Inspiration from Cyprus - 7 reasons to be curious

Today we're sharing some inspiration from Cyprus! Have we been there yet? No, not at all. However, we visited "Restaurant Cyprus" this week, where we ate Cypriot food and listened to a presentation about the country. Immediately we got a number of reasons to be curious about this exciting Mediterranean island!

Table of contents

Lunch event signed Cyprus

It was the Cyprus Tourism Organisation that invited journalists and tour operators to an event at "Restaurant Cyprus" in Stockholm. We go to these types of events quite often (at least during non-pandemic times), but it is rare that the visits result in a separate article here at FREEDOMtravel. However, this event offered an extra large dose of inspiration, and we feel that we have to share it with you.

Film screening of a sculpture park under (!) water

Good food from Cypriot cuisine

For starters, the food was really good, and we can of course thank the restaurant's chefs for that. Restaurant Cyprus serves food inspired by the Cypriot cuisineAnd for those who are wondering, it is a kitchen similar to the Greek one.

As a start, lots of small dishes were served: Greek salad, zucchini croquettes, grilled halloumi with lingonberry chutney (a bit of a Cypriot-Swedish crossover there!), spring rolls filled with spinach and feta cheese and various mixtures such as tazatziki, hummus and aubergine. Fantastically tasty and well prepared!

The main course was a plate with a mixture of chicken, beef and lamb and jacket potatoes.

Finally, we had baklava with espresso foam. What a lunch! Amazingly good from the first bite to the last.

Inspiration from Cyprus

We also listened to a presentation on Cyprusand we must say that we were both impressed and inspired. Of course, we don't know what it's like on the ground (it's been 20 years since one of us visited Cyprus!), but the presentation gave us the feeling that tourism has been very well thought out so that it will be good for everyone - nature, locals and tourists.

Long gone are the days when Cyprus was marketed as a sun and beach destination only, and nowadays it chooses to emphasise many other things. Here are seven reasons that make us curious about the mountainous Mediterranean island:

1. Thoughtful tourism

The tourism organisation described how it had used the pandemic period to develop a more thoughtful approach to tourism. The aim is to make tourism more sustainable and to better involve local people, while working on improving quality and labelling.

2. focus on sustainability

We were told that they work consciously on sustainability, including organising climate-conscious trips, involving local people and focusing on fewer but longer trips.

3. History

The intriguing history has already made us curious about Cyprus. With 11,000 years of history and culture, this small country is home to a wealth of historical attractions. These include the Neolithic village of Choirokoitia and the Royal Tomb of Paphos, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

4. Experiencing nature

Nature experiences have become an increasingly important part of tourism in Cyprus. A variety of outdoor activities and wellness activities are organised here, with a focus on health and slow travel.

5. involving the local population

It was repeatedly mentioned that local people are involved in tourism, which means that tourism should also benefit them. For example, laws have been changed to allow tourists to stay on small farms and vineyards, and to allow farmers to sell home-made Cypriot delicacies. Efforts have also been made to digitise rural experiences.

6. Many different activities

For example, golf, diving, camping, glamping, wineries, religious sites and more. What's new is that these activities can now be easier to find with clearer labelling.

7. Food and wine

Last but not least: food and wine! After that amazing lunch, we are convinced that the food can be really good. Cyprus is also a wine country with a wide range of its own grapes, and for those who want to discover more, there are also seven different 'wine routes'.

Have you been to Cyprus? If so: how long ago, what type of trip, how was your experience? Are you curious about travelling there (again?) Please tell us!

15 Comments

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Ama de casa says:

Anders did UN service in Cyprus for six months in 1979. After I had been on a train trip for five weeks with my cousin in the summer, I went to visit him for two weeks (not much summer job and earning money that summer for my part, you could say 😉 ). Then I went regularly and A had arranged accommodation.
I remember liking the food, but there was probably a lot of pizza and pasta too.

We went back to Cyprus with a couple of friends in 1982, and that trip was also very enjoyable - a charter holiday. Since then we haven't been back to the island, although I wouldn't mind going back at all.

26 March 2022 - 8:55

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Then you have been here a lot! Even though it is a few years ago 😉 I myself was here once about 20 years ago, did not see much and guess that a lot has changed as well.
  
  26 March 2022 - 11:35
  
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Ditte says:

I have been here several times and the first time back in 1964 when my father worked here for the UN. Then I was in place for 2 months. At that time there was no tourism here at all and fights between Turks and Greek Cypriots. Then I have been here a few times in the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. The last time was in 2006. But it is an island I like to go back to and then choose to live in a smaller town. There is a lot of history, culture, beautiful nature, beaches and sea. And I am very fond of the food.
I'm glad you were attracted by a trip here.

26 March 2022 - 10:28

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  You have really experienced a lot of Cyprus, in different periods! We hope to come here at some point!
  
  26 March 2022 - 11:36
  
  Reply
Razzy says:

We went to Cyprus in spring 2018, in Ayia Napa. We were a lot up in the mountains and travelled, so beautiful, would love to go back again.

26 March 2022 - 11:04

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The mountains sound beautiful! We hope we will have the opportunity to experience Cyprus! 🙂
  
  26 March 2022 - 11:36
  
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Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Just the wrong time to read about food. I am very hungry and hungry for these delicacies. I'll try to imagine that my home-made pot roast will be delicious tonight.
Never been to Cyprus, but there seems to be a lot to discover.
Have a nice weekend!

26 March 2022 - 17:01

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Cyprus is tempting! Have fun!
  
  28 March 2022 - 18:57
  
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BP says:

My goodness what food! Luckily you do not eat it every day. Thought of the scale the next day there;-)
I have been to Cyprus three times, last time in 2011 I think it was. Love the island outside the tourist resorts. Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca and Nicosia are far more fun than the tourist resorts. Walking over to the Turkish part of Nicosia is also an experience and a culture clash. Also Troodos, the largest mountain range in Cyprus, located in the centre of the island is a must. Highest peak there is Olympos, where it has actually snowed just a few weeks ago. Car hire is a must in Cyprus, which is big enough to explore in two weeks.

26 March 2022 - 18:27

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The food was awesome really, and we have been inspired to that kind of food at home too! Not on the lunches though 😉 Thanks for the tips! It feels like Cyprus has a lot to offer!
  
  28 March 2022 - 19:00
  
  Reply
snort says:

What a delicious dinner to enjoy!

27 March 2022 - 18:15

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Really!!! 🙂
  
  28 March 2022 - 19:00
  
  Reply
Ladies Abroad says:

Wrote a comment yesterday, but apparently disappeared. Sometimes a little shaky Wi-Fi on the beach here in Kenya...

I live exactly opposite the Cyprus restaurant! If I had been home, you could have had one for the road with me. Like the restaurant a lot but it's been a while since I was there now.

Was recently in Cyprus, but mostly on the north side. Wanted to take a day trip up the Troodos Mountains (you must have seen pictures from there, looks sooo nice there) but all drivers would have the equivalent of 2500 kr. It became too expensive when I was alone.

27 March 2022 - 19:04

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Kenya sounds great!!! Aha, do you live right there? We did not know that 😉 Will gladly come on one for the road at another time 🙂 Interesting about Cyprus, sad that it was so expensive!
  
  28 March 2022 - 19:03
  
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Lena - good for the soul says:

I have been there once, in 1986. The only thing I remember is that I got a really bad sunburn on my forehead while riding a moped (helmet without a visor). 80s and I was 20+ in my defence 😉.

I could probably imagine going back, but there is so much to see in the world...

Hug Lena

02 August 2022 - 19:22

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Inspiration from Cyprus - 7 reasons to be curious

Lunch event signed Cyprus

Good food from Cypriot cuisine

Inspiration from Cyprus

1. Thoughtful tourism

2. focus on sustainability

3. History

4. Experiencing nature

5. involving the local population

6. Many different activities

7. Food and wine

More reading on Cyprus

You might also like:

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15 Comments

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Razzy says:

Helena says:

Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

snort says:

Helena says:

Ladies Abroad says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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