Cyprus Holiday

Cyprus. Just saying the name of this Mediterranean island and evokes the sounds of ocean waves lapping its ancient shores and images of the citrus orchards that dot its landscape.

Sitting in the Mediterranean Sea south of Turkey, the island has seen its fair share of invaders and travellers come and go, acting as a virtual rope in a tug-of-war that has lasted centuries.

From Alexander the Great to the British Empire, Cyprus has seen civilisations invade and depart with each leaving a certain piece of their own indelible antiquity behind for the modern-day traveller to indulge in.

Cyprus gained independence from its last occupier, Britain, in 1960. However, growing tensions between its mixed Greek and Turkish inhabitants resulted in an outbreak of violence in 1963, in which UN peacekeepers were deployed to the island.

Pressure grew until the Turkish-held area to the north of the island declared itself "The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1984.

Although not formally recognised by anywhere but Turkey, the northern part of the island continues to maintain its political differences. The Greek-Cypriot controlled Republic of Cyprus in the southern half joined the EU in 2004.

Despite its division, the country still has the ability to immerse the traveller in over 9,000 years of history and culture – boasting crusader castles, ancient monuments, historic monasteries and cultured vineyards.

The capital Nicosia or Lefkosia, is situated in the heart of the island, in the centre of the Messaoria Plain. The ancient city has many quaint shops and cafes, as well as an abundance of antiquity and character.

However, the city is on the border of the split country and has a cease-fire line meandering through the old town as a constant reminder of the nation's dual persona.

Outside the capital on the Greek-Cypriot side Lemesos, or Limassol, is the largest city and the centre of nightlife and activity.

Once visited by the legendary King Richard the Lionheart on the Crusades, a notable highlight of the area is Kolossi Castle, which sits majestically over the dozens of vineyards and citrus orchards below, six kilometres outside the city.

The Troodos Massif (a collection of mountains in the country's south, not a clan of 18-30s clubbers from Essex) is an area of the island popular with hikers, walkers and adventurers.

The Troodos region is dotted with 500-year old monasteries, churches and wine-making villages, allowing for pleasant walking and hiking trails generally free of the archetypal 'tourists'.

Conversely, Ayia Napa, to the south-east of the island, has attained notoriety among British travellers over the last decade as the UK garage scene hit its peak in the small town.

Twenty years ago the town was a small fishing village with a population of 200, but a surge in growth and the building of hundreds of bars, clubs and hotels has made Ayia Napa a hive of tourist activity.

If loud music, white sandy beaches and over-the-top British drinking is your thing, Ayia Napa will certainly hit the mark.

Flights to Cyprus from Europe fly into Larnaka and Pafos in the Republic, with north Cyprus's only international airport based at Ercan.

The climate is typical of the Mediterranean – hot in summer and fairly wet and mild in the winter, with the best months to visit around May and September.

Cyprus is a relatively cheap holiday destination - especially regarding the overwhelming amount of history and culture on offer for the eager explorer - yet also offers a suitably 'cultural' holiday destination for those in search of bars, beaches, and booze.