The Blend Specialists..
Shisha
What is shisha?
Shisha or Sheesha smoking, also called narghile, water pipe, hookah or hubble bubble smoking, originates from the Middle East and certain areas of Asia, but has recently become more popular around the world.
It is a way of smoking tobacco through a bowl with a hose or tube joined on. The tube has a mouthpiece that the smoker uses to breath in the smoke.
At Cafe di Paris ask about our special blends to live the Sheesha Experience to the Max!
Cocktails..
Desserts..
lefkas Nidri
Di Paris | Chill out cafe bar with food, cocktails, and desserts
In Nidri on the island of Lefkas, Greece
Open from 7am to 4am the next day, old School is best !!
Di Paris
Since 1984
True Homemade cooking, drinks & cocktails
Café Di Paris is named after Paris Dalakas who opened this place in 1984, along with his wife Anna. Paris – no connection to the City of Lights – Paris is actually an ancient Greek name. According to the mythology, Paris ran off with Helen – the wife of King Menelaus – and sparkled the beginning of the Trojan War.
Di Paris is now under the care of Panos – Paris’ spoiled son – along with his remarkable staff. Anna can be still be found here, from time-to-time, keeping a close eye on the place, and on Panos, making sure that doesn’t make too much of a mess.
The Ultimate Brunch !!
We know that the most important meal of the day is Breakfast, and also Lunch is important as well, but lets not forget…The famous Cafe Di Pari ultimate brunch!
Now, brunch has become more popular than ever.!!
What Coffee is famous in Greece?
Have You experienced The Coffee Adventure at Cafe Di Paris???
1-Espresso freddo is a simple Greek coffee that combines espresso and ice. Unlike similar ice coffee varieties that merely serve coffee over ice, this Greek version primarily blends the two ingredients until the coffee is slightly chilled, smooth, and creamy.
Slightly chilled coffee is then strained and poured over ice. The drink is sweetened according to preference, which should be done before it is blended. Espresso freddo became popular in the 1990s, and nowadays, it is a staple throughout the country.
Espresso Martini at Cafe Di Paris!
2-Freddo cappuccino is a chilled coffee variety that originates from Greece. It is made with espresso; usually a double shot, which is first blended with ice, strained, and then poured over ice. The drink is then topped with well-chilled milk that is shaken or blended until it achieves a light, frothy consistency.
Freddo cappuccino is a traditionally served in tall glasses. Similar variety, without milk, is known as espresso freddo. Both drinks are commonly found in Greece, and they are mostly enjoyed as refreshing summer drinks.
3-Greek Coffee, Extra finely ground roasted coffee beans are combined with cold water (and, optionally, sugar) in a traditional coffee pot called cezve or ibrik, and then brewed over low heat until frothy and on the verge of coming to a boil, yielding a uniquely strong and rich Turkish coffee.
It is this specific method of brewing the beverage that distinguishes this coffee from other coffee types, and it has been attributed to the Turks, hence the name. When prepared properly, Turkish coffee is characterized by a dark color, thick foam on the surface, homogenous consistency, and a strong flavor with notes of bitterness.
4- Frappé – Although the word frappe first appeared in the 19th century, this Greek coffee variety was invented in 1957. It is made by combining instant coffee with water and ice. The combination is usually prepared in a shaker or a hand mixer, so when the drink is poured in a glass, a frothy foam should appear on top.
The variations may include milk or evaporated milk—when it is often referred to as frapógalo—and the drink can be sweetened according to taste. Traditionally, this coffee is served in a tall glass, and three degrees of sweetness are available.
Source: https://www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-coffees-in-greece
lefkas nidri
great place nidri 2021
Nidri – Best Place to Stay in Lefkada for Families
- COOLEST thing to do in Nidri: hire a yacht and take a trip out to Skorpios, a secluded island with unbeatable views of Lefkada.
- BEST place to visit in Nidri: drive into the hills to visit Anemómylos, a traditional windmill that makes a great photo spot.
Known for friendly locals and gorgeous mountain scenery, Nidri is the perfect spot for families heading to Lefkada! In particular, those visiting by car will be rewarded by plenty of stunning beaches within a couple of minutes drive. Nidri perfectly balances great attractions and restaurants with small crowds, giving your family their own little slice of heaven.
All that said, we also reckon Nidri would make an excellent spot for couples looking for a romantic getaway. The scenic location is the perfect spot to catch the sunrise, and the yacht hire facilities are a little bit cheaper down here than they are in the north of the island.
Nydri (Greek: Νυδρί) is a town and a community on the eastern coast of the island of Lefkada, Greece. It is part of the municipal unit Ellomenos. The community includes the small village Rachi. The Greek National Road 42 (Vasiliki – Lefkada (city) – Amfilochia) passes through the town. Nydri is a popular tourist town.
What We Are Famous For
Cocktails
A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink. Most commonly, cocktails are either a combination of spirits, or one or more spirits mixed with other ingredients such as fruit juice, flavored syrup, or cream.
Brunch
Brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch, and regularly has some form of alcoholic drink served with it.a late morning meal eaten instead of breakfast and lunch.: “he cobbled together a brunch of cold remains from the fridge” “breakfast was served so late as almost to constitute brunch”.
Hospitality
the friendly reception and treatment of all our guests, what we are famous for!!
Get Directions here – https://g.page/cafe-di-paris?share
History of Lefkada
The history of the Ionian Islands, or Heptanese (referring to the seven main islands), is long, fascinating and peppered with surprises.
Greek settlers arrived around the turn of 1000BC and it is thought by some that Homer was born around 200-300 years later on Ithaca, a home he shared with Odysseus, the hero of one of his great epic poems.
In 146BC, the Romans invaded and stayed for around 400 years, during which time, in 31BC, one of Rome’s defining moments was played out off the coast of Lefkada: the Battle of Actium, fought between Mark Antony (with Cleopatra at his side) and Octavian to decide who would rule Rome. The former lost and fled to Egypt, leaving Octavian to rule Rome for the next 40 years as Emperor Augustus.
With the fall of the Roman Empire, the Byzantines ruled the archipelago for around 600 years before the powerful Maritime Republic of Venice began to acquire the islands one by one in 1204. The Venetians exerted a western European influence that meant the Ionian Islands would always be somewhat different from the rest of Greece, which was ruled by the Ottoman Empire for centuries.
The Venetians exerted a western European influence that meant the Ionian Islands would always be somewhat different from the rest of Greece…
With the end of the Napoleonic wars, the islands became British protectorate: the United States of the Ionian Islands. After Greek independence in 1830, the British were under pressure to cede the Ionian Islands, though this did not happen until 1864.
During the 2nd World War, in 1941, Greece was invaded by the Axis powers and the Ionian Islands were occupied by the Italians until 1943. The Germans took over and deported the centuries-old Jewish community of Corfu to their concentration camps in northern Europe.
The islands were liberated in 1944 only to be caught up in the Greek Civil War between 1946 and 1949. Then, after a few years of relative calm in 1953 a terrible 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Cephalonia, Zakynthos and Ithaca, razing entire towns and villages to the ground.
Two bestselling books, Gerald Durrell’s My Family and Other Animals (1956) and Louis de Bernières’ Captain Corellli’s Mandolin (1994), made the islands famous around the world, attracting many visitors and contributing greatly to the Heptanese becoming a popular holiday destination.
Start your visit to lefkada from Cafe Di paris !
A timetable of historical events in the Ionian Islands
1200BC – first Greek settlers arrive
700BC (approx.) – Homer writes The Odyssey. The hero’s home was based on Ithaca or Lefkada. Zakynthos is mentioned in both the Odyssey and The Iliad
4th century BC – the islands are invaded by Macedonia
146BC – the islands come under Roman rule
31BC – the Battle of Actium, near Lefkada, takes place between Octavian (soon to become Emperor Augustus) and Anthony and Cleopatra
4th century AD – Byzantine rule commences
1185 – William II of Sicily invades and occupies Cephalonia and Zakynthos
1204 – the Venetians invade and over the course of 200 years all the Ionian Islands become overseas colonies of the great maritime power
16th century – Zante (Zakynthos) currants are produced in ever-increasing quantities thanks largely to their popularity in England. Ttoday Zante currants are recognised by the EU as a product of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
1571 – forces from Zakynthos, Corfu and other Ionian Islands take part in the Battle of Lepanto at the mouth of the Gulf of Patras near Zakynthos and Cephalonia
1669 – with the fall of Crete to the Ottoman Empire, numerous Venetian subjects flee to Zakynthos and Corfu
1797 – Napoleon defeats Venice and the Ionian Islands come under French rule
1800 – 1807 – the Septinsular Republic is formed, uniting the seven main Ionian Islands under the control of the Ottoman Empire and Russia
1807 – 1809 – with the Treaty of Tilsit, the Ionian Islands are ceded to Napoleon’s French Empire
1809 – the islands pass under British protection after Napoleon’s navy is defeated off the coast of Zakynthos
1815 – the United States of the Ionian Islands is created, formalising the archipelago as a British protectorate
1830 – Greece wins its independence from the Ottoman Empire
1864 – Britain cedes the Ionian Islands to Greece
1921 – Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark (aka Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh!) is born on Corfu
1941 – German and Italian forces invade Greece. The Ionian Islands come under Italian rule until 1943 when the Germans take over. The Germans deport the centuries-old Jewish community of most of the islands (but not of Zakynthos, where the Jewish population is sheltered by the islanders) to the concentration camps of central Europe
1944 – Greek resistance groups reclaim the islands
1953 – an earthquake of over 7 magnitude hits the islands
1956 – Gerald Durrell publishes My Family and Other Animals about his childhood growing up in the islands
1994 – Louis de Bernières publishes Captain Corelli’s Mandolin set on Cephalonia. It becomes an international best seller and the subsequent film helps puts the island firmly on the map
ERSONALITIES OF SPIRIT AND ART
Lefkada is an island with a wide spiritual tradition. Its geographical position – like all the others islands of Ionian Sea – obtained a closer relationship with the West, in the years where all Continental Greece had been experiencing the spiritual Middle Age of Turkish Domination.
The temperamental Heptanisian culture and the unique feature of the island, full of “breath of the sea, breath of the pine trees” gave to Lefkada the opportunity to give birth and nurture some of the most sensitive poetic souls. In this island, were born or were springs, eminent artists and scientists with Pan-Hellenic recognition and international appreciation and publicity.
Ioannis Zampelios (1787-1856). After his studies in Italy and in Paris (Law, Literature, Philosophy), he returns to Lefkada, appointed as a District Attorney of Ionian islands. He joins the Filiki Eteria and becomes devoted to its holy Aim. He is widely appreciated as the eminent Filikos in Lefkada. He wrote 12 tragedies with a national content.
Lefkadios Hearn (1850 – 1904).
A great Lefkaditis artist migrated in Japan and made the land of the rising sun and its culture, well known to the West. He is famous as the national writer of Japan.
Spiridon Zampelios (1813-1881).
The son of Ioannis Zampelios. Historian writer, who tried to prove the unity of Byzantium, with his work “Byzantine studies” (1857). He was a distinguished novelist.
Aristotelis Valaoritis (1824-1879).
An eminent lyric. His poetry is full of love for his country, freedom and full of admiration for the fighters of 1821. For many years he represented Lefkada to the Ionian Parliament, where from the line of Radicals had been fighting for the Union.
When the dream came true, he became a member of the National Parliament.
Aggelos Sikelianos (1884-1952).
The inspirer of the Delfic Idea, a great Lyric poet-mystic with ecumenical vision, who succeeded with his poetry to combine the Ancient Hellenic and the Christian values, succeeding to move the feelings of all human kind.
Kreareti Dipla- Malamou.
Poet and novelist, the first woman who was awarded from the Academy of Athens.
Nikos Svoronos (1911-1989).
Byzantinologist and a great researcher of our modern history with a significant work, and international recognition.
Aristoxenos Skiadas (1932-1994).
A recognized professor of Classical Literature, a deputy rector in the University of Athens.
Nikos G. Katiforis (1903-1967).
Novelist, theatrical writer and a columnist of the newspaper Rizospastis, for many years
Gerasimos Grigoris (1907-1985).
Literary man awarded with 2 national Literature prizes (1958 and 1963).
Theodoros Stamos (1922-1997).
A painter with international effect, pioneer of abstract expressionism.
Nanos Valaoritis.
A very important surrealist poet, novelist and theatrical writer.
Agni Baltsa
A famous Lyric artist, mezzo soprano with an admirable international career.
THE MANNERS AND THE CUSTOMS
The manners, the customs and the creative speech of Lefkaditians, in different forms, the wishes and curses, the fairy tales and puzzles, the satirical songs and the humorous narratives, are composing the treasures of a rich and great tradition preserved alive until our days.
Many customs were created from the church calendar and the cycle of life – Christmas, Easter, Carnival and Lent. The most interesting are:
CHRISTMAS: The Christmas Eve, women are baking Christopsoma (a kind of bread) or Christokouloura (a kind of bread roll) and the cross (a kind of bread).
They are making crosses for the boys and vlaches or baloubes, for the girls.
The night of the Christmas Eve, are cutting the cross, gathered home, around the Christmas dinner, where they put in the middle a bottle of wine.
The cross is cut in 4 pieces and placed on the top of the bottle. By extending their right hand, they hold and cut the cross, wishing for the future.
NEW YEAR: The new Year’s Eve, Lefkaditians bring to their homes, nerokremida (wateronions) – the katsounes – for a good luck charm. On the New Year welcome the new year with the custom of Diana, in which the Philarmonic of Lefkada, leads. Diana means Eothinos – hymn, song or eulogy. The new year’s eve, before the dawn, the Philarmonic – with an escort of old and young people, full of shouts and songs – walk to the streets of the town and play festive songs and Eothinos, making stops outside the houses wishing for the new year. Diana, was probably a remaining of the Venetian and English domination days.
EPIPHANY: The day of Epiphany, when the Bishop throws the cross, the crowd at the ceremony sinks for 3 times, a bunch of oranges bounded with a rope.
Then it hangs to the icons, while they throw the same time, oranges of the previous year which are perfectly preserved.
EASTER: The Easter Saturday, around 9 in the morning, women hang from the window and “throw the piece” on the street. They throw a ceramic pot or a plate, a lagini, a boti, a tile or something glassy – in general, a fragile pot which can be smashed into small pieces. The pieces of the pot must be left in the street. The piece – the tradition says – is thrown in order to “break” the grief, the silence and the sorrow of the Easter Week.
Then, when the bell tolls, the Philarmonic walks down the street, playing marches.
In this way, the sound of music is combined with the non musical sound of the pots when these are smashed.
OCCUPATIONS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE ISLAND
Agriculture had been for centuries the most important occupation of Lefkada’s inhabitants and the greatest activity which ensured their survival.
The most favorite and profitable one, was the cultivation of olive – mostly on the plains – and the viniculture – on the highlands of the island- an activity which had been adored from the ancient times.
Many writers – like Plinios the senior (23-79 a.c) and the Athineos (160-250 a.c) the writer of “Deipnosophistae” – referred the famous wine of Lefkada.
Except from agriculture, other profitable activities, are stock breeding, fishing, trade and practical crafts of everyday life.
The agriculture and stock breeding activities helped to arise and stabilized, by creating their own tradition, occupations which had been self evident in the small agricultural societies: The ploughman, the reaper, the thresher, the miller, the oil presser, the digger, the chimney man. The rest of the traditional occupations: the cobblers, the cooper, the blacksmith, the tailor, the merchant – had been completing and framing the leading occupations of the families.
Start your visit to lefkada from Cafe Di paris !
The most important activity, a handicraft one, arose in the past and exists nowadays – is the art of needlework and textile, which grew in many of the mountainous settlements, mostly in Karya, where most of the manners and customs are still preserved.
The famous karsanika needleworks, are a unique form of needlecraft, improved by Maria Stavraka or Koutsochero, as she was called because of her disability.
Her technique had a great sensation and was spread outside the island’s borders and abroad.
Its textiles are also exceptional with unusual patterns and exceptional artistry.
COSTUMES OF LEFKADA
WOMEN’S (BRIDES)
The wedding gown is made of silk or woolensilk, in thick shiny weaving. It unfolds wide, making flat and puffy pleats. Down to its hemline are sewed wide rounded chartza in gold color. Kampzela – the top of the dress- and hemline are also decorated with hartza.
The colors of the wedding gowns were azure, pink, dark mauve, olive and rose.
Over the dress, the tsoumpe is placed – a dressing with short and unusual sleeves which are puffy to the shoulders and tight to the lower arm, covering the back, ending down to the legs and touching the ground even, with well ironed folds.
To the tight part of the sleeves there are beautiful decorations of chartza, matazogaitana and gold stripes.
Amazingly beautiful also, is the needlework of the back of the tsoumpe.
The top from the shoulders to waist is decorated with silk flowers and gold thread.
Spaleta is the striking front mantilla in white, pink or yellow color with rounded grated fringes.
The necessary ornaments of spaleta, are gold jewels: spiles, pontalia, karfovelonoi, stithovelones. The pontalia and spiles are framed with small chains, sometimes, decorated with small hanging gold hearts.
Except from the neck jewels, the jewel ornament includes rings and earrings.
The fesi (fez) is the most exquisite part of the bride’s costume. The brides wear it, in an oblique way and always on the left side in order to hold a part of the hair and cover the forehead. It is gold needled and beautifully decorated. It is made of black velvet fabric needled to the surface with goldthread flowers and other linear textures. The most beautiful jewel which decorates the fesi is the tremoula – a metal twig 10 cm long standing on the end of the fesi. On its top the metal twig has a flower with 2-3 golds, trimmed with diamond stones.
MEN’S (GROOM)
The groom is wearing a white beautiful needled shirt and on the top a geleki (vest) which is sometimes crossed and sometimes single, made from azure velvet.
The back of the geleki is made of shiny silk in a purple, red or a dark green color with a fiora with wide leaves.
He wears a vraka (trousers) from felt, which is needled to the bottom end and to the socks.
Extras ornaments of the groom’s costume are zonari (belt), the fatsoleto or fesi with a black pompon and usually a neckerchief.
MUSIC
The music preferences of island’s different areas reflect its cultural lack of homogeneity. The villages are fond of folklore music and rebetika – a result from their relationship with Roumeli. The main town prefers chorus and mandolin music – a result from their relationship with Italy, since, during the Venetian domination and until the union of Greece, the children of the rich families were studying medicine or law in Italy, bringing back with them the culture and the values of West.
From the other side Venetians were promoting their culture all over Heptanisa, the result of today’s great influence in music and education. Lefkada has the oldest Philarmonic of Greece (1850).
Its active Union contributed to the music and education development of Lefkadites and was present to great historical events, as the Union of Heptanisa in 1864, the first Olympic Games of Athens in 1896, the Intercalated Games of 1906 etc.
In 1983, was awarded with the Academy of Athens prize.
The Philarmonic offers a Music School, a Band, a Bandina and the Music Groups.
Lefkada also has groups of traditional dance, chorus, mandolin orchestra with Pan Hellenic and international recognition.
Start your visit to lefkada from Cafe Di paris !
Café Di Paris is named after Paris Dalakas who opened this place in 1984, along with his wife Anna. Paris – no connection to the City of Lights – Paris is actually an ancient Greek name. According to the mythology, Paris ran off with Helen – the wife of King Menelaus – and sparkled the beginning of the Trojan War.
Di Paris is now under the care of Panos – Paris’ spoiled son – along with his remarkable staff. Anna can be still be found here, from time-to-time, keeping a close eye on the place, and on Panos, making sure that doesn’t make too much of a mess.
Source: https://www.thethinkingtraveller.com/greek-islands/lefkada/guide-to-lefkada/history-of-lefkada
Source: http://www.lefkada.gr/
Source://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/where-to-stay-in-lefkada-greece/