Mediterranean Island Retreat

Cyprus has had an eventful past stretching back millennia, thanks to its strategic location at the crossroads of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. Numerous civilizations have come and gone, from Greek, Phoenician and Roman through to Ottoman and British. Marc Antony once gave Cyprus as a gift to his lover, Cleopatra.

While we can't be quite so generous, we do the island extremely well. If you can drag yourself away from the alluring sandy beaches and sparkling blue sea, there are numerous remnants of this history to explore – well-preserved classical ruins and mosaics, Byzantine churches, crusader fortresses and remote monasteries perched on mountaintops. Enhance your sightseeing with local wines and delicious Cypriot meze.

Yet another side of Cyprus is the peaceful, rural interior with its slumbering villages surrounded by citrus groves, terraced vineyards and olive trees. The way of life here is more or less unchanged in centuries and it is well worth taking the time to visit the unspoilt landscapes of the Troodos Mountains and the wild and dramatic beauty of the Akamas Peninsula.