Specialist Shops

Specialist Shops

SPECIALIST SHOPS

looking for something particular?

Here we list some independent retail shops for some specialist items, such as jewellery, toys, diving gear and alcohol. Whether you’re looking for a gift, or for some technical items, we consider the below listings the best in their fields:

Achilleas Jewellery
Jewellery Shop – Kouklia Village
Tel: 26 432 048
Website
Googlemap location for Achilleas Jewellery shop.

Achilleas is a fantastic second generation jeweller, specialising in 3D jewellery design. They offer a large collection of golf and silver jewellery sets with precious stones. Bespoke pieces can be designed to your heart’s desire – Achilleas will inspire you through the design process, and can even replicate from photographs. Repair service also available. Situated in the heart of Kouklia village, opposite the car park.
8509 Discount: 10%

La Bodega Premium Cava
Cava – Paphos
Tel: 26 955 515
Website
Googlemap location for La Bodega Cava.

The ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of high quality wines, champagnes and spirits. La Bodega are true wine experts. Extensive variety of alcohol, stocking unusual bottles and spirits that are not found in supermarkets. Regular wine tastings, knowledgeable and friendly staff, gift hampers, accessories, and lovel local foods and delicacies. Delivery service to Aphrodite Hills Resort available.
8509 Discount: 10% off spirits & wines

Pissouri Bay Divers – Pissouri Bay
Scuba Diving Shop
Tel: 96 530 761
Website
Googlemap location for Cyprus Diving Adventures shop.

Pissouri Bay Divers dive centre – dealer of high-quality diving and snorkelling equipment from a range of brands including: Shearwater Computers, Scuba Pro, Mares, X Deep, Stream2Sea Sunscreen and Gumbies recycled flipflops. Just ten minutes from the Resort in the heart of Pissouri Bay, with a coffee shop attached to the centre. 

Green-Tec Engineering
Solar solutions – Paphos
Tel: 26 040 787
Googlemap location for Green-Tec Engineering Shop.

Green-Tec Engineering Ltd are the leading experts on solar power in Cyprus. Specialists in solar panels and photovoltaics, visit the shop to discuss solar options that can help you become more eco-efficient. Open 8am – 1pm and 2.30pm – 5.30pm, Mon – Fri. Situated on Eleftheriou Venizelou street in Paphos.

GreenTec 2022 8509 Magazine advert

La Rimell Boutique
Fashion Boutique – Mandria
Tel: 95 633 569
Website
Googlemap Location for La Rimell Boutique

A beautiful little boutique in the heart of Mandria Village Square. La Rimell Boutique source unique ladies fashion from across Europe and the UK offering an individual style and elegance to their customers. Whether it be a gorgeous holiday outfit or casual basics, La Rimell pride themselves on a warm and friendly environment where customs can browse to their hearts’ content, with an honest and friendly team on hand to offer help or guidance.

ToyBox
Toy Shop – Paphos
Tel: 97 899 456

ToyBox is the largest toy shop in Paphos and is filled with quality, brand name toys (Disney, Lego, Harry Potter and more), hand selected from the best toy manufacturers around the world. Games, crafts and educational toys. We love this addition to Paphos, it’s the best place to pick up gifts for kids. Situated opposite ERA department store. Open 9am – 7pm Mon-Sat.

Ampersand Interiors
Home decor – Paphos
Tel: 26 930 690

Specialising in all kinds of fabrics, Ampersand are one of the best curtain and blind makers in Cyprus and cater for medium to high-end budgets. Also offering a beautiful range of home accessories, wallpapers, upholstery and ceiling fans.

Partymania
Party accessories and card shop – Paphos
Tel: 99 165 794

Partymania situated in Paphos, stocks everything you need for your next party. From greeting cards to gifts, helium balloons to fancy dress, it’s all here.

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The information provided by Aphroditerentals.com on this page is correct at the time of publication, and is provided in good faith. Aphroditerentals.com are not liable to any changes to this information and we recommend checking all current operating times and information with each individual facility on the Resort using the contact numbers provided.

Cyprus Culture – Some Handy Greek Phrases

Cyprus Culture – Some Handy Greek Phrases

Cyprus Culture – Some Handy Greek Phrases

It's All Greek To Me!

It’s always fun to learn some local phrases when you are travelling abroad. While English is widely spoken to a high standard across the island, learning some basic Greek words will come in handy and will be warmly appreciated by your hosts.

Enjoy practicing your Greek…

Alpha-Bet-a:

Greek alphabet

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The information provided by Aphroditerentals.com on this page is correct at the time of publication, and is provided in good faith. Aphroditerentals.com are not liable to any changes to this information and we recommend checking all current operating times and information with each individual facility on the Resort using the contact numbers provided.

Green Monday

Green Monday

Green Monday

A Day to Lookup

Easter is the most celebrated event of the year in Cyprus, even more so than Christmas. There are many traditions involved in Easter celebrations, starting with Green Monday. This year, 2025,  Green Monday lands on 3rd March. 

‘Green Monday’ or ‘Clean Monday’ is a national public holiday and is the day that officially marks the start of Lent. As the first day of fasting for Lent (a 40 day period), it is tradition to feast on veggies and other fasting foods (including lagana bread). It is a day to be outdoors and the best part is the tradition of flying kites, so on Green Monday we recommend you…look up! 

Here come some facts:

Green Monday (also known as Clean Monday, Pure Monday, Ash Monday or Monday of Lent) is a public holiday in Greece and Cyprus, where it is celebrated with outdoor excursions, the consumption of shellfish and other fasting food, a special kind of azyme bread, baked only on that day, named “lagana” (Greek: λαγάνα) and the widespread custom of flying kites. Eating meat, eggs and dairy products is traditionally forbidden to Orthodox Christians throughout Lent, with fish being eaten only on major feast days, but shellfish is permitted in European denominations. This has created the tradition of eating elaborate dishes based on seafood (shellfish, molluscs, fish roe etc.). Traditionally, it is considered to mark the beginning of the spring season, that denotes the start of Lent.

The common term for this day, “Clean Monday”, refers to the leaving behind of sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods. Clean Monday—and thus Lent itself—begins on the preceding (Sunday) night,[1] at a special service called Forgiveness Vespers, which culminates with the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness, at which all present will bow down before one another and ask forgiveness. In this way, the faithful begin Lent with a clean conscience, with forgiveness, and with renewed Christian love. The entire first week of Great Lent is often referred to as “Clean Week”, and it is customary to go to Confession during this week, and to clean the house thoroughly.

During Green Monday flying a kite is the main past time. Families and groups of friends descend onto the beaches. Laden with picnics and, of course, their best kites ready to take part in the local kite festival.

 

Did you know? The ‘fasting’ calendar of the orthodox church is 48 days before Easter, 40 days before Christmas & lesser fasting periods throughout the year – in total, half the year is taken up by fasting.

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The information provided by Aphroditerentals.com on this page is correct at the time of publication, and is provided in good faith. Aphroditerentals.com are not liable to any changes to this information and we recommend checking all current operating times and information with each individual facility on the Resort using the contact numbers provided.

Renovation – Villa Agapi

Renovation – Villa Agapi

RENOVATION – VILLA AGAPI

the story of villa agapi’s Full interior and exterior transformation – 2021

Prior to its re-sale, three bedroom Villa Agapi lacked inspiration. The interiors were dark and lacked character, eluding an atmosphere of indifference. Outside, the old-fashioned, orange terrace tiles were worn and the space was not utilised to maximise areas for outside living.  In 2021 the new, current owners purchased Villa Agapi with a vision to transform the property into a modern, efficient home for full time living. And they employed Aphroditerentals.com to bring their visions to reality.

Our Brief:

Create a contemporary style property that had a Cypriot feel whilst completely modernising everything from top to bottom, and creating new areas for entertaining and relaxing.

Before
After

EXPANDED SPACE

Creation of additional space: we applied for the additional cover to increase the size of the living space, whilst utilising the large front garden and converting that into a private shaded outside living space – a beautiful courtyard. Bi-fold doors were installed  to run the whole length of the living and dining areas, which brightened the interiors as well as opening them up to bring the outside in. With the bi-fold doors open the exterior and interior areas blend to create one vast living space, making the most of the outside living lifestyle which is one of the main highlights of living in a sunny climate.

Living area bi-fold doors facing the outside terrace of Villa Agapi on Aphrodite Hills.

a touch of cyprus

Encorporating traditional Cypriot features by: using stone inside and outside of the villa, creating a beautiful courtyard with decorative metal window grates and gate, and planting traditional Cyprus flora. A large olive tree features in the courtyard, as well as a terracotta Pithari with beautiful bougainvillea.

Courtyard entrance of Villa Agapi - stone walls and window frames, olive tree, pergoda with shade and large wooden front door.

Modernisation

Adding the contemporary: all bathrooms were renovated, each with a particular colour theme and with some cool features added. All the floors were retiled using beautiful, large 1metre tiles. New lighting was installed throughout, including modern spot lights, rear glow mirrors, and up-lighting in the new living area ceilings. Glass balustrades replaced older-style banisters to lighten and modernise the space. The villa was completely refurnished with textiles and furniture that was carefully selected with the owners, sourced here in Cyprus from various trusted suppliers. 

comfort

Comfort and luxury go hand in hand: new underfloor heating was installed throughout the villa, as well as a new VRV air-conditioning unit in the living area and new split air-conditioning units in other rooms. We maximised every nuke and cranny that we could out of the space, where there was barely any in the original layout: a new utility area was created in the basement level, and a previously disregarded basement space was upgraded to be facilitated as an office. New owner storage spaces were created in spaces had been unutilised. 

lighting and security

Creating atmosphere and safety: lighting was an integral aspect of the renovation and contributes hugely to the look, feel and ambience that the villa now enjoys. Interior lighting includes modern spot lights, rear glow mirrors, and up-lighting in the new living area ceilings. Outside, we up-lit the whole garden with signature lighting in archways and making a feature of the olive trees. This was done whilst ensuring that the property was sound on a security perspective, with CCTV and sensor lighting installed throughout, and, of course, an alarm system.

Corner of Bathroom in Villa Agapi on Aphrodite Hills; stone wall, rear lit mirror and contemporary light fixtures.

outside overhaul

Optimising outside space to enhance a sunny Cypriot lifestyle: the outside space around the pool was increased significantly, the terrace was completely retiled, drainage improved and shading installed. The new owners are social and enjoy entertaining guests, so a large entertainment space with built-in catering-grade facilities was created, and has been thoroughly enjoyed since moving in. In addition, a complete pool renovation was undergone: we converted it from a skimmer pool to an overflow pool, retiled it and installed new stairs and lighting. Not to mention, it was dog-proofed for the owners pets who were also due to move in!

Outside terrace at Villa Agapi, entertainment area with bar lined with bar stools, and pergoda shading.
Front of villa building from corner of poolside terrace, showing overflow pool in foreground, and blue skies in background.

efficiency

Energy conscious: to top it off we then made the villa very energy efficient by installing a Photovoltaic system on the roof and on the new car parking pergola. We also installed new double glazed windows which vastly improved the thermal qualities of the house.

Property Renovations Page

If you would like to talk about how you can renovate your Aphrodite Hills property to the same high quality of Villa Agapi then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Mark for a free consultation:

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The information provided by Aphroditerentals.com on this page is correct at the time of publication, and is provided in good faith. Aphroditerentals.com are not liable to any changes to this information and we recommend checking all current operating times and information with each individual facility on the Resort using the contact numbers provided.

Why We Recommend: Photovoltaics

Why We Recommend: Photovoltaics

Why We Recommend: Photovoltaics

Photovoltaic panels on Villa 2 generated over €2,000 of electricity between August – December 2022.

Photovoltaics: good for the environment

Photovoltaics: good for the environment, good for your bills

With energy prices rising exponentially it is more beneficial than ever to consider sustainable energy sources alongside traditional methods of energy production. It is dismissive for us not to consider our carbon footprint in the world nowadays too – we are all well educated in the positive impact that renewable energy has on the environment, and in a country like Cyprus that benefits from around 300 days a year of sunshine, photovoltaics are not only an option, but an obvious and responsible choice.

How do photovoltaics work?

“Here comes the science bit”: When the sun light energy strikes a solar cell, the energy is absorbed by the photovoltaic cells in the panel and electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in the semiconductor material. The electrical conductors are attached to the positive and negative sides which forms an electrical circuit and these electrons are captured in the form of an electric current, and the energy creates electrical charges that move in response to this internal electrical field in the cell – causing electricity to flow.

What is the difference between photovoltaic panels and solar panels?

Quite simply, photovoltaic panels produce electricity, while solar thermal systems produce heat. Photovoltaics is the conversion of light into electricity whilst solar panels convert solar radiation into heat. Solar panels are the ideal way to produce hot water, as this can be stored for later use which is really energy efficient – most solar thermal systems have hot water storage tanks that store heated water until needed. We highly recommend making use of both systems.

Is the investment in photovoltaic panels worthwhile?

Solar installations have risen by around 45% in the UK last three years, as home owners start to realise the return on their investments into renewable energy. The initial cost of installation may be high, but solar panels can cut up to 90% off energy bills, so the return is quickly evened out and the long term savings are a no-brainer. Read some more UK-based statistics for a general opinion piece  on expertreviews.co.uk. If the UK see the benefits of investing in solar energy, then you can imagine how much more efficient the panels are in sunny Cyprus.

Moreover, there is a Solar Government Incentive in place in Cyprus that has been in place for 10 years, and according to a recent Stockwatch article (January 2023) the Government inted to continue and enhance the programme that was originally set to finish at the end of 2022. This grant scheme is for the thermal insulation of roofs and installation of photovoltaic systems – a subsidy of funds to assist home owners with installation costs, as part of the ‘Cyprus-Tomorrow’ Recovery and Sustainability Plan. There is also net metering in place in Cyprus which translates to money ‘back’ for excess energy produced that goes back into the Utility Grid – read more.  

Solar photovoltaic panels can also increase the value of your property, and very importantly, the investment in the planet is more than worthwhile.

It doesn't cost the world to save the planet" - Professor Ottmar Edenhoffer

If you would like to learn more about installation costs and logistics for you Aphrodite Hills property then please don’t hesitate to Get In Touch.

GreenTec 2022 8509 Magazine advert

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The information provided by Aphroditerentals.com on this page is correct at the time of publication, and is provided in good faith. Aphroditerentals.com are not liable to any changes to this information and we recommend checking all current operating times and information with each individual facility on the Resort using the contact numbers provided.