The stylish Capital Nicosia in particular boasts a wealth of historical sites. Alternatively, visitors can take a look at the Troodos Mountains, with their beautiful hiking trails and traditional villages. Party lovers, meanwhile, will feel at home in Ayia Napa.

For those who like to indulge in a little retail therapy whilst on holiday, Cyprus is also great for shopping. You will find plenty of local handicrafts as well as some stylish and totally unique boutiques throughout the island. You will also discover plenty of designer wear in the stores in Nicosia and also Ayia Napa.

Although the island's geographic position places it in Asia, it is actually part of Europe; but there is a fantastic infusion of East meets West, which makes the island a wonderful holiday destination with beautiful scenery and mouth-watering cuisine. Greek and Turkish are the predominant languages spoken here but you will also find French is widely spoken too.

Cyprus offers a great holiday destination with a fantastic choice of accommodation styles to meet every style and budget.

Hotels in Cyprus are renowned for their high standards of service and gracious hospitality. This will be evident whether you stay in one of the local hotels or one of the larger resorts.

If staying in one of the smaller hotels you will likely be treated to some fantastic local dishes. Cypriot foods consist of a delicious blend of Greek and Turkish cuisine, but with taste and style all of their own. Try Halloumi, which is Cypriot cheese made from a blend of cow's and sheep's milk. It is firm and salty when raw, but when grilled it becomes softer and takes on a beautiful mellow flavour. You will also find many hotels and restaurants serving Cypriot Meze, which is a kind of local tapas.

For those who are not quite as adventurous with their food, many of the larger hotel chains will serve more western-style dishes. You will find plenty of restaurants and bars serving a choice of cuisine styles, particularly in the tourist areas.

Cyprus has a reputation for a range of upmarket high-end spa hotels in the four- and five-star category spread across its southern shores in resorts such as Paphos, Coral Bay, Limassol, Ayia Napa, Latchi, Nissi beach, Protaras, Larnaca, Pissouri and Aphrodite Hills. Many of these hotels have extensive spa facilities and offer activities such as water-based sports and tennis. Large international chains such as Riu and Intercontinental are represented, as well as Cypriot chains such as Louis and Tsokkos. There are also many locally-run Cypriot style hotels that are renowned for their excellent service and hospitality, as well as a huge range of self-catering apartments, apartment hotels and villas across the island.

When you choose Cyprus for your holiday destination, you are not restricted to any particular holiday type. There really is something here for everyone. If you want a beach holiday, there are miles upon miles of beautiful white sandy beaches, many of which are secluded and unspoilt.

If you want a golfing holiday, no problem. There are plenty of hotels, particularly in the Paphos area, which boast fabulous golf courses.

For those who like to party, head to the eastern end of the southern coast, where you will find the world-famous resort of Ayia Napa. Here you can party the night away and enjoy the beautiful beaches by day. You will also find a great range of budget and luxury Cyprus hotels boasting spa facilities and also plenty of opportunities for water sports.

The island nation is awash with fun things to see and do for families of all ages, as well as a host of historical and natural assets. Hiring a car is an excellent way to see the sights at your leisure.

Top five attractions

Nicosia

This walled city is the only remaining divided capital in the world. Though its history is fused with much turmoil, you can spend a very pleasant day in the shops, cafes and meandering streets of Nicosia.

Fasouri Watermania

There are a number of waterparks in Cyprus, perfect for cooling off when the temperature creeps up in summer. This one is in the popular resort of Limassol and features activities for all ages.

Petra Tou Romiou

Also known as Aphrodite's Rock as this is reputed to be the birthplace of the love goddess. Whether you buy into mythology or not, this is a beautiful spot near Paphos and well worth a visit.

Nissi Beach

Located on the south-east coast and featuring pure white sands that lead out to a little island in the sea, this is a picture-perfect piece of coastline but it can be crowded during the peak season. There is plenty of soft sand and swathes of crystal-clear waters to go around though.

Larnaca Salt Lake

Full in winter and dry in summer, if you're visiting during the cooler months you should see this popular attraction. Thousands of birds stop here to enjoy the briny habitat - the sight of thousands of flamingos standing guard over the lake is unforgettable.

The end of September is a particularly great time to visit Ayia Napa. The Ayia Napa festival has been running there since 1985 and is held during the last weekend in September. The festival is a celebration of the cultural and historic traditions of Ayia Napa and Cyprus as a whole. It takes over Sepheris Square in Ayia Napa Monastery. With theatrical performances, opera and traditional folk dancing, this festival is a lot of fun.

Cyprus in fact hosts a wide range of annual festivals throughout the year, including The Limassol Carnival in February and March, a Flower Festival in May, a Greek Drama Festival throughout July and August and a rather popular Wine Festival in September. It is worth bearing in mind that Cyprus hotels will be busier than usual during these periods and if your trip coincides with a popular festival, you will need to book well in advance.