'Accents' Magazine 2019-2020 | Kanika Hotels & Resorts

ISSUE 9 2019 - 2020

Amavi

ART

EVENTS

This is your personal copy.

Please keep it with our compliments.

GASTRONOMY

CULTURE

•Gemmology Laboratory •Certified Diamond Grader Hrd •Member of the International Bourse of Diamonds

Poseidonos Ave, 79-80 Lighthouse, 8042 Pafos, Cyprus Tel.: +357 26 811630, Fax: +357 26 934617 athos@athos.com.cy www.athos.com.cy

Chairman’s welcome

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Dear Guests Let us inspire you with the latest issue of Accents magazine, taking you on an exciting journey into Kanika Hotels & Resorts and beyond, giving you the chance to explore and discover some of the most beautiful areas of Cyprus, from the towering Troodos peaks, to dazzling ancient sites and thriving cosmopolitan town centres.

Year after year, Kanika Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to pushing boundaries while embracing the spirit of innovation, to provide our valued guests with the best possible holiday experience under Mediterranean skies. We are particularly proud to have recently opened the doors of the Amavi, a true haven of togetherness, coinciding with the launch of an innovative new brand, the Made for Two Hotels. Commanding a paradisal location on Cyprus’ golden west coast, this new Paphos opening heralds further exciting ventures in the near future, with the Kanika spotlight soon to shine bright on the equally stunning east coast. Families can look forward to an all-inclusive family resort replacing the Markronisos Holiday Village in Agia Napa, whilst young couples can anticipate another Made for Two Hotel to open in the very centre of Agia Napa. In line with our unwavering dedication to change, while fuelling progression, we are delighted to announce that expansion plans also extend beyond the boundaries of Cyprus, with the first Maltese Olympic Lagoon Resort in the pipeline.

Well-aware that the perfect holiday is comprised of an array of interconnected features including excellent service, utmost professionalism and customer respect, I wish to take this opportunity to emphasise that our ongoing success story would not be feasible without our dedicated members of staff, who work tirelessly to ensure guest satisfaction. Taking great pride in being a people-centred group, our community is dedicated to excellence, with the unwavering Kanika spirit at the very heart of everything we do. Extending this spirit to the community at large, sustainability and environmental consciousness is of paramount importance in all our operations, as part of our Kanika WorldWise CSR programme.

A special thank you goes out to our loyal guests, many of whom return to our hotels year after year from across the globe, often choosing to wed on our grounds, re-visiting us for anniversary celebrations or carefree holidays with friends and family. We are thrilled that some of these romantic stories are documented in our magazine this year. Truly touched by all of your feedback while holidaying with us, and kind words once you return home, we are honoured to have received another array of industry awards in 2018 and 2019, which exemplify our commitment to offering holidays that surpass customer expectations.

Over and above blissful locations and high-end accommodation, our dazzling entertainment and delectable gastronomy also form cornerstones of the Kanika experience, and the bar has been significantly raised this year, as world-renowned Michelin starred chef, Theodor Falser, works his culinary magic alongside our esteemed team of chefs, to provide truly divine dining.

Wishing you all an exceptional stay, and on behalf of everyone at Kanika Hotels & Resorts, I extend my gratitude once again for choosing us for holidays that go beyond creating exceptional moments, carving out timeless memories for years to come.

Enjoy your stay!

Spyros Th. Karaolis Group Executive Chairman

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 3

Contents | 28

3 EDITORIAL A warm welcome from our Group Executive Chairman 6 KANIKA COLLECTION An overview of all of the hotels and resorts in the Kanika portfolio 8 KANIKA NEWS A year in review with a glimpse at the key highlights

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HOLIDAY PERFECTION FOR COUPLES A weekend of intimate togetherness at the new Amavi Made for Two Hotel

18 FORGING THE FUTURE A look at Kanika growth as the group expands at an impressive pace 24 A SUSTAINABLE SPIRIT Introducing the Kanika WorldWise CSR programme

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THE CULTURE DIARY Out and about with a glimpse of must-visit events around Cyprus 32 YOUR TOP 5!

Best sites to visit across the island

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MOUNTAIN MARVELS Exploring the stunning Troodos peaks

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WONDROUS WELLNESS Rejuvenating the senses at our luxurious spas

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PUBLISHERS

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Action PR and Publications Ltd, part of Action Global Communications 6 Kondilaki Street, 1090 Nicosia, Cyprus Tel: +357 22 818 884 Email: publishing@actionprgroup.com www.actionprgroup.com

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FAIRY-TALE BEGINNINGS Kanika weddings and the love stories that surround them

This magazine was published on behalf of: Kanika Hotels & Resorts 28th October 329A & Makarios III Ave., Kanika Enaerios Complex-Block A, P.O. BOX 53029, CY- 3300

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Limassol ‒ Cyprus Tel: + 357 25 814266 Email: info@kanikahotels.com www.kanikahotels.com

ASIAN FLAIR A taste of the Far East with gourmet epicurean delights 62 HITTING THE HIGH NOTE Stage magic at Kanika Hotels & Resorts

PUBLISHER Chris Christodoulou GENERAL MANAGER Dimitris Ioannides

64 PLAYTIME ACTION The lowdown on our exciting activities for the young ones

CHIEF EDITOR Zoe Christodoulides PRODUCTION COORDINATION Effie Roussou GRAPHIC DESIGNER Gabriela Constantinou CONTRIBUTORS

66 RIDING THE DESIGN WAVE Getting to know rising Cypriot designer, Stelios Mousarris

Alexander Davidian Emily Millett Alix Norman FOOD STYLIST Laura Colocassides (pages 56, 58-61)

70 PAPHOS IN TRANSFORMATION Discovering the best of the revamped old town

PHOTOGRAPHY John Athimaritis Photography (pages 1, 4, 6, 8-9, 12-17, 22, 46-47) Antonis Farmakas Photography (pages 5, 8, 47, 56, 58-61) Emma Louise Charalambous (pages 70-73)

74 A GOLFER’S PARADISE The lure of the perfect golf holiday under blue skies

PRINT PRODUCTION Laser Graphics Ltd ADVERTISING SALES

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76 ISLAND LIVING Everything you need to know about stunning properties by Kanika Developments

marketing@kanikahotels.com

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© Copyright: Action Global Communications 2019 While every effort is made to ensure that the contents are correct at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor Kanika Hotels & Resorts accept responsibility for omissions or errors. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Kanika Hotels & Resorts and its publishers do not accept responsibility for the advertising content or for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or images.

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 5

| Kanika Collection

Kanika Hotels &

RESORTS AT A GLANCE

An island blessed with powdery beaches and endless sunny days sets the scene for paradisiacal holidays. But the experience becomes all the more memorable at Kanika Hotels & Resorts, as stunning seafront locations combine with genuine hospitality and impeccable service, offering an experience to treasure for life. With an array of hotels to suit every taste, discerning travellers can enjoy an action-packed family holiday, a relaxing break by the poolside or a romantic getaway to remember.

A sparkling new addition to the Kanika Hotels & Resorts collection, the five-star Amavi is a one of a kind couples-only eco hotel in Cyprus. A blissful haven where togetherness and comfort comes first, the Made for Two Hotels concept places emphasis on couples spending quality time together, accentuated by discreet service, dreamy rooms,

P.O.Box 60325 CY 8102 Paphos – Cyprus Tel: + 357 2652 2500 reservations@amavihotel.com

professional spa treatments, and fine Michelin starred dining, against the fairy-tale backdrop of the Medieval Paphos Castle, with tranquil sea waters lapping at your feet.

A luxury all-inclusive resort by the golden Paphos shores, Olympic Lagoon Resort provides couples and families with a whole world at their fingertips. Boasting a wide selection of rooms and suites, themed pools and leisure facilities, the hotel also offers daily entertainment ensuring the whole family is happy at this captivating guest orientated resort, designed to offer an unforgettable holiday experience, with a touch of exclusivity.

P.O.Box 62381 CY 8098 Paphos – Cyprus Tel: + 357 2688 3300 Fax : +357 2688 3333 olympicpaphosres@kanikahotels.com

Right beside the beautiful sands of the ‘Blue Flag’ Landa Golden Beach, the all-inclusive

P.O.Box 30386 CY 5330 Agia Napa – Cyprus Tel: +357 2372 2500 Fax: +357 2372 2502 olympicres@kanikahotels.com

Olympic Lagoon Resort Agia Napa ‒ renowned for its lush landscaped gardens ‒ has been fully upgraded, with a five-star experience giving new meaning to holidaying in luxurious fashion. More spacious and stylish accommodation options are now available across the resort’s 314 guest rooms and suites, while already extensive leisure facilities have been upgraded with an all new state-of-the-art indoor entertainment arena, exciting new themed restaurants and a bar, a fitness centre and a spa.

A luxurious hotel directly overlooking a ‘Blue Flag’ sandy beach, Alexander the Great Beach Hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the picturesque Paphos Harbour and Paphos Medieval Castle, built on an archaeological site dating back to 2000 B.C. Blending recently upgraded high-end accommodation and unique leisure facilities with fine gastronomy and endless entertainment, it remains one of the most popular

P.O.Box 60325 CY 8102 Paphos – Cyprus Tel: +357 2696 5000 Fax: +357 2696 5100 alexanderres@kanikahotels.com

hotels on the island for family and romantic holidays.

Just a short drive from the buzzing, cosmopolitan town of Limassol, Elias Beach Hotel enjoys blissfully quiet surrounds, overlooking a ‘Blue Flag’ sandy beach in the ancient Amathus area. Offering something for everyone, elegance and top quality service combine with a full range of indoor and outdoor leisure facilities and mixed entertainment programmes. Its prime location and beautiful grounds have made the hotel a favourite destination for seaside weddings and honeymoons.

6 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

P.O.Box 53029 CY 3300 Limassol – Cyprus Tel: +357 2563 6000 Fax: +357 2563 5300 eliasres@kanikahotels.com

| Kanika News

KANIKA NEWS

Passionate about our people

It has been a busy and exciting year at Kanika Hotels & Resorts, and we’re delighted that existing members of staff have reached new heights in their career, while our talented team of professionals keeps on growing!

N E W M A N A G E M E N T L E A D S T H E WAY We take great pride in announcing the promotion of Luciano Scelza, former

Alongside Scelza’s promotion, our group of hotels and resorts has welcomed

General Manager of Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos, to Group Hotels General

a new management team, with Dimitris Dimitriou at the helm of Alexander

Manager; a position which sees him heading all hotel management teams and

the Great Beach Hotel in Paphos, Valentin Osolos managing Olympic Lagoon

the Head Office Support teams. The talented Scelza previously led the Olympic

Resorts Paphos, and Chris Aristidou in charge of Elias Beach Hotel. The opening

Lagoon Resort in Paphos from strength to strength, drawing on over 20 years’

of the new Amavi has also seen Charis Stylianou move from his managerial

experience in the hospitality industry, working in five-star hotels across Europe,

position at Alexander the Great Beach Hotel, to manage the new couples-only

the USA, the Middle East and Africa. In line with our group’s growth and

hotel on Paphos’ golden coastline.

expansion plan over the next few years, Scelza is dedicated to spearheading the pioneering Kanika hospitality experience and further fuelling our leading role in the industry, with innovative facilities and excellent services inspired by the Kanika Spirit and our core values.

Kanika Hotels & Resorts General Managers 8 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

Fuelled by Success

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CLIMBING THE LADDER In light of our core values, the Kanika Group takes great pride in offering career opportunities and a chance for progression to all its members.

The progression of Christos Koudounas in the company exemplifies this ethos. Koudounas started out in a junior role in the company in the mid-90s, and is now indulging his passion for gastronomy as the Executive Chef of Paphos’ Amavi. Another new Amavi member, Stamatis Themistocleous, now enjoys a position as Rooms Division Manager following years of experience at the Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos.

Elena Hadjicharalambous is another great success story. She began her career at Alexander the Great Beach Hotel in 1998 in the Housekeeping Department. But she swiftly excelled in her role, and

Christos Koudounas – Amavi Executive Chef

Stamatis Themistocleous – Amavi Rooms Division Manager

Elena Hadjicharalambous, Rooms Division Manager at Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos, awarded for 20 years of service at Kanika Hotels & Resorts

Raj Khan – Alexander the Great Beach Hotel Restaurant Supervisor

Yiota Georgiou has also managed to shine with her

and then Assistant Executive Housekeeper, in 2007.

talents, having joined the company in 1994 as Mini

In 2012, she was promoted to Executive Housekeeper

Bar Attendant at Olympic Lagoon Resort Agia Napa

– a position which she enjoys to this day.

after several years of great experience, she became the hotels’ Food and Beverage Manager, and now enjoys the position of Rooms Division Manager at Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos. The success story of Raj Khan also deserves merit, first joining the Kanika Group as a waiter, while his willingness to learn helped him obtain the position of Restaurant Supervisor at Alexander the Great Beach Hotel in Paphos. Panicos Nearchou has also exhibited a passion for all things culinary, having joined the Elias Beach Hotel in Limassol as Sous Chef in 2016, and then promoted to Executive Chef last year.

Leoni Petrou is yet another success story, exhibiting her full potential after joining the group as a secretary at Alexander the Great Beach Hotel in 2002, and now enjoying her position as Acting Front Office Manager at the Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos.

and soon promoted to Housekeeping Supervisor,

Panicos Nearchou – Elias Beach Hotel Executive Chef

Leoni Petrou – Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos Acting Front Office Manager

Yiota Georgiou – Olympic Lagoon Resort Agia Napa Executive Housekeeper ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 9

| Kanika News

Honorary awards Year after year, we are incredibly honoured by the long list of accolades which consolidate our position as industry leaders, and further propel us to continue to improve and update our services to provide the best possible holiday experience for our guests.

With Spyros Th. Karaolis at the helm of the Kanika Group, the exceptional foresight and vision of our Group Executive Chairman was honoured in December 2018, when he was awarded as ‘Business Leader in the Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Sector’ at the 5th CCCI (Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Business Leader Awards. Acknowledging excellence in the Cyprus business world, Karaolis expressed his gratitude for the people who make Kanika Group what it is today.

“Myself and my two brothers, Giorgos and Marios, feel very lucky to have very worthy and capable colleagues by our sides for many years now, with whom we share the same beliefs, values and common goals. It is with their personal

Spyros Th. Karaolis collects CCCI award

contribution that our company has managed to materialise its business plans with great success, and for this, I thank them warmly…the 150 plus international distinctions and awards that our group has received over the past few years, confirms the love and dedication of these people towards their job.”

At the ceremony, Karaolis went on to lovingly dedicate the award to his father, Theodosis Karaolis, who first set up the company in 1975, and from whom Spyros Th. Karaolis took over in 2009.

The CCCI award is backed by countless international awards received for yet another year running, confirming our ability to respond to your needs and wishes, while exemplifying our dedication and commitment to offering the best possible holiday experience. Unable to list every award received, we are particularly proud to have topped TripAdvisor’s 2019 rankings for yet another year running.

A special mention goes to the Olympic Lagoon Resorts in both Agia Napa and Paphos, the former voted Top Family Hotel in Cyprus, and the later voted Top Hotel in Cyprus according to the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2019.

Alexander the Great Beach Hotel in Paphos was also honoured with second place among the Top 25 hotels in Cyprus, while the Elias Beach Hotel in Limassol ranked 6th out of the Top 25 Hotels for Families in Cyprus.

The Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos has also been honoured by Travelmyth as one of the top 30 five-star hotels in Cyprus, while Paphos’ Alexander the Great Beach Hotel has been rated as ‘superb’ by guests on Hotels.com. We are also

Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos team presenting the Luxury Lifestyle Award 2018

grateful for the ongoing support shown to us by Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, honouring Alexander the Great Beach Hotel with their Sunny Heart Award

Always placing great emphasis on environmental awareness, green practices

(Silver Winner 2018), while the Olympic Lagoon Resort in Paphos received a

and giving back to the community throughout Kanika Hotels & Resorts, we are

Silver Award as ‘Best All Inclusive for the Year 2018’, as well as a Sunny Heart

proud that the Elias Beach Hotel in Limassol and Alexander the Great Beach

Award (Silver Winner 2018).

Our hotels and resorts have also scored flying colours on Booking.com guest

Hotel in Paphos have both been honoured with excellence by the Travelife Gold Certification ‒ an international certification scheme honouring sustainability, fair

review awards 2018, achieving a score of 9.3/10 for both Olympic Lagoon Resort

practices and social contributions ‒ for the period of November 2017 to November

and Alexander the Great Beach Hotel in Paphos, with Elias Beach Hotel in

2019. Alexander the Great Beach Hotel in Paphos was also honoured with a Gold

Limassol scoring 8.4/10.

Medal in 2018 by the Cyprus Centre for Environmental Research & Education.

10 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

| Veni, Vidi, Amavi

TEXT BY ALIX NORMAN

Holiday Perfection FOR COUPLES

THE FLAGSHIP OF KANIKA’S INNOVATIVE MADE FOR TWO HOTELS BRAND, THE AMAVI IS PURE HEAVEN, A PARADISE OF ROMANCE AND RELAXATION PERFECTLY DESIGNED FOR TWO. A COUPLES-ONLY ECO RESORT LOCATED ON THE PAPHOS SEAFRONT, THIS LUXURY FIVE-STAR HOTEL IS THE EPITOME OF A ROMANTIC GETAWAY: AN INTIMATE HAVEN FOR THOSE IN LOVE.

Welcoming guests from all over the world, this couples-only luxury resort first opened its doors in March 2019, and has already earned a reputation as the ultimate getaway for those in love. The first member of Made for Two Hotels – a new and proprietary brand launched by Kanika Hotels & Resorts – the Amavi offers couples sophisticated side-by-side holiday experiences, enhanced with unobtrusive and personalised guest services that spark that honeymoon feeling.

From the fine dining options to the seamless service, every detail of the Amavi has been crafted to deliver a compendium of dream-worthy delights. Even the hotel’s name exudes a fiery passion, rooted in the Latin ‘Veni, Vidi, Amavi’ meaning ‘I came, I saw, I loved’. The perfect place to revel in each other, join us on a weekend of intimate togetherness, from morning to night, over a blissful 48 hours.

| Veni, Vidi, Amavi

Evera Outdoor Pool

DAY ONE Morning

Lunch

Stretch and breathe: you’re here in your own private paradise with the one you

You’ll have spent the morning exploring the hotel: marvelling at each five-

love. Throw on your cosy bathrobe and monogrammed slippers and, morning

star detail, taking in the panoramic sea views, and discovering a wealth of

tea or coffee in hand, head out onto your private balcony to drink in the scenery.

enchantment, so you’ll be more than ready to share a meal come noon. With

Cyprus’ year-round sunshine coupled with unobstructed sea views from every

four restaurants on the grounds, it’s bound to be the Ezaria’s mouth-watering

single one of the 155 rooms means you’re guaranteed one long, endless horizon

buffet lunch which tempts: a smorgasbord of international cuisine, cooked

of glittering azure sea and light-filled Mediterranean sky! Tear yourselves away

before your very eyes in an open kitchen using only the freshest ingredients.

from the glorious sun-soaked panorama for an indulgent rain shower, and head

Dine in the elegantly-appointed restaurant, or take to the adjoining terrace

down for a sumptuous breakfast – a whole day of luxury à deux awaits!

for gourmet food matched only in splendour by the sparkling turquoise views.

Ezaria (left and right)

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Evera Spa

Evera Indoor Pool

Afternoon

Evening

By afternoon, it’s time for a little relaxation! Prepare for the ultimate in luxury

With the hotel’s special Half-Board Premium offering, guests can dine at any of

treatments at the Evera Spa and Wellness facilities, where you can both enjoy

the resort’s four signature establishments, choosing to enjoy a meal at each of

everything soul-soothing and rejuvenating, from a long soak in the Jacuzzi, to

the three à la carte restaurants once a week. Classically elegant, the Nocturne

a gentle swim in the soothing confines of the indoor pool. If you’re looking to

is a special treat for your first night. Serving an haute cuisine degustation menu

maintain that air of mystery, there’s a wealth of individual treatments; why not

crafted by Theodor Falser, the hotel’s Michelin-starred consultant chef, it’s a

give the full-body Luxurious Gold shimmering scrub or the Mini Booster Facial

lavish experience: a gastronomic poem of culinary magnificence. As with every

a go? But this is the Amavi, and here, it’s all about togetherness, so the bespoke

area of the Amavi, the service is impeccable and discreet – as you sip your fine

couples’ treatments are definitely worth your while. Luxuriate in the embrace of

wine, washed by the gentle notes of the live music, you’ll both surrender to this

the Evera Spa Signature Massage for couples, or revel in the warmth of a shared

celebration of togetherness.

Melt Away Candle Massage in preparation for the glorious evening ahead.

Nocturne

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 15

| Veni, Vidi, Amavi

DAY TWO Morning

Lunch

Yesterday was an exploration of your newfound paradise. Today, succumb to

It’s time to revel in the golden rays: sun yourselves on the gorgeous white

the Amavi ambience: the exquisite idyll of a life of luxury. Indulge in an intimate

sand 'Blue Flag' beach right outside your door, or enjoy one of the three pools

breakfast in bed or share a long bubble bath – the Amavi aims to become a certified

within the hotel grounds. The Evera Outdoor Pool is a serene oasis complete

Ecolabel hotel, so all the products and services are environmentally friendly. Then

with spa-style whirlpools and back massagers, while the Saffire offers perfect

it’s time for a leisured stroll through the lush, landscaped gardens down to the

views of the Mediterranean and a swim-up bar for an early afternoon cocktail

beach promenade. Just steps away, the Paphos Harbour and the Medieval Castle

or two – the choice is yours! And, since the sunbed allocation system operates

make for the perfect backdrop to your romantic holiday memories, while the

throughout, there’s nothing to disturb your languid leisure; you won’t even

region as a whole boasts a host of fascinating historic and cultural sites. If you’re

have to dress for lunch as poolside service ensures you’ll be eating and relaxing

craving a little more vigorous exercise, you can enjoy the state-of-the-art gym or

at the same time.

try a playful tennis match: this is one game which will definitely end in love all!

Saffire Pool

16 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

The Lounge

Afternoon

Evening

Sun-soaked and sated, it’s time to enjoy an afternoon of pure relaxation for the

The perfect al fresco venue for fine dining, the rooftop Immenso is the jewel

body, mind and soul. Immerse yourself in the sultry confines of the steam room

of the Amavi. Dining at its finest, both the exquisite menu and the unparalleled

or sauna, and then head up to the lobby for afternoon tea. The Lounge bar-café

views take your breath away. As the sun sets over the Mediterranean and the

offers a plethora of specialised teas (soothe the senses with that perfect cup of

warm sky shades to indigo, revel in authentic Asian Fusion. This à la carte

Earl Grey, freshen the palate with Smooth Mint, or tickle those taste buds with

menu is pure taste sensation: the true flavours of the Orient married with

a Strawberry Flip) along with a wide variety coffee blends (both hot and cold)

our Michelin-starred chef’s ethos of Urban, Taste, Nature. And then, all that

and a host of classic beverages. Looking out over the turquoise waters, drink in

remains to complete your perfect evening is a visit to the Selene Bar: signature

the flood of warm afternoon light and sink into a soft daydream.

cocktails designed by our consultant mixologist, under the sparkling stars as you fall, once more, deeply in love.

Immenso

Selene Cocktail Bar

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 17

| Kanika Growth

Forging the Future

WITH AN ESTABLISHED AND FLOURISHING PRESENCE ACROSS SECTORS AS DIVERSE AS LAND DEVELOPMENT, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, AND HOTEL OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, THE KANIKA GROUP OF COMPANIES HAS CONTINUALLY LED THE FIELD, FORGING A PATH INTO THE FUTURE THANKS TO THE UNPARALLELED DEDICATION ‒ AND SPIRIT ‒ OF ITS TEAM.

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| Kanika Growth

PAST MAS TE RY, MOD ERN DAY EXC EL L ENCE From its beginnings in the 1960s and its first construction projects in the

Today, at the forefront of a rapidly-evolving and highly competitive global

Limassol area, to the recent launch of the innovative Amavi couples-only hotel,

market, the group continues to define the fields of hospitality, construction and

and on to pioneering new projects planned for the coming years, the Kanika

property development on the island. Having leapt from strength to strength,

Group has always born the hallmark of true excellence: past, present and future.

consolidating and building on the brand over the years to produce unrivalled

While the group itself was founded in 1975, the story begins in 1963 when current chairman, Theodosis Sp. Karaolis, opened his architectural office on the eastern shores of Cyprus. Driven by an innovative vision and boasting an

growth, there’s now a new generation of directors at the helm, including Kanika Group Executive Chairman, Spyros Th. Karaolis, Group Deputy Chairman, George Th. Karaolis, and Group Vice Chairman, Marios Th. Karaolis.

expertise well ahead of its time, one office soon became two and, as both clients and awards flooded in, the Kanika Group was born.

T H E H E A R T O F T H E M AT T E R Split into design, development and management of hotels operation, as well

At its heart, this is a people-centred group ‒ whether that be guests, staff,

as construction, development and property management, the Kanika Group

trainees or managers ‒ which makes for an entire community dedicated to

now oversees four leading companies: Kanika Hotels & Resorts, Kanika Olympic

excellence, actively engaged in caring both for others and for the generations

Ltd, Kanika Developments and Kanika Property Management.

to come. At Kanika, it’s worth noting that growth never comes at the expense

And yet, despite the constant successes and passing of the years, it’s those Kanika core values which continue to characterise the group: excellent service, utmost professionalism, continual innovation, respect for its customers, unwavering integrity and all-round teamwork. Hiring from the most talented and providing year-round training, the group currently boasts more than 1,400 members of staff; employees who are committed to delivering the very best, every single day of the year.

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of the future, but rather, goes hand in hand with the corporate social responsibility and ethos of sustainability which has seen the group garner numerous awards over the years. Having grown in leaps, bounds and numbers over the past 50 years, the Kanika Group is sailing effortlessly into the future, always at the helm of progress and growth.

2019

Hot food - Ζεστό φαγητό

Salads & Snacks - Σαλάτες & Σνακ

Beverages - Ποτά

www. caterways .com.cy

| Kanika Growth

A N E T H O S O F TOG E T H E R N E S S Escalating the group’s constant drive for excellence and innovation, the newlylaunched Amavi hotel in Paphos falls under Kanika’s innovative Made For Two brand. This unique, five-star couples-only resort opened its doors in March 2019, delivering a seamlessly luxurious guest experience: a perfect haven of togetherness by the endless turquoise shores of the Mediterranean. With every detail impeccably crafted in true Kanika fashion, every aspect of the group’s latest project has been thoroughly thought out, from the Michelin-starred dining experience to the Half-Board Premium offer and more.

O N WA R D & U P WA R D “It’s our people,” explains Kanika Group Executive Chairman, Spyros Th. Karaolis,

Work will begin on the first Maltese Olympic Lagoon this year, a 350-room all-

“who make these successes possible. With over 70 per cent repeat guests in

inclusive family resort and sister hotel to the Olympic Lagoon Resorts in Cyprus.

our hotels” ‒ a staggering figure in the hospitality industry ‒ “and unrivalled

There’s also a new all-inclusive family resort replacing the Makronisos Holiday

growth across the entire portfolio of companies, the future of Kanika lies clearly

Village in Agia Napa: a 280-room hotel which will provide the very latest in

with its people, those whose unrivalled team spirit and matchless dedication

luxury holidays for the whole family. And lastly, 2019 will see construction

puts the group at the very forefront of the industry.”

begin on another Made for Two Hotel, a 132-room resort targeted at modern

At Kanika Group, there’s no resting on one’s laurels, however well-deserved they may be! In the coming months, no fewer than three new projects are set to get underway, including one that’s breaking new ground at the western end of the Mediterranean.

22 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

young couples, situated on prime land in the very centre of Agia Napa: another kindred spirit for the exceptional Kanika Group as it moves into the future with steadfast dedication and a thirst for innovation.

For over 40 years we have supplied the catering industry with a range of fine china, cutlery, glasses & buffet servers Our exprerience in the industry guarantees the best prices & personal service

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LAKIS TRAPALIDES AND SON LTD KARAISKAKI 39, IPSONAS, LIMASSOL, CYPRUS, CY-4193 TEL: +357 25780444, +357 25780222 FAX: +357 25745889, +357 25346856 EMAIL: stella@trapalides.com, yiannis@trapalides,com

| Kanika WorldWise

A SUSTAINABLE

Spirit

A leading player in Cyprus’ hospitality industry, Kanika Hotels & Resorts is well-aware of its responsibility to give back to and care for its people, the local community and the environment. Its WorldWise CSR programme leaves no stone unturned, setting an admirable example within the hotel industry via innovative solutions that stem from a grassroots approach.

PEOPLE FIRST At the forefront of each and every one of our hotels and resorts, is a dedicated

And behind the bright smiles of the staff, is the famous Kanika SPIRIT ‒ an

team of hospitality professionals, wholeheartedly committed to serving guests

acronym for Service, Professionalism, Innovation, Respect, Integrity, and

and caring for their needs. Little wonder that Alexander the Great Beach Hotel,

Teamwork ‒ a comprehensive recognition and rewards system which

and Olympic Lagoon Resort, in Paphos and Agia Napa respectively, topped

acknowledges individual efforts and achievements, investing in an inspiring

TripAdvisor rankings, voted amongst the ‘Top 25 Hotels for Service in Cyprus’

work environment.

in 2018.

Ongoing staff development is also paramount, epitomised through regular

From management to frontline staff, you can expect a warm and personal

internal training and external courses, while annual internal surveys help

touch from the moment you walk through the hotel doors to the time you

the management identify areas of improvement, to create the best possible

check out.

working conditions.

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| Kanika WorldWise

G I V I N G B AC K TO T H E CO M M U N I T Y

E N V I R O N M E N TA L C O N S C I O U S N E S S

Our people-centred approach extends far beyond the parameters of our hotels

As an increasing number of visitors land down on Cyprus’ sunny shores every

and resorts, filtering into the local community. The Ithaki Charity Association

year, sustainability becomes more pressing than ever, crucial for protecting

exemplifies our dedication to giving back to the society we live in, founded in

the pristine beauty of the island and ensuring sustainability for the benefit of

2011 on the occasion of the European Year of Volunteering.

generations to come.

The non-profit organisation was created by the Kanika Group to offer both

Committed to operating our hotels responsibly while reducing the impact

patients and their families information, relief and support at every stage

of our day-to-day operations, a focus is placed on saving water, saving energy

of dementia. Professional care and facilities, integration of patients, and

and waste management, with guests given tips for ‘greening’ their hotel stay

psychological support of their families, are just some of the association’s

and staff asked to enforce environmental habits. All our hotels and resorts

specific goals, also offering high quality home treatment. A special Day Care

have demonstrated equal commitment to sustainable tourism and have

Centre, opened with the generous support of the Germasogeia Municipality,

implemented all the requirements and measures of the Travelife Gold Award.

specialises in health care professionals offering patients cognitive stimulation,

All Kanika Hotels & Resorts have also received the AKTI Project and Research

while providing caregivers with the necessary psychological support. Our vision

Centre Sustainability Award for tackling plastic marine pollution.

is to expand our facilities and services to support patients and families across the island. Charity events throughout the year support the work of Ithaki, while also supporting other local charity organisations through donations and accommodation where needed.

As Kanika Hotels & Resorts implement strict policies to achieve clear-cut goals, the new Amavi has set its sights on becoming the first hotel in Cyprus to receive the prestigious EU Ecolabel as recognition of its environmental commitment and accomplishments, from the automatic switching off of lights and air-

In line with an ethos which places attention on community, Kanika Hotels &

conditioning, and regulating the water flow in bathrooms, to donating used

Resorts also works closely with local producers to obtain prime produce for

textiles and furniture to charities and sharing information on environment-

guests to enjoy, including fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. Holiday-makers

friendly measures with our guests.

can also enjoy wine sourced from local wineries and various traditional Cyprus delicacies, offered at our hotels as welcoming gifts.

Whether tackling environmental issues or caring for its staff and the community at large, the remarkable success of Kanika Hotels & Resorts is intrinsically linked to the group’s sustainable spirit. And it will continue to remain so for many years to come, with a WorldWise approach that values the importance of dynamic CSR, defined not by words and statements, but rather, targeted and measurable action.

26 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

| Out and About

The Culture Diary TEXT BY EMILY MILLETT

You’ve relaxed by the pool and soaked up the sun, you’ve swum in the clear blue Mediterranean and tasted the mouth-watering flavours of the island. Perhaps you’ve been sipping on cocktails in Agia Napa, scuba-diving in Limassol or exploring the ancient sites of Paphos. What’s next? There is so much more to uncover, but to really get under the skin of this multi-faceted destination, visitors need to stray from the pretrodden tourist trails and step into the shoes of the locals, experiencing their version of this incredible island at some of the many exciting annual events that take place throughout the year. And there are plenty to choose from. To get you started, here are some of the most popular highlights of the social calendar in Cyprus for the year ahead.

© Emma Louise Charalambous

Must-Visit Events

|

MOVIE MAGIC

WILDERNESS CALLING

It’s a real mix of civilizations and cultures on the big screen at the Lemesos

Make the most of the natural beauty of the island and head deep into the verdant

International Documentary Festival, dedicated to showcasing innovative,

countryside and the village of Platanistasa for a taste of fine local produce in

contemporary and creative documentaries from Cypriot and international

cooler climes. Here, far from the island’s coastline, village folk take great pride

directors. The event also includes workshops and lectures by directors invited

in their hazel forests and invite visitors to enjoy freshy cut nuts along with plenty

from around the world, as well as live music shows, giving cinema buffs and

of merriment. Be sure to partake in an organised walk in the area’s hazel forest

documentary enthusiasts a real treat. Visitors can also attend an expertly

while you’re there, and pop into the village’s UNESCO World Heritage Byzantine

curated itinerary of workshops, lectures and masterclasses, while a selection of

Church of ‘Stavros tou Agiasmati’ with excellent and well preserved 15th century

films that are ‘eye-opening in their socio-political approach’ will be screened

frescoes. Want to take some goodies back home with you? Kiosks will be set up

each evening.

in the area where you’ll be able to buy food, drinks, traditional sweets and other

Lemesos International Documentary Festival

1 – 8 August 2019. Limassol. www.filmfestival.com.cy

Hazel Tree Festival

products. Traditional dancing will further liven up the atmosphere on the day!

3 & 4 August 2019. Platanistasa village, Pitsilia. Tel: +357 99-218713

© Marios Papaphotiou

BOUTIQUE VILLAGE SOUNDS

WHISTLE IN THE WIND

Fengaros Festival is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill music event. For starters,

The sleepy little mountain village of Katydata comes to life every August for

forget any pre-conceived notions of muddy fields and wellington boots. The

a sultry summer’s weekend dedicated to wind instruments, music making,

stage for Fengaros Festival is the picturesque village of Kato Drys in the hills

community workshops and general rural merriment. The picturesque, traditional

above Larnaca. In amongst the cobbled lanes, crowds of curious world music

stone village is the perfect backdrop for an impressive line-up of live concerts,

appreciators gather in atmospheric squares to listen to intimate live sessions

which take place in some rather unconventional venues including orchards,

by local and international musicians. This year’s festival will be exploring local

old inns and sun-dappled squares. This year, bands and musicians from across

talent and showcasing an array of new bands and songwriters, presenting the

Cyprus and Europe will regale crowds with their melodic sounds, including the

most exciting and fresh music from the Mediterranean and beyond. Greek

16-piece Paphos Big Band, the Uriel Herman Quartet from Israel, the original

rocker, Foivos Delivorias, will be entertaining crowds as one of the headline

Windcraft Band from Cyprus and Captain Stambolov from France.

Fengaros Festival

acts, as well as the cool Planet of Zeus.

1 – 3 August 2019. Kato Drys, Larnaca. www.fengaros.com

Windcraft Music Fest

10 & 11 August 2019. Katydata village. Nicosia District. www.windcraftmusicfest.com

| Out and About

OENOPHILE’S DELIGHT

O P E R AT I C R E N D I T I O N S

We all know that Cyprus is Aphrodite’s island, but for a few weeks in late-

As the sun sets over Paphos’ iconic historic castle, and the moon casts its

August, early-September each year, the Goddess of Love takes a break, handing

flickering reflection across the Mediterranean Sea, a soprano voice fills

over the reins to party-loving Dionysus, the God of Wine and Wildness. And in

the still summer evening air, with its hauntingly beautiful song. This is the

true Dionysian style, the coastal city of Limassol hosts its annual Wine Festival

Pafos Aphrodite Festival ‒ the most atmospheric operatic event in Cyprus,

during this time, to celebrate and promote the surprisingly top-quality wineries

transforming the castle and coastline into the most dramatic stage every year

and grapes being made and bottled on the island. Local reds, whites and rosé

at the end of summer, for three nights of live opera performances right by the

wines are available to sample, with Cypriot food stalls on-hand to wash it all

sea. Opera and music lovers this year can look forward to a nail-biting rendition

down. Hosted in Limassol’s Municipal Garden, the festival runs alongside a

of Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi, performed by the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus.

Limassol Wine Festival

rich and diverse line-up of traditional live music, theatrical performances and dance recitals.

Pafos Aphrodite Festival

31 August, 1 & 2 September. Paphos. www.pafc.com.cy

30 August – 8 September, 2019. Limassol. www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy

SHOWING ITS CULTURAL COLOURS

U N I Q U E L O C A L F L AV O U R S

While the resort destination may have become more famous for its glistening

For a real taste of rural Cyprus, head up to the wine villages in September

waters and action-packed nightlife, Agia Napa is also home to one of the

and October to see locals busy themselves with the annual celebration of

most highly-anticipated cultural events on the social calendar in Cyprus, with

one of the island’s most important and abundant products ‒ grapes. Prolific

the Agia Napa Festival standing as a symbol of a different, more refined and

across rural Cyprus in the autumn, grapes are used for a plethora of traditional

cultivated side of the coastal city. The festival is a platform to show off the

delicacies, including the exclusively Cypriot Palouze ‒ thick, sweet grape jelly

rich and diverse history, culture and customs of the island, with a host of top-

which the event is named after and centred around. Visitors can watch as the

quality local music, dance and theatre performances, running alongside stalls

village women stir flour and rose water into boiled grape juice, to create this

and events celebrating the island’s culinary heritage.

extremely unique dish, which is then used to make traditional sweets such as

Agia Napa Festival

26 – 29 September 2019. Agia Napa. www.ayianapa.org.cy

Palouze Grape Festival

‘shoushoukos’, or simply left to set and eaten directly with a spoon. For those with an adventurous palette, there are always plenty of Palouze products to take home, while local folk music and dancing, as well as wine tastings, accompany each event for an added touch of local flavour.

Each weekend in September 2019 (exact dates TBC). The wine villages (Vasa, Lofou, Arsos, Vouni and Koilani) Limassol district. Tel: +357 2542 1020 or +357 9935 2547 30 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

Must-Visit Events

|

SHORT BUT SWEET

T H AT ’ S T H E S P I R I T

Showcasing an impressively diverse and dynamic programme of screenings,

You can’t come to Cyprus without tasting Zivania. One of the island’s most

the International Short Film Festival of Cyprus has developed something of a

beloved products, this traditional spirit is distilled from grapes and packs a hefty

cult following on the island since it first launched some 14 editions ago. Over

punch, with an alcoholic content of around 45 per cent. And if you happen to

the years, the event has also earned itself international recognition on the

be around in November, you can celebrate the national drink together with

film circuit, and today, ISFFC is known by local culture-vultures and film-buffs,

its biggest fans in the traditional villages of Alona and Pelendri. See how the

as a not-to-be-missed cinematic occasion on the annual calendar. Evening

spirit is distilled and sample some of the various regional varieties, all against a

screenings take place at Rialto Theatre in the centre of Limassol, where visitors

backdrop of traditional folkloric music and dancing, alongside food stalls selling

can pop in and enjoy the line-up of fiction, documentary, experimental,

local village delicacies.

International Short Film Festival of Cyprus (ISFFC) Zivania Festival

student and animated short films. The quality of the films is exceptional, the evenings are relaxed, entertaining and informal, and each screening is under

Early November weekends 2019. Alona village (Nicosia District) and Pelendri village (Limassol District). Tel: +357 2542 1020; +357 9935 2547 or +357 9963 0414

25 minutes long, so even the easily distracted will be kept riveted.

12 – 18 October 2019. Limassol. www.isffc.com.cy

W I N T E R S P E C TA C L E S

U R B A N PA R A D E S

Agia Napa may be marketed as a sun and sea destination, but that’s not to say

Every year, to mark the end of the Easter fasting period and the beginning of

that it can’t be enjoyed in the winter once the summer sizzle dies down, the

spring, Limassol erupts into a vibrantly colourful cavalcade of masqueraded

beaches become quieter, and the area takes on a more understated charm.

festivities. Throngs of costumed revellers from across the island descend on

And tourists visiting in the winter and spring months can still enjoy plenty of

their second city for two weeks of merriment, parties, parades and events, all

entertainment, with the Ayia Napa Cultural Winter festival keeping crowds

of which are just the warm up for the grand finale ‒ a huge show-stopping,

entertained with six months of cultural events and performances. Many are

traffic-halting parade on the last Sunday. Almost as though fate was on its side,

free of charge, and include a diverse range of gigs, dance performances,

the weather is usually sunny for the final weekend, so grab your wigs, masks and

theatre shows and art exhibitions.

fancy dress, and head down to Limassol for a city-wide street-party like no other.

November 2019 – April 2020. Agia Napa. www.agianapa.org.cy

End of February – Beginning of March 2020 (exact dates to be announced). Limassol. www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy

Ayia Napa Cultural Winter

Limassol Carnival

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 31

Your Top

5!

Cyprus is not just about fun by the beach; undulating landscapes dotted with ancient sites and architectural feats continually tease the imagination. A land where stunning antitheses reign supreme, captivating the senses every step of the way, there’s much to see and do around the country. Here are some inspiring must-see sites to add to your holiday bucket list, all easily reached by car from our Limassol, Agia Napa and Paphos hotels.

| Cyprus Guide

Nicosia

Old meets new in the country’s booming capital, flooded with history and awash with culture inside the old city, while all things contemporary call out for attention outside the landmark Venetian walls.

1

F A M A G U S TA G AT E A must-see sandstone gate which once led into the old city, this is one of three gates in old Nicosia, built between 1567 and 1570 by the ruling Venetians, and designed by the famous engineer, Giulio Savorgano.

2 3 4

TOW E R 2 5

Cameras at the ready! Architecture buffs will love this award-winning

tower by French architect, Jean Nouvel, with greenery bursting through the perforated walls.

FA N E R O M E N I C H U R C H Built in 1872 within the old city walls, this imposing church presides over the surrounding square, while the area around it forms a hub of activity as people of all ages enjoy a nibble or drink at one of the many nearby cafés and eateries.

THE CYPRUS MUSEUM

There is no better place to get acquainted with the ancient history of the island than at this museum; the largest archaeological ‘treasure trove’ in Cyprus housing fascinating artefacts discovered during a great number

of excavations, that you quite simply won’t get to see anywhere else. Set your sights on a whole range of items, from tools and figurines from the

Chalcolithic period, to jewellery and glorious statues from the Bronze Age.

L A I K I G E I TO N I A

5

Get a real feel for local life in the winding pedestrianised lanes of Laiki Geitonia, meaning ‘traditional neighbourhood’. A great place to head to for souvenirs, this charming neighbourhood also boasts taverns dishing out meze treats, curious art shops and bustling bars, many housed within buildings dating back to the 18th century.

34 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

Minthis is home to Cyprus’ most exclusive Golf Club and all season 18-hole championship course.

“There are few places in the world of golf where you can play in such beautiful surroundings, with the Troodos Mountains as a backdrop and the course tucked away in a valley”.

Tom Mackenzie Mackenzie & Ebert, Course Architects

For more information: +357 26 842 200 golf@minthisresort.com Pafos, Cyprus MINTHISRESORT.COM

| Cyprus Guide

Paphos

With the whole of Paphos town a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, tales from days gone by come to life around every corner. Once you’ve enjoyed a whirlwind journey back in time, the seaside beckons with shimmering seas, sandy coves and towering headlands.

1 2 3 4

A R C H A E O L O G I C A L PA R K Home to some of the most famous Roman mosaics in the Mediterranean, this is an absolute must-visit site, also giving visitors the chance to explore the ancient Tombs of the Kings, as well as an ancient odeon, lighthouse, remains of an old fortress, and more.

M E D I E VA L C A S T L E You may want to stay here a while once you set your sights on this stunner, originally built as a Byzantine fort. Connected to the Paphos Harbour via an

arched bridge, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants in the area to take in the view with a drink in hand.

C O R A L B AY One of the most stunning beaches in the Paphos area, this gorgeous 'Blue Flag' awarded 500 metre stretch of coastline enclosed by limestone headlands is a real family friendly strip, blessed with golden sands and calm waters on most days.

GERONISOS ISLAND

A small island rising from the sea in the west of Paphos near Peyia, this was once a favourite destination for pilgrims, while modern-day excavations reveal that it was dedicated to Apollo in the late Hellenistic period.

SANCTUARY OF APHRODITE

5

Just outside Paphos town, the village of Kouklia is home to the archaeological site of Palaipafos (‘old Paphos’); one of the most important pilgrimage centres of the ancient world due to its famous Sanctuary of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility. The remains of the Sanctuary of Aphrodite date back to the 12th century B.C. Step into the museum, housed in a Lusignan Manor, to catch a glimpse of interesting finds from the area.

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Sites to See

Blessed with turquoise waters and stretches of powdery white sands intercepted by rocky outlets, the seaside towns of Agia Napa and Protaras zealously lend themselves to the fantasies of the most avid beach and outdoor enthusiasts.

|

Agia Napa & Protaras

1 2 3 4

C A P E G R E C O N AT I O N A L F O R E S T PA R K

Whether you fancy a walk, hike, or a cycle, perambulating this national park simply has to be right up top of every visitor’s ‘must do’ list, with nature trails

leading to spectacular sea cliffs, picnic sites, and a charming whitewashed chapel.

A G I A N A PA S C U L P T U R E PA R K Another impressive park for a different reason, head here to catch a glimpse of sculptures by dozens of artists from around the world. With panoramic views out to sea, you’ll also spot Mediterranean plants, cacti and succulents on display.

M A K R O N I S S O S TO M B S One of the most beautiful beaches in Agia Napa is also blessed with a dash of history, with 19 tombs used during the Hellenistic and Roman periods

excavated on site to date, alongside a small sanctuary to the east of the burial grounds, and part of an ancient quarry adjacent to the cemetery.

K O N N O S B AY At this picture-perfect beach, a forested hill makes way for powdery white sands and a crescent shaped shoreline which meets iridescent aquamarine waters. When you want to take a step away from the water’s edge, head up to the cool hillside café and enjoy the dazzling views. Konnos Bay has been voted among the Top 25 Beaches of Europe by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2019.

A G I A N A PA M O N A S T E R Y Dominating the central square, this Venetian monastery built in Gothic style dates back to the 15th century. Offering a haven of tranquillity in this lively resort, the monastery offers visitors the chance to enjoy a lovely courtyard and fountain; take note of the sycamore tree near the south gate, said to be over 600 years old.

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| Cyprus Guide

Limassol

Cyprus’ buzzing seaside town and second largest city isn’t just about gourmet dining and new modern sky rises; this is a place where ancient sites abound and a vibrant seafront begs to be explored.

1 2 3 4

MOLOS SEAFRONT Rent a bicycle or just enjoy a leisurely stroll down Limassol’s most famous seafront walkway, dotted with cafés where you can take in the views. The area is also home to a Sculpture Park, with work on display by local and international artists, as well as a skateboarding area for teenagers and a children’s play area.

R E N O VAT E D O L D P O R T A hub of activity come morning or night, head here to sip on a drink by

the water’s edge, or delight in a fine dining experience as you watch the world go by.

A N C I E N T A M AT H U S Just outside the centre of Limassol, this is one of the most significant ancient city kingdoms of Cyprus, dating back to 1100 B.C., where the worship of the Goddess Aphrodite once flourished. Head down to the site to catch a glimpse of the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite and tombs dating back to the early Iron Age.

C U R I U M A M P H I T H E AT R E

Hit the road towards Paphos and you simply have to stop off at the breathtaking Curium, a Greco-Roman theatre built in the second century B.C.

and extended in the second century A.D., sitting high on a cliff top and commanding tremendous views of the sea.

KOLOSSI CASTLE

5

Hands down one of the most beautiful castles on the island, this former Crusader stronghold on the outskirts of Limassol’s Kolossi village held strategic importance during the Middle Ages, while it was also home to facilities for the production of sugar from local sugarcane. It is believed that the original castle was built by Frankish military in the 13th century. The present castle was built in 1454 by the Hospitallers under the Commander of Kolossi, Louis de Magnac.

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Sites to See

No longer a sleepy seaside town, Larnaca’s old hub is now livelier than ever. But it’s the sites, telling glorious tales of the island’s history, that remain firmly in the spotlight.

|

Larnaca

1 2 3 4

FINIKOUDES PROMENADE A real Larnaca landmark, this vibrant tree lined promenade marks a central meeting point in town, and is the perfect place to watch the world go by right beside the sea.

S T. L A Z A R U S C H U R C H One of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture on the island, this is easily amongst Larnaca's most high-profile historic attractions. With Saint Lazarus being the patron saint of Larnaca, the church was erected over his tomb in the ninth century and restored in the 17th century. The churchyard houses a Byzantine museum and a small cemetery.

SALT LAKE

Nothing beats catching a glimpse of the gorgeous pink flamingos that descend on the lake in the wetter months from November to March. But when

the water dries up in the summer, the shimmering lake ‒ backed by rising

palms and the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque ‒ holds an equally unique appeal.

P I E R I D E S F O U N D AT I O N M U S E U M Housed in a restored mansion, this historic family home dating back to 1825, houses a vast archaeological collection taking visitors back through 9,000 years of Cypriot civilisation, starting from the Neolithic period. Aside from the archaeological collection, the museum houses an exemplary collection of old maps of Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as a marvellous collection of Hellenistic and Roman glass vases.

LARNACA FORT Stand on the roof of the Larnaca Fort at the south end of the Finikoudes Promenade and you’ll enjoy great views across town and out to sea. Step inside, and you’ll be blown away by the exhibits in the District Medieval Museum.

Some sources indicate that the fort was founded during the Byzantine era as the first fortification of the island. But 18th century sources insist that the castle was built by the Ottomans in 1625 A.D.

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| Exploring Troodos

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Into the Wild

|

TEXT BY ZOE CHRISTODOULIDES

Mountain Marvels

TAKE A STEP AWAY FROM THE GLISTENING SAPPHIRE SEAS THAT CRADLE CYPRUS’ REVERED COASTLINE AND FOLLOW WINDING ROADS UP TO THE STUNNING TROODOS PEAKS FOR AN EXPERIENCE TO LEAVE YOU AT ONCE BEDAZZLED AND BEGUILED. HERE, A VERDANT WORLD BECKONS THE INTREPID EXPLORER, WITH LUSCIOUS GREEN IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER PLAYING DRESS-UP IN FIERY GOLD AND CRIMSON HUES COME AUTUMN, BEFORE TWINKLING BRIGHT UNDER POWDERY WHITE SNOW IN THE THICK OF WINTER.

Rising an impressive 1952 metres above sea level in the rugged heart of the island, the Troodos Mountain peaks are a year-round paradise. Unbeknown to many visitors, and even locals, the Troodos area stands proud as a geological model for researchers the world over, formed a whopping 92 million years ago, and part of an ancient section of oceanic crust uplifted following the collision of the African and Eurasian Tectonic Plates.

Home to the spectacular Troodos National Forest Park, an expanse of forest covering approximately 90km around Mount Olympus – as well as a ski centre on the top of Olympus – the wondrous wilderness is within easy reach and accessible in less than an hour from the coast, making for an ideal day trip for those holidaying at Limassol’s Elias Beach Hotel, as well as Paphos’ Amavi, Olympic Lagoon Resort and Alexander the Great Beach Hotel.

Simply rent a car, unleash your inner explorer, and take a drive through quaint rural villages forgotten by time, as the pine scented mountain air revives the senses at higher altitudes. Dazzling views and lookout points will make your eyes pop, parks and trails will get your heart racing, while natural wonders will light up the soul and lift the spirits.

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 41

| Exploring Troodos G E T T I N G TO K N OW YO U One of the best places to get better acquainted with the history and significance of the Cyprus mountain peaks is the Troodos Geopark Visitor Centre (www.troodos-geo.org), set within an old mountain primary school.

Before you reach the door, you’ll be welcomed by an impressive geological garden, and once inside, you’ll spot impressive rocks and minerals providing insight into the geology of the area, as well as information on sites of geological importance (from mines to geo trails). In the conference room, you can watch documentaries on the significance of the geology of the Troodos mountain range. Take a good look around and you’ll also spot exhibits of abandoned asbestos and chromite mines and representations of an ancient pyrometallurgical furnace used to produce copper.

The cute little Visitor Centre just 200m west of Troodos Square is also worth popping into, with an exhibition gallery filled with photos shedding light on the areas’ history, habitats and more. In the reception area, you’ll spot a model of the Troodos National Forest Park, and you can also get hold of books and souvenirs relating to the area. There’s also a specially designed hall where you can enjoy a ten-minute film about the park.

F A S C I N AT I N G F L O R A & F A U N A The Troodos National Forest Park is also home to approximately 750 plant species, with 72 of these endemic to the island and 12 of which are exclusive to the park. Constituting the only or main habitat in Cyprus for many hardy species, keep a look out for the Troodos rose, Troodos catmint, Cyprus crocus, chamomile, thyme and more.

To truly get better acquainted with the endemic plants of the Troodos area, head down to the area’s perfectly kept Botanical Garden (www.troodos-geo.org).

Kids will love the central pond, and adults can make the most of a sweet little visitor centre. Plenty of written information is conveniently placed around the garden, with a section dedicated to endemic plants. And do sit back on one of the benches to take in the panoramic views across the mountain valley, with a telescope in hand for your viewing pleasure.

Traipsing through the wilderness of the island would hardly be an adventure without birds chirping and wings fluttering. Avid birdwatchers can look to the skies to spot the Cyprus warbler, the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), raven (Corvus corax), Bonelli's eagle (Hieraetus fasciatus), treecreeper (Certhia brahydactyla dorotheae), Cyprus Wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca) and more. There are also plenty of foxes roaming in the wild, and if you’re exceptionally lucky, you may get to spot a Cyprus mouflon; an endemic subspecies of the wild mountain sheep, usually roaming in the Troodos vicinity close to the Paphos Forest.

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Into the Wild

|

© Manos Botrini

ADRENALINE RUSH Troodos is a fascinating playground for the wild at heart and there is no better

The trail passes through a black pine forest where you’ll also encounter rare

way to discover the area than setting out on a long walk through a designated

species of flora and rock formations of the area. The route circles around the

trail. With countless signposted trails within the park, there’s something to suit

top of Mount Olympos (Chionistra) at an altitude of 1,850m, offering excellent

every level. The ‘Teicha tis Mataris’ (a 3km circular trail) is particularly fascinating.

views in all directions. The longer ‘Atalanti’ (a 14km circular trail) will take you

It will take you an estimated 1.5 hours to walk the trail with its impressive cliffs

through dense thickets of black pine, while the ‘Persephone’ is ideal for those

and beautiful views of the Mesaoria Plain and Morfou Bay.

looking for a shorter walk (a 3km linear trail).

‘Artemis’ (a 7km circular trail) should take avid hikers about 2.5 to 3 hours to

Cyclists can also enjoy the best of Troodos, with the official ‘Troodos cycling

walk and is bound to leave you wide eyed, with ruins of makeshift fortifications

routes’ forming a 57km path around Troodos National Forest Park, complete

built during the final year of the Venetian occupation of the island (1571 A.D.) by

with area maps, directional signs, road markings and a bike guide of the area.

a group of generals attempting to defend themselves against the Ottomans.

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 43

| Exploring Troodos SPLASHING FUN In the sizzling Cyprus summer, it’s not just the island’s seas that provide respite

Myllomeri Falls are situated in the Kryos Potamos river bed southeast of Pano

from the soaring temperatures. Most of the largest streams of Cyprus spring from

Platres at an altitude of 980m, near Panayia Phaneromeni Church. You can

the Troodos forest (Kouris, Kryos Potamos, Karkotis and Marathasa river) and if

reach the waterfall via a couple of routes, from either Pera Pedi Village (4,2km

you follow the road towards the Troodos village of Platres, you can cool off by

distance) or from Pano Platres towards Moniatis (at a distance of 3,8km).

one of the island’s most beautiful waterfalls: the cascading Caledonia. Tradition has it that the falls derive their name from Scottish travellers who visited the natural wonder long ago. Head here from the ‘Kryos Potamos’ River near the Troodos Presidential Residence, or from the ‘Psilon Dentron’ point north of Pano Platres village. The trail is 2km and 1km in length respectively. Once you get to the falls, you’ll be inundated by the smell of sweet-scented pines as cascading water (falling from a height of 13m) carries you away somewhere truly magical.

Chantara Falls is also rather special, located on the Trooditissa river bed north of the village of Fini. Head to the area to enjoy a great picnic and walk, before setting your sights on these lovely falls that drop from a height of 8m.

According to tradition, they were named after the world ‘antara’, meaning ‘noise of waters’. Stand still, take in a deep breath, and you’re bound to feel on top of the world as you marvel at the magical spectacle that can only be experienced in this green heart of the island.

After more gushing magic? Head southeast of Pano Platres village towards the highest waterfalls on the island, falling from a height of 20m. The so-called

Myllomeri falls

Caledonia falls

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Chantara falls

For more information on Troodos and everything there is to see and do in the area, visit mytroodos.com

| Health Clubs & Spas

Wondrous Wellness No holiday under Mediterranean skies would be complete without indulgent activities to accentuate the feeling of elation and rejuvenation. And at Kanika Hotels & Resorts, our award-winning spas whisk you away into a dream-like world as you discover your hidden energy and glow in a true haven of serenity. Add to this a variety of indoor and outdoor activities to lift the spirits, and your holidays are set to become more memorable than ever.

Regular guests at all Kanika Hotels & Resorts will be familiar with the award-

Other heavenly couples’ treatments include the Melt Away Candle Massage

winning Serenity Health Club & Spa, specialising in a wide range of treatments

to wash away all stress, sports massage to enhance athletic performance,

and massages that send guests straight into seventh heaven. Renowned for its

therapeutic massage to ease those aching muscles, deep tissue massage to

Mediterranean Candle Massage ritual, a wide range of luxurious body massages,

kick start your circulation and back massage to release upper body tension.

restorative wraps and scrubs, and skin boosting facial treatments add to the divine pampering experience.

As you surrender to a dreamy journey of tranquility to nourish and nurture mind, body, and spirit, be sure to also make the most of the spa facilities, which

Pulling out all the stops to make every moment count, Paphos’ sparkling new

include a luxurious indoor pool with endless views of the Mediterranean, and,

gem, the luxurious Evera Spa & Wellness at the couples-only Amavi, now steps

as with all spas at Kanika Hotels & Resorts, a supervised fitness centre including

into the limelight. Drawing on a passion for indulgent wellness and relaxation,

state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment. Once you’ve released those

couples can celebrate their love with a luxurious collection of signature spa

endorphins, a sauna and steam room session will aid overall body detoxification.

treatments under the Made for Two Hotels concept, in collaboration with the

Want to look your best? You can also get your hair and nails done!

the world-renowned Natural Spa Factory from the UK.

All Kanika Hotels & Resorts ensure guests can also enjoy wellness activities

A whole range of intimate spa treatments take place in designated couples

under blue skies, whether you wish to release those endorphins with a game of

suites, where you can enjoy side-by-side treatments in a soothing environment

tennis or while swaying your hips to Latin music with Dance Fitness. Stay by the

in harmony with nature. The Evera Couples Ritual gives love birds the chance to

water’s edge and prepare for a multitude of fitness classes, ranging from aqua

enjoy a nourishing and deeply calming bespoke full body massage, followed by

Zumba to aqua aerobics. For the perfect blend of fitness and relaxation, yoga

an illuminating facial to brighten and lighten the complexion, leaving you and

and stretching classes are just the thing you need to fully indulge in the true

your other half with a radiant glow, glass of champagne in hand!

meaning of absolute holiday Zen!

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Luxurious Pampering

|

Evera Spa & Wellness

Serenity Health Club & Spa - Sauna

Amavi Salon

Serenity Health Club & Spa - Fitness Centre

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 47

| Health Clubs & Spas

New Products: New You! Expert treatment requires expert products, and the well-stocked spas at Kanika

The Amavi’s new Evera Spa & Wellness takes you back to basics with Natural

Hotels & Resorts give you the chance to take the luxurious spa experience

Spa Factory products inspired by nature, injecting goodness and wholesome

back home with you.

nourishment into body and skin, boosting you from the outside in. Crafted in

At Serenity Health Club & Spa, guests can purchase Germaine de Capuccini professional skincare products, formulated by highly qualified experts who work with innovative raw materials, creating prestigious formulas with the most advanced cosmetic technology and extraordinary active ingredients; a

the UK and France, the products use botanically sourced ingredients derived from nature, free from Parabens, SLS, MCI and Methylisothiazolinone. Gender neutral packaging is minimal and recyclable where possible, using glass for that extra special touch.

true synergy between science, nature and beauty.

Here’s a pick of great products we can’t live without!

1. VECTOR LIFT

3. ZEN ATTITUDE

When you’re spending days in the warm sunshine, you rarely need heavy

Part of the Sperience line, this anti-stress roll on oil is just what you need on

creams. On the contrary, your skin and pores need a chance to breathe, and

holiday, balancing energies with a synergy of gorgeous smelling essential oils.

a light serum is the perfect skin savoir. Part of the Lift (IN) series and a Beauty

Just roll onto your temples or your wrists and let the essential oil mix work its

Awards 2016 Silver winner, this master firmness serum is a jewel of anti-ageing

magic, with lavender, mint, cajeput and lotus reducing tension and helping

technology; a powerful but light easily absorbed concentrate developed with

you feel calmer than ever. And what’s really great, is that this tube is so small

V-Matrix. Biotechnology and nature unite to lift and tauten the skin, while also

and compact, you can carry it about with you wherever you go: just roll on

minimising the appearance of pores. And you don’t need to apply another

whenever you need a boost!

Germaine de Capuccini

product over the top, unless desired; this super serum works wonders alone!

2. TIMEXPERT LIFT(IN) SUPREME DEFINITION EYE CONTOUR CREAM

Germaine de Capuccini

Lift your point of view on your holiday with this revolutionary treatment that works to ‘rebuild’ the fine skin around the eyes, while lifting the top eyelids thanks to Blefaroplex ‒ a unique innovation in anti-ageing cosmetics, consisting of a synergy of botanical ingredients that increases collagen and elastin synthesis, while working against glycation. Formulated with the innovative Alpha-Gel Technology, it also contains Chromo-Correcting Pigments that reflect and selectively transmit certain colours to brighten the eye area and give you a wide-eyed look. Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested, unwanted crows feet should become less visible after one month of use, while the eye contour will appear rested and revitalised.

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Germaine de Capuccini

Luxurious Pampering

|

1. YUZU, PINK BEETS & WATERMELON BODY SCRUB

2. FIG & VANILLA BODY LOTION

You can’t beat a good exfoliator to make skin smooth and silky when you hit

There’s nothing quite like the scent of earthy figs to accentuate your

the beach, and this watermelon scrub smells good enough to eat, flooding

Mediterranean holiday, and when you’re spending time in the sun, it’s crucial

the skin with a fresh burst of summer. Winner of the ‘Women’s Health Beauty

that you quench your parched skin with a good dose of moisture at the end

Award for Best Body Exfoliator’, Japanese yuzu gives a fragrant citrus edge to

of the day. This gentle body lotion will leave your skin baby soft and smooth in

the burst of watermelon ‒ suspended in a pink beetroot flecked haze with

no time, with figs (rich in oils and anti-oxidant properties) helping reverse skin

plenty of skin protecting antioxidants.

damage. Sweet almond oil ‒ rich in A, B1, B2, B6 and E vitamins ‒ helps soften

Natural Spa Factory

Natural Spa Factory

the skin leaving it supple and moisturised, while Jajoba oil balances and heals.

3. ILLUMINATE FACIAL TONER

Natural Spa Factory

Summer heat and humidity can wreak havoc on our skin, making it greasier than usual, particularly if your face is already combination to oily. Get rid of excess shine with this 'Shake to Wake' Facial Toner, filled with rice bran oil that’s light and gentle to the skin. The soft rice water also purifies and helps skin cell renewal. Regulating pigmentation to even out skin tone, this brilliant toner absorbs excess sebum, for a perfectly matte and luminous complexion.

4. ROSEHIP OIL

Natural Spa Factory If it’s good enough for the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge, Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow, then it’s good enough for us. Beauty magazines often rave about the benefits of rosehip oil, with heaps of celebrity fans, and this one won’t disappoint, harvested from rose bushes grown in Chile and 100% unrefined and natural. Suitable for all skin types, a few drops of this will work magic on your skin with a good dose of vitamins E, C, D, F, beta carotene and a host of fatty acids. Targeted skin repair at its best, it helps renew skin cells, lightens discoloration from the sun, and protects skin with a plethora of antioxidants.

5. 23 CARAT GOLD, PEARL & CAVIAR MOISTURISER

Natural Spa Factory

All that glitters may not be gold, but add a dash of pearl and caviar into the mix and you’re in for a seriously glowing complexion! This precious cream is a rich synergy between 23-carat gold, hyaluronic acid and caviar extract. It’s soothing and velvety texture (with a subtle amber scent) relaxes the features and smooths fine lines, leaving your skin youthfully revitalised. Gold is well known for restoring the lost elasticity of the skin tissues, stimulating cellular growth of the basal layer to generate healthy, firm skin cells. Hyaluronic acid ‒ one of the strongest anti-wrinkle agents ‒ combined with caviar extract helps tissue repair and cell regeneration.

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 49

| Wedding Bliss

TEXT BY EMILY MILLETT

Fairy-tale

BEGINNINGS WHERE BETTER TO CELEBRATE THE ETERNAL UNION OF TWO SOULS THAN THE ISLAND OF LOVE ITSELF; A DREAM WEDDING DESTINATION, BLESSED WITH YEAR-ROUND SUNSHINE, BREATH-TAKING VENUES, TOP-TIER SERVICES AND THE ULTIMATE ALLURE OF AFFORDABLE LUXURY.

Picture the scene. The setting sun creeps slowly down towards the sea, its glowing embers reflecting across the endless horizon, turning the Mediterranean into a magnificent palette of golden hues. A gentle sea breeze cools the sultry summer air, and in the distance, on a flower strewn pier overlooking the water, a young couple exchange their vows, promising to love each other for the rest of their lives. It may sound like a dream, but this picture of idyll is just one of the magically romantic realities that await betrothed couples at Kanika Hotels & Resorts, where a team of expert wedding planners make it their mission to ensure that every single bespoke celebration goes off without a hitch. Here, we chat to four couples whose unique love stories led them to celebrate the most important day of their lives with us.

Save the Date

|

ENDLESS ROMANCE

Elias Beach Hotel Limassol Waking up at 6am to go to the gym is never easy. Unless that is, you are Kathryn

The stunning Sunset Pier and private Blue Paradise Beach Bar & Restaurant

Barbas, whose much needed motivation came in the shape of fitness instructor,

venues surpassed the couple’s vision of saying “I do” in an intimate ceremony

John Jarvis. After admiring John from afar, the pair got together in the summer

near a beach, with the sun shining down to bless the union.

of 2013 and have been inseparable ever since. So, when John popped the question on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Zimbabwe, Kathryn delightedly said yes.

“The Sunset Pier is the venue I had always dreamt off,” enthuses Kathryn, “it’s the most beautiful setting for a wedding. Completely private and surrounded by the

Strong family ties to Cyprus on both sides meant choosing the island of love for

beautiful Mediterranean, with a wonderful sea breeze. As for the intimate Blue

their dream destination wedding was a natural fit. And when the couple stumbled

Paradise ‒ it was perfect for dining and dancing the night away right by the sea.”

upon Elias Beach Hotel on a pre-wedding trip to Cyprus, they knew instantly that this was the place they would be married. “The decision was easy,” says Kathryn.

“The welcome we received was amazing. Lydia (Head of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons) was so warm, friendly, knowledgeable and professional, and I was immediately confident entrusting the organisation of our wedding to her.

Nothing was too much trouble and they took care of everything.”

With a surprise complimentary room upgrade for the newlyweds, a bespoke cake made by the hotel kitchens and feedback from guests calling it “the best wedding ever”, it’s little wonder that the couple describe their big day as nothing short of flawless. “It was just the most wonderful experience,” says Kathryn, “better than I could have ever imagined.”

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 51

| Wedding Bliss

G A R D E N F A I R Y TA L E S

Olympic Lagoon Resort Agia Napa The starry-eyed evidence that dating app encounters can end in true love,

& Resorts were the personal touches, which ensure each and every celebration

Kayleigh and Alan Sweeney are the picture of movie-worthy romance. After a

is unique. “Destination weddings can be very standardised in a conveyer belt

whirlwind year together, followed by an idyllic, candlelit proposal on a private

style, but actually, Kanika Hotels & Resorts is the opposite. The best thing was

beach in Bali, the couple chose Cyprus for their September 2018 wedding, in

the incredible range of choice and options that we had. Our wedding planner

the hopes that the sun wouldn’t let them down, “Cyprus didn’t disappoint,”

helped make our day very personal,” confirms Kayleigh.

exclaims Kayleigh.

Opting for a timeless white theme for their intimate celebration, the couple

The couple were initially attracted to Kanika Hotels & Resorts by the luxurious

wanted their big day to be glamorous, sophisticated, but most importantly fun.

yet affordable wedding packages, the stunning collection of hotels, and in

And with the help of the Kanika Hotels & Resorts staff, they achieved just that.

particular, the magnificent Olympian Gardens at Olympic Lagoon Resort Agia

“The experience was perfect. Our wedding co-ordinator went above and beyond

Napa. “The gardens not only looked like a fairy tale, but really did feel that way

any expectation we had,” Kayleigh concludes. “Everything ran smoothly and

on the day,” Kayleigh lets on.

was exactly what we had hoped for. Thank you for a truly magical, unforgettable

Breath-taking venues aside, what really drew these lovebirds to Kanika Hotels 52 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

day and for making our dreams come true.”

Save the Date

|

ABOVE AND BEYOND

Alexander the Great Beach Hotel It may be considered unlucky to some, but for old school friends, Jess and

Opting for a classic, traditional wedding, with a personal twist, the couple

Brad, Friday the 13th is a day that will be etched in the stone of their love

celebrated their big day with 50 guests who were all blown away by both the

story forever, as the day it officially began. From the sunny beer garden of

venue and the island itself. And from the moment the groom arrived by speed

an English pub where the spark was ignited, to the magical evening boat-

boat on the morning of the celebration, to multiple above-and-beyond Kanika

trip along the Cypriot coast where Brad proposed in October 2018, this fairy-

Hotels & Resorts touches throughout the day, the Wakenell’s wedding was one

tale love story found itself at Alexander the Great Beach Hotel, where they

they will truly remember forever.

became Mr. and Mrs. Wakenell, at a breath-taking sunset wedding on The Terrace.

“Alexander the Great’s staff were there for us every step of the way to make our dream wedding happen,” concludes Jess. “The planning for our big day was

“The venue was spectacular, leaving us with butterflies in our stomach,” says

smooth and simple ‒ no request was too much to ask of them. We cannot

Jess. “And the hotel won us over immediately. The moment we stepped

thank or recommend Kanika Hotels & Resorts enough.”

through those doors we were blown away with the décor, the view, the staff and the cocktails ‒ everything was perfect!”

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 53

| Wedding Bliss

S E N T I M E N TA L S U N S E T S

Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos They say opposites attract, and newlyweds Demi-Lee Parker and Lewis Parker

a surprise open top wedding party bus, which drove the group around the

are living proof. Complimentary in their contradictions, this couple have always

island complete with music and champagne. But for the bride and groom,

had one thing in common ‒ a dream of getting married abroad. After an

perhaps what really made the wedding so perfect, was the seamless, smooth

intimate proposal at home, the duo settled on the island of Aphrodite, and

organisation by the Kanika Hotels & Resorts team, who ensured the family

were joined in wedlock on the Olympian Sunset pier, at Olympic Lagoon

were able to relax and enjoy their big day.

Resort Paphos.

“Everything was amazing,” says Demi, “It ran so smoothly, and all aspects were

With the bridesmaids in turquoise to match the Mediterranean, and 70 close

taken care of. I never had to worry about anything and even when I did have

family and friends by their sides, Demi and Lewis exchanged vows by the sea,

questions, our wedding planner was there to answer them. She could not have

before banqueting in the beautiful gardens and finishing in style, dancing the

done a better job.”

night away at the Chillax club. “A great ending to what was the best day of our lives,” Demi recalls.

Shedding a tear on the way back to the airport for their flight home, the couple decided then and there that one day they would return to the hotel with their

While their guests gushed about the delicious food, the fun photobooth and

children, in the hopes of sharing the place that will always have such a special

the excellent attention to detail, the real highlight of the day was undoubtedly

place in their hearts.

54 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

Save the Date

|

COME, SEE, LOVE

Amavi

Exclusively created with romance, intimacy, togetherness and the absolute

cakes, customised flower arrangements, individual hair and make-up and even

pursuit of luxury in mind, the newly opened Amavi has just set a new benchmark

personalised nuptial spa treatments ‒ your every wish is their command.

for destination weddings, on an island where the standard was already sky high.

In fact, nothing is impossible for the team of experienced and dedicated

The couples-only Made for Two Hotel is the perfect destination for small and

wedding planners, who ensure that everything is planned to perfection, and

sophisticated weddings, and two exquisite venues await couples looking to tie

are always on hand to offer their full assistance and support, down to the very

the knot; namely the Immenso Celestial Terrace and the Selene Terrace, both

smallest details and final touches. “All the couple needs to do is pretty much

offering unforgettable picture-perfect settings and unobstructed panoramic sea

just get on the plane and come to Cyprus, everything else is taken care of,” Lydia

views. “The main wedding venue, Immenso Celestial Terrace, is out of this world ‒

exclaims. “Their special day is as important to us as it is to them.”

a true piece of heaven on earth,” comments Lydia Melinioti, Head of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons.

Inspired by the Latin quote ‘Veni, Vidi, Amavi’ ‒ meaning ‘I came, I saw, I loved’, the hotel provides the ideal setting for precious moments of togetherness,

Couples that book to stay and get married at Amavi can avail of a wide range of

where the emphasis is on privacy, tranquillity and intimacy à la carte. “There is

services, dining options and offerings, in an adults-only (18 plus) environment, all

no other hotel like it in Cyprus,” Lydia concludes. “It is the crème de la crème,

of which can be tailored to their own unique tastes and desires. Themed cocktails

offering top notch facilities and outstanding services. A place where we make

and canapes. Easy. Private banquet-style dining. No problem. Bespoke wedding

people’s dreams a reality.”

ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE | 55

| Gastronomy in Focus

TEXT BY ZOE CHRISTODOULIDES

Asian Flair EPICUREAN DREAMS ARE ALWAYS SUBLIME AT KANIKA HOTELS & RESORTS, AND NOW, A WORLD-RENOWNED MICHELINSTARRED CHEF ADDS THE ‘WOW FACTOR’ TO ALL THINGS DELICIOUSLY ASIAN.

Tantalising gastronomy lies at the very heart of Kanika Hotels & Resorts, but culinary perfection has reached new heights with world famous culinary icon, Theodor Falser, having worked closely with our team of chefs, to craft sublime creations that promise to delight even the most refined palate.

As Falser brings word class gastronomy to the region, Asian food now takes centre stage at the Amavi’s stunning Immenso Pan Asian restaurant, perfectly complementing the already established Far Eastern gastronomic experience at the dreamy Seven Orchids restaurants throughout Kanika Hotels & Resorts.

Falser has also created the menu at the Amavi’s Nocturne Mediterranean restaurant, and his overall presence has brought out the very best in the team, with months of hard work resulting in delectable, hand-crafted creations adding a touch of innovation and novel gourmet creativity to the Kanika cuisine.

56 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

Drawing on wide experience in all far-flung corners of the world – including several years in five-star establishments in China and Malaysia – Falser’s menus have always reflected time-honoured techniques such as brine, fermentation, and specialised drying, as well as an innate passion for the natural, the local, and the seasonal.

“My objective,” Falser discloses, “is to create the best culinary experience and everlasting memories for my guests. For me, the only way is Taste Nature.”

Come dine with us, chopsticks in hand, as you satiate the palate on a mouthwatering authentically Asian adventure!

ENHANCE

MOMENTS

• GREECE

Tastefully Italian

sanpellegrino.com

| Gastronomy in Focus

You’ll feel like you’re sitting at the very top of the world at the Amavi’s Immenso Pan Asian rooftop restaurant, with the striking blue seaside backdrop accentuated by dreamy views all the way down to Paphos castle.

The perfect spot for an intimate romantic meal tête à tête, the cascading seating arrangement adds to the splendour of the panoramic visual experience. But it’s not just the setting that aims to impress here. Chef Falser’s carefully crafted Immenso menu will satiate eclectic tastes with authentic Asian fusion flavours in a handpicked selection of mouth-watering dishes, including an innovative raw bar tempting diners with freshly prepared sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi, perfectly combining exquisite tastes with delicate presentation.

Pictured from left to right: Rice vinegar pickled salmon, coconut carrot purée, radish-apricot dressing / Beef tartar with spring onions, avocado, ginger sesame tea / Lobster head miso broth with tofu / Argentinian entrecote tataki, ginger-honey soy broth 58 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

Culinary Celebrations

“Each dish is marked by a passion for the environment. Above and beyond the emphasis on fresh ingredients, we have ensured there is no waste or loss. Onion peels are used to make onion powder, potato peels are used to make potato powder, and the list goes on,” enthuses Kanika Group Head Chef. It’s a divine culinary experience, with dishes created drawing on unique combinations and innovative techniques, using the finest ingredients, presented in a modern way.”

From seafood that has been charred, pickled or used for miso broth, to divine cuts of meat that have either been glazed, pulled or simply served tartar, every single bite taken at Immenso has been designed to transform the dining experience into an exquisite celebration of the senses.

|

| Gastronomy in Focus

Pictured from left to right: Spiced duck confit spring rolls with plum sauce, flavoured with sesame oil and soy / Sushi and maki platter accompanied with fresh Asian salad, pickled ginger and wasabi / Korean beef kalbi with sweet & sour leeks and oriental flavoured jus / Malaysian green curry chicken fillet with creamy coconut sauce, fried aubergines, lemongrass and kaffir leaves

Whether you’re craving a taste of fragrant Malasian green curry, would love to set your palate on fire with dishes infused with sweet Thai coconut and bitter lime, or yearn to be whisked away to fascinating Korea for a tasty cut of beef kalbi, Seven Orchids Pan Asian Restaurant aims to make all your culinary dreams a reality.

“Diners here are taken on a taste journey to all different countries in Asia, each dish inspired by a different part of the Far East, with a menu drawing on a passion for culinary journeys and delectable flavours, injected with wild imagination,” our Head Chef lets on.

All about a harmony and balance of four basic tastes ‒ sour, bitter, sweet and salty ‒ the freshest ingredients are used to craft the meticulous taste treats on offer at Seven Orchids, all enjoyed in a casual outdoor environment perfect for balmy summer evenings under the night’s sky, with open faced kitchens and teppanyaki cooking adding a touch of the exotic to an already passionate and poignant Asian affair.

| Kanika Entertainment

Hitting the High Note

Stage Magic

|

THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOWBUSINESS, AND WHEN THE LIGHTS GO DOWN AND THE SPOTLIGHT SHINES BRIGHT ON THE KANIKA HOTELS & RESORTS STAGE, GUESTS ARE IN FOR A TRULY THRILLING SPECTACLE.

Everyone is in dire need of relaxation and recuperation on holiday, but once

other shows like Dreamgirls, Abba Mania, Rock Fest, Flashback and more.

you’ve stepped away from your sunbed and stowed away your beach towels,

Everyone holidaying at Alexander the Great Beach Hotel Paphos can enjoy

the entertainment programme at Kanika Hotels & Resorts whisks you away

an enlarged stage with beloved shows bringing the upgraded facilities to life,

into a fantastical world of excitement and fun.

from The Tones, Legends of Sound, The Jerseys Boys and Thriller to A Night at

Making magic happen on stage, live entertainment shows will get toes tapping

the Musicals, Sounds of Motown and Chicago.

and hips swaying, and there’s no better place to revel in a captivating live show

Just a stone’s throw away from all the action at Alexander the Great Beach

than the sparkling Xperience Arenas at the Olympic Lagoon Resorts, in Agia

Hotel, the brand new Amavi is delighting guests with a series of fun and sporty

Napa and Paphos. With state-of-the-art sound and visual installations, live shows

activities for all those seeking a break from relaxation. Explore the deep blue

and performances will leave you sitting on the edge of your seats with lively

with a Scuba Try Dive, splash about in the pool with Aqua Dance or Aqua Motion

bands, sensational singers and talented Kanika Allstars dancers giving it their all

Fitness, unleash some energy in group tennis, empower body and mind with a

in new extravagant productions paying tribute to some of the greatest musicals.

yoga or Pilates class, or head out for the morning on an organised excursion into

Slick your hair back and sing along to your favourite hits, as you’re taken on a whirlwind journey back to the 1950s with the classic Grease musical. Show off your best moves with the ‘High School Hop’ and ‘We Go Together’, and

Paphos town to admire the work of local craftsmen. Come late afternoon, calm the senses with meditation, while varied entertainment options accentuate the romance once the sun goes down over the luxurious couples-only hotel.

leave the rest to us, with costumes to leave you bedazzled, lights and visuals

Piano music adds to the ambiance of the romantic Nocture on most evenings,

to delight the senses, and an explosion of music creating a spectacle to be

while diners at the Immenso rooftop restaurant can revel in their love to the

remembered.

sounds of the saxophone under a canopy of stars once a week. And nothing

Exceptionally proud of our experienced professional team, with choreographers and musical directors leading the way, the crew are also pulling out all the stops with their latest adaptation of the current trending musical hit, The Greatest Snowman. With acrobatics giving this production a whole new dimension, envious moves and polished vocals guarantee a spine-tingling experience.

Guests at Elias Beach Hotel in Limassol will be delighted with An Audience with Michael Bublé, back by popular demand, alongside a whole host of

beats the sheer sophistication of the Selene cocktail bar, with a musical duo livening up the atmosphere up to five times a week. Indulge in a decadent night time tipple, and enjoy dreamy rhythms intertwined with the soothing sounds of the Mediterranean and impressive sea views.

This is, after all, what holidays at Kanika Hotels & Resorts are all about, as the dreaminess of an island getaway are made even more special by standout entertainment experiences that guarantee holiday perfection.

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| Kid’s Fun

Playtime Action

FUN-FILLED FAMILY HOLIDAYS WILL LEAVE YOU WITH MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME, BUT KIDS OFTEN CRAVE A LOT MORE THAN PERFECT PHOTO ALBUM MOMENTS. NOW IS THEIR CHANCE TO REVEL IN EXCITING ACTIVITIES, AS ADULTS INDULGE IN CAREFREE AND SERENE SUN DAPPLED MOMENTS.

Well-aware that parents on holiday deserve a little down-time, the trained NVQ

hang out and make new friends. While the Hi-tec Arcade Room provides

children’s entertainers at Kanika Hotels & Resorts give adults the chance to

access to PlayStations, Xbox, Kinects and an internet room, new football tables

soak up the Mediterranean sun without a worry in the world.

and air hockey tables give teens more to enjoy in their very own teens club.

Drop the young ones off at the Little Monsters and Junior Monsters Kid’s Clubs, and they’ll soon be impersonating their favourite Disney characters, saving the earth as superhero detectives, embarking on wild pirate adventures and running amok on sports days.

New ‘fantastical Fridays’ call on all Harry Potter fans, giving little guests the chance to indulge in their love of all things magical and mystical, as they partake in wizardly wand-making, befriend mythical unicorns, learn about mysterious lotions and potions and take on new personas in marvellous cape and hat dress up.

Older kids are in for a treat at the Olympic Lagoon Resort in Agia Napa and Paphos, with the Junior Teenz and Teenz Club giving them the chance to

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New activities ‒ including mocktail making, Just Dance competitions, and lip sync battles ‒ make the Teenz Club the place to be for 2019! The Olympic Soccer Academy will also get their legs moving and hearts racing, helping raise children’s self-esteem while maximising their potential, as they master new skills and embrace the true meaning of teamwork.

As the whole family enjoys splashing poolside fun, keep your eyes peeled for the Kanika Allstars, keeping everyone on their feet with exciting sporting activities. And don’t be surprised when Lucas, Zorba, Gigi, Bella and Murray the Monster stop by to say hello during the Safari Stars parade! No matter what day of the week, kids are in for a treat, and adults can rest assured that their family’s entertainment is in the best of hands.

| Great Talents TEXT BY ALEXANDER DAVIDIAN

Riding t h e D e s i g n Wa ve

'Single Rocket Table'

Stelios Mousarris

|

'Wave City Table'

Having taken the design world by storm overnight, after images of his extraordinary Wave City coffee table surged across the internet in 2016, rising Cypriot designer, Stelios Mousarris, has managed to ride that early success to even greater heights.

The breakneck rise of Stelios Mousarris, one of the island’s newest design

opened the floodgates to what has been a thrilling, if tumultuous, professional

talents, is an improbable tale of creativity meets celebrity, stretching from Los

journey, ever since. “The first person who committed to buying the table was

Angeles to the Louvre.

Damon Lindelof, the LA screenwriter who wrote Star Trek and Lost,” recalls

It all began less than three years ago, the day after leading digital magazine DesignBoom posted images of his extraordinary Wave City coffee table online in October 2016. “I woke up and thought I'd been cyber-attacked,” admits the 30-year-old, referring to the hundreds of press and purchase enquiry emails that had poured into his inbox.

Over the next few months, the wood, steel and 3D-printed table ‒ a futuristic cityscape folding over itself in a single, continuous curve ‒ would sweep across the design world’s shores, establishing Mousarris as one of the hottest young talents to watch.

But up until that memorable morning, there had been few signs of success for the young Cypriot designer, who studied model-making at Bournemouth University, having grown up an only child with a peculiar passion for toys, board games, cartoons and action figures. In fact, having turned his back on what would have been a surer career in the UK ‒ with stints at architectural and design firms Norman + Partners and Duffy London ‒ Mousarris admits that forging his own way had been fraught with pressure, risk and more than a few dead-ends.

Mousarris. “At that point, I didn't know how much to charge... how much it would cost to actually make and ship the table to him.”

Mousarris took a risk, quoting Lindelof what he imagined to be a hefty fee, which, to his surprise, the screenwriter agreed to pay. What followed was a race to produce the first table, which almost ended in disaster, given that the first shipping company Mousarris engaged to deliver the 100kg creation, ended up dropping it in their warehouse, smashing it beyond repair.

With funds dwindling and the delivery date drawing ever closer, fate stepped in to lend a hand. Two more purchase requests came in at the eleventh hour, with their respective deposits allowing Mousarris just enough of a cash injection to produce a new table for Lindelof, and to ship it to him in Los Angeles by December 2016.

Flash forward to 2019, and Mousarris’ clients stretch from the US, UK and the Middle East, to India and China. His newfound prominence has seen him serve as judge and create the Grand Prix award for Larnaca’s inaugural 2018 Biennale. The Wave City coffee table has appeared in over 50 publications, including the New York Times magazine, Vogue and Architectural Digest,

However, in a twist as surreal as the coffee table itself, DesignBoom’s post

and featured in two exhibitions: Design Days Dubai and a private showing at

about Mousarris’ creation ‒ which existed only as render images at that point ‒

Larnaca’s Myth Factory, respectively in March and November 2017.

'City Pendant Light'

'Standing City Light' 'Carpet Sofa'

Other than the maple wood original, Wave City also comes in a limited Black edition, and a 600kg dining table variant, seating 12 people, while Mousarris’ fascination with neo-noir, futuristic cityscapes, continues in his jet-black Standing City Light and City Pendant Light. His physics-bending caprices play out in his Carpet Chair and Carpet Sofa ‒ featuring exquisite handmade Persian carpets, stitched over undulating steel frames to appear arrested ‘mid-flight’.

But the most playful, even nostalgic side of the designer is expressed in pieces like Rocket Table and Willy Oak, echoing his childhood love of cartoons and toys, executed in a variety of techniques ‒ from lathe to 3D printing, resin casting and traditional hand-carving. His latest creation in this vein is a collaboration with London-based designer Yoni Alter: the Squishees Table, featuring an array of multicoloured soft toys packed into glass.

Mousarris admits his process is an idiosyncratic one. "When I design something, I hardly draw in the sketchbook, it's all in my mind”, with long gestation periods, and always with the possibility that: “maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and get into making toys”.

But with Paris’ acclaimed Louvre Gallery set to feature Wave City in its permanent collection, as well as to display the piece in a 2021 temporary show, it seems safe to say that whatever catches Mousarris’ fancy next, he will assuredly continue making a big splash.

'Carpet Sofa' 68 | ACCENTS | KANIKA HOTELS MAGAZINE

'Willy Oak'

The race has no finish line.

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| Urban Treasures

PAPHOS

in Transformation EVERY STEP YOU TAKE IN PAPHOS IS GUARANTEED TO BRING FORTH AN EXCITING NEW ADVENTURE, WITH THE WHOLE TOWN REVERED AS A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. AND NOW, INTRICATE HISTORY IS MAKING WAY FOR A COLOURFUL AND PLAYFUL MODERN TRANSFORMATION IN THE MOST STRIKING FASHION.

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Street art by Millo

New Discoveries

Paphos may enjoy world renown for its ancient relics and pristine beaches, but as the sun-kissed seaside town entered the global spotlight as European Capital of Culture in 2017, the world began to pay close attention to the charms of Old Town Paphos (locally known as Ktima), much of which has recently undergone a striking upgrade.

|

and local artists, while the maze of old town streets are home to new public spaces, unusual shops and workshops, and dazzling cultural spaces. Let’s dive deep into the real heart of Paphos, beyond the wellknown palm fringed seafront, but still within close proximity to all of our Paphos-based Kanika Hotels & Resorts.

Old buildings have been given brilliant facelifts and much of the area is now adorned with colourful public artwork by renowned international

Start your journey of discovery at one of the old town’s most popular meeting

Look to the skies and keep your eyes peeled for the fascinating work of Italian

points; the centrally located and recently revamped, well-polished, Kennedy

street artist, Millo, who has adorned a once bland old building with a larger

Square. Get your caffeine fix at one of the cafés or bistros surrounding the

than life mural in his trademark style, featuring friendly characters exploring a

square and watch the world go by. When you’re ready to explore, make a

black and white urban environment. As modernity befriends history in brilliant

beeline for the maze of streets that make up the old town and brace yourselves

fashion, Cypriot art and legends are celebrated with intricate cementography

as you pass living walls, striking sculptures, and vibrant street art to make you

(a modern local art form) dotted around the old town, each depicting different

stop in your tracks.

stages of a Cypriot folk tale with an accompanying story attached.

Kennedy Square

Cementography

As you perambulate the area, be sure to visit The Place (56 Kanari St.); the fascinating venue which opened its doors a few years ago gives visitors the chance to enjoy a real hands-on experience of Cypriot culture and tradition. You can't miss it from the outside, with its traditional façade preparing the senses for what’s to come on the inside, packed with handicrafts and unusual souvenirs made by local artists; from natural soaps and mosaic magnets to brilliant pottery and colourful glassware.

What’s more, if you visit in the morning, you’ll get to see local artists at work, all immersed in their own craft, be that ceramics, mosaics, weaving, silk cocoon jewellery, pyrography or glassmaking. You can even get creative with pottery, woodburning, and mosaic workshops, while the kids can paint on stones or make a traditional magnet. And when you just want to kick back and relax? Take a breather in the lovely ‘Beery – Beery’: a brilliant combination of a Cypriot coffee shop (kafenio), wine and beer

The Place

garden.

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| Urban Treasures

Ibrahim’s Khan

The recently revamped Ibrahim’s Khan (otherwise known as Hani of Ibrahim)

like glass and metal contrasting with the old brickwork. Now accommodating

just down the road from The Place, has also attracted attention of late, with

local artists and artisans, as well as an eatery on the premises, the building once

a glorious multi coloured crochet installation at the entrance of the venue

attracted traders and peddlers from around the island, before being abandoned

designed by Peace2Peace; a group of women from all ethnicities in Cyprus

in the 1960s. Recently upgraded into a modern hub, you can enjoy a spot of

who meet and create installations in public spaces to break stereotypes and

shopping, albeit with a traditional flair. A prime spot to get hold of the purest

prejudices.

carob syrup you could possibly try, the Khan is also home to a jewellery shop, a

Walk into the sunlit courtyard of Ibrahim Khan to witness how the old has been

painting workshop, a mosaics workshop, a woodcarving workshop and more.

brilliantly transformed into the new, with contemporary architectural features

How about ending the day with an uplifting theatre performance? North of the revamped Kennedy Square, and to the west of the main road, you’ll find the renovated Markideio Theatre (18 Andrea Geroudi St.). The stunning contemporary building houses the biggest performance hall in Paphos, inspiring audiences with a variety of musical and theatrical performances.

After all, the heart of Paphos is, and always will be, a place where fascinating culture reigns supreme. And now, this thriving cultural heart of the ancient town pumps to a striking modern beat.

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New Discoveries

|

Ibrahim’s Khan

Markideio Theatre

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| Sporting Fun

Aphrodite Hills Golf Club

A Golfer’s PARADISE

BLESSED WITH ONE OF THE BEST CLIMATES IN THE WORLD, BOASTING A LONG SUMMER SEASON AND MILD TEMPERATE WINTERS, CYPRUS IS EVERY GOLFLOVER’S HAVEN, WITH FIRST CLASS ESTABLISHMENTS IN PAPHOS OFFERING YEAR-ROUND CHALLENGES UNDER ENDLESS CLEAR SKIES.

Holidays under the sun are often associated with beachside lazing, but for avid golfers, endless idyllic putting greens beckon, testament to the island’s burgeoning reputation as a golfing paradise. And if you’re after a winter break away from dull skies and cold weather, a golfing holiday in Paphos is bound to lift the spirits, with weather reaching an average temperature of approximately 17˚C throughout December, January and February.

With four world-class golf courses dotted around the south western corner of the island, all are within easy reach of Kanika Hotels & Resorts in the Paphos district, whether you’re luxuriating at the Amavi, unwinding at Olympic Lagoon Resort, or living the high life at Alexander the Great Beach Hotel. What’s more, we offer special season packages that ensure an idyllic golfing holiday, including seven nights’ accommodation, spa treatment discounts, free use of wellness facilities and respective gyms, golf gifts, and much more.

No matter what your golfing style, Paphos’ four main golf clubs will cater to your every need. For a golf holiday with endless views out to sea, Aphrodite Hills Golf Club is ideal; perched high on a hill on the outskirts of town overlooking the deep azure seas of the rugged west coast.

Eléa Golf Estate

Playful Holidays

|

Minthis

A paradise for the golfing enthusiast, the 18-hole championship golf course recently attained top honours and the highest standard recognition in golf, the PGA National, Cyprus, while named ‘European Golf Resort of the Year 2018’ by the prestigious annual IAGTO awards. Designed by the acclaimed Cabell Robinson, the club is exotic and challenging, recently upgraded with a €4m investment which included renovation of the greens and complete modernisation of facilities.

The Eléa Golf Estate also commands a breath-taking location, crafted through the rolling countryside of Geroskipou, and acknowledged as designer Sir Nick Faldo’s ‘Mediterranean Masterpiece’. Featuring imposing weathered outcrops of limestone that offer a unique character across the course, the layout circulates through groves of mature carob and olive trees, with 18 holes fringed by Mediterranean grasses and an abundance of wild herbs and native flora.

If you’re after a touch of history to bring your golf experience to life, Minthis is as beautiful as it is challenging, luring avid golfers to the Tsada district of Paphos, and winding its way past a 12th-century monastery with breath-taking views of the Troodos Mountains and beyond. The 18-hole championship course boasts outstanding holes where views and vistas are a distinctive feature, organically following the natural undulations of the topography. Designed by legendary golf architect, Donald Steel in 1994, and renovated by renowned course designers Mackenzie and Ebert, Minthis is a flawless example of their philosophy that golf courses should fit into the natural terrain, and be in keeping with their setting.

A stone’s throw from the legendary birthplace of Goddess Aphrodite, the Secret Valley Golf Resort is another gem near the village of Kouklia. As the name suggests, this resort is set in a scenic valley, surrounded by mature trees, beautiful flowers, stunning rock formations and spectacular tee locations, providing expansive vistas through the valley to the sea beyond. Four times Ryder Cup Captain and winner of the British and US Open, Tony Jacklin, worked in collaboration with Hans-Georg Erhardt and Snorri Vilhjalmsson of Golf and Land Design to deliver this 18-hole masterpiece, built to a high specification which guarantees quality fairways.

No matter where you choose to swing your club, Cyprus’ diverse golf offering ‒ perfectly complemented by the hospitality and exclusive packages offered by Kanika Hotels & Resorts ‒ guarantees a perfectly playful stay in dreamy sun-soaked style!

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Secret Valley Golf Resort

| Kanika Property Gallery

Island Living Envision the perfect life under Mediterranean skies and images of sun dappled gardens, airy light-filled living spaces and panoramic sea views blessed with endless sunsets may well spring to mind. Kanika Developments have earned an outstanding reputation for making property dreams come true, with a portfolio of exclusive residences in some of the most desirable locations on the island’s glistening southern coastline, complemented by contemporary office spaces for the business minded. Here is an inspiring inside look at what’s on offer and why island living holds such a great appeal.

Why has Kanika Developments chosen to focus on property development projects in the city of Limassol?

A beautiful and thriving cosmopolitan hub, the second largest city on the island is expanding at a fast pace. An important commercial centre for companies from across the world, its excellent geographical location and generous tax breaks continue to attract many businesses from Europe and the Middle East.

The city also offers a wide range of social and leisure activities to suit all tastes, with a new golf centre in the pipeline, as well as a casino resort. Following the recent development of the busy Old Port area, the Limassol Marina, the upgrade of the old town, and many new high rises, the city has rightfully won a place on the international luxury property market.

What makes Cyprus an ideal location to buy property?

The reasons are endless! The relatively low cost of living offers an inexpensive

What type of homes do Kanika Developments specialise in, and what sets them apart?

lifestyle, combined by the low cost of medical treatment with a wide choice

Kanika Group has a long and proud history spanning over 50 years in hotel

of excellent doctors. Crime rates are remarkably low, education is of a very

management, development, construction and property management. Having

high standard, and a streamlined legal and banking system closely reflects

developed and constructed luxury hotels, shops and business centres, we

British structures. English is widely spoken, and the island is served by various

have also earnt an esteemed reputation for dream homes to suit the needs

international airlines, linking it to the four corners of the world. Cyprus is

of even the most discerning clients. With over 10,000 satisfied home owners

also a full member of the European Union and potential buyers can acquire

over the decades, our high-grade creatively designed homes really set us apart,

a Permanent Residency or Cyprus (European) Passport if they meet the set

boasting fine workmanship and finishes, complemented by highly professional

government criteria.

after care services.

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| Kanika Property Gallery

Aventine Exclusive Residences

What options are available for those looking to buy their dream home in the sun?

offers office spaces at Kanika Business Center, designed to provide discerning

Kanika offers a variety of dream homes for couples, families or individuals. Kanika

the city’s business centre will appeal to forward-thinking companies who

Moni Green Village, located in one of the most prestigious suburbs of Limassol,

recognise the advantages of Limassol as one of the best business centres in

enjoys the best of all worlds: a stunning rural setting against a hilly backdrop, and

the region, right opposite the beach, with unobstructed sea views.

professionals with an ideal place to work. Its prime location in the heart of

proximity (a mere 5km drive) to some of the town’s most beautiful beaches and prime hot spots. Kanika Moni Green Village comprises 51 stone-built bungalows, maisonettes and detached villas, as well as one-and two-bedroom flats, all

Is it possible for someone to design and build their own unique ideal home in Cyprus, and how can Kanika Developments help with this?

ranging in area from 70-220sqm, offering buyers country living with a touch

We are currently in the process of designing new exclusive custom-made villas:

of luxury. The complex is an idyllic, self-contained oasis, complete with its own

the Aventine Exclusive Residences. Comprised of four or five en-suite bedroom

swimming pool and gym.

villas in the Moni area with distinguished amenities (including a private garden,

Sunrise Moni Villas is another modern project boasting panoramic views across unspoilt rolling hills and the beach beyond. A unique combination of exclusive villas and functional maisonettes, just ten minutes from Limassol, and five minutes from the sandy beach, you can enjoy beautifully landscaped gardens, a communal park area with a children's playground and green areas

a courtyard with superb wooden deck verandas, a BBQ and private swimming pools) Aventine Exclusive Residences sees traditional and modern elements blend in perfect unison. Designed by an internationally renowned architectural firm and satisfying the needs of demanding customers, the project epitomises uniqueness, privacy, superb in-house technology and ultimate comfort.

surrounding the site. Buying your home off-plan gives you the chance to add

Kanika Developments also offer a range of resale properties, giving you the

your personal touch to the final finishes. Optional features, such as furniture,

chance to buy quality homes at excellent prices.

electric goods, a private swimming pool, and Jacuzzis will accentuate luxurious comfortable living.

How about someone choosing to set up a business in Limassol or open a new office in the city?

Should someone choose to set up a business in the seaside town, open a new office, or simply invest with a good return on their investment, Kanika

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KANIKA DEVELOPMENTS

Freephone: 8000 50 80, Tel: +357 25 814266 Email: info@kanikadevelopments.com For more information visit: www.kanikadevelopments.com

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Registration number: 72376. Registered office: 2, Amathountos street, 3105 Limassol, Cyprus.

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm www.rcbcy.com

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