What's On Cyprus

Cyprus has always been a favourite destination for Brits with about 65% of over 2 million visitors coming from the UK . Naturally you'll...

It was the name that first caught my attention, Shakes and Lattes', very clever, I thought! ... Then, this wonderful idea, equally brilliant!, a Board Gaming Café, nestled in the vibrant City of Larnaca, and I just had to get together with David, owner of 'Shakes and Lattes' to find out more ...

I popped into meet Stelios and Eleni, inside its clean cut, minimalistic, Italian designer style, with wooden flooring, comfortable seating for around 25 people inside and a few tables outside for Al' Fresco dining … Stelios told me "we wanted to make it feel like Home from Home" … I loved the really cool photos chosen by Eleni, especially the one saying "Eat the Spaghetti to Forget your Regretti", brilliant"!

An eatery of the highest esteem, I love the crazy paved terrace, shaded by tall mature trees, that twinkle delightfully as the sun sets, the crazy colourful tables and chairs, almost kindergarden'ish, little alcoves of comfy seating, hammocks set up high in the trees, whilst down a tier, skirting the rocks, a pathway leading to the almost private beach on the left, that'll have mellow music and waiter service and there's plenty of sunbeds, all with a view to die for, a sea of serenity at Sirena Bay ...

Italian and Cypriot cultures are very similar, so to the Mediterranean influence on food ... however the cuisines very considerably and eating Italian in...

... These days he's got a crew of 30, most working as part of the family for years, and 'well oiled' is an understatement ... serving the best Cod and Haddock, and a nice bit of Plaice, imported from UK, Norway, Germany and France, deep fried in Lambros' crispy batter or breadcrumbs and served, of course, with chips made with Cyprus potatoes, pure heaven! ... opps, don't forget the mushy peas or maybe gravy, or curry sauce to dip your chips into and a few pickled onions and maybe a wally ... omg, old habits die hard oh, and almost forgot a good cuppa and a slice ... perfect!

This really is a lovely initiative by local, ex-pat and international artists and crafters from all over the world and a lovely way to spend a family day out doing a little shopping and bartering for Christmas and I really hope you'll go along to give them some support, especially this year ... See you there!!!

Over a delicious Illy coffee, I asked Charbel how it all started; he said, "In the past, I was an HR Operations Manager in the F&B Sector ... Then we found this place, and between 2016 to 2021, we took Rise of the past, and Re-Branded it ... it was during the pandemic where I got the idea to take it to a new level and we had the time make some improvements, the idea was to 'Elevate your Hotel Experience' ... it's not just about the decoration it's about culture and spirit"

It's amazing how many people still didn't know this place exists ... it's situated in the village of Avgorou, and includes beautifully landscaped herb gardens, the woodland area created in the shape of Cyprus, scattered with the endemic trees and shrubs of Cyprus, a Lavender Labyrinth, and it boasts the first and only hedge maze on the island, all 2000 sq.m. of it ...

Since our entry to Europe in 2004 Cyprus has welcomed more visitors from even more countries, in turn seeing a truly international swing to...