Away from the tourism areas, the Cyprus countryside has a diverse wealth of its own with traditional villages, vineyards and wineries, tiny fresco-painted churches, remote monasteries and cool shady forests. This is a nature-lovers paradise, where you can walk for hours without seeing another living soul. In springtime, fields of flowers stretch as far as the eye can see, and a ramble along a mountain path will suddenly reveal a tiny chapel or a Venetian-built bridge that once formed part of the route of an ancient camel train. Around every corner is another surprise; a magnificent view; a rare sighting of the Cyprus moufflon as it scampers up an almost vertical slope; or a chance encounter with someone who will surprise you with his or her knowledge of your language and an invitation to join the family for a coffee or refreshment.
The island of Cyprus may be small but it has literally hundreds of villages, many of which are no more that a handful of houses clustered around a church, and a coffee-shop that also serves as the village store, post office and general meeting place. In the more remote parts of the island, these villages have remained virtually unchanged and although motorized transport has made them more accessible, their older inhabitants still cling to the traditional lifestyle which basically revolves around the seasons of planting and harvesting. For some of these people, the donkey is still the preferred mode of transport and these faithful animals can still be seen making their way home from the fields, laden with fireweed or green forage for the family goats.
Even in the larger villages, traditional values are still very much in evidence. Here, maybe the village shepherd carries a mobile phone and the farmer drives to his fields in a double-cabin pick-up truck but this is merely a sign of the times-a veneer that, when scratched, will expose the true character of the village people-family-orientated, warm-hearted, friendly and unbelievably hospitable. The main activity in rural Cyprus is arable and livestock farming. What is grown where depends on the area, the terrain and the climate. But the island’s range of produce is amazing. Just about anything will grow here, from tropical fruits such as mangoes, kiwis and bananas to produce more associated with that from northern climates.
On the island’s south facing slopes, especially in the western part of the island, are the vineyards. Cyprus is famous for its fine wines and a visit to one of the many wineries is a great ay to spend a day. The grapes are harvested during autumn, when entire families, from grandparents to the youngest toddlers, work together in their vineyards to bring in the crop. Autumn is also the time to harvest the olives. As in most other Mediterranean countries, the olive plays a significant role in the lives of the people. Every part of the tree is important: the deadwood is used to stoke the winter stoves; the fruit is either preserved in brine, or crushed for its precious oil. Even the leaves are dried, blessed and burnt as aromatic incense during church services.
Olive trees grow all over the island, except high up in the mountains, where they are unable to survive the harsher winters. Almost all villagers in the remote areas own at least a small plot of land on which they grow their own vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and aubergines, as well as pulse vegetables that can be dried and stored for the winter months. They raise chickens for eggs and meats, and many also keep a few goats, which provide them with enough milk to make their own yoghourt and cheeses, including Cyprus ‘famous Halloumi cheese. Sea fishing is also an important rural activity and fishing shelters are dotted around the coast. Visit them early in the morning, to watch the fisherman bring in the catch of the day. Mining the island’s rich mineral deposits of copper, asbestos, chromium, pyrites and umber used to be a lucrative part of the rural economy but its importance has declined as the mines gradually become worked out. Away from the cultivated land, there is an abundant ecosystem of flora and fauna with many endemic species. In spring, the island is carpeted with wild flowers and orchids. North Cyprus Hotels Cyprus is on one of the north-south migratory paths and during spring and autumn millions of birds either over*fly the island or break their long journey here. During winter, the Larnaka and Akrotiri salt lakes are an extraordinary sight with thousands of pink flamingos wading in the shallow waters. The moufflon, an indigenous wild sheep, roams the forested slopes of the Troodors range, and both Green and Loggerhead turtles breed on the island’s more secluded beaches.
The cultural landscape of the rural areas is rich and varied, with archaeological sites, monasteries, museums and churches, while traditional crafts such as basket-making, pottery, weaving, wood carving, and lace-making are still maintained in many villages. The Cyprus hinterland is a great place for botanists, artists, bird watchers, hikers, ramblers, anglers, cyclists, photographers and geologists. The greatest wealth of any country is its people and whatever your interest or wherever you travel in Cyprus you can always be sure of receiving the warmest of welcomes.
