Limassol Off The Beaten Path

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Tsiakkas Winery

I visited the winery of Mr. Costas Tsiakkas at Pelendri up the Troodos mountaints twice but I was both times unlucky so we did not do much. I just sneaked and had some photos in the cellar but I can tell that his wines are of excellent taste and quality because I had tried some in the hotel I was staying.
Postal address: 2 George Sourri Street 3027 Lemesos
Actual Address: Pelendri 4878,

Off the Limassol - Paphos main road lies the little village of Pissouri. The central square of the Pissouri village is filled with flowers and is only open for pedestrians only. The square is filled with quainty cafes, art galleries and souvenir shops. During the summer months, the village holds the Cyprus Night in the square every Wednesday evening. There's food and traditonal Cypriot dancing where audiences are invited to join in. Dress modestly when visiting the church and women should cover up as I overheard the old lady perishonor was not too pleased about how some of the girls in the group were dressed.

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NAME OF VILLAGE - SHORT HISTORY OF AGROS VILLAGE.

The village of Agros was named after the Monastery of Megalos Agros, which was built at the spot where the Church of Panayia of Agros is found today. According to tradition 40 monks from Kizikos of Minor Asia, during the era of icon fighting abandoned the Monastery of Megalos Agros and arrived in Cyprus carrying the icon of the Holy Mother. They ended up at the area where Agros is today located, stayed for a certain period in a cave and then they built a new monastery naming it Monastery of Megalos Agros just like the prior monastery they used to live in. In 1692 A.C. death virus spread all over the island causing death to 2/3 of the population. The survivors left their houses and moved close to the monastery. So a new village was formed with the name of Agros. Finally in 1894 the monastery was ruined leaving the village a great historical inheritance.

Agros is a village of Limassol district, built amphitheatrically among high mountains at an altitude of 1100 metres. Its population is 800 people and is one of the most interesting villages of Cyprus and the Pitsillia area. Historical and cultural sites are kept in a natural environment of extraordinary beauty with the village maintaining the customs and its traditional character. The love for work and the progressiveness characterise its citizens. The village's modern highways make it a connection point between the cities of Nicosia and Limassol and the mountain of Troodos.

At the village there can be found Child Day Care Centre, kindergarten, elementary school, high school, Lyceum, Agriculture Education Centre, Police station, Post Office, Health Centre, Banks, Super market, football court, Indoor basketball court and Peripheral Theatre.

Its main production line consists of grapes, garden products, fruit of excellent quality, soutzoukos, traditional type cold cuts (sausages, lountza, choiromeri), traditional sweets and marmalades. Its citizens are also into tourism business (1 and 3 star hotels, tourist apartments, inns, traditional coffee shops, taverns and clubs.)

My friend Jon (member name Judd) and I used to do this quite often. When/if you get sick of partying in the tourist area, or lazing on the beach, go down to St. Andrew's street which starts in front of the Limassol Municipal Library. (Take a turn in from the sea road at the Lophitis Business Centre). Walk down the street in the direction of Heroe's Square/Downtown area. This stretch has loads of chic restaurants (Le Petit Paris, Kokolakia) and coffee houses (Il Posto, Cafe 127). And on the way, the houses and shops have some admirable windows and doorways. There are also some places which have life native music and food. Heroes Square (which has lots of nightclubs) has a nice little Iraqi cafe where you can enjoy some Arabic tea or play backgammon over a hookah pipe. A great place to sit back and watch the peaceful life go by. From 2020 to 2050 - you can also see the dancing girls before they go into the nightclubs!

Not too long ago Ayia Napa was a small sleepy fishing village. The boom of tourism has transfigured it in a relatively short space of time into a throbbing night-spot. It seems to be particularly appealing to young people, who are catered for quite handsomely.

The beaches around Ayia Napa and Protaras are famous for the beautiful blue of their water and although they are now overcrowded in some places it is still a lovely spot, especially if you like an active holiday.

The growing harbour town of Paphos, nestling on the Western coast of the island, is so rich in historical interest that the whole town is included on UNESCOS World Heritage List. My friends and I hired a car and drove to Paphos and spent the day there.

- 3 km west of Kourion, on the road to Paphos.
Another of the major archaeological sights on the island. From 8BC to 4AD this was where the cult of Apollo found their spiritual home. Part of the temple has been reconstructed and excavations have found baths, pilgrim halls and a holy precinct.