On a beautifully warm Sunday morning, we joined our good friends Steve and Mary for a scenic road trip from Pissouri into the heart of the Troodos Forest.
As we climbed into the mountains and passed through the village of Arsos, the landscape transformed dramatically. The rolling countryside gave way to breathtaking valleys blanketed in lush forests, with spectacular views stretching as far as the eye could see.
Our first stop was the charming and wonderfully quirky village of Founi. We wandered to the local coffee shop, where we had an unexpected and heartwarming encounter with a fellow Pissouri resident. Insisting on treating us, she bought us freshly brewed coffee and generous slices of her delicious homemade ginger cake. Sitting beneath the shade of towering trees, cooled by a gentle mountain breeze, we couldn't have imagined a more relaxing start to the day.
Afterwards, we took a leisurely stroll through Founi's narrow, winding streets, admiring the traditional stone houses before arriving at the beautiful Church of Timiou Stavrou, one of the village's historic landmarks.
Back on the road, our next stop was the Tsiakkas Winery, perched high above the surrounding countryside. The panoramic views across the vine-covered hillsides were simply stunning, making it the perfect place to pause and soak up the scenery.
From there, we continued to the picturesque village of Agros, where we had reserved lunch at the Koiláda Restaurant. Even before stepping inside, the mouthwatering aroma from the enormous souvla pit told us we were in for a treat. Rows of meats slowly roasting over charcoal created an irresistible welcome. The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive, and we happily whiled away a couple of hours enjoying a superb traditional meal in the cool shade of the courtyard.
Our final village stop was Koilani. We made our way to Maria's Taverna, where a refreshing cold beer was exactly what we needed after a day of exploring. The owner also introduced us to their delicious cherry-flavoured Zivania, which we enjoyed while relaxing on the balcony overlooking the village below—a wonderful way to experience genuine Cypriot hospitality.
As the afternoon drew to a close, we made our way back to Pissouri, but the day wasn't quite over. We finished our adventure at the Bay Tree Bar, enjoying a couple of well-earned sundowners while listening to the wonderful live performance of Svitlana Gordiiwnko in the courtyard.
It was the perfect ending to a long, relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable day exploring some of the most beautiful villages and mountain scenery that the Troodos Forest has to offer. If you're looking to escape the summer heat of the coast, this route makes for a fantastic day out and is one we can highly recommend.
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