HOW BRITISH EXPATS IN CYPRUS ARE BUYING PRESCRIPTION GLASSES FROM THE UK [WITHOUT FLYING BACK]

HOW BRITISH EXPATS IN CYPRUS ARE BUYING PRESCRIPTION GLASSES FROM THE UK [WITHOUT FLYING BACK] - Cy Mail 20/5 by CM Guest Columnist




For the 60,000-plus British expats living in Cyprus, getting a new pair of prescription glasses used to mean one of two things: wait for the next trip back to the UK, or navigate the local optical market with whatever language skills and familiarity you had.

That has shifted significantly over the last few years. UK online eyewear retailers now ship to Cyprus addresses with delivery times that often match domestic UK service, and a growing number of British expats are using them as their default option. Here’s how the process actually works, and what to know before you order.

CYPRUS BOULDERING FESTIVAL Ineia, Paphos 23-24 May

Cyprus Mail 19 May 2026 - by Eleni Philippou

CYPRUS BOULDERING FESTIVAL

Ineia, Paphos

23-24 May

Bouldering festivals for all ages with competitions, workshops and events. https://shinosintrofia.org

Cyprus are you ready to climb? The Cyprus Bouldering Festival is set to return this weekend in the scenic village of Ineia, Paphos, bringing together climbers, outdoor enthusiasts, and the wider community for a unique celebration of sport, nature and connection.

LIMASSOL'S HEROES SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT SET FOR JUNE DELIVERY AFTER DELAY

LIMASSOL'S HEROES SQUARE REDEVELOPMENT SET FOR JUNE DELIVERY AFTER DELAY - Cy Mail 20/5 by Souzana Psara


The redevelopment of Heroes Square and the surrounding streets in central Limassol is expected to be delivered on June 15, around a month later than initially planned, Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis said.

Speaking to Entrepreneurial Limassol, a periodical published by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce (Evel), Armeftis said the main change brought by the project is the creation of a unified surface across the square, with the removal of steps allowing for improved accessibility and smoother movement through one of the city’s most historic public spaces.

THE HISTORY OF SOFT DRINKS IN CYPRUS

THE HISTORY OF SOFT DRINKS IN CYPRUS - Cy Mail 19/5 by Christina Michailidis


Gazoza: fizz, industry and everyday life

Once upon a time, a carbonated beverage in Cyprus was more than just a refreshment. It was a part of the daily routine in village coffee shops, markets, schoolyards, movie theatres and sports stadiums, even in the hands of children prying open bottles to get the marbles from inside.

Before foreign brands took over the market, locally produced sodas or “aerated waters” as they were once referred to, not only influenced the drinks that Cypriots drank but also how they socialised, worked, and lived daily.

This largely overlooked period of Cyprus history has become the subject of new book Gazoza: The History of Cyprus Soft Drinks by amateur historical researcher and bibliophile Roys Kassapis, who decided to trace the development of the soft drinks industry on the island, recording its evolution from the early years of the industry until its eventual decline as a result of globalisation.

E-SCOOTER AGE LIMIT RISE TO 17 IS NOW IN FORCE

E-SCOOTER AGE LIMIT RISE TO 17 IS NOW IN FORCE - Cy Mail 19/5 by James Morphakis


New legislation regulating the use of e-scooters came into force on Tuesday, raising the minimum age for riders to 17 and introducing stricter rules.

The police said the amendments concern “personal mobility devices”, including e-scooters, and were published in the official gazette last month.

Under the new framework, only people aged 17 and over will be permitted to use e-scooters.

CYPRUS SEES TOURISM ARRIVALS DECLINE BY 6.5 per cent

CYPRUS SEES TOURISM ARRIVALS DECLINE BY 6.5 per cent - Cy Mail 19/5 by Johanna Pauls


Tourism is closely tied to national stability, with arrivals down 6.5 per cent, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the presentation of the new development tourism strategy of the Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia, Christodoulides outlined the effects of the ongoing geopolitical challenges in the Middle East and Europe, emphasising that these had inevitably impacted tourism on the island.

“What is being presented today is a municipality’s response to new challenges and the need to demonstrate just how unique our tourism product is,” he said.

HANDS OFF LAKE PARALIMNI

HANDS OFF LAKE PARALIMNI - Cy Mail 20/5


By Chris Englezou

Lake Paralimni is not just another wetland. It is one of Cyprus’ most important natural ecosystems, a rare semi-permanent saline lake that supports migratory birds and a remarkable collection of specialised wildlife found nowhere else on the island.

The lake is the most important remaining stronghold of the endemic Cyprus grass snake (Natrix natrix cypriaca), one of Europe’s rarest snakes, while its seasonal waters also support the prehistoric tadpole shrimp Triops cancriformis, a species known from only two locations in Cyprus.