyprus.

If you visit the area from the middle of December to the end of February, you’ll be surprised to see an area that looks almost Alpine, covered with snow and quite busy with people skiing. Even though the island is known for its soaring summer temperatures and glittering beaches, the Troodos Mountains and its surrounding villages paint a very different picture.

Most people take a few days in summer and spend them in the cool pine-covered slopes with their pretty villages and cosy hotels to get away from the soaring summer heat, while any weekend in winter will see families and friends plying each other with snowballs and tucking into thick hot chocolate.

The Troodos region and its surrounding areas really do give you a chance to see another part of Cyprus, whether you want to go for a walk through the fresh forests or take to the slopes in winter. Whenever you do go though, just sit back and let your senses be calmed with the sights, sounds and smells that make this region a haven of tranquility.