Troödos Mountains

This Unesco-listed church is in a stunning setting on the perimeter of the Adelfi Forest 4km southwest of Nikitari village. Dedicated to the Virgin of ‘Phorbiottissa’, it has arguably the finest set of vibrant and colourful Byzantine frescos in the Troödos Mountains. They date from the 12th to the 17th centuries.

To view the church, you’ll need to ask its priest and caretaker, Father Kyriakos, who can usually be found at Nikitari’s coffee shop.

Part of the excellent Troödos Geopark, this is a small but well-laid-out botanical garden with a lily pond and other water features, including a tumbling waterfall. Species in the park include common, rare and endangered flora, with the garden split into thematic sections including aromatic, endemic and traditional garden plants. There's a short audiovisual presentation about the local flora, and a photographic exhibition covering the history and restoration of the site's former (somewhat alarming) asbestos mine.

The island’s most prosperous and opulent Orthodox monastery was founded in the 11th century by Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komninos after a bizarre series of events. Over the centuries, a series of fires all but destroyed the original monastery. The surviving building, an imposing and well-maintained structure, dates from 1831.

The monastery is about 20km west of Pedoulas; try to visit early, as it can get busy from late morning onwards. Dress conservatively (though shawls and cover-up clothing are provided).

Check out this rose-product store's workshop for a glimpse of the many ways roses can be used. Great examples include flower water, skin cleanser, candles, rose liqueur and rose oil, one of the most sought-after beauty ingredients in the world. This is an excellent place for gifts.

If you visit in May, you can help them collect the rose petals.

Casale Panayiotis comprises 43 rooms set in eight aesthetically restored traditional stone cottages (many with original wooden balconies) located across the village. The rooms sport typical Cypriot textiles, original stone walls, comfortable rustic-style furniture, tasteful artwork and an overall feeling of unostentatious luxury with a solid Cypriot feel. Some rooms have fireplaces, others have spacious terraces; they all differ.

Most people visit Pedoulas to see this extraordinary Unesco-listed church. Dating from 1474, the gable-roofed building sits in the lower part of the village. Its evocative and brightly coloured frescos, restored in 1980, show a move towards the naturalism of the post-Byzantine revival. The works are credited to an artist known only as Adamos, who, unusually for that time, signed his work. If it's not open, the key is held at the Byzantine Museum across the street.

Surrounded by 12 hectares of vineyards, the Kyperounda Winery has won several national awards for its wines, including two gold medals in 2016 for its cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. Complimentary tasting of several wines is offered by the charming owner, generally accompanied by the added treat of local olives and haloumi.