Sustainable Cyprus - off the beaten track

November 02, 2012 / Katrine Carstens

Cyprus is steeped in history and culture and a whole lot more clued up about Responsible Tourism than I expected. Read what happened when I ventured off the beaten track on this golden island to see for myself for Sublime Magazine.

This trip was made possible by the following partners: Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Discover Real Cyprus (Cyprus Villages) and Natura Beach Hotel

Cypriot fishing boat

Catch of the day

Assortment of fish, fresh out of the sea

Fresh grilled fish

Only 45 mins earlier these were fresh out of the sea!

Golden fields

Golden hour tour in the Tochni valley. The remains of a neolithic settlement is in the background

Orange tree

The orchards of Tochni valley are bursting with fruit. This is Sofronis, owner of Cyprus Villages

Olive tree

Some the gnarled olive trees in the Tochni valley orchards are nearly a thousand years old

Ancient chapel

This chapel is nestled in the orchards of the Tochni Valley

Tochni valley

View from the terrace of the Cyprus Villages restaurant

Village villa in Tochni

Courtyard of renovated villa, part of Cyprus Villages

Balcony of village house

In one of the renovated villas of Cyprus Villages

Halloumi making

Loulla makes halloumi according to age-old traditions

Ricotta cabinet

Not wasting anything, ricotta is made from a by-product of the halloumi making process

Ricotta drying

Halloumi stones

Stones to weigh the hot halloumi down and into shape

Village street

Traditional village lane in central Cyprus

Bakers in action

Preparing the traditional cinnamon buns that are so loved in Cyprus

Cinnamon buns

The finished product - fresh out of the oven. Delicious!

How things used to be

Traditional bridge and groom - looking a little wooden at the prospect of the marital bed;-)

Cypriot fare

Selection of dishes

Heavenly dips

If you're a fan of dips you can't go wrong at a Cypriot taverna

Vegetable garden

Natura Beach Hotel in Polis has a farm and orchards attached to it - this is where the organic vegetables are grown

Orchard worker

There is plenty to be done in the orchards of Natura Beach Hotel. These orange peels from the morning buffet's orange juice are headed for the compost heap

Friendly goat

At Natura Beach Hotel farm