A Birthday Lunch in Pelendri

We began our day on a bright and crystal-clear Sunday morning, the kind that promises adventure before you’ve even finished your first coffee. Joined by our friends Steve and Mary, we set off from Pissouri, heading inland toward the cool air and winding roads of the Troodos Mountains.

Our first stop was the charming village of Kato Amiantos, where we paused at the ever-welcoming Renos Coffee Shop. Sitting out on the veranda, we enjoyed our drinks while listening to the gentle sound of the river flowing through the valley below — a moment of calm that perfectly set the tone for the day.

Refreshed and relaxed, we continued across the mountain road toward the village of Pelendri. The main reason for our visit was a celebratory lunch for Rob’s upcoming birthday, and Pelendri felt like the perfect place to mark the occasion.

Our first stop in the village was the Phelandrio Cafe Bar, where we enjoyed a few pre-lunch drinks and soaked up the friendly village atmosphere. From there, it was just a short drive down to our lunch destination — the wonderful Symposio Tavern.

Owner Nicos was waiting to greet us with a warm smile, making us feel instantly at home. We settled in for a superb Cypriot meze, with dish after dish arriving at the table, each one better than the last. To make the experience even more special, we were treated to live music from a solo singer — the perfect soundtrack to a long, leisurely lunch and birthday celebrations.

We then spent some time on the restaurant's terrace, which has lovely views of the village sitting above.

As the sun began to dip, we made our way back to Pissouri, where we rounded off a perfect day with a couple of evening drinks at the Panorama Bar. With great company, good food, and memories made in the mountains, it was a Sunday to remember.

A Visit to Kathikios

Taking advantage of a break in the weather, we set off on Sunday morning, driving up to the Cypriot village of Kathikas on a beautiful, sunny winter’s day.

We began by wandering through the village’s quiet cobbled streets, enjoying the stillness and the sense that time had slowed. With hardly anyone around, it felt like we had the village to ourselves.

Before long, we struck up a conversation with an elderly local man who was both very chatty and clearly proud of his village. His name was George, and he happily told us about life in Kathikas and the Easter celebrations held there in April, which sounded like a wonderful time to visit.

We cantinued our walk to  chapel dedicated to Saint Onoufrios. With its beautiful view of the surrounding area from the hill.

Soon we were joined by his wife, Katrina, who was just as friendly and welcoming. She told us that she runs a small studio apartment in the village and invited us to give her a call if we ever wanted to stay overnight — something we may well take her up on in the future.

After saying our goodbyes, we stopped at the village coffee shop for a drink and a slice of delicious homemade cake. As we sat there, we both agreed that Kathikas is a place we would definitely return to.