Vouni Panagias, Cyprus
| country: | Cyprus |
| location: | Vouni Panagias |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Why should you visit?
Resting in the eastern boundaries of the Pafos District rises Cyrpus' Vouni Panagias. With the highest peak 1,144 metres above sea level, the altitude provides a favourable growing climate.
Ancient oak trees fill the dense and beautiful Pafos Forest in the mountainous regions, while closer to sea level age-old vineyards and water springs enhance the landscapes’ natural scenery. A diverse and native eco-system like no other makes this region in Cyprus standout amongst others.
What can you do here?
With its winding countryside and picturesque settings, the area is known for its walking and hiking trails. Vouni Panagias Nature Trail, with its varying altitude and rugged terrain, covers an area of nearly 10 kilometres. Hikers who reach the zenith are rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Panagia village, the Akamas Peninsula as well as sunsets over the Trodos Mountains.
Walking the wine routes is another "must do" in the Vouni Panagias. The region hosts three vineyards which produce some of the Island's most exotic wines. Pairing the wine with local cuisine like mezze (an assortment of traditional small dishes) is highly recommended. For ancient history, drop by the Agios Nikolaos Monastery. It was built in the 4th Century AD and is founded on top of the ruins of the ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess Hera.
What makes the Vouni Panagias special?
Extremely rare species of predator birds and wildlife inhabit the Vouni Panagias area. The four largest mammal species indigenous to Cyprus roam the mountain sides. One of them, the Cyprus Mouflon, appears only in the Pafos Forest. For nature lovers, there are over 650 plant species, including trees, shrubs and rare herbaceous plants.
The natural splendor of vegetation is prominent year around and is one of the main reasons the landscape is second to none. Panagia village is also the birthplace of one of the most-prominent men in recent history, Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus. And don't forget about the hospitality of the people. Visitors rave about how receptive and friendly the locals are to tourists.
What makes it sustainable?
The uniqueness of the area and its ecological value are factors supremely important to the region's people. The Vouni Panagias is an ancient area that for years has flourished. The people understand the cultural heritage and are dedicated to preserving its authenticity.
Effective methods to regulate tourism, which raises the quality of life of the people and improves the environment, are constantly being promoted. The government remains focused in protecting the area's natural as well as man-made historical icons.
What should I look for in...
Spring: Lush grape vines dotting the region's vineyard Summer: Refreshing water springs that cool the summer climate Fall: Nature walks through spectacular forest foliage Winter: Holiday festivals with unmatched local hospitality 
Highlights of Vouni Panagias:
Wine and dine at the Panagia Wine Festival Watch spectacular sunsets from vistas high above Breath the fresh air of the Pafos Forest Stroll through centuries of time at ancient monasteries
The Cyprian destination is steeped in tradition. Its wood-roofed churches are UNESCO World Heritage designated sites and its col-ourful village festivals allow visitors to indulge in local delicacies.
Agros (2008)
Local cultural heritage revolves around the rosewater industry and the rose festival in May, but there is much more discover in Agros. For example, there are extensive hiking paths through an outstanding landscape, diverse historical and cultural sites, and mouth-watering traditional Cypriot cuisine.
Resting in the eastern boundaries of the Pafos District rises Cyrpus' Vouni Panagias. With the highest peak 1,144 metres above sea level, the altitude provides a favourable growing climate.
Ancient oak trees fill the dense and beautiful Pafos Forest in the mountainous regions, while closer to sea level age-old vineyards and water springs enhance the landscapes’ natural scenery. A diverse and native eco-system like no other makes this region in Cyprus standout amongst others.
What can you do here?
With its winding countryside and picturesque settings, the area is known for its walking and hiking trails. Vouni Panagias Nature Trail, with its varying altitude and rugged terrain, covers an area of nearly 10 kilometres. Hikers who reach the zenith are rewarded with stunning panoramic views of Panagia village, the Akamas Peninsula as well as sunsets over the Trodos Mountains. Walking the wine routes is another "must do" in the Vouni Panagias. The region hosts three vineyards which produce some of the Island's most exotic wines. Pairing the wine with local cuisine like mezze (an assortment of traditional small dishes) is highly recommended. For ancient history, drop by the Agios Nikolaos Monastery. It was built in the 4th Century AD and is founded on top of the ruins of the ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess Hera.
What makes the Vouni Panagias special?
Extremely rare species of predator birds and wildlife inhabit the Vouni Panagias area. The four largest mammal species indigenous to Cyprus roam the mountain sides. One of them, the Cyprus Mouflon, appears only in the Pafos Forest. For nature lovers, there are over 650 plant species, including trees, shrubs and rare herbaceous plants.
The natural splendor of vegetation is prominent year around and is one of the main reasons the landscape is second to none. Panagia village is also the birthplace of one of the most-prominent men in recent history, Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus. And don't forget about the hospitality of the people. Visitors rave about how receptive and friendly the locals are to tourists.
What makes it sustainable?
The uniqueness of the area and its ecological value are factors supremely important to the region's people. The Vouni Panagias is an ancient area that for years has flourished. The people understand the cultural heritage and are dedicated to preserving its authenticity.
Effective methods to regulate tourism, which raises the quality of life of the people and improves the environment, are constantly being promoted. The government remains focused in protecting the area's natural as well as man-made historical icons.
What should I look for in...
Highlights of Vouni Panagias:
other EDEN destinations in Cyprus
Troodos (2007)The Cyprian destination is steeped in tradition. Its wood-roofed churches are UNESCO World Heritage designated sites and its col-ourful village festivals allow visitors to indulge in local delicacies.
Agros (2008)
Local cultural heritage revolves around the rosewater industry and the rose festival in May, but there is much more discover in Agros. For example, there are extensive hiking paths through an outstanding landscape, diverse historical and cultural sites, and mouth-watering traditional Cypriot cuisine.
how this holiday makes a difference
|
Have you ever sat at your desk during a busy work day and felt your mind drift off to another place? That special spot on Monday was a beach some-where in the Mediterranean. A few days later your mind ventured to a castle on top of a hillside. The experience was so vivid that you could almost smell the fresh mountain air.
Each day the clock ticks and you yearn for a holiday free of the hustle and bustle of city life. You want a destination that is known for its local charm, its beautiful landscapes and fascinating history. A place where the locals respect their land and will do anything to protect it from harm. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, in Europe, the possibilities are endless. The European Commission launched the European Destinations of Excel-lence (EDEN) a few years back with the aim of selecting special places "off the beaten path" that value economic, environmental and social sustainabil-ity. The 52 places chosen so far all represent Europe in a fitting manner. Europe is a continent of great history and lands. The continent's mystique draws tourists from around the world in search of adventure, paradise and culture. While there are many wonderful destinations in Europe, the truth is, many of them have lost their allure due to expansive tourism and a lack of regard for the environment. No longer can a region's name alone be enough to draw visitors to their majestic mountains or pristine beaches. There must be more and the European Commission has devoted numerous resources to instill the mind-set of sustainable tourism in its regions. Sustainable tourism is a practice that must run deep in the values of the local people. Whenever new accommodation is built and man-made changes are made to the landscape, eco-friendly and environmental measures must be followed. A constant respect for nature is needed to ensure that today's crea-tures and eco-systems are still around in the distant future. Sustainable tourism also plays a major role in a region's local economy. The growth of an area leads to more jobs and helps raise the quality of living in a region. The local people also take advantage of visitors eating at their restaurants, shopping at their markets and staying at their hotels. It is essential that proper investment in tourism growth has the people's best interests in mind.  The next time you go on a memorable holiday to the countryside and enjoy a bottle of the Earth's precious wine, take notice of the land and its people. These 52 selected EDEN "hidden gems" all have done their part in making their region a wonderful and memorable place to visit. Now it's up to you to decide which adventure you want to seek! |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |