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Summer bookings are back, as Greece flights resume this week and Cyprus is set to open borders to Brits


next month. But for those who’d rather wait until the rush subsides, Laura French looks at the shoulder seasons


s swathes of Europe open up for travel, the summer season appears to be inching its way to a return – but with


holidays starting later than usual and confidence likely to take some time to come back, many resorts are looking to extend into autumn and even winter. That’s especially true of Greece and Cyprus,


where temperatures can stay cosy into October and beyond, without the searing heat of the summer months. But which regions and islands in particular should you be looking to and why? We’ve canvassed the experts for their recommendations.


BEST FOR . . . LOCAL CULTURE Where: Troodos Mountains, Cyprus Why: Quaint hilltop villages, peaceful hiking trails, laid-back tavernas and idyllic mountain markets: for visitors after a taste of the real Cyprus, the Troodos Mountains appeal at any time of year but it’s in autumn that the region really comes alive, according to Dudley der Parthog, Sunvil director for Greece.


“Many villages host food festivals in the autumn, including the two-day Apple Festival in Kyperounta, where you can try local produce,” he says. “There are also lots of hiking trails to explore, which are more pleasant in the cooler months.” Highlights include Omodos, a quintessentially Cypriot village known for its wine and lace-making; the Kykkos Monastery, an 11th-century relic tucked away in the trees; and the Caledonia Waterfalls, a glistening, crashing plume of white water set in the heart of a cypress forest. Stay: For an atmospheric base, Sunvil recommends the Linos Inn. “This lovingly restored, characterful inn is within close walking distance of the hiking trails and also the medieval Church of St Nicholas of the Roof – a Unesco World Heritage Site – making it an excellent base,” says Der Parthog. Book it: Seven nights at the Linos Inn costs from £628 per person, based on two sharing with breakfast,


including flights and car hire. sunvil.co.uk ²


travelweekly.co.uk 16 JULY 2020 29


DESTINATIONS AUTUMN/WINTER | GREECE & CYPRUS


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