Cyprus is one of six countries participating in the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Pathways Across Europe (Mappae) project.

MAPPAE Project  aims to create a multi-sensory, tourist and cultural thematic route, linking European destinations united by a common tradition in the field of MAPs (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants). The partnership includes six European countries: FRANCE, ITALY, MALTA, CROATIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA and CYPRUS and puts SMEs in the cultural and tourist sectors in close synergy.

In Cyprus, the following itineraries have been created, in order to promote all places of interest, while promoting the local culture and richness in herbs.

1.   Medicinal & Aromatic Plants of Troodos Geo Park

Troodos is the largest mountain range in Cyprus, located roughly in the center of the island. Its highest peak is at 1,952 meters. There are many mountain resorts, Byzantine monasteries, and churches part of the island’s Byzantine heritage, which is protected by UNESCO. Besides culture and history, Troodos Geopark’s  flora is the richest in Cyprus and, for this reason, the Troodos mountain range is considered as one of the most important mountain habitats for plants in the whole of Europe.

With this 3-day itinerary you will go around the most beautiful places in the Troodos mountains region to discover the plants of the inner part of the island of Cyprus. The itinerary touches beautiful villages and small towns including Platres, Agros and Kakopetria, with the Lavender thematic centre in Platres and the Agros rose factory, the botanical garden and the amazing waterfalls of the National Park of Troodos, the Solea Valley and the Cyprus perfumery theme park.

2.    Aromatic, Healing Herbs & Mythology

 Following the Goodness of Beauty , Aphrodite and the  Cyprus Mythology itinerary, you will discover the marine region of Cyprus where you can admire the precious herbs and plants of the island. The itinerary starts from the city of Limassol and move towards the city of Paphos and reaches the Akamas Peninsula and ended in Polis Chrysochous, with a variety of activities , smells and tastes to indulge yourself.

How did hyacinth, myrrh, and cypress earn their names? Why did Aphrodite arise out of sea foam off the coast of Cyprus? Why is the island linked to so many stories about love? Visitors will follow the footsteps of the Gods, heroes and mere mortals, whose depth of feeling or unparalleled courage has stood the test of time. Their names live on in geographical names, some Cypriot names, or endemic plants. The itinerary touches beautiful villages on the way from Limassol to Paphos as Anogyra  , discovering all about the Black Gold of Cyprus  at the Carob Museum, the connection of the olive oil and the herbs at Oleastro, the private initiatives as the  Myristiko Garden and Eleouthia Botanical Park  and ends at the Akamas Botanical Garden. For a truly multisensory experience, Polis herb garden, enables visitors to stroll along herbs, attend distillation workshops, and taste dishes and drinks with herbs.  

“The project connects people and countries, through herbs and fragrances, aromas and tastes and provides a platform for travellers to choose destinations who can touch all their senses, while preserving the environment and learning how to use the gifts of nature for cooking, healing, celebrating, pampering,” the project coordinator of Troodos Network , Yioula Michaelidou  commented.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_hBhtwnviQ

“The use of advanced virtual tools enables travellers to be engaged in the experience, even before reaching their destination, and the micro-units that the itineraries consist of give the opportunity for tailor-made vacations and aromatic escapes.”

The project is inspired by the principles of slow tourism and experiential tourism conceived as a multi-sensory experience.

The innovative tourist itinerary can be experienced through digital platforms and applications. The countries are presented by videos that illustrate the national itineraries which can be seen on the youtube channel of the project: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcecCfiIWew7qZyBpDqzEpw.

"The project is inspired by the principles of Slow Tourism and Experience Tourism, offer to the visitor a unique experience as commended by the President of the Troodos Network, Panayiotis Papadopoulos. The Troodos Network specializes on Experience Tourism since 2014 and that was the main reason to be selected by the European Rural Parliament to represent Cyprus, and its President to be elected the National Champion of Cyprus ".

Destinations are collected on a web portal www.mappae.eu which works together with an app that will guide the visitor to discover the places on Mappae.

The project addresses European and intercontinental tourist markets, including China and Russia, and is of a great importance especially at this time, where rural areas became more vulnerable than ever. The project is expected to boost the influx of tourism in the rural areas and empower the SMEs. Due to the travelling restrictions at the moment, the organisers and travel professionals involved will target more the local market and once the restrictions are removed, the itineraries will be promoted worldwide through the digital tools provided.

The Troodos Tourism Board has already, shown strong interest in promoting the itineraries and several small travel agents, who are dealing with slow tourism.

The final multisensory event to present the project results will be held in Platres on March 28, at the Platres Cultural Center where stakeholders, journalist, tours organizers and interested parties will attend.

The FB page of the project: https://www.facebook.com/mappae.eu