Gastronomy is an intrinsic pillar of Cypriot culture. And this adults-only tour is a celebration of the island's culinary delights. You'll eat and drink your way from village to village – visiting Kolossi to sample fresh lemonade, Agros to savour its spoon sweets and Pelendri for its wines. Andreas, one of our local guides, says, ‘You visit villages where few outsiders go and where ancient religious traditions are an integral part of everyday life.'
Your journey into the heart of the Troodos Mountains kicks off in Kolossi, where you'll discover the true meaning of the Cypriot greeting of kopiaste – ‘come join us'. Here, you'll be invited to pick seasonal fruit and try the local tangy lemonade. Next, it's on to Agros to sample homemade spoon sweets – fruit preserved in syrup – and watch rosewater production as well as the chance to tuck into local smoked meats. Andreas says, ‘All products for sale in Agros are homemade and sourced from the surrounding countryside.'
Afterwards, head to Pelendri for lunch in a rustic taverna with stone walls and a wood-beamed ceiling. You'll be served dishes made from locally sourced ingredients and munch on salads prepared from produce grown in the taverna's garden. And to round off the day, you'll visit the Tsiakkas winery, which is tucked away in the mountains. Tour the facilities, learning about the wine-making process, and then sample some of its wines while admiring the views over vineyards that cascade down the mountainside.
