Cyprus: culture and winemaking between the sea and the hills

It is geographically and culturally distinct from the others, and it is precisely for this reason that it serves as a fitting conclusion. Choosing Cyprus as a holiday destination in August means opting for a broader, less seaside-oriented Mediterranean experience, one that complements the sea with a range of other experiences to help you get to know the island in depth – from its mountains to its villages, and from visits to archaeological sites to tours of wine cellars. It takes just a few kilometres by car to go from the beaches to the forests of the Troodos Mountains, a range that reaches 1,952 metres at Mount Olympus and offers interesting alternatives to hot days spent on the coast, with paths through pine forests and hiking trails, waterfalls and ten Byzantine churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For wine lovers, the experience not to be missed is the wine routes: seven itineraries that take you on a journey of discovery through local grape varieties such as Xynisteri and Mavro. The Commandaria Route, in particular, takes you through 14 villages to discover the island’s oldest wine, whilst the Limassol Villages Route passes through 20 rural communities and 16 wineries. Finally, you could spend some time in Omodos, one of Cyprus’s most significant villages, where wine coexists with ancient olive presses, stone houses, local crafts and the monastery of Timios Stavros. As for events, for a sporting experience, the ‘Running Under The Moon’ in Ayia Napa takes place on 29 August, featuring an evening run along the seafront.

Cyprus