Take a trip to the mountains to discover an alternate view of the island. Rising to almost 2,000 metres above sea level, the Troodos peaks provide panoramic views of all corners of the island, a cool retreat from the heat of the coast and a popular destination for taking in the healthy mountain air and enjoying nature in all its majesty. Charming villages, some with cobbled streets and preserved folk architecture, nestle on terraced slopes among pines or amid vineyards and orchards. Wander through the village roads in the Solea Valley, known as the “apple valley” and Marathasa, known as “valley with cherry trees”. Those areas are renowned for their traditional architecture and their Byzantine churches and monasteries. Explore the traditional character of the villages of the picturesque Pitsilia, the interesting churches and the hospitality of their inhabitants and also the Wine Villages (Krasochoria), renowned for their vineyards and wine. A number of small wineries welcome visitors on wine tasting tours. Burbling mountain streams and nightingale’s songs are often the only sounds to fill in the air in a region that poets have waxed lyrical over. The Troodos mountains are where the painted churches of Cyprus can be found, superb examples of Byzantine art, ten of which have been listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage wonders. There’s much you can do, from mountain biking to playing tennis, angling in one of the dams, or even skiing in winter. A series of walking trails will take you through areas of exceptional beauty among scented pines, running streams and the occasional waterfall, stopping at a shady picnic site. Some of these form part of the European path E4, an international network of long-distance walking routes crossing the whole of Europe. The specific climatic conditions created by the high altitudes and the peculiar geological substratum may have contributed to the unique flora found in Troodos with nearly 800 different plant species, 12 of which found nowhere else in the world. Occasionally, if lucky, one may spot a Cyprus mouflon, a kind of wild sheep which roams free in the extensive forests. Birdwatchers may spot the rare and protected eagles or the colourful hoopoe with a pink body, a black and white crest and a call which can be heard from miles around.

Mount Olympus, also known as Chionistra, is the highest point in Cyprus, standing tall at 1,952 meters (6,404 feet) in the heart of the Troodos Mountains. When you visit, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of rugged landscapes and the shimmering Mediterranean Sea in the distance. If you decide to visit Mount Olympus in the winter, you can enjoy skiing at the resort, which consists of the Sun Valley and North Face areas. Operated by the Cyprus Ski Club, the resort offers a variety of ski lifts and slopes catering to different skill levels. In addition to skiing and hiking, the mountain holds historical significance, with the late first-century geographer Strabo reporting a temple dedicated to Aphrodite Acraea on one of its promontories. Experience the beauty and history of Mount Olympus during your visit to Cyprus.

Away from the water’s edge, Rarotonga offers some fantastic walking tracks and attractions. Notable sites include Highland Paradise, where visitors can explore traditional Cook Islands culture and enjoy breathtaking views and Black Rock, or 'Arai Te Tonga', which is a significant spiritual site for the islanders.