Cyprus Hotels

The legendary birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, Cyprus has been coveted and fought over by a succession of admirers: Mycenaeans, Egyptians, Assyrians and Persians, to name a few. The former British colony was most recently fought over by the Turks and the Greeks. A result of this turbulent past is an impressive range of cultural treasures, from Crusader castles to the tomb of Mohammed's aunt. The island's geography - plentiful coastline with a mountainous center - ensures plenty of year-round activity.

Cyprus has some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean, particularly in the east, and the beach on the south side of the Karpas peninsula in unrivalled anywhere in Europe. Driving is on the left and more than half the visitors to the popular south coast are British. The centre of the island is dominated by the forest-covered Troodos mountains and the north by the steep narrow range of the mountains of Kyrenia, with the Mesaoria plain between. Communications between south and north are easing slowly.