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agrotourism
FRIDAY JUNE 24 2016
Rural recreation
Cyprus villages invite you to discover agrotourism’s timeless pleasures
T
here is an undoubted allure to knowing that, having arrived on foreign shores, particularly those of a Mediterranean island, your airport shuttle or taxi will deposit you at an elegant seaside resort. Cyprus is, after all, justifiably known for its sun, sand and celebration, with a slew of luxurious hotels and A different kind of rest villas to tempt those bent on leaving with a and recreation await those willing to take a tan.But a different kind trip back in time of rest and recreation await those willing to take a trip back in time. For, preserved in their rustic charm and managed by staff most often following in their family’s footsteps, are houses in the island’s picturesque villages, waiting to play host via a variety of restored traditional dwellings, boutique hotels and enticing rural abodes. In short, the pleasures of agrotourism are set to unfold for visitors looking to explore Cyprus’ mountainous and rural areas, as part of either a mini-break or longer vacation amid fragrant forests, lush valleys, spectacular nature trails, fresco-covered churches and breathtak-
A corner of paradise hides behind the Red and Blue Doors of two traditional houses in Lefkara village. Photo credit: Christos Papantoniou
ing panoramas. Before it took off on the island, agrotourism as a unique form of hospitality had already been popular around Europe and in more distant countries such as the US, Australia, Canada and the Philippines. In Cyprus, it was established in the Nineties via state subsidies and incentives to renovate and convert traditional lodgings to accommodation units as
part of the push to make the island a year-round tourism destination. The fruit of such efforts led to the establishment of the Cyprus Agrotourism Company, a body dealing exclusively with holidays in the Cyprus countryside, which to date represents a network of 100 traditional houses and boutique hotels in 60 island-wide villages. The abodes offer traditional architectural characteristics, while also boast-
ing exclusive, private facilities, fullyequipped kitchens, modern showers or bathrooms, and romantic balconies, as well as swimming pools, fireplaces, gardens and courtyards. For their part, the boutique hotels offer hotel services, with some in particular boasting spa facilities, special organic menus and other themed perks. As for the restored or refurbished houses, they are self-catering and some offer traditional breakfasts, with visitors usually also having the option of dining at one of the village taverns as well. Agrotourism accommodation is spread across the island’s rural communities, from the Larnaca and Paphos coastal regions, to the foothills of the Troodos mountains, to the Limassol and Nicosia regions. But if you’re looking for a respite of this kind, be sure to book ahead, as units tend to fill up fast, including in the summer months. Among the best online resources for this purpose are: www.agrotourism. com.cy, www.heartcyprus.com/agrotourism and www.mydestinationcyprus.com/accommodation/agrotourism, although many establishments will have their own websites as well.