Personal Info
Vakis was born in Cyprus and spent his formative years in Cyprus. He spent his student years in the UK and continued to live there for the following 20++ years. He met Geraldine just after finishing from university, his now wife who hails from Ireland. Interestingly the cultures of the Irish and the Greeks have much in common. The spirit of adventure and the importance of family unite these two cultures and this is evident in what has been created in Riverside wellness retreat.
Vakis is extremely passionate about the flora and fauna of his native Cyprus and has indeed published a book about the birds both migratory and indigenous to Cyprus. The dam at Evretou (just a few Km from the village of Goudi) provides a super sanctuary for the birds and a great place for Vakis to do his bird watching. He is happy to share this experience at any time. He is also extremely interested in indigenous plants and especially the flowers such as the wild orchid. You may notice that our villas are all named after either birds or flowers. He has taken some amazing photos and they adorn the villas in the complex. Vakis shares the passion for trekking and has completed many treks including Kilimanjaro. He is passionate about the beauty of this area of Cyprus and wants to share it with everyone.
As a proud owner and host at Riverside Villas, Vakis infuses the retreat with a culture and experience.
Vakis’s diverse travels, from navigating Antarctic icebergs to scaling Kilimanjaro, contribute to a kaleidoscope of memories that enrich his perspective on the world.
Vakis ensures that guests not only experience the tranquility of Cyprus but also embark on an adventure, fostering cultural and environment appreciation of the Island