Cyprus travel guide

The archaeological remains of Kourin on the southwest coast are just as meaningful as the Byzantine churches and Kykkos Monastery to be found in the rugged Troodos Mountains, further inland. Nowhere is the UN monitored Green Line between the Turkish north and Cypriot south more in evidence than in the Venetian defences and ramshackle alleys of the country's capital, Nicosia; however, don't expect to find much resistance in the north unless you consider the Crusader castle at Kyrenia particularly intimidating. Peninsulas jab off Cyprus like the proverbial sore thumbs but Akamas, in the northwest, and Karpasia, in the northeast, are quite the opposite in terms of natural attractions with nesting turtles on Alagadi Beach just as fascinating as a dip in the baths favoured by none other than the goddess of love.

Although Cyprus is divided like Northern and the Republic of Ireland, crossing the UN-monitored Green Line is an easy option on foot but not quite so straight-forward if you're driving. Explore the Cypriot south and in between the notorious Ayia Napa in the southeast and Paphos there are plenty of not so busy beaches to relax on. Peninsulas provide the most scenic stretches of sand with Akrotiri in the south, Akamas in the northwest and the Karpasia Peninsula in the northeast all relatively untouched. Mountain ranges, Kyrenia and Troodos, offer options outside of summer with orchids, snow and verdant vineyards all to be found, depending on the season.