Page 113 - 2021 ACTA's Guide to Cyprus Tourism

Rising to almost 2,000 metres above sea level,
the Troodos peaks provide panoramic views, a
refreshing break from the heat in summer and a
place to go snow skiing in winter. Picturesque
villages with cobbled streets and folk architecture
nestle on terraced slopes amid vineyards and
orchards of almond, hazelnut and cherry trees,
HILL RESORTS HOTELS mountain stream and try one of the preserved
where visitors can stop off next to a burbling

fruit desserts served as a typical island
welcome, or dine on the locally produced
fresh water rainbow trout, a speciality
of the region.

The Cedar Valley is home to an
unusually large number of Cypriot
cedars where the only sounds for
miles around are those of nature.

Hidden away in the Troodos
pine forests, are Cyprus’ famous
painted churches with their
colourful frescoes on walls and
apses, superb examples of Byzantine
art. Ten of these have been put on the
UNESCO World Heritage List. The church
of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis in Kakopetria,
together with those of Asinou and of Panagia tou
Araka in the village of Lagoudera, are considered
to be some of the finest on the island. Kykkos
Monastery, the largest on the island, has an
excellent Byzantine museum and a golden icon of
the Virgin Mary, allegedly painted by St. Luke.

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