Cyprus

Discover a country where East meets West, fashionable spas sit side-by-side with village kafeneia and heavenly beaches are backed by rugged mountains. Cyprus is tucked away in the top right hand corner of the Mediterranean so close to Europe, Asia and Africa that it rightly claims to be a stepping stone to three continents. While the coast calls to sunseekers and clubbers, inland is a haven of traditional villages, medieval castles and impressive ancient sites. The capital city, Nicosia, is famous for its massive Venetian walls and intriguing museum. Leisurely seaside resorts offer a broad array of water sports and tourist excursions. The Trodos Mountains north of Limassol offer cool relief in the summer and winter skiing. Now that the Green Line is open, it's finally possible to experience Cyprus as a whole. After 30 years of separation, the two sides are mixing again - spend the night at the thumping clubs of Agia Napa in the South, then laze the day away on the deserted beaches of the Karpaz Peninsula in the North.