Cyprus

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. Its numerous bays offer a range of resorts - such as the Aphrodite Resort in Paphos - for beach holidays and watersports while excellent walking routes can be found inland.

Cyprus has a classic Mediterranean climate and sea bathing is comfortable between mid-May and mid-October. May-June and September-October are pleasant; July and August are seriously hot. However, the mountainous interior is significantly cooler throughout the year - it is possible to ski in winter, particularly during the months of December and January.

Cyprus has a long history. Greeks settled there in the Bronze Age, over 3,600 years ago, trading with Egypt and the Aegean islands. Later, it was ruled by Egyptians, Assyrians, Persians and the Romans. For a thousand years it was part of the Byzantine empire, for a hundred it was controlled by Venice. Between 1571 and 1878 the Ottoman Turks held the island, relinquishing it to Britain until independence in 1960. It has been divided into two political entities since 1974: the southern, largely Greek, Republic of Cyprus - now a member of the European Union - and the northern, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

As a former British colony, English is widely-spoken on the island and both parts cater for northern European tourists. However, the southern part of Cyprus has been easier to visit since direct scheduled and chartered flights are available, whereas the north has been accessible only through Turkey. In summer, you can visit Greece and Israel from southern Cyprus.

• The Greek Islands
• The Ionian Islands
• Corfu
• Kefalonia
• Zakynthos (Zante)
• Paros
• Crete
• Cyclades
• Rhodes