Page 64 - Annual Magazine 2018
P. 64

TRAVELLING | ROAD TRIP
                                                                                                        Omodos Village                   LIMASSOL WINE VILLAGES                              Following the winding mountain roads into higher altitudes, you will
                                                                                                                                         On the Limassol – Paphos highway, take the exit for Avdimou and   reach the picturesque villages of Kato Platres, and a little further up,
                                                                                                                                         embark on a scenic route through 20 charming, unspoiled villages, with   Pano Platres. Not too far off is Lania, a well-preserved village of narrow
                                                                                                                                         16 wineries among them. You will notice the dry climate, with a specific   cobbled streets where you can peer into beautifully restored traditional
                                                                                                                                         geology that is conducive to the local grape varieties Xynisteri (white)   homes with large courtyards. The old wooden wine press is still on
                                                                                                                                         and Mavro (red), as well as certain imported varieties, including Cabernet   display for visitors all year-round.
                                                                                                                                         Sauvignon, Mataro, Grenache and Syrah.
                                                                                                                                                                                             Finally, don’t forget to make a pit-stop at the Cyprus Wine Museum
                                                                                                                                         The villages include Pachna,  Agios  Amvrosios, Malia,  Arsos,  Vasa,   in Erimi to cap off your journey through the island’s winemaking
                                                                                                                                         Omodos, Mandria, Kato Platres, Lania, Doros, Lofou, Ayios Therapon,   tradition, from its humble beginnings to the powerhouse that it is today.
                                                                                                                                         Vouni, Pera Pedi, Erimi, Kolossi, Anogyra, Kantou, Pano Kivides, and
                                                                                                                                         Souni – Zanakia.                                    COMMANDARIA VILLAGES
                                                                                                                                                                                             This route takes you along a steady rising road that gives way to an
                                                                                                                                                                                             expanse of countryside, through 14 Commandaria producing villages.
                                                                                                                                         Walking in Arsos Village
                                                                                                                                                                                             At an altitude of 500 to 900 meters, these villages are surrounded by
                                                                                                                                                                                             vineyards of indigenous red Mavro and white Xynisteri grapes. These
                                                                                                                                                                                             grapes are the backbone of this deliciously sweet wine.

                                                                                                                                                                                             The Commandaria villages include Kolossi, Erimi, Monagri, Agios
                                                                                                                                                                                             Georgios, Silikou, Doros, Lania, Trimiklini, Agios Mamas, Kapileio,
                                                                                                                                                                                             Zoopigi, Kalo Chorio, Agios Pavlos, Agios Konstantinos, Louvaras,
                     Discovering Cyprus’                                                                                                                                                              So, jump into your car
                                                                                                                                                                                             Gerasa and Apsiou.



                                                                                                                                                                                                        and let’s take a trip
                                     Wine Villages                                                                                             Millomeris Waterfalls near Platres                      through the Cypriot


                                                                                                                                                                                                             countryside.

 C


                                          “Roads are made for journeys, not destinations”                                                                                                         Highlights
                                                           Confucius
                                                                                                                                                                                                  Stop by the Kolossi Castle in the village of Kolossi. This fortress
                                                                                                                                                                                                  dates back to the age of the Crusaders, and the Order of Knights
                                                                                                                                                                                                  of St. John, who were stationed there, were early adopters and
                                                    Story by Rachel Chrysostom                                                                                                                    developers of this sweet local delicacy. In fact, they gave it its
                                                                                                                                                                                                  name that it still proudly carries to this day.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  Along  the  route  you  will  find  the  Kouris Dam, the largest
                                                                                                                                                                                                  man-made lake in Cyprus, and an important wetland of great
                                                                                                                                         Highlights                                           ecological value to the island.

            Cyprus has a longstanding tradition of winemaking, and produces a wide   island to choose from, whether you are a connoisseur, or simply enjoy the   In Pachna you will see two-story houses built with characteristic   The Commandaria Villages have very limited levels of rainfall and
                                                                                                                                                                                              overall dry growing conditions. This, combined with the high altitude
            variety of wines ranging from the ancient sweet-tasting Commandaria,   pleasure of a drink once worshipped as the ‘nectar of the Gods.’  limestone blocks nestled amid the vines and carob trees.  Visit the   and unique soil is what gives Commandaria its characteristic flavor
            to  more  well-known  global  varieties,  including  Chardonnay,  Cabernet                                                   village winery, or stop for a refreshment at the local coffee shop.   and aroma.
            Sauvignon, and Shiraz.  While the island’s wine  industry has been   The  first  route is aptly named after the Limassol  Wine  Villages, or   Malia village has a long history of wine-production, and its winery re-  Don’t miss the Commandaria Museum in Zoopigi village for some
            thoroughly modernized and greatly expanded, there are still many villages   ‘Krasochoria.’ The crown jewel of the Cyprus wine routes, this itinerary   opened its doors in 1996. Many of the village’s well-preserved stone   in-depth knowledge – and a few samplings – of this delicious wine.
            that produce wine in the old traditional ways, and these make for a fun day   boasts the highest concentration of wineries on the island and takes you   houses still have stills for making Zivania, a local spirit distilled from
            of exploring! So, jump into your car and let’s take a trip through the Cypriot   through about twenty villages, some of which will give the impression of   grape must.
            countryside, along slopes of shimmering green vineyards, cobbled streets   a journey back in time.                           The village of Arsos is perched on a steep, chalky hillside. Take some
            and nature trails, for a chance to discover the island’s glorious winemaking                                                 time to meander through its narrow lanes, and visit the local olive   Kolossi Medieval Castle
            history – and sample some tipple along the way.      The  second route is the Commandaria Route, dedicated to the amber      press, mineral water springs, and the folk art museum.
                                                                 colored sweet dessert wine known as Commandaria. The oldest wine in
            PLANNING YOUR DAY TRIP                               the world still in production, can remarkably be traced back to 800 BC.   Vasa is a major wine producing village, and you will notice that many
            Guests at Aphrodite Hills Resort can pop into the on-site branch of Leos   Fourteen Commandaria-producing villages can be found on this route,   of the red-roofed, whitewashed houses still display their large, clay
            Car Rental Cyprus and select from its wide range of luxury cars for hire.   offering your tastebuds ample opportunities to sample this delicious nectar.   wine jars (pitharia) and Zivania stills in the garden. The Vasa Winery is
            Whether you want to tackle the dirt roads with a four by four SUV, or                                                        located in a beautifully restored stone building, and well worth a visit.
            breeze along with the wind in your hair in a sporty convertible, Leos Car   The final two routes are for those of you who enjoy taking the road less   Omodos is the Cyprus Wine Village Capital, and visitors can enjoy
            Rental has you covered!                              traveled. A breathtaking journey through the winding villages of Paphos,   wandering its quaint streets, taking in the medieval wine press,
                                                                 down the rugged coastline and across unspoiled green landscapes, where   or  ‘Linos,’  the  handmade  Papilla  lace  made  by  local  women,  and
            Once you’ve selected your vehicle, it’s time to map out a route. The Cyprus   you will see parts of Cyprus you never knew existed and sample some   sampling the delicious specialty ‘arkatena’ bread, baked with chickpea
            Tourism Organization has mapped out a number of wine routes across the   delicious local wine varieties.                     fermentation.
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       Aphrodite Hills Resort                                                                                                                                                                                          “European Golf Resort of the Year 2018”
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