Cyprus is the third largest Mediterranean island, able to boast around 300 days of sunshine each year; it is a pleasant mixture of coastal resorts and mountain villages.

As most people know it is a country that has been split between the Greek majority in the south and the Turkish minority in the north. The capital of Cyprus is in the middle of the country and is divided by the Green Line, which also divides the island. (Since the Berlin wall came down this is now the only divided capital in the world.)

Visiting the capital of Cyprus gives a less touristy view of the country and provides more understanding of the problems facing the country than if you were to visit the coastal areas.

It has the museums, cathedrals and mosques you would expect from most capital cities, as well as great places to eat, shop and stay.

More common holiday destinations include Limassol and Paphos. Both of which have beautiful beaches, museums and places of historical interest as well as bars, restaurants and nightclubs. This together with the good weather explains the attraction for the thousands of holidaymakers that visit this island every year.

In more recent years Cyprus has become more famous for its attraction to the younger market. Ayia Napa has become the centre of the UK garage music scene. Enhanced by its golden beaches, restaurants and cafes it is certainly appealing to the young singles crowd fed up of the more expensive Ibiza.

Cyprus is also an ideal holiday destination for any sporting enthusiasts, where water sports, golfing, cycling, hiking, sailing and yachting are readily available for those wishing to take part.

Cyprus has a typically Mediterranean climate – hot dry summers with virtually no rain between May and September, and mild wet winters where the highest rainfalls are from December to February. Average temperatures in Nicosia (Lefkosia) range from 41 -59 degrees in January, to 70-99 degrees in July.

The average rainfall is around 20 inches per year.

In the capital of Lefkosia (Nicosia) there are many attractions and museums that give a good overview of the city as a whole. In the south there is the Leventis Municipal Museum, Byzantine Museum and the museum of culture (Dragoman Hadjigeorgakis). In the north you can find the Turkish Museum as well as the city’s largest Turkish bath.

Famagusta (Gazimagusta) was the setting for Shakespeare’s Othello. Here you will find Othello’s Castle, which has great views of the harbour and many an interesting story attached.

On the western coast of Cyprus is Paphos, home to Aphrodite and Adonis, whose most famous sight is its mosaics dating back to the 3^rd century, and considered to be some of the best in the world. As well as great beaches and Aphrodite’s rock.

A day out in Limassol could include a visit to the Limassol Castle to see the Cyprus medieval Museum or the Folk Art Museum. There are also the beautiful beaches or the Municipal Gardens.

Considered to be one of the most pleasant coastal resorts is Kyrenia, on the northern coast. Visiting here you will be able to see the world’s oldest shipwreck.

The Rough Guide to Cyprus – Marc Dublin (Paperback 29 July, 1999)

Lonely Planet: Cyprus – Paul Hellander (Paperback 18 May, 2000)

Walking in Cyprus – Donald Brown (Paperback 1995)

Landscapes of Cyprus – (Paperback 31 march, 1998)

In February before Lent, Limassol has a carnival with parades, dancing and music.

The Greek side of Cyprus, not surprisingly celebrates the same festivals as Greece. Easter is more important than Christmas where you can expect fireworks and processions. The date changes every year as it does in all countries.

On the Turkish side of the island the Muslim holidays are celebrated. Ramadan lasts for a month, where everyone fasts between sun up and sundown, ending with a huge feast.

May, the Anthestiria festival throughout the country honors Dionvsos, the Divine patron of theatre, whilst in Kataklysmos at the same time they celebrate the festival of the flood with lots of clapping, shouting and dancing.

2^nd Friday of June every year the FIA World Championship stops in Limassol, the 7^th round of the championship.

Every year the Festival of Ancient Greek Drama at the end of August in Pafos shows many shows by the major Greek theatre companies

Limassol wine festival celebrates the harvest locally on the final Tuesday of every August.

1^st October – Cyprus Independence Day, a public holiday, this day starts with a military parade and finishes with dancing and merriment.

Beg of October in Arsos village, the Palouze (grape) fair is a traditional village fair where the dance, drink and music of local Cypriots can be sampled.

October – Cyprus International Festival takes place across the whole of Cyprus. A major festival for the country.

November 13 is the day on which The Proclamation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is celebrated.

To the West of the Island Agia Napa and Lanarka represent the main party area of the island; as a result the hotels and quality tend to be of a lower standard and package holiday pricing. Standard 3-4* hotels costs starting in the region of £20-25 pppn.

In the Capital City the prices are much higher, for example the 3* Cleopatra costs between £50-£82 pppn and in the Southern section of Cyprus, in Limassol and Paphos te prices is somewhere in between the previous two! The standard of hotels in the Southern areas of Cyrpus are higher, with a greater number of 5* luxurius retreats for the more discerning traveller. Le Meridien, Four Seasons and St Raphael all boast fantastic positions on the beachfront and prices in low season start at approximately £25pppn, up to £115 for a garden studio at the Four Seasons.

British nationals do not require visas to enter Greece, and may stay as visitors for a period of three months. For longer stays, application should be made to the appropriate office for a residence permit. Please do check first, especially if you do not hold a UK passport or dual nationality.

If you have not previously been immunised against diphtheria, polio or tetanus this is an ideal opportunity to have the immunisations carried out. There are currently no recommended vaccinations for visitors, however please seek professional advice; these are only guidelines.

The usual health advice applies as with most foreign countries. Don’t drink the tap water or consume ice in drinks. Drink bottled water or use purification tablets. Take care against dehydration and over exposure to the sun, by drinking lots of (bottled) water and use high factor sun creams.