Quote: Omodos is the village where all the tourists flock, but I’d suggest that you don’t let that put you off. It was a good steady climb up through vine growing "fields" to the village and it was really great to see the vines being harvested. A local producer was happy for us to take photographs and to talk about his business. He said that Omodos was in the heart of the wine growing area and was one of nine villages that produced wine in this area. Although his English was limited he made a real effort to tell us about his life as a wine producer before he made off in his lorry to make another collection of the day’s pickings.

We did enjoy our trip to the village as despite cautions that we would be hounded by salesmen we found it very relaxed. Perhaps out of season helps! There’s a large free car park, just a short walk from the market square, but you do have to follow your instinct to find the car park. Keep turning right out of the car park and you’ll eventually arrive at the "top" of the cobbled market square. The area has a variety of food stalls (and a very cheap selection of "Turkish delight"), restaurants, market stalls (selling leather, lace and souvenirs) and lace shops. Try to curb your enthusiasm to buy because a smaller street, at the back of the Church of the Holy Cross, holds better bargains and has a more local feel to it.

The narrow lane is bordered with small locally crafted lace-ware and we were lucky enough to see a couple of the older residents working on a piece of intricate lace. It seemed to be effortless to them but it was certainly clear that the manufacturing of these pieces is not done overnight. After careful scrutiny we opted for a small tablecloth and having got it home we’re both pleased with the purchase.

The streets of Omodos are narrow with some fascinating typically Greek houses and tantalizing glimpses of the surrounding countryside present themselves over the rooftops. Vines hang across the streets clinging onto to wooden frameworks devised for that sole purpose and, as you would expect, the dominant colour is blue! Local women sat in their doorways making small lace creations – there was no pressure to buy and they were all happy to pass the time of day with you.

On route we found the Katoi Restaurant, run by an English woman and her Cypriot husband. We sat on the shaded rooftop and enjoyed a plate of mixed olives, Saganaki and a Greek Salad. This was a great setting with views across the valley and a gentle breeze offering some respite from the sweltering Cypriot sun. Friendly service, good value and a free wine tasting all make for a decent place to stop for a beer and lunch.

From journals Trips to the Troodhos