A sun-kissed Mediterranean island packed with ancient history

Cyprus is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, with resorts such as Protaras , Limassol and Ayia Napa attracting holidaying couples, families and groups year after year. Cyprus is blessed with a glorious climate of hot summers and very mild winters, as well as being littered with relics of ancient historical sites and lovely beaches in top-notch resorts. Since Neolithic times visitors have travelled to the island; from the ancient conquering armies to mediaeval traders and modern tourists, all have helped to shape the remarkable history of Cyprus. The Cypriot capital Nicosia is renowned as the world’s last politically divided capital city, but there is certainly no divided opinion when it comes to the unquestionable splendour of holidays in Cyprus.

Why Go?
Endless sunshine, superb beaches and some of the best resorts in the Med, all contribute to making Cyprus holidays a perennial favourite among British holidaymakers. Sip cocktails in waterfront bars while you soak up the sun, then book a tour to discover the island’s incredible ancient history.

When to Go?
Cyprus is most popular in the height of summer when resorts welcome everyone from families and couples to large groups of party seekers. To avoid the crowds visit in early summer or between September and October when the weather is still good but resorts are less crowded. Winters are mild but there can be rain and occasionally even snow on high ground. Some hotels and resort services may close down in winter.

How to get there?
There are no direct flights to Nicosia, except via Ercan Airport (ECN) with a stop-off in mainland Turkey. Flights to Paphos Airport (PFO) are available from numerous regional departure points including Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands and Glasgow, along with several London airports. Fly with charter carrier Thomson, low cost airlines Easyjet and Jet2, or with BA and Cyprus Airways. Flights to Larnaca (LCA) are similarly well-established.

Must see
For a relatively small Mediterranean island, Cyprus is packed with places of historical interest and boasts no less than three UNESCO World Heritage sites. The entire city of Paphos is one of them, and is bursting with historic palaces, theatres, ancient villas and tombs. The beautiful painted Byzantine churches in the Troodos Mountains are another UNESCO site. In Nicosia visit Omeriye Hamam, the famous old Turkish baths, located in the fourteenth century church of St. Mary, where you can still enjoy the centuries-old tradition of bathing and then having the toxins pummelled out of you!