Cyprus Part 2
Another archaeological site next called Kourian which was very busy with tourists around lunch time much better to go see this fantastic place earlier in the day I was told. It is situated on cliff tops overlooking the sea. I saw evidence of under floor heating and plumbing from centuries ago, I would have liked to have explored the entire site but the itinerary didn’t allow, next time I go I will check out the House of Achilles and the Temple of Apollo.
Back into the tour bus and off to a wine museum in a village called Erimi where the resident curator gave us a history lesson on how the various wines of Cyprus were made. There is also evidence to suggest that the first wine ever produced was on the Island itself. After lunch at a traditional Taverna where we had a Cypriot Meze which is lots and lots of different dishes, we headed over to our next point of call where we would base ourselves for the remainder of the trip.
Le Meridien Spa & Resort is 5 Star all the way and many celebrities are known to stop here. It has many different types of accommodation besides the main hotel block all of which are tastefully decorated, the grounds were in immaculate condition and as a resort it catered for every type of holidaymaker. It had an extensive daytime and evening entertainment programme for all ages. I got to sample another Spa experience but this one was all wet - Thallasotherapy. This involved spending time in different pools which had different properties all supposed to make the body more healthy – It was fun is all I can say with any certainty.
The following day we headed up into the Troodos mountains stopping twice on the way to the summit firstly at a working winery. We met the owner Mario Antoniades who explained this business had been in his family for generations. He was very proud of his wine and said he would never sell to the likes of supermarkets. Cyprus Tourist Organisation provides free booklets that have food and wine routes to explore at your own pace.
Once we reached the top of the mountains we were confronted with snow is was a little bizarre. There was a little market place selling the usual and some not so usual gifts and snacks. Coming back down we stopped off at Kakopetria Village which was wonderful wandering around the old town which was been redeveloped to its original glory without spoiling the look at all.
As we dropped further down the weather turned and it started to rain, we stopped for another Meze lunch in Plano Platres and the rain turned to hailstones, this was not a problem as we were undercover but the noise made on the roof was deafening for about ten minutes then it all cleared up and back came the sun.
Our final day was a treat on the way back to airport we stopped off at another old town Tochni that was being redeveloped back to its original splendor with some European grants, each property was completely different than the next and these are available to rent. The main types of people who stay here are those who want a more traditional type of break, also a lot of people use this as a base to explore everything that Cyprus has to offer.
Thank you for taking the time to read my Cyprus journal and if you require any more information on anything you have read please do not hesitate to contact me.