Rhapsody :: Excursions :: Cyprus

Villages of Divine Gifts

Each of the twelve gods from the Greek Pantheon of Ancient Greece bestowed a most precious gift upon the people, their wise choice benefiting humanity to such a great extend, history was embellished and their name immortalized and associated with the gift into modern times. According to legend, the goddess Athena gave the people the olive tree and Dionysus the grape vine.

Drive to the beautiful village of Anogyra to visit “Oleastro”, a unique olive oriented theme park complete with an olive oil museum featuring extraction procedures used in earlier times such as a millstone and an olive press and various items related to the storage and use of olive oil and its history. A visitor’s centre and a state of the art ecological mill, bottling and storing facilities will give you the opportunity to compare and learn the differences of extraction methods of the past to modern times. Browse through the park’s small gift shop specializing in olive products with a plethora of healthy and environmentally friendly items on display.

Next stop will be the picturesque village of Omodhos famous for its two landmarks. “Linos”, a traditional wine press and the church of the Holy Cross. On her return trip from the Holy Land where she went to retrieve the cross on which Jesus was crucified, St Helen visited the village of Omodhos and donated a splinter of the cross to the church which according to tradition it is kept in a cross still exhibited at the church. Visit the church and its restored outside rooms surrounding the complex and continue to the winery to see the old press. At the nearby wine shop you will have the opportunity to sample some of the excellent, locally produced table wines. Before returning to the ship free time will be allocated to stroll through the narrow, cobblestone streets of the village and experience the ambience of a laid back mountain village. Its square is lined with open air coffee shops and souvenir stores selling hand made lace, icons, paintings, postcards and a great variety of souvenirs.

Special Notes:
Few small stairs at Anogyra and cobblestone streets at Omodos. Tour suitable for persons with limited walking capabilities but not recommended for wheelchair confined