A MAGAZINE FOR THE GUESTS OF THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL LIMASSOL ISSUE 34 SUMMER 2022 WITH EVERY ENCOUNTER refreshed MASTERS OF ETIQUETTE HOTEL’S BUTLERS DELIVER AN EXPANDED WHITE-GLOVE SERVICE STARLIT SPECTACLE VIVALDI’S NEW TERRACE PROVIDES AN ELEVATED DESIGN DIMENSION A BYGONE HERITAGE EXTRAORDINARY ARCHIVE PRESERVES PRE-FIFTIES CYPRUS STORIES
Innovation and constant improvement are the essence of our operations. With a high percentage of our guests returning every year, we consider it our duty to create new experiences for our guests every season. Our passion for change is what sets us apart as a luxury establishment. We are currently designing the next generation of bedrooms, which will be of higher standards in respect to size, luxury and comfort, aiming to raise the benchmark in elite accommodation. We are also developing a new restaurant concept that will enrich our existing food and beverage offering. Our hotel thrives on its forward-thinking and reinvestment approach; it is what gives us new sources of creativity. This also characterises our philosophy in the way we develop our people. We pursue leading training and skills-building programmes to give our staff the latest, most up-to-date knowledge of the industry in an environment of respect and integrity. My thanks go to every team member for their commitment to the Four Seasons vision. Our mission is to keep opening new avenues of recognition and inspiration for our employees. It is this bond with our staff that keeps our hospitality proudly at the forefront. I wish you an enjoyable stay.
PortraitSeasonsFour 1 WELCOME message
CHRISTOS MOUSKIS Executive Chairman WITH NEW ELITE ACCOMMODATION AND DINING OFFERINGS PLANNED, THE FOUR SEASON’S FORWARD-THINKING PHILOSOPHY AND STEADFAST INVESTMENT IN ITS CULTURE ENSURES THAT OUR GUESTS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY STAYS OF UNPARALLELED QUALITY.
In pursuit of sheer REFINEMENT
Flagship at Limassol Del Mar 117 Georgiou A’ Avenue, 4048, Limassol, CY T: 7000 11 51 | +357 25354417 Nicosia 360 29 Makariou Avenue, 1060, Nicosia, CY T: 7000 11 31 | +357 22337320
PortraitSeasonsFour 6 PUBLISHER Tasos tasos@polydoroudesign.comPolydorou CREATIVE DIRECTOR / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Eleni eleni@polydoroudesign.comPolydorou EDITOR Alexander Davidian SENIOR DESIGNER Maria Nicolaou ADVERTISING SALES Katerina katerina@polydoroudesign.comKyprianou CONTRIBUTORS Rachel Chrysostom Alexia Evripidou Mateo Jarrin Cuvi Yiota Mallas Emily Millett Alix Norman COMMISSIONED PHOTOGRAPHY DeC Audiovisual Photography Antonis Engrafou PRINT PRODUCTION Laser Graphics Ltd THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL P.O.Box 57222, CY-3313 Limassol, Cyprus Tel: +357 2585 8000, Fax: +357 2531 0887 Email: inquiries@fourseasons.com.cy PUBLISHEDwww.fourseasons.com.cyONBEHALFOF THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BY: T&E Polydorou Design Ltd P.O.BOX 40353, 6303 Larnaca, Cyprus Email: eleni@polydoroudesign.com www.polydoroudesign.com The title and all material are protected by copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Although the greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine, at the time of going to press, neither the Publisher nor The Four Seasons Hotel Limassol can accept any responsibility for omissions or errors. Inside191022242632334044 IN PURSUIT OF SHEER REFINEMENT Message from the Executive Chairman KEEPING EXCELLENCE IN FOCUS Message from the Deputy Managing Director FOUR SEASONS NEWS News, Events and Special Occasions FUNCTION ROOM High-end multi-functional space rounds out Four Seasons' venues DISCOVER THE HORIZON Deluxe residences from Amathus Hotels LIMASSOL ANNUAL DIARY Don’t miss the main highlights of Limassol’s cultural scene THE ESSENTIAL NEED FOR HOLIDAYS Greetings from the Executive Director AT YOUR SERVICE Meet the Four Seasons Management Team MASTERS OF ETIQUETTE Hotel's butlers deliver an expanded white-glove service STARLIT SPECTACLE Vivaldi's new terrace provides an elevated design dimension 2 022
PortraitSeasonsFour 7 SOMMELIERS ON THE RISE Four Seasons' wine experts grow in numbers THE FINEST VISTA Gravitate to the hotel's landmark gathering spot DISPLAYS OF CONFECTION Pastry-chef exchange yields masterpieces in sugar ICONIC HERITAGE RECOVERED Repatriation of Cyprus' Byzantine treasures A BYGONE HERITAGE Extraordinary archive preserves pre-fifties Cyprus stories DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION A digital-first imperative for companies INSIDE STORY Four Seasons Executive Chef Panicos Hadjitofi68646056544850 44 241050 56
of the Four Seasons Hotel LimassolThe house Champagne 49, Ayiou Athanasiou Street, 4102 Linopetra, Limassol, Cyprus T: +357 25 736220 F: +357 25 731426 www.lamaisonduvin.com.cyE:la.maison.du.vin@cytanet.com.cy
Above all, the most important element is our people power, which operates day in, day out. Our beloved staff demonstrate our hotel philosophy even in the finest details behind the scenes and subtle gestures, bringing it all together. Living and breathing the Four Seasons for a number of years now, I truly value the culture and ethos that sets us apart. As we evolve from strength to strength, I appreciate the contribution of each person in ensuring our unrivalled success. Our mission to support and encourage our staff is the lynchpin of our philosophy, and will remain so, indefinitely.
I thank you for your continued support, and wish you a wonderful stay, filled with many unique experiences.
DearIt’sGuest,another season at the Four Seasons, where progress remains at the forefront, despite all the odds. Excellence and innovation are no strangers to the hotel’s legacy, and it shows. Our recent awards for both services and cuisine are testament to this.
THE FOUR SEASONS CONTINUES IN ITS MISSION TO OFFER YOU EVER-MORE SOPHISTICATED STANDARDS OF SERVICE. YET BEYOND OUR TECHNOLOGICAL OFFERINGS, ULTIMATELY IT IS OUR PEOPLE WHO ANCHOR OUR HOSPITALITY OF UNWAVERING QUALITY.
WELCOME message
Keeping excellence IN FOCUS
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GEORGE MOUSKIS Deputy Managing Director
The introduction of our new Web App is among those finishing touches designed to elevate your accommodation to that ‘home-from-home’ status. From renovations to updates to new chapters of constructions, it’s an invitation to unwavering quality in every shape and form.
This time at the hotel has also been a window into the world of our wonderful guests. Engaging with our visitors in all kinds of settings is the motivation leading us to greater chapters in our hotel’s success, and I am committed to ensuring this remains so for the future.
HOTEL EVENTS HAPPENINGS& newsfour seasons
The Four Seasons has added a roster of new international accolades to its impressive portfolio of industry awards. The hotel earned a prestigious British Airways Holidays ‘Customer Excellence Award’ for 2021, marking the sixth consecutive year in pole position as a top-rated property. The awards honour the hotel’s outstanding services, facilities and customer experiences, and attest to its steadfast efforts always to exceed guests’ expectations. In addition, TripAdvisor rewarded the Four Seasons with another TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in the very highest - ‘Best of the Best’ - category, honouring the consistent commitment to all-round excellence.
WINNING with Four Seasons
Meanwhile, Four Seasons parent company, Muskita Hotels Ltd, was awarded Gold in the ‘Innovative Use Of Technology & Digital Transformation’ category of the Cyprus HR Awards 2021. This is in recognition of its teamwork excellence and a commitment to providing remarkable services. Organised by BOUSSIAS Cyprus, the award celebrates the Four Seasons’ ability to stand out for its unfaltering employee care and consideration.
Guest feedback is crucial to continued growth and improvement at the Four Seasons. So, to thank guests for completing the feedback questionnaire after their stay, the hotel runs a quarterly prize draw, gifting one lucky winner with a free, seven-night stay at the Four Seasons for two people. And for the 2022 second-quarter draw, the winners are Robert and Liza Blake of Avonmouth, UK. The lucky pair stayed at the Four Seasons back in May of this year. And it wasn’t just a normal holiday - the Blakes actually got married at the hotel’s chapel during their stay, making this win all the more special. Congratulations to the lovely couple, and we look forward to welcoming you both back to the hotel soon - perhaps for the first anniversary!
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Global Recognition
The hotel would like to thank its team for all their hard work, as well as its guests who contributed to these wins by sharing their positive reviews.
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four seasons In recognition of its continued commitment to excellence, the Four Seasons Hotel received three prestigious accolades at the third Cyprus Tourism Awards 2021. Marking the third consecutive year of such recognition, the hotel’s gongs include Gold Awards for the ‘Best Luxury Hotel’, ‘Guest Service Excellence’ and ‘Best Culinary Experience’ categories. A steadfast emblem of luxury hospitality on the island over the last three decades, the hotel was singled out for these important distinctions thanks to its exceptional quality of services and facilities, as well as its respected reputation for world-class Commentinggastronomy.
ofTRIOTourism Accolades
STAR OF THE SHOW THE FOUR SEASONS HAS BEEN HON OURED WITH TWO NEW GASTRONOMIC ACCOLADES AT THE FIRST FLIC STARS AWARDS BY FOOD AND LIFE CYPRUS. THE NEWLY-ESTABLISHED GROUP IS DEDICAT ED TO THE PROMOTION OF GOOD FOOD IN CYPRUS, AND PRIZES ARE GIVEN OUT FOLLOWING RIGOROUS ASSESSMENTS MADE BY EXPERIENCED JUDGES FROM ATHENS. DIVIDED INTO FOUR SEPARATE CATEGORIES, THE AWARDS INCLUDE THREE-STAR, TWO-STAR AND ONE-STAR RATINGS, AS WELL AS THE PRESTIGIOUS GOLDEN PHOENIX. THE HOTEL WAS AWARDED WITH ONE STAR FOR VIVALDI BY MAVROM MATIS RESTAURANT AND A GOLDEN PHOENIX FOR SEASONS ORIENTAL.
HONOURS FOR HOSPITALITY Mr Nick Aristou (right) together with Mr Leonidas Leonidou and Mr Costas Nicolaou at the award ceremony for the Cyprus Tourism Awards. }
on the awards, Executive Director Nick Aristou said: “The whole team at the Four Seasons is beyond honoured to have received these noteworthy awards for the third year in a row. I would like to extend my congratulations to every one of the staff for their role in this impressive achievement. Your hard work and dedication is what got us to where we are today. So, thank you!”
“The Eating Awards were a huge success,” said Executive Director Nick Aristou. “The hotel is committed to supporting this long-established institution, and we will look forward to hosting them again in 2024.”
The Four Seasons’ multi-award-winning culinary offering took centre stage at the Cyprus Eating Awards recently, further cementing the hotel’s stellar positioning as a hub for high-quality gastronomy. The accolades included the ‘Best Asian Cuisine’ for the hotel’s hugely popular Chinese restaurant, Seasons Oriental, as well as the ‘Timeless Value’ award for Colors Café, in honour of the outlet’s 20 years of making a unique impression on the local market.
GOURMET GATHERING Hosting the 2021 Cyprus Eating Awards further cemented the hotel's standing as a hub for outstanding gastronomy. }
Peak GASTRONOMYof zelajet.com @zelajet 70, vouliagmenis av. ellinikon, athens, greece +30 6983 286 mykonosaffordablesales@zelajet.com132luxury/santorini/athens/nice/dubai/cyprus/andmore
Organised by ‘Check In Cyprus’, the largest gastronomic institution on the island, the 17th annual award ceremony was hosted at the Four Seasons once again this year. First taking place at the hotel some 10 years ago, the event’s return showcased the impressive functions offering at its very best. The Ballroom saw 300 guests enjoy a gourmet meal prepared by the hotel’s very own Executive Chef, Panicos Hadjitofis, who outdid himself with a menu featuring obsiblue shrimps, langoustine cream with kaffir lime and milk-fed lamb from Mytilene. Typically, the event invites a high-profile international chef to headline with a speciallycurated menu. Regardless, with Panicos at the helm, guests - including various celebrities, media, nominees, wellknown restaurateurs and chefs - proclaimed the culinary line-up a triumph.
The change responds to the latest industry hygiene and healthy-living requests, with hard surfaces offering a much easierto-clean option. “We made the decision following people’s preferences and the trends of this day and age,” explained Executive Director of the Four Seasons Hotel, Nick Aristou. “The market expects everything to be dust-free, hypoallergenic and cleaner.”
After going fully exclusive with French skincare company Anne Semonin, the Four Seasons Spa has introduced more treatment collections to the spa menu this summer, incorporating new products. Created to prepare the body for the sun, the new Mediterranean Collection uses the M�moires D’�t� product line for three face and body treatments that exfoliate, regenerate and hydrate. The new Pure Gold Collection, meanwhile, uses beautiful gold serums, balms and scrubs in four signature treat ments for face and body. Visible results include improved texture, firmness and elasticity, leaving the skin glowing. “Everyone who has had it so far has loved the treatments,” shared Four Seasons Spa Manager, Anna Donovan. “They’re specialised, prescriptive and personalised for each client.”
The spa has also recently introduced a new Night Regenerating Mask to the retail range. This light gel mask is absorbed into the skin while you sleep, delivering intense hydration and supporting natural cell regeneration at the most effective time, thus maximising the benefits. four seasons In line with the hotel’s commitment to continuous improvement, a selection of guest-rooms have been refurbished with new parquet flooring, providing a dust-free and hypo-allergenic alternative to carpeting. The high-quality, wood look laminate is light walnut in colour, accentuating the refined design and bright spaciousness of the rooms. Already rolled out across half of the guest-rooms, the new hard-floor option is now available in all room types, with the second half set to undergo the same upgrade this coming winter. The remainder of some 15-20 carpeted rooms will remain for guests who favour this option, ensuring every room preference is catered for.
ELEVATING PLAYTIME IN A BID TO KEEP OUR YOUNGEST GUESTS HAPPY AND OCCUPIED, THE FOUR SEASONS KINDERGARTEN AND INDOOR PLAY AREA RECENTLY UNDERWENT A MAJOR REVAMP, WITH THE ADDITION OF EXCITING AND DYNAMIC NEW RECREATION OPTIONS TO ENTERTAIN LITTLE ONES. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE UPGRADE IS THE INSTALLATION OF A FLOOR-TO-CEILING INDOOR SOFT-PLAY CLIMBING FRAME, WHERE CHILDREN CAN EXPLORE, CLIMB AND PLAY SAFELY. FURTHER ENHANCING THE HOTEL’S FAMILY OFFERING DEMONSTRATES THE FOUR SEASONS’ DEDICATION TO PROVIDING THE BEST RANGE OF POSSIBILITIES AND EXPERIENCES TO NEW AND RETURN GUESTS ALIKE - KIDS VERY MUCH INCLUDED! EXCEEDINGExpectations
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16 FOUR SEASONS news PortraitSeasonsFour newsfour seasons WITH A HOST OF REFRESHING COCKTAILS and delicacies delivered to your cabana, it really is sunny-side up when it comes to this quintessential summer ritual.
The artisan gelato also graced the drinks menu with four ice-cream cocktail recipes. Highlights included the ‘Applematico’, featuring apple-infused rum, whipped together with lemon sorbet, and the rendition of the ‘Calypso’ with its generous scooping of chocolate gelato.
A new dining location aims to redirect your vacation compass. The hotel is entering another culinary dimension with the launch of its beachside menu. Now you can enjoy a seascape lunch from the comfort of your cabana or sun-lounger. Summer-time creates a natural inclination among guests for seaside dining, to which the chefs have responded with an impressive food selection. The newlyconstructed kitchen within the hotel gardens has been designed to provide the ultimate luxury beach service. The menu sees the launch of signature hot dishes such as Neapolitan pizza and barbecued delicacies, alongside refreshing salads and sandwiches. These summer favourites are beautifully presented on custom serving trays, and delivered to your sunbathing spot. In true, tropical fashion, cocktail classics such as the Mai Tai and Moscow Mule and inventive thirst-quenchers are presented in custom-made bamboo tumblers. These sunkissed indulgences are sure to elevate your sunbed experience to a state of absolute beachside bliss. }
Fancies
ofFÊTEFrozen
Following a two-year pause, the hotel’s annual tribute to ice cream returned in June with a 10-day flavour extravaganza. This year’s theme revolved around sub-zero interpretations of famed traditional cakes and pies. Demetris Hadjiyiannis and his pastry team dedicated weeks of preparation to redefining sponge and biscuit classics in frozen format. Household favourites like the carrot cake, walnut pie, flan tart and baked cheesecake were transformed into delicious ice cream versions. These customised one-time creations were served alongside beloved gelato staples of the Colors Café such as Sicilian pistachio, banoffee and mastic-rose petal. During Ice Cream Week, visitors also had the opportunity to interact with the dessert chefs at the live-cooking station. The poolside terrace became an animated show of frosted sculptures, each designed from scratch. Sweet-toothed attendees observed their chosen cone being baked on the spot, thereafter selecting from among 30 toppings to the base cream, ranging from sauces to speciality toppings to fruits and nuts.
BEACH AND BITES
Prime location & design Right on the seafront, in the city centre. The only place to live, work and play in Cyprus, with sea view apartments, offices and first-class amenities. Unrivalled facilities & services Indoor leisure retreats, an outdoor oasis, and a thriving plaza with restaurants, bars and shops. All complemented with on-site management, concierge and rental services. Renowned credibility Reputable local and international experts in high-rise development with a proven history and track record. We deliver on our promise! Excellent value The best product, at the best price in Limassol. Financing secured, all permits issued and delivery scheduled for the end of the year. TRILOGYLIMASSOL.COM Cyprus/Кипр +357 8000 50 30 Russia/Россия +7 495 643 1901 SHOW APARTMENT Visit our show apartments or contact us for more information on our properties. allAboveYourultimate destination
Keeping up with digital trends, the Four Seasons has launched an easy-touse Web App, providing a holistic range of services, information and functions, all from the palm of your hand.
Following the introduction of smart room controls and individual guestroom tablets in 2017 - as part of an initiative that saw the hotel rooms go digital and paperless - the Four Seasons has now converted this data into a new Web App that guests can access directly from their phones. Joining a series of digital advancements at the hotel, the move shows a commitment to staying ahead of the digital curve and following customer demand, with new services and the latest contemporary guest conveniences.
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Guests can even send a request to book a spa treatment, or find out what’s on at the hotel that day. The new App doesn’t have to be downloaded onto the guests’ personal devices and smartphones, but instead can be easily accessed via a QR code on the room key folder. Scanning the code prompts the Web App to open immediately.
Future plans will see this QR code show on the screen when guests turn on the room’s television. “This was the next evolution of that tablet functionality, and in line with the way the world is going these days,” explained Executive Director Nick Aristou. “We wanted to make it more usable for guests and also get more participation from them, and a Web App is much easier to navigate and manage.”
The new App is designed with a simple layout and easy-to-navigate look and feel, offering a single port of call from which guests can control all room functions, as well as easily access all hotel information, services and facilities. This includes everything from operating in-room light functions, opening curtains and switching on the ‘Do Not Disturb’ button outside the room, to ordering room services, checking out menus and speaking to the concierge.
While the uptake of the App has been a resounding success, according to Nick it has also boosted team productivity. Not only does the App facilitate customer feedback, it also allows for better room-service menu item engineering, according to guest preferences. Making it a win-win all-round!
EVOLUTIONSDIGITAL
FOUR SEASONS news PortraitSeasonsFour newsfour seasons
Own the most prestigious address in Cyprus and become a part of one of its greatest success stories. Live on the sea in an award-winning superyacht marina with a thriving community. • The only properties surrounded by water • Ready to move in apartments & villas • Uninterrupted sea, marina & Limassol city views • Concierge, property management, rentals and security • B eac h, spa, gym, restaurants & shops For more information or to book your private viewing contact us on: +357 25 020 020 limassolmarina.com Limited availability Living on the sea rAPARTMENTSeadytoMOVEIN
Angela Eliades and four generations of her UK-based Cypriot family have been visiting the Four Seasons since 1993, just a few months after the hotel first opened its doors. Since then, as with many other multi-generational families who are repeat guests, Angela believes the Four Seasons has become an intrinsic part of her world. This comes across clearly in how she describes the hotel: Relaxing. Ac commodating. Welcoming. Safe. Frequently surprising. A home away from home. “Nothing is out of reach for the Four Seasons,” she says. “Give them an idea and they carry it out - that’s the beauty of this hotel.”
MULTI-GENERATIONAL
DELIGHT Since opening its doors, the hotel has been the treasured summer getaway for four generations of Angela Eliades’ family. } A TRADITIONFamily
MAJESTICUPGRADE
Today, it’s her grandchildren’s turn to experience the warm hospitality, abundant helpfulness and joie de vivre of the Four Seasons management and staff. Not to mention, after a two-year hiatus from her yearly visit, July 2022 sees everyone back in town to celebrate life, enjoy the myriad amenities available to all age groups, and extend, as long as possible, this most precious of family traditions.
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Her children, now adults with their own families, grew up making the most of their summers here, savouring delicious ice creams, spending countless hours at the kids’ club, hanging out with friends at the beach, and getting pampered like there’s no tomorrow. The grown-ups, in turn, always enjoyed the unique restaurants, fancy adult pool, gyms and luxurious spa, as well as all the other sophisticated facilities, alongside the hotel’s impeccable customer service and flexibility when catering to guests’ prefer ences. Angela laughs, recalling all the holidays that she barely wandered outside the hotel - because everything she could possibly need was at her fingertips!
The Four Seasons has enhanced its superior accommodation offering, with a full renovation of the ultra-luxurious Royal and Prince Suites.
The upgraded spaces feature bright interiors, accentuated by high-end touch points and a sophisticated yet contemporary design style. At over 330 sq.m, the expansive Royal Suite comprises a glamourous master bedroom, open-plan living and dining area, an executive office area with its own library, and marble bathrooms with a jacuzzi and steam room. A private, wooden-decked terrace offers 180 sq.m of lounge and dining space, a swimming pool and an outdoor jacuzzi. Meanwhile, the revamped Prince Suite delivers absolute comfort and well-being across 80 sq.m, including a master bedroom, a spacious living and dining area, a dressing room, and a beautiful marble-panelled bathroom with a spa bath, colourtherapy shower room. Guests can enjoy expansive Mediterranean sea views from both the large wrap-around balcony and the private master room balcony.
PortraitSeasonsFour 22 FOUR SEASONS news THE HOTEL BRINGS ITS IMPRESSIVE FUNCTIONS OFFERING FULL CIRCLE, WITH THE CREATION OF THE RECENTLY-INTRODUCED FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE ROOM, ADDING A HIGH-QUALITY PRIVATE DINING, SEMINAR AND EVENT ELEMENT TO AN ALREADY ROBUST PORTFOLIOOFVENUES. newsfour seasons
The Four Seasons hotel has always been a highly sought-after location for functions. With its diverse range of venues – from The Ballroom accommodating up to 400 persons, The Summit Room up to 150, and high-level boardrooms for parties of 15, 12 and 10 respectively – almost all event bases were covered.
FULLY MULTI-FUNCTIONAL It is this multi-functional appeal that makes The Four Seasons Private Room such a resounding success. The flexible space can be personalised according to any client requirements – including table arrangements, multi-functional LED lighting and décor.
Nevertheless, until recently, the line-up was lacking a high-end, luxury private dining space, with the event team having to close down one of the restaurants for the night, whenever this type of function was desired. Hence, to meet the large demand for private dinners and fill the gap, the hotel decided to create The Four Seasons Private Dining Room."Without a doubt this is the most luxurious private dining room in Limassol," remarks Food & Beverage Admin and Sales Manager, Leonidas Leonidou. "The Four Seasons Private Room is the perfect multi-functional venue for 30 to 100 guests."
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Entering the bright, unified space, guests arrive in the impressive cocktail and lounge area. Complete with plush sofas, a majestic fireplace and standing cocktail tables designed specifically for the space, this is where the event usually begins and ends: over pre-dinner drinks made behind the private bar. Yet it’s the adjoining dining floor space where the Room's highly-customisable dimension really shines through. Here, any set-up a customer may require can be catered for – from eight round tables of 10, to four Royal tables of up to 60. The whole space is filled with natural light flooding in through floor-to-ceiling glass doors, leading onto a private, wrap-around outdoor terrace. The doors can be opened fully, providing a unique indoor-outdoor vibe. Perfect for milestone birthday dinners, small intimate wedding parties or VIP society functions, The Four Seasons Private Dining Room can be reserved through dedicated function room specialists Leonidas and Marina at the hotel or by enquiring online via the website or new WebApp.
THE PERFECT VENUE for milestone birthday dinners, small intimate wedding parties or VIP society functions. FULL-LENGTH WINDOWS frame stunning sea views from the private wrap-around terrace, where function guests can enjoy coffee breaks or evening cocktails. } }
Set to be unveiled in Summer 2023, the Amathus Residences is the latest project by Amathina Luxury Hotels – and the most eagerly anticipated. The Residences offer a choice among 47 generously-spaced apartments. These include one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, some with their very own private pool, as well as a deluxe duplex penthouse with its own private pool. Spacious, elegant, and with the finest finishes, each residence is a true expression of modern comfort and sophistication.
DISCOVER the horizon
ELEVATED LIVING
Privileged owners of these exclusive apartments will soon be able to truly experience what it means to live by the sea. With the Mediterranean as the focal point throughout the Amathus Residences, the view from the top floors is one of endless blue, where sea and horizon meet. Every apartment features generous space, tasteful interior and exterior design, exquisite finishes and designer furnishing and décor, all an expression of modern comfort and sophistication.
The Amathus Residences are a deluxe new development that will take beachside living to a whole new level. Located on the grounds of the Amathus Hotel, and just 30 metres from the golden shoreline, the complex boasts uninterrupted sea views and world-class hotel facilities.
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FIVE-STAR LIFESTYLE
With a team of professionals on hand 24/7, residents can enjoy a lifestyle synonymous with five-star resort living. This includes the option to order, reserve and purchase many of the Amathus Hotel services, from housekeeping to grocery orders, private shopping to limousine rentals, setting up a private cruise to planning a flight.
PortraitSeasonsFour 25 PROPERTY Amathus Residences
Residents and homeowners will be able to mingle on the third floor of the Residences, which acts as the main hub of communal and social activity, featuring several lounge and dining areas. Beautiful, lush gardens and an impressive water feature add a calming touch. For added safety, the Amathus Residence complex will be guarded by a central security guard at the lobby, and equipped with the latest security systems. All locks to residences can be enhanced with the installation of additional security measures, such as fingerprint identification, upon request. CCTV cameras are installed across the complex for the safety, security and accessibility of all residents.
“Residents of the Amathus Residences are, essentially, residents of the Amathus Hotel,” says Mr. Mouskis. “This means they will have a staff of 450 trained professionals at their service, and instant access to all our hotel services.”
GENEROSITY OF SPACE goes hand in hand with privacy, and every space features impeccable design, stylish décor and sophisticated technical installations, all enhanced by the glittering azure horizon beyond. }
Residents of the Amathus Residences are also granted a Loyalty Card, which allows exclusive access to a multitude of amenities and facilities. This means VIP service and priority reservations at eight award-winning restaurants, priority access to the Spas, fitness centres and swimming facilities, as well as discounts at each of the hotels’ in-house boutiques.
“The Amathus Residences are designed and constructed with great care and careful consideration of every fine detail,” says Christos Mouskis, Executive Chairman of Muskita Hotels. “As a hotelier myself, I recognise that details make all the difference, and my aim was to present residents with the same luxurious details and fine design they have come to expect from our hotels.”
Limassoldiaryevents
19 - 20 22 ND JAZZ PARADISE FESTIVAL The much-loved summer musical event will be celebrating its 22nd year anniversary at Val’s Place, in beautiful Gialia Village. Visitors can enjoy a weekend of relaxation, dancing and taking in a wide range of live musical expressions, from modern approaches to jazz to classical standards, fusion, world music, experimental performances and contemporary dance. This year, the festival is especially excited to announce that information.See€20quartet.Netherlands-basedasup-and-comingaccomplishedPerformersVasiliouCypriotinternationally-recognisedjazzsingerAlexiawillgraceitsstages.willalsoincludelocaljazzartists,musicians,wellastheRotterdam,JAGEntryfee:foreachnight.websiteforbooking 21.30 (Friday –
dAugust
Celebrating its 15th year, the vibrant festival honours folk and traditional dances from Cyprus and around the globe. Visitors can revel in the free, week-long festivities throughout Limassol’s colourful neighbourhoods, squares and parks. Some of last year’s favourite troupes travelled from Egypt, Greece and Georgia. For information regarding this year’s dance groups and participating countries, visitors can call Limassol Municipality closer to the time. Tel: 25-372855, 25-745919
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Join in this year’s 40th annual festivities in Lefkara Village’s biggest celebration. There will be live musical and theatrical events, local food to taste, scenic walks and exhibitions of the world-famous Lefkara lace and silverware. Guests can watch demonstrations of the intricate crafts whilst learning about the local artisans and the crafts’ history. Thereafter, visitors can enjoy traditional music and dancing. Admission: Free. 20:00 (opening event) Evenings (Friday – Tuesday) | lefkara.org.cy/en/
September 13 - 17
August 12 - 17th 40 TH LEFKARA FESTIVAL
EURO-MEDITERRANEAN FESTI VAL OF TRADITIONAL DANCES
ANNUAL
September 17 - 25 LIMASSOL WINE FESTIVAL Over this 10-day extravaganza, oenophiles can sample unlimited wines. All the family can enjoy the event, with different entertainment and activities, food and exhibits relating to the history of winemaking. To make the most of the festival responsibly, there will be a free shuttle buses to and from the event, with all details published on the municipality’s dedicated Wine Festival webpage, nearer the date.
paradisejazzfestival.comSaturday) AUGUST 40TH LEFKARA FESTIVAL & JAZZFESTIVALPARADISE SEPTEMBER EURO-MEDITERRANEANFESTIVALOFTRADITIONALDANCES&LIMASSOLWINEFESTIVAL NOVEMBER RIALTO CHOREOGRAPHYCYPRUSPLATFORM OCTOBER CLASSICAUTUMNINTERNATIONALRIALTOSHORTFILMFESTIVAL&LIMASSOLBOATSHOW&PLATRESCARRALLY LIMASSOL AND ITS SURROUNDING REGION OFFER A WEALTH OF ACTIVITIES AND ANNUAL EVENTS FOR A TRULY UNIQUE HOLIDAY SPORTINGWHETHEREXPERIENCE.YOUENJOYPREMIERTHEATREANDMUSICALPRODUCTIONS,WORLD-CLASSEVENTSORTRADITIONAL,LOCALFESTIVALS,YOUWILLFINDITALL…ANDMORE,WITHINOURJAM-PACKEDCULTURALDIARY.
Rialto Theatre Tel: 7777 7745 (box office) / 25-343902 cypruschoreographyplatform.com(information)
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October 8 - 14
The annual rally is a visual treat for enthusiasts of vintage vehicles, bringing together dedicated members of the island’s classic car clubs, who motor from Limassol Castle all the way to the mountain village of Platres, creating a colourful ‘caterpillar’ that winds through the narrow, twisting roads. For an automobile to be eligible to participate in the rally, it must be pre-1982 and well-preserved. For this reason, car enthusiasts are sure to see many different makes and models from bygone decades. okak.org.cy
October 14 - 16
AUTUMN PLATRES CLASSIC CAR RALLY
October 15 - 16
17:00 (opening event - Friday) 12:00 – 21:00 (Friday - Sunday) Limassol Marina | limassolboatshow.com
RIALTO CYPRUS CHOREOGRAPHY PLATFORM
Taking place at the Rialto Theatre since 2002, the Platform offers Cypriot choreographers the unique opportunity to experiment with new forms of expression, to create and showcase original work. This allows dance enthusiasts, as well as interested visitors, the freedom to discover the latest trends in modern dance via the island’s most important celebration of contemporary dance. Over the past two decades, tens of choreographers, hundreds of dancers, stage designers, musicians, lighting designers and others, have contributed to the island’s inspiring Platform.
The annual event is the official festival of short films in Cyprus. Its aim is to promote the art of cinema, via a panorama of short films coming from Cyprus and around the world. Held at the Rialto theatre, the festival showcases the work of gifted filmmakers, who use cinematic language forms to create short films in the fiction, documentary, experimental, student and animation categories. In addition to its International and National Competitions, the festival also offers creative workshops, and hosts dialogues with Cypriot and foreign directors. Entrance is free. Rialto Theatre Tel: 7777 7745 (box office) / 25-343902 www.rialto.com.cy/(information)
RIALTO INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
LIMASSOL BOAT SHOW Held at Limassol Marina, the prestigious ‘Limassol Boat Show’ is the largest boat show in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean region, hosting over 120 local and international exhibitors. The event offers an enjoyable day out for aficionados of life on the waves and features new yacht launches, motor and sailing boats, recreational fishing products, free diving, a range of seminars, as well as water sports demonstrations. Visitors can also enjoy the rest of the marina’s facilities, which include shops, caf�s and restaurants.
November 11 - 13
November 22 - 15 January 2023
PortraitSeasonsFour DIARY limassol events
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE WITH ZIVANIA FESTIVAL
With an ethos that “Christmas and music belong together”, the island’s official and only professional symphony orchestra continues a cherished, annual tradition of performing a special Christmas show at various theatre venues across the island during December. Visit the website in the run-up to Christmas for details on the Limassol Christmas performance. cyso.org.cy/ February 2023 ALMOND BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
DECEMBER
Five of the region’s most respected boutique wineries open their doors to the public, to share their passion for winemaking. The event offers a great opportunity for oenophiles to discover production methods and new vintages, as well as learn more about the island’s viticulture in general via intimate tours and tastings. Participating vineyards will post details on their individual Facebook page nearer the date. Limassol boutique wineries Facebook pages: Argyrides Vasa Winery / Tsiakkas Winery Kyperounda 9-11 CYPRUS JAZZ & WORLD MUSIC SHOWCASE
Enjoy the wonderful, festive atmosphere of the Christmas season this year in Fikardou village. The Deputy Ministry of Tourism is supporting seven rural communities and municipalities to organise unforgettable Christmas Villages. Programme of activities and events are to include historical music and dancing and pottery workshops, as well as a food-hall serving dishes as it used to, back in early 1900. And of course, Father Christmas will make an appearance with gifts for all the children. Concurrently, Christmas will be celebrated together with the annual village’s Zivania Festival.
Winery December
9TH
December 20 CYPRUS ORCHESTRASYMPHONYCONCERT
19-20November&27-28 OPEN WINERIES
This visually-stunning and fragrant festival, takes place in the village of Limnatis (Limassol district), where visitors will explore workshops. Entertainment will be in the form of traditional live music and dancing, art and craft stalls for adults and children, and freshly-cooked food. For further information, please call: 25-432922 / limnati.org/en.html25-362756
NOVEMBER OPEN
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/ Vlassides Winery - Οινοποιείο Βλασίδη / Zambartas Wines /
The annual showcase dedicated to jazz music is an innovative event that allows lovers of the genre to experience quality performances of original jazz and world music by locals, whilst also giving emerging artists a platform to gain exposure, as the audience includes festival talent scouts. Created in 2014, the event aims to facilitate a connection between the musicians and fans of jazz music through showcases where the audience can engage with the artists. Newly-introduced to the showcase last year were jamming sessions that were regarded among the weekend’s highlights. The final programme of participating musicians to be available on the theatre website nearer the date. Rialto Theatre Tel: 7777 7745 (box office) / 25-343902 (info) www.rialto.com.cy/ 9TH CYPRUS JAZZ AND WORLD CYPRUSSHOWCASEMUSIC&SYMPHONYORCHESTRACONCERT CHRISTMASWINERIES&VILLAGEWITHZIVANIAFESTIVAL
The island’s national treasure, the Limassol Carnival, is the oldest and most cherished folk festival across Cyprus. Thousands of local and international carnival-goers flock to the streets to watch 10 days of big, bright and beautiful floats, bursting with spectacular costumes, dancing, singing and serenading.
LIMASSOL MARATHON GSO
The festivities begin with the entrance of the Carnival King, followed by a small parade for children. The largest parade takes place on the second Sunday of the Carnival with endless floats, outdoor dances, costume competitions, visual arts exhibitions and masked revellers. limassol.org.cy/en/carnivallimassol May STREET LIFE FESTIVAL
The OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO is the island’s official marathon and is fully accredited by AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races). Characterised by a flat course, the run follows Limassol’s coastline, from the centre of the city along the beachfront, past the ruins of the ancient city kingdom of Amathus, and back to the city, totalling 42,195 km for the flagship marathon. The series of different races also includes a half marathon, corporate race, city race and youth race, attracting large numbers of both runners and spectators as one of the island’s major, annual sporting events. All information can be found on the official website. limassolmarathon.com
FEBRUARY ALMOND TREE BLOSSOMLIMASSOL&FESTIVALCARNIVAL
The annual Street Life Festival is the only event of its kind. Visitors can expect a vibrant and positive atmosphere that encompasses street performances, street food, a craft market, alternative entertainment, live music, stunt demonstrations and children’s activities, helping to promote local, original artists. Full details of the event will be posted on the official website. Saripolou and Athenon Street Tel: Facebook25-353573page: Street Life Festival May GERMASOGEIA FLOWER FESTIVAL (ANTHESTIRIA)
March 18-19
MARCH MARATHONLIMASSOLGSO
MAY STREET FLOWERGERMASOGEIAFESTIVALLIFE&FESTIVAL(ANTHESTIRIA)
February 16-26 LIMASSOL CARNIVAL
April 21ST INTERNATIONAL CYPRUS FILM DAYS FESTIVAL ‘Cyprus Film Days’ is the official competition feature fiction film festival of the island, offering filmmakers and cinema-lovers alike a unique opportunity to enjoy Cyprus premieres of productions screened and awarded at major film festivals. The screenings take place in Limassol and Nicosia as part of the non-competitive ‘Viewfinder’ section (with the screening schedule available on the official website nearer the date). The second part of the festival is the ‘Global Images International Film Competition’, showcasing entries expressing ‘the diversity of local cultures’ and helps to promote filmmaking on the island. Rialto Theatre, Limassol & Zena Palace, Nicosia Tel: 7777 7745 (box office) / 25-343902cyprusfilmdays.com(information)
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APRIL 21STCYPRUSINTERNATIONALFILMDAYSFESTIVAL
The annual festival celebrates spring and its themes of renewal in a fragrant and colourful event, featuring a fresh flower market, exhibitions, entertainment and a parade of vibrant flower floats. Germasogeia Dam car park Tel: yermasoyiamunicipality.org.cy/en/25-879898
Each June, the committee for ‘The Performing Arts for Cyprus Charities’ puts on a Shakespeare play at the ancient Curium amphitheatre, organised and performed solely by volunteers, and with all proceeds going to local charities. 2023’s performance and director are still to be chosen. So, be sure to check out the website over the coming months to find out more details. This is certainly an experience not to be missed by theatre-lovers and Shakespeare fans alike. Curium Amphitheatre | Tel: 99-990535 | shakespeareatcurium.com
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JUNE FESTIVAL OF THE (KATAKLYSMOS)FLOOD
The annual Lavender Festival will take place in the picturesque central square of Platres village, where visitors can stroll around the lavender market and discover the healing powers of the wondrously fragrant flowering plant. Visitors can learn all about its medicinal properties, participate in workshops for lavender distillation, try culinary delicacies, explore arts and crafts based on lavender, purchase organic cosmetics and take guided walks with herbalists in lavender plantations around Platres. Platres Cultural Centre Tel: 99-427980 / 99-410520
PortraitSeasonsFour DIARY limassol events
June 22 - 24 SHAKESPEARE AT CURIUM
JUNE 23RD DANCECONTEMPORARYCYPRUSFESTIVAL
June 3 - 5
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Although all events have been confirmed and details are correct at the time of going to press, we strongly recommend contacting the organisers in case an event has been cancelled or postponed at short notice.
JULY LAVENDERPLATRESFESTIVAL July LAVENDER FESTIVAL PLATRES
FESTIVAL OF THE FLOOD (KATAKLYSMOS) ‘Kataklysmos’ is a water-based festival with ancient, pagan roots that culminates in the religious date of Pentecost - the Monday that marks 50 days after Greek Orthodox Easter. The holiday is celebrated in Limassol with a programme of sea-themed activities and entertainment, held along the popular Molos promenade. Daytime highlights include boat trips, yachting races, water-sport demonstrations and competitions, whilst the evening entertainment programme features music and dance, traditionally with a concert by a well-known artist. The full programme is available nearer the time on the municipality’s website. Molos limassolmunicipal.com.cySeafront
JUNE SHAKESPEAREATCURIUM
June 23 RD CONTEMPORARYCYPRUS DANCE FESTIVAL Billed as a celebration of dance that connects local and European dancers and dance troupes, the annual ‘European Contemporary Dance Festival’ (held throughout June) has been bringing modern choreography performances to audiences in Limassol and Nicosia since it was launched in 1991. The selection criteria are strict, ensuring the quality and innovation of performances. Cypriot dance groups are selected by a jury of international contemporary dance professionals during the ‘Cyprus Contemporary Dance Platform’ event in March, whilst the international performances are picked by a committee that works closely with the cultural attach�s of foreign embassies, to attract the highest calibre of international entries. Rialto Theatre Tel: 7777 7745 (box office) / 25-343902 rialto.com.cy(information)
The hotel's entire team and I are dedicated to offering you an unparalleled holiday experience, so I invite you to step into a world of refreshment, and enjoy your stay, relax and let us look afterBestyou!wishes and good health above all!
PortraitSeasonsFour 32 FOUR SEASONS teamwork DearAGuest,warm welcome to the Four Seasons Limassol and to your “holy-day”. As we continue to live through uncertain times, with costs for life's necessities soaring, and the need to manage our resources wisely, there is one expenditure that remains sacred to us, and that is the Holiday. The leisure that allows us to regain our peace of mind and well-being. A process that, as the word implies, is truly holy. After two years of being denied our holidays by the Covid-19 pandemic, 2022 finds us all in need of a reset, a chance to refresh mind and body, in spite of the global turbulence. Science has proven that regular holidays play a great role in helping us maintain physical and mental health, rewarding us with greater productivity, energy and morale once we return home. Here, at the Four Seasons, we understand the sacredness of the holiday for our guests. Refreshment offers a chance for you to de-stress, unwind and spend quality time with your partner, or family.Holidays are also equally good for your body as your mind, as research shows most people exercise more on vacation than during a regular working week at home. From enjoying a simple, refreshing swim in the pool, or taking a leisurely stroll around the resort in the evenings... every bit balances out the long days spent at the desk, or in meetings. For this reason, the Four Seasons’ mission is to provide you with the perfect environment, facilities and service to unwind and relax, ensuring your time with us leaves you deeply refreshed, feeling healthier and ready to return renewed.
NICK ARISTOU Executive Director
The essential need for HOLIDAYS
EVELYN IBRAHIM Guest Relations Officer PortraitSeasonsFour 33 ANDREAS LOIZOU Group HR Director YIANNIS IOANNOU Assistant Hotel Manager DEMETRIS NICOLAOU Food & Beverage Service Manager CONSTANTINOSMONIATIS Duty CorporateManager FoundationsConnectionofHospitality COSTAS NICOLAOU Operations Manager ANDREAS ALKIVIADES GuestManagerRelationships MARIA TENEKETZI Front Office Manager ERACLES STYLIANOU GroupDirectorFinance YIANNOS GREGORIOU Group Food & ManagerBeverage LEONIDAS LEONIDOU Food & Beverage Adm. & Sales Manager
PortraitSeasonsFour 34 FOUR SEASONS teamwork LAMBROS LAMBROU Chief Engineer SAVVAS CHARALAMBOUS Chief Security Officer ANDREAS CONSTANTINIDES Assistant Chief Engineer Smooth CulinaryOperationArts MARIOS GEORGIOU Purchasing Manager CHRISTINA VENIZELOU Executive Housekeeper STELIOS PAPAGEORGIOU Reservations Supervisor ANTONIS PAVLOU Back of House Manager GUAN RUIJONG SeasonsHeadOrientalChef HADJITOFISPANICOS Executive Chef CHARALAMBOUSPANAYIOTIS Chef De Cuisine HADJIYIANNISDEMETRIS Executive Pastry Chef
PortraitSeasonsFour 36 FOUR SEASONS Gastronomyteamwork SAVVAS PAPATHOMAS Banqueting Supervisor Head Sommelier KYRIACOS THEODOTOU Restaurant Supervisor Tropical Restaurant LUKASZ JODOWSKI Restaurant Supervisor M Fusion ARESTIS JOHNSTON Assistant Maître d’Hotel MICHALIS THEODOROU Colors Café Manager MARIOS TSIOUROUTIS Assistant Maître d’Hotel MARIOS SHEHERLIS Tropical Restaurant Manager MARIOS DEMOSTHENOUS Bars Manager LENIA DEMOSTHENOUS Maître d’Hotel STALO ARABANTZI Maître d'Hotel
PortraitSeasonsFour 38 CHRYSOSTOMOUMARY Fashion Director DONOVANANNA Spa Manager FOUR SEASONS teamwork
PERIKLEOUSLANA
Sales Executive Developing the Business Fashion and Leisure ELISA PASTIDI Conference & Incentive Sales Manager KLERI MICHAEL DigitalManagerMarketing HEIKE IOANNOU Kindergarten & Moments to Enjoy Supervisor ANTONIO CASSERA Group Corporate Sales Manager
LIMASSOL SAGA Boutique 36, Georgiou A’ Str., Shop 1-3 | P. Germasogeias, Limassol Tel. +357 25 31 31 26 MARC CAIN Store 230, Arch. Makariou III Ave., Tel.Limassol+357 25 02 94 00 BOGNER Store 36, Georgiou A’ Str., Shop 6-7 P. Germasogeias, Limassol Tel. +357 25 02 87 88 PESERICO Store 205, Arch. Makariou III Ave., Shop 8-9, Limassol Tel. +357 25 02 00 82 BALDININI Store 205, Arch. Makariou III Ave., Shop 6-7, Limassol Tel. +357 25 02 55 77 SAGA Outlet 83, Georgiou A’ Str., P. Germasogeias, Limassol Tel. +357 25 32 18 39 PAPHOS MARC CAIN Store Kings Avenue Mall, Tel.Paphos+357 26 02 00 69
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Masters of ETIQUETTE
Think of butlers, and chances are Batman’s stalwart companion, Alfred Pennyworth, comes to mind. The latter’s discretion, meticulousness and impressive problemsolving powers are ever at the superhero’s disposal, helping him surmount challenges with creativity and high-tech know-how. Today, while they may not wield the technologically-advanced gadgetry available to Alfred, the Four Seasons’ exclusive and expanded team of butlers are putting their own brand of impeccable skills to work for guests. For almost a decade now, the hotel has been offering patrons this highestlevel service, with the Four Seasons’ first two stewards trained for the role nearly 10 years ago by the British Butler Institute - the world’s premier school and certification organisation for butlers. Upon finishing their training, the butler duo thereafter took sole care of VIP guests staying in the Royal and Prince Suites, or those requesting such exclusive service for an additional fee. Fast forward to recent years, and, with more guests keen to retain a butler during their Four Seasons stay, it became clear the hotel would need to train more of its staff. “Three years ago, demand for butler services at the Four Seasons grew quite rapidly, and we saw this as an opportunity to expand our offerings in this area for our guests,” explains Executive Director Nick Aristou. “So, we once again reached out to the British Butler Institute to set up a specialised training programme for those interested employees.”
HANDPICKED AND FULLY-VETTED In March 2022, an Institute instructor flew to the island to train 13 handpicked and fully-vetted staff members to buttle for guests at both the Four Seasons and its sister hotel Amathus. The intensive training introduced the hotel’s new team of butlers to everything they need to know about this elite profession, including how to approach and talk to guests, how to deal with difficult clients, proper etiquette and good manners, as well as providing valuable, bespoke information. Participants also enhanced their skills and knowledge on topics including oenology, shoe-shining, flower arrangement, cooking and coffee mastery.
GUEST privileges
The level of detail and range of services covered during the tailored training were endless. From how to place a wake-up call, to how to open and close a text MATEO JARRIN CUVI photography ANTONIS ENGRAFOU
PortraitSeasonsFour
Until recently, the impeccable attention of a personal butler was a limited, albeit exclusive offering for Four Seasons guests. But today, rising demand has seen an expanded team of hotel personnel trained by the famed British Butler Institute to offer more patrons this white-glove service.
THE INTENSIVE TRAINING introduced the hotel’s new team of butlers to everything they need to know about this elite profession. }
And there have been additional benefits to the Institute’s preparation for the trainee butlers: the experience has motivated them to upgrade their professional standards and level of service, as well as advance their hospitality industry careers. For example, some of the hotel’s sommeliers also chose to become certified butlers, as the skills passed onto them during the British Butler Institute’s training translate exceptionally well to a restaurant dining room and the wine-tasting world. Most importantly, trainees who underwent the Institute’s challenging butler certification programme cherished learning proper etiquette and relating to guests in a friendly yet efficient manner. “The requirements of being a butler—things such as having good manners around guests—are very important to me; they have helped me stay one step ahead in the hospitality industry and better myself, as both a person and a young professional,” says George Nearchou, one of this cohort’s newly-minted butlers.
RESILIENCE AND RESOURCEFULNESS
The Four Seasons butlers are equipped with an arsenal of related skills, such as meticulously folding clothes, preparing personalised beverages, garment pressing, and running a complete service desk, covering requests and answering queries at any hour of the day. These unique skills and services have already been put to the test with success. On one occasion, a VIP guest, who had dropped his mobile phone and shattered its screen, asked the butler assigned to him to fix it before having to catch a flight back home the following morning – it was 10pm on a Sunday night. Quick on his feet, the butler leveraged his local connections, to get the device repaired within a few hours - to the elation of the guest. Unsurprisingly, demand for the hotel’s butlers remains steady, with plenty of room for growth. As more VIP guests discover this Mediterranean island paradise, the need for experienced and skilled gloved assistants is sure to increase, and the Four Seasons is confident it is well-equipped to provide each of its patrons with their own ebullient, well-mannered and inventive Alfred. Fancy, high-tech gadgets not included.
PortraitSeasonsFour 42 GUEST privileges door, to how to pack a suitcase… the hotel’s budding butlers were equipped with the many skills needed to keep their VIP guests pampered, contented, and with plenty of time to make the most of the amenities available to them.
Available at Four Seasons Boutique Tel: +357 OWNEDboutique@fourseasons.com.cy25858145ANDOPERATEDBYMUSKITAHOTELS LTD
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PortraitSeasonsFour 45 VIVALDI culinary royalty Starlit SPECTACLE
Vivaldi by Mavrommatis continues to reign as culinary royalty, never failing to wow its discerning following with its signature gastronomy. The restaurant has now entered a new dimension of design with its spectacular terrace. The moonlit marvel invites Vivaldi patrons to absorb the ambience of this grand dame of dining from a new and privileged angle.
text YIOTA MALLAS photography DEC AUDIOVISUAL food photography ANTONIS ENGRAFOU
VIVALDI culinary royalty PortraitSeasonsFour 46 }
BLUEFIN TUNA gets an otherwise inconceivable signature flavour treatment. Seared fillets are coated in an aromatic pistachio crust and the garnish of choice vegetables is dotted with chorizo shavings.
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THE FRUIT HABITATSCONTRASTINGOFCOLLIDE to create an explosion of flavour. Smoked tuna from local waters marries a garden harvest of asparagus, rocket condiment and basil ice cream in a state of gastronomic bliss.
WILD SEA BASS is graced with a series of pairings within one course. One can alternately tuck into the vegetable ragout and smoked eel surrounding the fish, or savour the liquid gold that blends pea purée and fennel-infused clam sauce.
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The Venetian composer Vivaldi was able to produce pioneering music because he embraced change with every composition. Just like its namesake, the hotel’s awardwinning restaurant successfully executes Mediterranean cuisine with a modern ap proach; it also demonstrates a passion for artistic novelty with every season. The launch of its terrace is among the new features of Vivaldi: a space where the aesthetics correspond to the grandeur of the indoor décor without compro mise. The hotel’s latest al fresco suggestion is an idyllic setting for sunset dining through to post-dinner moments under the stars. The gold panels add a sense of privacy to each table, their lattice design permitting uninterrupted panoramic views, the lighting, flawless.
The same applies to the wine accompanying the meal, as every menu is partnered by its individual wine selection, courtesy of the in-house sommeliers. Their recommendations celebrate household labels of the international wine scene, as well as highlighting local varieties for those curious about Cypriot terroir. Ultimately, a visit to Vivaldi means taking a seat at the table of excellence and, with such an enchanting terrace in store, why would anyone settle for less?
The shortlist is a decisive shift towards fresh seafood, with servings of sea bass and tuna accompanying a myriad seasonal vegetables. The flavours are complex enough to tantalise the taste buds, but they also possess a clarity and freshness typical of Mediterranean cuisine.
As with every chapter in the restaurant’s narrative, Vivaldi’s recipes somehow communicate the culture of the Mediterranean whilst also nodding to contemporary gastronomy. With such a diversity of flavours in store, it felt appropriate to incorporate a degustation line-up. Vivaldi regulars, well-accustomed to the set menu, can now opt for either a four-course or six-course tasting arrangement for a more balanced sequence of ceremonial dining. Innovation really is the watchword, as new tasting menus are drafted daily, so that no two sessions at Vivaldi are ever the same.
NOVELTY AND NOSTALGIA
Similarly, the menu is just as inventive, in order to keep intriguing the most demanding of palates. The recipe portfolio behind the scenes is a continual creative process, powered by Paris-based Andreas Mavrommatis and Panicos Hadjitofis, the Four Seasons’ Executive Chef. Mavrommatis’ creations centre on portraying and revealing his Mediterranean roots and, with a Michelin star under his belt, each new series of dishes is another milestone. His experimentation and cooking trials at the beginning of May saw the fruition of summer-inspired plates appropriate for the new outdoor space.
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CEVICHE OF WILD SEA BASS both rich in texture and taste. Morsels of the fillet are enveloped in the tabbouleh with lobster gel, doused in a cucumber and green apple soup
ODYSSEYS OF FLAVOUR
The entire visual concept symbolises refinement that, far from austere, is, to the contrary, intimate and personal: after all, the word ‘restaurant’ originates from the French word for restoring. Indeed, every dining session at Vivaldi aims to do exactly that.
HEAD SOMMELIER Savvas Papathomas (centre) welcomes the hotel's newest crop of taste masters. From left to right: Iwona Hereda, Lefteris Karapanayiotis, Stalo Arabantzi, Lambros Nicolaou. } PortraitSeasonsFour 48
To meet its guests’ heightened demand for innovative wine pairings and knowledge of oenology, the Four Seasons is growing its dedicated sommelier team in numbers, credentials and authority.
CARE chocolate weekIN FOCUS sommeliers
The hospitality stakes are high, the excellence called upon, both subtle and profound. And yet the rewards –transmitting a passion for the lore and pleasure of wine from sommelier to patron – are undeniably worthwhile.
At the start of 2022, hotel management, alongside Head Sommelier Savvas Papathomas, began training seven young sommeliers to round out its team of wine experts. During the past several months, this group has been following the Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s (WSET) qualification course led by Yiannis Karakasis, one of two Greek Masters of Wine (MW), working their way up the programmes’ four levels. And their education hasn’t stopped there. On a regular basis, the sommeliers attend presentations by local wineries and their range of labels, as well as Savvas’ weekly lectures on diverse topics, based on team needs, and take educational trips to traditional winemaking regions, such as Italy’s Tuscany, France’s Bordeaux, Champagne, Côtes du Rhône and Provence, and Greece’s Amyndeo and Drama. The hotel’s team of wine experts has also helped organise and run the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale’s
MASTERFULLY GUIDING PATRONS
SOMMELIERS on the rise MATEO JARRIN CUVI photography ANTONIS ENGRAFOU
Thanks to the team’s newly-advanced knowledge, hotel guests have also been enjoying the enhanced services offered by the Four Seasons sommeliers. Every Friday, organised tastings are held, showcasing unique winemaking regions and varieties, and teaching customers how to taste wine and what to look for when savouring specific bottles. This experience has allowed the hotel’s new sommeliers to learn how to best interact with guests, while leading a professional yet intimate wine-tasting session.
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OENO-VATIVE EDUCATION
Being a sommelier isn’t easy. Knowing the intricacies of unique and remote varietals, adroitly uncorking a bottle of bubbly, ensuring a guest is never poured a wine emitting fumes of wet, mouldy cardboard… these are not tasks for the faint of heart. Nevertheless, with the palates of new generations of wine drinkers becoming ever more refined, demand for such professionals is rising like a bead in a champagne flute. In light of this trend, and to satisfy guests’ interest in oenology and wine-pairing, the Four Seasons determined that more than a duo of professional sommeliers were required to serve the hotel’s five unique restaurants.
Meanwhile, tasked with guiding hotel patrons through extensive wine lists, representing dozens of regions and terroirs, and providing immaculate wine pairings to complement the chefs’ refined gastronomy, these rising wine professionals are demonstrating the multifaceted expertise upon which the sommelier bases his or her reputation.
(ASI) 14th Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa, which was held at the hotel in November 2021, and crowned the region’s best. All of these efforts have already paid off for the Four Seasons, with Iwona Hereda, one of the team’s brightest stars and a WSET Level 2, placing second at the 9th Best Sommelier of Cyprus competition held in May of this year, an annual event recognising the island’s growing sommelier talent.
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THE VISTA TERRACE is a catwalk of beauty and elegance, inviting guests to take a moment and revel in quintessential Mediterranean living. }
PortraitSeasonsFour 51 VISTA TERRACE day to dusk
text YIOTA MALLAS
The glorious Vista terrace is the go-to meeting point of the Four Seasons for elegant afternoon and evening gatherings. Guests gravitate towards this landmark of leisure, where every hour offers a fresh novelty. From high noon to sundown, Vista terrace is a daily ritual by force of habit - and it’s easy to see why.
The Finest VISTA
VISTA TERRACE day to dusk 52 PortraitSeasonsFour
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ASIAN AND MEDITERRANEAN flavours unite in harmony. The octopus garnish sees tahini and cauliflower textures intertwined with miso and black sesame. LATEST EDITION of cocktails features the rum-based Bitcoin, which, like its namesake, is a risky gamble with its chilli twist, yet has a winning finish of sweet mango.
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Pleasurable gatherings from day through to dusk. Welcome to the Vista Deck.While it is a relatively new addition to the Four Seasons, it is an instantly-recognisable feature and a favourite of guests and visitors. The hotel’s most enticing observation point, here, everything comes to a standstill, and the only item on the agenda is to take it all in. Its all-encompassing sweep means it’s frequented throughout the day and into the night by every guest, welcoming every type of occasion. Put simply, it is the pulse point of the hotel’s hospitality.
A panoramic idyll, Vista’s sights and sounds add richness to an uninterrupted Mediterranean expanse. The visual centrepiece is the illuminated infinity pool, which, just like a sun dial, points to the different corners of the Vista experience. To the left is the iconic buzz of M Fusion, where Asian cuisine is interlaced with Latin American and Western elements. The menu has undergone its customary tweaking and now features a wider range of seafood dishes, in line with a hot summer predilection. Entries include succulent scallops, octopus and langoustines, arranged with unusual sauces, creams and vegetable medleys, inviting the palate to uncharted territory. On the other side of the Vista terrace is the expansive lounge area, which effortlessly combines an atmosphere of relaxation with a spirit of entertainment. Its menu is equally diverse, with its enticing suggestions of immaculate sushi, decorative sandwiches and the most refreshing oysters. Its versatility undisputed, from day to night, Vista terrace remains a treasure where every visitor soon becomes a regular. }
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When it comes to crafting exquisite confections, the Four Seasons has long been a pace-setter. To that impressive record a fresh milestone was added this year, thanks to an exchange between pastry chefs, whose labours yielded masterpieces in sugar.
Displays of CONFECTION
IT’S DECADENT, lavish and extravagant, thus the perfect addition to the M Fusion dining concept. Rich chocolate mousse interjected with bites of chocolate shavings and milk chocolate ice cream. }
text YIOTA MALLAS photography ANTONIS ENGRAFOU
VANILLA CREAM is jazzed up into a scented whirlwind of flavour, created by a harmonious fusion of rose-infused anglaise sauce and a punchy lychee sorbet. An aromatic finale to complete any of Vivaldi’s Mediterranean offerings. }
The two chefs demonstrated their artistic dialogue with a selection of 12 plated sweets. The recipes explore myriads of flavours such as tropical tastes of exotic fruit and coconut, as well as garden ingredients of rose and raspberry.
Key aspects of dessert craftsmanship feature in the collection, including mille-feuille, sorbet and namelaka: an Asian cross between ganache and crème patisserie that Fabrizio was able to perfect in Japan. Although the textures vary, together, the recipes are beautifully balanced with equal parts drama and fun. Demetris and his team allocated six of the desserts for the summer menus of the Seasons Oriental, Vivaldi by Mavrommatis and M Fusion. The remaining six desserts are reserved for the winter season as they best complement the richer dishes typically craved in cooler months. Be sure to finish your meal with one of these exclusive tokens of culinary excellence!
sweet masterpiece
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DESTINATION DESSERT
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A TRIBUTE TO THE EQUATOR with this tropical number, creamy coconut tapioca meets tangy layers of exotic fruit and mango passion fruit sorbet. A great palate cleanser for any Asian-inspired feast at Seasons Oriental.
CONCLUDE YOUR SEASONS ORIENTAL meal with this celebration of raspberry in a trilogy of textures: crispy biscuit, smooth jelly and delicate namelaka cream, all flavoured with the beloved red jewel of the forest.
A UNIQUE SYNTHESIS of distinct flavours and textures at M Fusion: peanut-flavoured mousse with a kick of yuzu is married with caramel gelato to form an all-encompassing triangle of richness on the palate.
}
GASTRONOMY
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Finesse met fantasy in May 2022 when Four Seasons Head Pastry Chef Demetris Hadjiyiannis joined forces with Italian dessert maestro Fabrizio Fiorani, in a combined effort to craft showstoppingWorld-renownedcreations.chef Fabrizio’s love for pastry dates back to his childhood, when, over the summers, he worked in a small gelato shop. Today, his reputation for magisterial confectionery has seen him demonstrate his talent at leading culinary establishments, such as Rome’s threeMichelin-starred La Pergola. Furthermore, his contribution to the Bulgari restaurant in Tokyo led to his World’s 50 Best Restaurants award for Asia’s Best Pastry Chef in 2019. This year, his longstanding friendship with Demetris culminated in his springtime stint at the Four Seasons. The mission? To create a special-edition series of signature desserts to be enjoyed at each of the Four Seasons’ evening restaurants. The shortlist is a dozen sweets that not only dazzle the eyes, but are full of surprises upon tasting.
PortraitSeasonsFour 56 text ALIX NORMAN photography DEC AUDIOVISUAL iconic heritage RECOVERED Over the years, glories from Cyprus' Byzantine iconography have been unlawfully taken, some never to return. Today, however, efforts to repatriate such treasures are bearing fruit, restoring them to their rightful place among the island's monasteries and museums.
“I do believe artwork should be exhibited abroad,” she maintains. “Imagine only national art on show in each country, only German art in a German museum, only Mexican pieces in Mexico… A cross-section of the world’s art allows global citizens a unique opportunity to learn from humanity’s past, as well as via each other’s culture. But when we discover a piece of a nation’s cultural heritage has been illegally smuggled from its home - whether Egyptian, Syrian, Russian, or Cypriotthen it should be restituted.”
For centuries, Cyprus’ art has been systematically looted, with some of its finest artefacts never to return. But while leading Cyprus art historian and consultant Maria Paphiti believes local artworks should continue to be exhibited internationally, she has also made it her calling to bring home the beautiful and important heritage works, taken unlawfully.
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SYMBOLS AND STORIES
This includes the monumental Byzantine frescos adorning the interiors of the island’s churches and monasteries, memorably at Panagia tou Araka in Lagoudera village in Asinou, or at Agios Ioannis Lampadistis Monastery in Kalo Panayiotis village. Kalo Panayiotis is also home to a Byzantine Museum, which holds work that Maria repatriated - the ‘Morphou icons’. These six 13th to 16th-century works were stolen in 1936 from Morphou Metropolis during the British Administration of Cyprus. After they surfaced at Sotheby’s New York, Maria determined that three had been looted from a church in Asinou, while the priceless depiction of Saints Andronikos and Anastasia was looted from the Agion Andronikou and Athanasias Church, situated in the village of Mandria. To Maria, repatriation is paramount, as it allows art to be enjoyed by, and to benefit, everyone. “Art is for all of us,” she
First drawn to Byzantine icons during her post-graduate studies at Christie’s Education and the Courtauld Institute of Art, she remains “captivated by the depth and mysticism in this type of art - the messages hidden in every piece”. To Maria, Byzantine art “is like a visual code; everything has its uniqueHencesymbolism”.suchart’s weighty cultural significance - it tells a story of Cyprus’ past, illustrating its history and communicating the roots of the island’s ancient ancestors. Among the insights she shares, is that Byzantine art’s perennial gold background is “a device which represents eternity, abolishing the three-dimensionality of the mortal world we live in, with all its imperishable qualities”. The slender, elegant features of figures in these pieces, highlights their immateriality, “emphasising the subject’s control over their human needs”. Even gestures have meaning. “You will see the Mother of God pointing towards her son, thus directing the viewer to Him and His teachings as the means of human salvation,” Maria reveals. “All this symbolism is there for a reason, through images, icons express the same message that the Gospel communicates through words. Images and words complement each other.”
When it comes to repatriation of these artworks, Maria firmly believes that works moved illegally should be restored to where they originated. “Art that was made to be in-situ, for instance in an architectural setting, has to stay in the place it was created for, and not be moved - unless it is necessary for preservation.”
Maria, herself, is responsible for the return of stolen Cypriot icons worth over eight million Euros. As former head of Christie’s International Department of Icons, and among the world’s leading Byzantine art experts, Maria is commissioned by governments, auction houses and wealthy clients the world over to authenticate artworks, and broker private sales and curate collections. “My job is a calling,” she says. “For as long as I remember, I’ve had an inherent interest in art, fascinated as a child by stories pertaining to the discovery of treasures.”
HOME-BOUND TREASURES
Today, in place of these visual tales, we read the stories of the Bible. But the timeless and intriguing beauty of these arte facts ensures an ongoing demand for Byzantine iconography –a demand not always met through legal channels.
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insists. “It is free, it addresses everyone; it gives you pleasure and allows you to get lost in its depth. Art is for admiring, learning, communicating and becoming a better person.”
While the piece was up for auction in Dusseldorf, Maria was able to get it withdrawn and returned to Cyprus just one month later, where it temporarily resides in the Metropolis seat in Evrichou. There’s also the fascinating story of the 18th-century Byzantine icon of St. John the Forerunner in the Wilderness, stolen from Cyprus in 1974 by a British Royal Air Force pilot. In collaboration with Professor Marc-André Renold, director of Geneva University’s Art-Law Centre, Maria was behind its successful restitution in February 2022. Ultimately, it is the world’s cultural value of art, its accessibility and legacy that Maria is working to preserve. “While humans come and go from earth, what stays behind is art,” she says. “And although we think of it as lifeless, artworks outlive us all, so none of us can claim permanent ownership of any piece. We are merely the temporary guardians of these masterpieces that remind us of our responsibility to preserve what we have inherited for the sake of future generations.”
MARIA WAS AWARDED by the Archbishop Chrysostomos II, for her role in the repatriation of the mosaic of St. (fromAndrew.left):Mr. Roys Poyiadjis, Maria Paphiti, Dr. Andreas Pittas, Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus, the eminent art historian from Cambridge University Professor Robin Cormack and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades.
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Her strong belief that to fully enjoy art, one doesn’t have to buy it, hide it away or put borders around it, is what drives Maria in her mission to return what was wrongfully removed. Her successes include the collection of Byzantine, Russian and Greek icons, worth in excess of 2.7 million euros, which she was called to examine in 2007, after their discovery in an art dealer’s Swiss vault. “There were two that stood out,” she remembers. “A pair of 16th-century Cretan icons that had resided in Cyprus until 1974. I was able to determine that both had been stolen from the Church of Saint Iakovos and, although the negotiation took nine years, since 2015 these beautiful works are back where they belong: in the Byzantine Museum in Nicosia.”
But the most valuable Byzantine artefacts repatriated thanks to Maria - which won her the Gold Medal of the Order of St. Paul for outstanding services to the Church of Cyprus – is the incredible sixth-century mosaic of the apostle Andrew, which disappeared from the Church of Panagia Kanakaria in 1976. Highly sought after by academics and art-hunters ever since, Maria located the piece in a client’s private collection in 2014, after which it was returned home, to Nicosia’s Byzantine Museum, in 2018. Despite being valued at over seven million, it was the work’s priceless cultural value that earned Maria the prestigious accolade. “In 2018, I brought home the mosaic and also gave birth to my only child; for me both were equally important,” she remarks. “This mosaic is not only an art treasure for Cyprus, but also a piece of the world’s cultural heritage, as one of only a handful of images that survived the Byzantine iconoclasm. It is an artwork of unparalleled artistic quality, and testament to the exceptional artistic production of the island in the sixthThereafter,century.” winning both the cultural category, as well as the grand award at the 2019 Golden Lady Woman of the Year Awards, Maria’s repatriation missions that year included the return of an 1832 reliquary from the Church of St. Mamas, stolen in the years following 1974.
PRICELESS WORLD VALUE
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HERITAGEABygonetext MILLETT
When Constantinos Emmanuelle self-published ‘Tales of Cyprus’, he inadvertently created a rich cultural resource. In the process, this extraordinary book archives and preserves the near-forgotten histories of pre-1950s Cypriots.
EMILY
CYPRUS a bygone era
PRESERVING HISTORY AND CULTURE Indeed, preserving history and culture is at the core of ‘Tales of Cyprus’. These personal oral histories and old images offer a truthful insight into the past, as told by those who not only lived it, but also helped shape it.
Written over the course of two years, the book was inspired by Constantinos’ late father Miltiades Neofytou – to whom it is also dedicated – who would regale his son with tales of the Cyprus of old. After his father’s passing, Constantinos started to reflect on the need to preserve those memories. And what began as interviews with relatives, quickly became a 26,000-strong social media community and a sell-out book that Constantinos now describes as his legacy. “I quickly realised that this generation, who were alive before 1950, were the last of a bygone era in the history of the island,” shares Constantinos. “For me, it’s a race against time, to capture the living histories, the eye-witnesses, who are now in their late 80s and 90s. In one small way, I've been able to document a lost era.”
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A RACE AGAINST TIME
Now an 80-something traditional lace artisan living in Pano Lefkara, Nina is one of many elderly Cypriots featured in Constantinos Emmanuelle’s haunting book, ‘Tales of Cyprus’: a time-capsule tribute that, alongside striking old images of the times, recounts personal stories of an earlier age, which might otherwise have been lost and forgotten.
Nine-year-old Nina was completely unaware of what was to befall her when she accompanied her beloved father across Cyprus on a fateful bus ride. Excited to be travelling on such a vehicle for the first time, Nina wondered why her dad remained so silent. Later, she would learn it was because the journey could have given him no happiness: he was giving her away to be raised by a childless couple. It was the 1940s, and as Cypriots from rural Paphos, Nina’s impoverished family already had too many mouths to feed. To her father, one child fewer meant more resources for the rest, and the chance of a better life for everyone. Nina never saw her father or birth family again.
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Perhaps among the most powerful of the collective messages Constantinos wants the book to relay is that of gratitude. “Absolutely, yes, there is an element of suffering,” he says, considering the lives chronicled, “but although they had a lot less than we do now, they were all still grateful.”
There are stories of households thankful for a loaf of bread or children welcoming the summer as it meant they could eat fruit from the trees. Which is why, into every story, Constantinos weaves a lesson, proverb or epigram for readers to take away. Whether it’s to have more gratitude, not to worry or stress so much, spend more time with family, or simply that less is more and possessions do not always make us richer. Weaving together all the lessons from earlier generations, is the persisting storyline of strong family bonds, twinned with the island’s native hospitality - from past to present age. “Something that has definitely stayed true is the warm and authentic hospitality,” Constantinos says with pride. “The Cypriots ‘ ehoun filoxenia [possess hospitality] ’ and I see it everywhere I go.”
TOUCHING TRIBUTE
Author Constantinos Emmanuelle dedicates the book to his late father, Miltiades Neofytou, who was his inspiration.}
What really stands out is their abiding sense of community. While perhaps not related by blood, it is evident the men are all connected by the bonds of mutual respect and affection.
within these stories of ordinary people, are also extraordinary lives, who added their own strand to a history that, today, is rarely recalled in the classroom. One such tale is that of Turkish Cypriot doctor Mehmet Aziz, as recounted to Constantinos by his elderly sisters. Between 1946-49, Aziz and his team eradicated malaria from the island, saving countless lives and allowing Cyprus to become the first country in the world to be declared malaria-free. His is a story that goes relatively untold, until now.
There are personal accounts of what it was like to work in the mines, and autobiographical anecdotes from the labourers who erected the island’s first-ever electricity poles. Battle narratives from men who enlisted as World War II soldiers – men like Giorgis, who was captured by the Germans and sent to a concentration camp. Not only did he live to tell the tale, but, as told to Constantinos, his story turned out a surprisingly positive one. His captors actually looked after the PoWs, feeding them so well Giorgis ended up putting on weight. To the author, these are the stories of ordinary people who gave the island its cultural identity and improved the quality of life for the generations to come. “This was the time when roads and hospitals were built,” he explains. “They got access to education, people could read and write. That's the legacy this generation left behind.”
EDUCATING THE FUTURE
Yet the book is not just about the past, but also an education for the future. The legacy of these stories, according to Constantinos, is to teach us important lessons regarding the way we live, communicate and interact with each other.
Of course, there are also the more introspective stories - tales of secret love affairs, confessions of guilt and shame... But even these hint at the social norms that shaped a near-forgotten way of life. Consider the face of a young Maronite bride, staring out from an age-weathered 1914 wedding photo, which speaks of girls being forced to marry as young as 15. In the accompanying story, the girl’s now 80-year-old son shares the shame faced by the family when, some years later, the couple separated, and his mother was driven to change her religion and leave the village. Or turn to the book’s cover image of a young girl with blue, piercing eyes, sent from her community to be a child servant, to alleviate family hardship: a testament to the crushing poverty of herNestledtime.
“There are some real pearls of wisdom that I learnt from interviewing this generation, which have changed my life,” he confesses.Wisdomsuch as the importance of family and community ties, encapsulated by a wonderful image of a group of men gathered together at a ‘kafenio’ or village coffeeshop. Aged between 25 and 45, the men pose proudly for the camera.
Simple, humble people, yet exuding a palpable dignity.
A CALL TO GRATITUDE
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The opportunities that Digital Transformation offers are enormous; nevertheless, companies must adapt quickly, and place people at the centre of the transformation if they are to make the most of these chances.
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• How are you always able to deliver an excellent customer experience?
DIGITAL transformation
Today, companies must look beyond simply digitising existing operational structures in response to pandemic-driven pressure for digital transformation.
CARE chocolate weekBUSINESS digital
• How can you respond to new markets, new competitors and new business models?
RETHINKING WHAT YOU DO AS AN ORGANISATION “Digital has given us this amazing opportunity to completely reimagine what we do as a bank,” Angus Sullivan, Group Executive, Retail Banking Services at the CBA, told KPMG in a recent meeting. “A decade ago, we thought it was about digitising existing functionality. Now, we see digital as an opportunity to deliver greater value to our customers in many different ways. And that is leading us to entirely new business models.”
A Connected Enterprise is one in which you’ re fully connected with your customers, employees and business partners. It enables you to respond
• How can your organisation create added value for your stakeholders?
To succeed, your organisation must be agile – to rethink its future, to reposition and reinvent itself. It’s clear that the recent pandemic with COVID-19 has been a catalyst for Digital Transformation, with companies now leveraging new technologies and ways of working to increase their business value and adopt a newTheculture.answer to creating a digitally-enabled business now hinges around putting the customer at the centre. And the key is to become a “Connected Enterprise”.
Technological changes in today’s world require companies to operate differently than they have been used to. These changes raise, among others, the following questions:
In order to harness the opportunities offered by the digital-first age, organisations must become agile, reinvent themselves, and put customers at the centre of everything they do.
• How can your organisation respond to the constantly-changing needs of your customers?
text SOTIRIS PROKOPIOU, PHD
• Align all projects, initiatives and resources with your business’ vision and strategy.
Ultimately, the mandate and need seem clear: existing organisational structures, processes and revenue models must be overhauled and the customer must become (more) central.
• Prioritise all initiatives based on configurable constraints (i.e. customers, budget, resources) by identifying the “must-haves” tailored to your Therefore,organisation.theright Digital Transformation Strategy will help you rethink what you do holistically as an organisation, and avoid wrong investments and costs on non-strategically impactful and non-value-added initiatives. This, subsequently, and via the identification of the “quick wins”, will help you accelerate the transformation, culture change, digital upskilling and adoption within your company.
Meanwhile, technological development not only impacts businesses, but also consumers. Today, consumers have more information and power, and are more connected than ever. As a result, we see their needs changing and their expectations increasing - companies must also respond to this.
HOW DO YOU EMBARK ON A DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY? YOUR FIRST STEP MATTERS. Automation, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, the cloud... tech developments follow, one after another, in rapid succession. Existing organisations must respond quickly, but, due to rapidly-changing market conditions, doing so is often a major challenge. Business models are under pressure and often are no longer sufficient to compete in the market.
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A FOCUS ON VALUE CREATION
• Break the “Silo Approach” within your organisation.
How to respond to such continuous change? Developing the right digital strategy, based on the Connected Enterprise mindset and approach is the first step towards a customercentric and value creation-focused Digital Transformation. This will allow your organisation to:
The collection of needs and requirements, as well as implementation of solutions, will ultimately occur in a company-wide, and not fragmented, manner, within each department and unit. Therefore, every initiative sequentially adds to a “grand design” (the holistic Connected Enterprise picture).
quickly to market signals and pivot to seize opportunities as they arise. Every critical process, function and relationship of a business should be focused on meeting customer expectations, creating business value and driving sustainable growth in a digital world.
Customers nowadays want services and offers that are highly relevant to their lives and needs. What they do not want is a “junkyard” app that tries to be all things to all people. Therefore, every new model, offer and service must meet a high bar for relevance. “We need to remember that people often come to our app with a different purpose in mind – they want to make a transaction or are looking to update their information, so we need to make sure anything we put in front of them is really valuable and highly relevant,” said Sullivan. “And as we expand our ecosystem of partnerships, we need to be very focused on keeping things relevant.”
BUSINESS digital
• Assess its digital maturity and readiness across all its sections, operations, functions and people, compared with competition and best practices.
KPMG has been operating in Cyprus since 1948 and currently employs more than 850 professionals working from 6 offices across the island. It is a member of KPMG International Limited, a global organisation of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. KPMG operates in 144 countries and territories and has approximately 236,000 people working in member firms around the world. Clients look to KPMG for a consistent standard of service based on high-order professional capabilities, industry insight, local knowledge and expertise. Article by Sotiris Prokopiou, PhD, Senior Manager, Digital Transformation Services Lead | Management Consulting, KPMG in Cyprus.
Is your company agile enough to outpace them? There are competitorsnewwith a fresh vision. Using innovative tools, thinking and frameworks, KPMG can help adapt your business in the face of constant disruption. Learn more at kpmg.com.cy ©2022 KPMG Limited, a Cyprus limited liability company and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.
The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization.
It’s this dedication to his team’s development that makes Panicos such a great manager. Always working to keep standards at the highest levels, he has also built an excellent team, to whom he dedicates the holistic success and constant evolution of the hotel’s gastronomy offering. “The kitchen is not the work of one person,” he says, “it is about teamwork, and I am blessed that, over the years, I have developed a very strong team of highly-skilled professionals, who can communicate easily and work well together.”
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Led by Panicos, the team are always on the lookout for new trends that will further elevate their offerings. And although he doesn’t do as much hands-on kitchen work as he used to, Panicos always attends the many VIP functions and big gala dinners hosted by the hotel. Not because he doesn’t trust his team, but because this consummate professional values the importance of personalised customer service and teamwork.
Perhaps this is why, today, Panicos is so dedicated to developing the young chefs on the team – preparing them to be the pioneers of tomorrow. Hand-picking the best students from local culinary and hospitality schools, he is passionate about supporting their further growth - both in the kitchens of the Four Seasons, and abroad at international competitions, seminars and workshops with famous chefs.
“After 30 years, the big focus now is developing the next generation, to keep the standards for the next 30 years,” he explains. “We have the people I think - for sure, we are ready.”
One could write a whole book about Panicos Hadjitofis; the stories of his successes and achievements could never fit into one mere column. Neither could a lifetime plying his skills at the Four Seasons Hotel, ever since it opened in 1992. Having arrived, ambitious, talented Panicos climbed the ranks from Assistant Executive Sous Chef, eventually to take up his current position, leading the team as Executive Chef. Despite his accomplishments, though, Panicos didn’t actually set out to become a chef. In fact, he fell into the career, “by accident”, as he says, initially looking to follow studies for Front Office, until told there was only space to study in the kitchen. “I said kitchen, what is the kitchen? I had no idea what a cook was. The only chef I knew was my mum,” Panicos recalls, smiling. Nevertheless, the chance decision turned out to be the right one, with the innately-gifted pupil gripped by the culinary arts from day one. Despite being a good student with clear ability in the kitchen, the everhumble Panicos credits his fortunate career development as really having shaped him into the chef and prominent industry figure he is today. “I was lucky because I worked abroad and in good hotels, with good international chefs and good managers,” he explains. “This helped me.”
Executive Chef PANICOS HADJITOFIS
stor y nside
LIMASSOLDIVINGROUTES
The Limassol Tourism Board is a partner in the ANDIKAT act "Diving routes in marine protected areas of the Eastern MediterraneanDevelopment of diving tourism network", aiming to upgrade and further promote diving tourism. The project is co-funded by the European Union and national resources of Greece and Cyprus (Interreg VA Greece – Cyprus Program In2014-2020).thecontext of the project a mobile application was developed offering information about the Dasoudi and Ancient Amathus artificial reefs and diving routes, a short animation video was created to showcase Dasoudi artificial reef and promote environmental protection, a nine-minute 360⁰ video was created to demonstrate the beauty and special characteristics of the diving spot which enables people that cannot dive due to health reasons to experience diving with the use of VR technology and a short video was produced to show the results of the project. In order to create awareness and interest in diving, a dome was acquired with a capacity of 25 adults or 40 children for the screening of a 180⁰ documentary about the seabed, bloggers were invited to promote the diving routes, outdoor awareness events were organized and promotional material was produced. Additionally, a workshop was organized on artificial reef management hosting renowned speakers from Italy, Malta, Belgium, Greece and Cyprus, while an underwater sculpture park in under study to further upgrade the Dasoudi artificial reef. To assist people with reduced mobility two floating wheelchairs and two seascooters were made available for use and a fixed track mechanism in which a wheelchair can be moved in and out of water to give people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy swimming, completely unassisted was purchased and is available to the public May to October.
The €3.2 million ANDIKAT act made a significant contribution towards the creation of diving routes in protected sea areas in Eastern Mediterranean and the development of a network of such routes, and substantially upgraded the tourism product in the field of diving tourism.
