Eden of tourism

Sustainable Tourism Spotlight on European Destinations of Excellence Network: Best Emerging European Rural Destinations of Excellence.

Clonakilty District (Ireland)

Entrance to Clonakilty District © Clonakilty District

Clonakilty District stretches from Rosscarbery in the West of the District to Courtmacsherry in the East. The District has about 3,500 inhabitants and over 4,000 approved holiday beds (in 1996 there were only 400) spread across the entire range of accommodation.

There are a full range of visitor services and an abundance of activities on land and sea, music sessions and fresh local produce and include heritage Sites; galleries / craft workshops; walking routes; fishing points; golf Courses; equestrian centres; restaurants; surfing schools; sea angling; dolphin & whale watching; 50 Pubs & Bars.

The Seven Heads and Clonakilty Walks are just two of the many opportunities to see dramatic beauty. Cycling in the district is available with bicycles to rent on a daily basis. Golf is well catered for with unique courses and the area is also an angler’s paradise with lake, river, shore and sea fishing in abundance.

Arts festivals are regular features in Clonakilty District. There are a number of art galleries and craft shops in the district. The Farmers Market in McCurtain Hill is also an extremely popular attraction with locals and visitors alike. It sells an array of products from fresh local fish, breads and cheese to local arts and crafts.

Throughout the shops and bars in Clonakilty District it is possible to converse in the Irish language. There is also traditional Irish dancing and singing available and often you will find a ‘Seannchai’ – a traditional Irish story teller who will regale tourists with myths and legends from long ago.

The West Cork Museum, the Michael Collins Centre (an Irish patriot and revolutionary and a leader in Ireland’s War of Independence) and The West Cork Model Railway Village are first class heritage examples.

The life size sculpture of Michael Collins in Emmet Square (where he once lived) unveiled by actor Liam Neeson has proved to be a major tourist attraction.

A full sized stainless steel recreation of the original Model T Ford Car is on view in Ballinascarthy as a tribute to Henry Ford who was born there.

In terms of sustainable tourism development initiatives the Model Railway Village is a prime example. It was developed on a site reclaimed from the sea and that had been used as a refuse tip.

Read more at: EDEN WEBSITE
Video: WATCH
WEBSITE: www.clonakilty.ie/

Őrség (Hungary)

Haystacks © Örség region

The Őrség region (www.orsegnet.hu) is located in the most western corner of Hungary.

Throughout the centuries, Őrség’s inhabitants have created its characteristic landscape in harmony with nature. This unique landscape is characterised by a variety of natural beauties: hills and valleys, deciduous and coniferous woodlands, green hayfields, moors, springs and streams. Besides these beauties, the unchanged folk traditions and customs, traditional crafts and the products of self-sufficient farming and lifestyle also attract visitors

Some examples of unique attractions in the region are:

• Flora: the whole area of the Orség region is strictly protected. Guided tours, nature trails and educational centres for natural protection, all help visitors to acquire knowledge and a better understanding of the flora and habitat of this region. The number of species being protected here exceeds one hundred.
• Fauna: The richest butterfly population of Hungary lives in this region. An internationally protected rare dragonfly species can also be found here. The occurrence of brook lamprey (Eudontomyzon mariae) is a real curiosity. There is also a substantial population of large wild game: wild pigs, deer and red deer are some examples. Orség also has several indigenous types of farm animals, e.g. bovine animals (Hungarian Red and White Cattle, Hungarian Grey Cattle), Murakoz horse, cigája sheep (Ovis ammon f. aries)
• Agriculture: Indigenous fruit plants can be visited in the orchard of the Orség National Park, where one can participate in farm and garden demonstrations.
• Gastronomy: Visitors can taste local specialities of gastronomy (mushroom soup, strudel filled with pumpkin and poppy seed, game dishes, buckwheat porridge, dödölle [potatodumpling], salads with pumpkin seed oil,) and typical drinks of the region (schnapps with honey, local wines) in the restaurants, pubs and inns. Visitors can also participate in organised pig-killing dinners, harvest festivals and gastronomic competitions (e.g. competition of pumpkin dishes).
• Architecture: There is a typical settlement type in Orség. This settlement structure is called “szeres” and means groups of houses, which were originally inhabited by members of an extended family. The traditional houses and farm buildings are exhibited in an open-air museum in Szalafo. Tourists can also visit Magyarszombatfa where the typical household and lifestyle of a peasant are presented.
• Handicraft: Local pottery products can be bought in the workshops of the craftsmen or in the chandler’s shop at Pityerszer or tourists can try to shape their own, self-made ceramic souvenirs.
• Traditions: During their stay in Orség tourists can participate in horseback archery shows, traditional archery parades and training. There are also cultural programmes introducing the traditional music (performance of a traditional band playing the psaltery) and fairytale world (authentic fairy-tale evening) of Orség.

Rural accommodation facilities, pubs and restaurants with gastronomic specialties, a bright spectrum of services (e.g. journey on a cart, horseback riding, fishing and hunting, renting a bicycle, hot-air balloon riding, guided tours etc.), as well as the different museums and other exhibition facilities, are some of the elements that Őrség offers tourists.

Read more at: EDEN WEBSITE
Video: WATCH
WEBSITE: onp.nemzetipark.gov.hu/

Florina (Greece)

Ruins with lake and mountain backdrop © Florina

The region of Florina, consists of mountainous and semi mountainous areas and lowlands. The compact mountainous area of the northern-northwest section consists of the mountains of Varnoutas, Vernon and Voras. These contain the ski centre and European Alpine routes whose peaks reach out to the fertile valleys and the six lakes of Prespes.

In the past 3 years, the region has implemented initiatives that have contributed to the promotion of local tourism, through greater appreciation and preservation of the rural environment and cultural heritage.

Read more at EDEN website
Website: www.florina.gr/
VIDEO WATCH

Troodos (Cyprus)

Roses in Troodos

Troodos has five distinct regions, grouped around Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Cyprus (1,952 meters):

The Lemesos Mountain Resort region situated around the central higher elevations of the Troodos range, featuring pine covered village communities.

The Pitsilia region (North and South) to the east of Mount Olympus, home to picturesque valleys covered with vineyards, almond, hazelnut, walnut and other fruit trees. A good time to visit is in the spring, when the entire Valley is in full blossom.

The Solea Valley to the north, situated along the main Lefkosia-Troodos road, a charming area of tranquil villages set in beautiful natural surroundings.

The Marathasa Valley located on the northwestern slopes of the Troodos range. A fertile cherry producing area of small village communities and crystal water springs.

The Krassochoria and “Koumandaria” region, located on the southern slopes of the Troodos range. A region known for its wine production. In recent years a number of small enterprises specializing in the production of local wine have emerged, establishing wine varieties of international standard.

There is a choice of nearly 2000 beds in various types of licensed establishments, from basic village accommodation to 4 star hotels.

The area offers an abundance of things to do and see: walking or cycling through forest nature trails, attending local village festivals, experiencing the local traditional cuisine and discovering the cultural treasures of UNESCO World Heritage sites are among the main pursuits. Birdwatchers, botanists, geologists, ramblers, bikers, photographers or nature lovers seeking a relaxing break away from the cosmopolitan coastal resorts will all be delighted!

Troodos National Forest Park covers an area of 9,337 hectares around the Olympus Mountain. The highest point is Chionistra (1,952 m) and the lowest is the Moni forest (700m). The area is of great natural beauty and suitable for activities such as hiking, winter skiing, biking, nature study and picnics. Park animal life is rich and protected. Of particular interest are the griffon vulture, the raven, the Bonelli΄s eagle, the treecreeper, and the Cyprus pied wheatear.

The region’s vineyards are the source of a sweet, robust dessert wine known as Koumandaria. Originally produced by the ‘Grand Commanderie’ of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem during the 14th century, it is considered to be the oldest named wine in the world.
Troodos is also the spiritual centre of Cyprus. It is where old painted churches, superb examples of Byzantine art, are located. Ten such churches, with their remarkable pitched wooden roofs, icons and frescoes have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Troodos is also host to some of the most divine monasteries such as Kykkos, Trooditissa and Machairas.

Tradition and heritage form an important part of daily life in the area. It is home to many small museums and centres dedicated to traditional skills, environment, iconography and rural life. Local festivals commemorating the patron saint of a village are an integral part of life in the region. Other events cover a wide variety of themes such as folk art and craft festivals, bread, preserved sweets, meat and other local produce exhibitions and wine tasting events.

Read more at EDEN website
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Valere Tjolle
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite Special Offer HERE