DESTINATIONS ESCORTED TOURS |CYPRUS
views AGENTS’
“I was very impressed with the hotel and the local guides
are great – they’re incredibly knowledgeable. My solo customers would be in capable hands with Involved Holidays.” Cassie Brown, senior travel consultant, Dawson & Sanderson, Consett
“Troodos was a highlight and the climate is great. It’s
so easygoing, walking at your own pace, and the holiday is such good value for money. I’d come on this holiday myself.” Jackie Lothian, travel consultant, Not Just Travel
“I loved every bit, as it was so relaxed and flights from
regional airports are a bonus. The hotel staff are lovely and the extras that come with Elite Class are a real benefit. Plus, the food is amazing.” Jacqueline Baird, personal travel consultant, Hays Travel
The real walking began next day, as we headed into
the Troodos Mountains. On the way, Panicos regaled us with stories about the island’s history and landscape – Cyprus is named after the copper mined there from as early as 4,000BC – and he described endemic wildlife such as the mouflon, a shy sheep with big horns. His comprehensive list of local plant life included lavender, rosemary, juniper, acacia and oleander – and olive, cypress, avocado, mango, papaya and almond trees. As we ascended, we saw blackened tree stumps
left behind by the deadly wildfires that struck southern Cyprus during July’s heatwave, before the landscape shifted into alpine-style forests of pine, cedar and oak amid crops of walnuts, cherries, plums, apples and figs.
MOUNTAIN MAGIC You can ski in Troodos for two months a year, and even in March, Panicos was accompanying walkers with snow on the ground. During a break in the journey, I chomped on a carob pod as he told me how its seeds were once used for measuring gems – giving us the word ‘carat’. Now used more commonly as a substitute for chocolate, it tasted like an ancient version of a chocolate-flavoured protein bar. We reached the circular five-mile Artemis Trail,
named after the goddess of hunting, around the summit of Mount Olympus by mid-morning. The trail is mostly flat and wooded, with spectacular views as far as the coast. The sunny weather meant my extra hoodie remained in my rucksack – but the previous week had been cold even for autumn, with temperatures down to 7C.
32 27 NOVEMBER 2025 SELLING TIPS
EWe offer “holidays with walks” rather than “walking holidays”. A typical week-long package includes guided walks on three alternate days, so clients can relax or do their own activities on the other days.
E The tours especially suit older travellers, such as those in the Women’s Institute, University of the Third Age or walking groups. So as well as contacting solo customers, get in touch with local groups.
E Departures are available from up to 19 regional UK airports.
Richard Forde, sales director, Involved Holidays
Having worked up an appetite, we headed for lunch in the sleepy mountain village of Omodos – famous for its wine and the Monastery of the Holy Cross, said to have been founded in the fourth century by Saint Helen after she left a fragment of the True Cross deep in Cyprus’s mountains.
Leanne told us about village souvenirs – lace, crafts,
cushions and jewellery – and specialities such as stifado, a beef stew with red wine, sizeable souvla chicken or pork kebabs, along with breads, nuts and halloumi. On our return to the hotel, we stopped for photos
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travelweekly.co.uk
CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Agents viewing the mosaics at Paphos Archaeological Park; writer Samantha and brother Stuart in Cyprus in 1972; the agents at Kolios Winery; Monastery of the Holy Cross BOTTOM LEFT: Walking
the Artemis Trail PICTURES: Shutterstock/ kirill_makarov; Mark Richardson
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