Larnaca promotes bee-themed walks in honey villages

Bee-themed walks and virtual tours are among actions promoted in mountainous Larnaca by the city’s tourism development board to highlight and enhance the unique identity of the honey villages.

The 700-metre trail in Vavla is an easy walk, accessible to all ages, and begins at the church of Ayios Georgios, passes from the traditional well and ends at ‘havouza’ reservoir, where visitors can enjoy the scenic view of the Melissochoria honey villages.

Various elements have been added along the path, such as bee ‘hotels’, benches, information plaques, decorative beehives and signs indicating plants good for bees.

The virtual tour is an innovative digital platform offering a 360-degree view of the nine honey villages – Kato Drys, Kato Lefkara, Lageia, Melini, Odou, Ora, Vavla, Vavatsinia and Ayioi Vavatsinias.

The platform allows users to discover the villages and their main reference points, such as the bee and embroidery museum in Kato Drys, visitable apiaries, themed trails and parks.

The honey villages are renowned for their excellent honey and byproducts, while local beekeepers offer interactive programmes and tours. Three annual honey festivals also take place in the area.