Places to visit in Pano Akourdaleia, Kathikas, Peyia, Akoursos, Timi, Acheleia
Cyprus: Picturesque villages of the west coast
We began our journey at the Energy Islands Resort Hotel and headed west along the coast, passing through villages near the famous Akamas Peninsula. The village of Kathikas is known for its special grape variety, while the village of St. George is a peaceful haven. We continued along the scenic west coast, eventually reaching the airport.
Local restaurants in the village of Kathikas are highly regarded throughout the region. The village is ancient and renowned for preserving its traditional way of life. We parked in the courtyard of one of these charming restaurants and set off for a short stroll through the picturesque village. The parking is free and not limited to restaurant guests. :)
This is a restaurant courtyard recommended by various guides. We did not taste - we arrived in the morning and it is not the peak hour of activity and vigor :) Translated with Google Translate
This is the Church of the Annunciation, beautifully renovated in the early 19th century and now serving as the main church of the village. As you approach the entrance from the west side, you'll see a gospel icon depicting the moment when the angel Gabriel announces to St. Mary that she has been chosen to bear the Word of God in flesh and blood. This miraculous event took place in Nazareth and led to the birth of Jesus Christ.
English
The Rural Museum and a monument commemorate key figures in Cyprus during the military rule on the eve of the Turkish invasion in 1974. After Britain left the island and Cyprus declared its independence in 1960, both Greek and Turkish communities received relative representation in the new republic's institutions. However, tensions persisted, with Greek extremist elements exerting influence until Turkey's invasion in 1974, which led to the island's division into a Greek South and a Turkish North. The village experienced a population exchange, with Turkish residents moving to the north.
Russian
Сельский музей и памятник увековечивают ключевые фигуры на Кипре во время военного правления накануне турецкого вторжения в 1974 году. После того как Великобритания покинула остров и Кипр провозгласил свою независимость в 1960 году, греческое и турецкое население острова получило относительное представительство в учреждениях молодой республики. Однако напряженность сохранялась, и греческие экстремистские элементы оказывали влияние до тех пор, пока Турция не вторглась в 1974 году, что привело к разделению острова на греческую южную и турецкую северную части. В деревне произошел обмен населением, и турецкие жители переехали на север.
The local council promotes hiking trails in the area and offers wine tours among the local winemakers.
The white vines around the village are considered the best on the entire island of Cyprus. The famous variety is called Xinisteri.
This village felt like time had stood still, with tradition evident in every corner. The half-open doors beckoned us to peek inside and listen, revealing that a radio station remains the villagers' primary source of news and entertainment today.
The sea offers a stunning view over a green field during the blooming spring days. The area is dotted with private fields cultivated by local villagers. Finding a wheat field here is rare; the region is predominantly filled with vineyards. The elevation difference, ranging from about 600 meters at the observation point to about 300 meters in the field area, explains the crop variation.
Looking east towards the wadi, you can clearly see the limestone rock interspersed with basaltic formations. Cyprus, situated at the confluence of the European and Asian tectonic plates, has risen and formed due to this geological activity. A mountain range in the island's centre reaches almost 2000 meters above sea level. This crust also represents the ancient seabed of the Tethys Ocean.
The picturesque and beautiful (free) parking area above the stunning Drifano Gulf offers a fantastic view. This spot is one of the oldest ports in Cyprus, with a history dating back to ancient times when ships laden with wheat from Egypt would stop here en route to ancient Greece. The view is mesmerizing, perfect for countless photos. Below, several paths lead to a network of branched caves beneath the parking lot. These caves are ancient burial sites similar to those in the region.
St. George's Church is relatively young, built distinctly Orthodox in 1928. The figure of St. George is very common in Cyprus (his burial place is in the city of Lod), and he is the second most revered martyr in Cyprus after St. Mary. According to local tradition, worshippers pray in the church for the invention of "mates"—a kind of spiritual companion or soul mate. As I took another picture, I saw two elderly people enter the church and light a candle. Across the road stands a historic ancient church. In the nearby area, impressive excavations revealed a city from ancient times, which thrived during the Roman era and ceased to exist with the Muslim conquest in the 7th century.
This restaurant offers a mesmerizing sea view, enveloped in quiet. The serene sea, sunlight, and blue sky make it the perfect place to relax. We tasted the calvados, far superior to what is sold elsewhere; they swim in honey and are delicious! The simple and tasty meals are made from fresh catches from the fishing port below—grill them and enjoy!
This ceramic store features a delightful collection of handmade items (or so the owner claims, and he's probably right!). You'll find mugs of various sizes coated with glaze, traditional whistles that fill with water to create bird sounds, bowls, and more. The items are both beautiful and original, making it a charming place to visit.
Before a flight, there's always an urge to buy something local to bring home. While believing we are all one big village, you can find unique items genuinely tied to the place. For example, pitas are different from what we have back home but have the same delicious taste. The selection of seafood and fish is vast and varied, all fresh and inviting. There are also many local cheeses and an exciting find—olives in bags. Don't forget to add some tzatziki to your shopping basket for a perfect addition to your return to Israel!
Adonis Falls is a must-visit place. The access road looks bumpy, but signs everywhere assure that it is suitable for all vehicles. We hesitated to drive on this road (unfortunately, we had a car), but to our surprise, we saw a similar vehicle coming off the road onto an asphalt road. These were tourists from London, and they said it was possible to get through without any problems. The trip to the waterfalls is about 3 kilometers and is worth every effort. However, since we were about to catch a flight, we decided not to take the risk. We continued to the field without reaching the Adonis Falls.
The last gas station before entering Patos Airport offers lead-free 95-octane fuel at 1.2 euros per litre (2017). We travelled for four days, and the total fuel cost for the entire period was only 18 euros. You can pay at the cashier inside.
The vehicle was small and had a manual transmission. I hadn't driven a manual in a long time, especially one where the steering wheel and gears are operated with the left hand. However, I quickly adapted, and the cost of renting it for 4 days, just $70, made every moment of adjusting worth it!
The field in Paphos is small and well-organized. Everything you expect from an airport works smoothly, and within 40 minutes of boarding, you'll land in Tel Aviv. It's truly convenient and beautiful!
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
