For an authentic Mediterranean experience, Cyprus is your holiday destination. As Europe’s sunniest island, it is ideal for year round vacations. But Cyprus is not only wonderful beaches, mountains and food, there is so much to do & see. If you´re passionate about sustainable and eco-friendly travel, then you should consider to visit Cyprus honey eco routes and developed under the EU co-funded project
The objective of this project is to support the economies of rural communities in Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Lebanon and Palestine, by empowering and networking local people, in developing handicraft honeybee products, businesses and tourism service networks, hence contributing to build a sustainable Mediterranean Bee-economy 🐝🐝🐝
Bees are crucial for the environment and their number has been sharply decreasing. Their contribution to the economy cannot be underestimated either!
Apiculture and ecotourism can be combined to create a unique and educational experience for travelers interested in sustainable beekeeping practices and the importance of bees in the environment. Apiculture ecotourism allows visitors to learn about beekeeping, participate in hive activities, and appreciate the ecological role bees play.
Here are some ways in which apiculture and ecotourism can be combined:
- Beekeeping Tours: Visitors can learn about hive management, honey extraction techniques, and the life cycle of bees. This hands-on experience provides valuable insight into the world of bees and their contribution to the environment.
- Pollinator Gardens: Ecotourism sites can create pollinator gardens to attract bees and provide a habitat for them. Tourists can stroll through these gardens and observe the bees in their natural environment, while also learning about the importance of supporting pollinators and planting bee-friendly flowers.
- Honey Tasting Experiences: Visitors can sample different types of honey produced by local beekeepers. This not only promotes the appreciation of honey as a culinary delight but also educates visitors about the varied flavors and characteristics of different honey varieties.
- Educational Workshops: Ecotourism sites can organize educational workshops for tourists, schools, or local communities, focusing on bee biology, pollination, and the benefits of beekeeping. These workshops provide opportunities to spread awareness about the importance of bees and their conservation.
- Local Community Engagement: Apiculture ecotourism can involve engaging with local communities and supporting their economic development. Visitors can purchase honey and beeswax products directly from local beekeepers, contributing to their livelihoods and promoting sustainable, locally sourced goods.
Remember, when participating in apiculture ecotourism activities, it is essential to prioritize the well-being of the bees and ensure that practices align with sustainable and ethical standards. This includes avoiding activities that may disturb or harm bees and promoting responsible tourism practices that have minimal environmental impact.
You can find more details about this project here:
https://enicbcmed.eu/projects/medbeesinesshubs
https://www.facebook.com/MedBEESinessHubs
https://ccci.org.cy/medbeesinesshubs/
HONEY ECO ROUTES IN CYPRUS 🐝
The cluster of nine honey producing communities of mountainous Larnaka are collectively known as Rural Larnaka Honey Villages for their rich and shared tradition.
Under the European MedBEESinessHubs programme , the Villages of Kato Drys, Kato Lefkara, Layia, Melini, Odou, Ora, Vavla, Vavatsinia and Agioi Vavatsinias have been branded with a shared identity and participation in the ‘Honey Routes – Cyprus’ tourism programme.
Together they promote the pastime of beekeeping; help to encourage and protect biodiversity through increased bee-attracting plants and offer visitors authentic experiences, from nature trails and annual bee-themed festivals, to bee hotels for solitary species that can be observed. The villages are also active in promoting the beneficial properties of honey, including recipes, products and the inclusion of honey on local menus.
Each community bears the logo of ‘Rural Larnaka Honey Villages’ and is charming to explore, not only for its sweet beekeeping tradition but for the beautiful landscape and traditional architecture.
Here I’m sharing the itineraries for 4 Days in this region:
Day 1 – Cyprus Honey Eco Routes
Environmental Information Centre of Larnaka Mountainous Area.
Located in the village of Skarinou, this centre was set up to educate and inform guests about the significance of Larnaka’s rural areas. A part of it is dedicated to Beekeeping as one of the most common and ancient practices in the area.
You can follow their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/perivallontiko
Interesting fact: the centre has the record of Guinness for the biggest handmade table cloth in the World!
How cool? 😉
Vavatsinia Honeybee Trail.
It’s the first of the Larnaka Honeybee Nature Trails that combines walking in the picturesque and tranquil surroundings of mountainous Vavatsinia village, with an educational and healing experience, centered around the therapeutic sound of the humming of bees.
The 2.5km path has bee-friendly plants signposted along the way, decorative beehives and bee ‘hotels’ that offer refuge for solitary bees. Hexagonal, wooden urban furniture has been installed to symbolize beehives, including a pavilion and benches, along with wooden loungers for a relaxing break. Walkers will discover plenty of interesting information on bees, such as facts about apitherapy and the way in which bees communicate with flowers, and can enjoy some time out at the different points and yoga spots to breathe in the fresh mountain air whilst listening to the gentle melodies of nature.
Interesting fact: the humming of bees has calming and therapeutic effect, something that has been proven to have health and wellness benefits.
The highlight of the trail: at the starting point you will find the panoramic viewpoint where you can enjoy fantastic views over the south and north of the island.
Lunch
Lunch at very famous traditional local restaurant in Vavatsinia – Marias Taverna. Here you will find plenty of traditional Cyprese food to try!
Day 2 – Cyprus Honey Eco Routes
Oros Maxaira honey farm
In the morning visit the ,,Oros Maxaira” modern honey farm in Melini village, Larnaka district. Here you will learn everything about bees life cycle and how the honey is extracted, processed and bottled. Also you can participate in several workshops, such as beeswax candle making.
The highlight of the visit is the apitheraphy experience. It is inhalation from the beehives process that is very beneficial and therapeutic. The substances that you breathe in through a special breathing mask, with strong therapeutic action, are introduced into the body and helps to deal with following situations: bronchitis, astma, respiratory infections, stress and depression!
Interesting fact: in many countries, such as Slovenia, the apitheraphy has been integrated into the health system as a therapeutic method of the healing.
You can find more information here: www.orosmaxaira.com
Lunch
Lunch at local restaurant – Melini Hunting Association. Here you will find plenty of traditional Cyprese food ( the doses are extremely big!). The food, the outdoor area and the view to the mountains is a perfect combination.
Odou honey village on Cyprus Honey Eco Routes
In the afternoon head to Odou Village – another small village in Larnaka’s mountains. Starting from the centre of the village and walking towards the waterfall, you will learn everything about the bees and products of the hives. Also you will find a bee hotel.
Interesting fact: bee hotel is a great way to attract more solitary bees and give them the environment which will help to increase their population. Solitary bees are very important pollinators and play major role in our ecosystems.
Day 3 – Cyprus Honey Eco Routes
Bee & Embroidery Museum
Located in the picturesque honey village of Kato Drys this 300-year old residence hosts all the history and professions of the area. It is a great way to discover the village’s culture and learn everything about beekeeping and honey making. The museum is splitted in seven rooms featuring everything from old to new beekeeping tools, all of which gives one an insight into Cypriot culture and the way Cypriot families once lived.
Highlight of the visit: breakfast with local honey ingredients from the garden of the museum 😋
You can find more information on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/KatoDrysBeeEmbroideryMuseum/
Ecophysis Bee & Nature Center
Become a beekeeper for a day in Ecophysis Bee & Nature Center in a beautiful village of Vavla. You’ll be dressed up in the whole-body beekeeper’s protective uniform and visit one of their apiaries, where you’ll observe the bees while working inside the beehives.
Here you’ll taste all kinds of Vavla honey and get to know all products they have in their shop.
In addition to the above activities, the center organize specialized educational workshops, birthday parties and other private events.
You can find more information here: https://ecophysiscy.com/
Day 4 – Cyprus Honey Eco Routes
Layia Village Crafts
In the morning, meet the most creative couple in the tiny village of Layia that are devoted to solidarity bees and their protection. Here you can create your own bee hotel for solitary bees. The main purpose here is to focus on and bring wildlife back after the devastating fires occurred in Cyprus in 2021 and to help revitalise the pollination process which was so badly affected.
While creating these hotels you will become engineer of exterior / interior designer, problem-solving master and nature lover 😉 I had so much fun making my own hotel!
You can find more information here: www.layiavillagecrafts.com
Our House Vavla
Have a lunch at charming Our House Vavla in Vavla village, located in the Larnaka region. Step back in time with beautiful antique hand carved furnishings and enjoy all the amenities that this beautiful property has to offer. The house is restored stone country house built around a private central courtyard, with shaded alcove areas or the roof top terrace overlooking a wonderful view of the village with a lovely view of the surrounding mountains.
We had the most delicious home made lunch with ingredients from their plantation and we also had a demonstration of traditional pies making with honey and almonds.
This place is a great starting point from where to explore nature and the many ancient sites and monasteries nearby. Great area to cycle and to hike in nature trails.
You can book you stay here: www.countryhousecyprus.com
Vavla village
After lunch walk through Vavla Honey Village. This tiny mountainous village has only 16 residents and has been declared a Preserved Village, thanks to its white stone houses and traditional features.
Here you can have a nice walk in the picturesque surroundings. The village have 3 beautiful churches, 2 of them are walking distance from the centre – the church of Agios Georgios to the north of the village, and the church of Archangelos Michail to the south. The 3rd one provides an opportunity for a very long walk. The Monastery of Agios Minas is very close to the village too and it is an interesting 15th century structure in a mixture of Byzantine and Gothic style.
One of the resident’s main occupations in present times is beekeeping, with the nectar of the thyme and wildflowers of the village producing superior honeys. The village is also part of the island’s 7th Wine Route, which encompasses the area of mountainous Larnaka – Lefkosia (Nicosia).
I had the most amazing time exploring this beautiful mountainous area of Cyprus and can highly recommend to add this eco route into your bucket list.
Hope this itinerary will be helpful on planning your next adventure!
For more destinations in Europe, check out my posts here: https://travelwithanny.com/category/destinations/europe/
Your sincerely,
Anny