People wishing to sample a new life abroad have been flocking to Cyprus, which has been placed firmly on the map as not only being a fabulous island to live on, but a fantastic place to invest in property. Nestling in the far-eastern Mediterranean, it is a spectacularly beautiful country and the third largest of all Mediterranean islands behind Sicily and Sardinia. Covering some 9,251 square kilometres, and stretching 240 kilometres from east to west and 96 kilometres from north to south, it currently has a population in the region of 800,000. Basking in typically Mediterranean temperatures with very little rain, it’s an island of infinite possibilities and one that appeals to visitors the world over.

It’s important to note, however, that Cyprus is, to all intents and purposes, two separate countries. The Republic of Cyprus is now a member of the European Union, while Turkish-ruled Northern Cyprus is not. It affects both visa regulations and the rules surrounding property ownership, and this chapter relates to the Republic of Cyprus only.

Mountainous interior

Your experience of Cyprus can be as varied and rewarding as the geography of the island itself. There are beaches to suit just about everybody, from families with small children to seekers of solitude. The mountainous interior, the Troödos, offers an alluring contrast to the coast that shouldn’t be overlooked. Bracing pine-scented air, hiking trails and Byzantine churches are just some of the treasures to be found here. It is also possible to experience first hand the village life of the hill towns. By the beach or further afield, in the towns or countryside, the distinctive culture of Cyprus is always close at hand.

Limassol is the island’s second largest town and one of its leading resorts. The ten-mile seafront is lined with luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, a large yacht marina and numerous exclusive residences. There’s always plenty to see and do here. In fact, you can while away many happy hours in the modern shopping centres, art galleries, theatres, cinemas, restaurants and bars.

Almost equidistant from Cyprus’s main towns and resorts, are the cool, forested slopes of the Troodos Massif. This is the island’s main wine-producing region, where viticulture and wine-making have a very long-standing tradition and where the dry red wine that Cyprus is so renowned for is bottled.

It’s among the gentle Troödos hills that you’ll discover some of the most stunning countryside in Cyprus: vineyards and almond groves, citrus, olives and avocados and, at sea level, banana plantations. As you enter the tiny villages where the donkey is still the preferred mode of transport, you’ll meet some of the friendliest, most hospitable people on earth.

Frequently described as the ‘jewel’ of the eastern Mediterranean, Protarás is an elite beach resort on the southeast coast of Cyprus, just 45 minutes’ drive from Larnaca international airport.A string of secluded golden sandy bays stretch, like a necklace, along this ruggedly beautiful coast, each interspersed with rocky inlets where many colourful fishing boats go for their daily catch.

Here too you will find the magnificent Fig Tree Bay, considered to be one of the island’s best beaches. The safe, shallow, crystal-clear waters are ideal for sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, snorkelling and scuba diving.This is a fun-loving resort with tavernas, bars, restaurants that serve locally caught fish, and a buzzing nightlife. Nearby is the famous resort of Ayia Napa with its white sandy beaches, theme parks, lively clubs and bars.

Wherever you go in Cyprus you’ll always experience a warm welcome. With its near-perfect climate – endless sunshine and very little rain – captivating mix of old and new, and relatively low cost of living, it’s no wonder more and more northern Europeans are making this their first choice for holiday or permanent homes.

Rich history

The island’s history is one of the oldest recorded in the world, dating back to the 7th millennium BC. Mycenaean Greeks settled here in the 12th century BC and later visits by Achaean Greeks reinforced its Greek character.

Moreover, Cyprus’s intriguing history, entwined with mythology, has created a country with a character and traditions all of its own. Mixing cultural influences from Greece, as well as Turkey, Syria and North Africa, Cyprus is a great choice for sightseers, with fascinating prehistoric, ancient Greek and Roman heritage sites. It is the birthplace of Aphrodite, the legendary goddess of love.

You’ll discover temples bequeathed by the Romans, historic churches from the Byzantine era and castles from medieval times – fascinating ancient buildings that reside in quiet harmony with cosmopolitan hotels and modern shops.

As in ancient times, Cyprus continues to welcome visitors who choose to live on the island.

Best of all for British visitors and investors, you’ll soon recognise a distinct British influence. English is widely spoken and you’ll find yourself driving on the left-hand side of the road. Britain also maintains military bases on the island. Despite the military presence, Cyprus is a stable country and with Turkey petitioning to become an EU member, it could well become a united country in the coming years.

Cyprus has one of the sunniest and healthiest climates in the Mediterranean, with temperatures rarely dropping below 12˚C, even in winter.The main rainfall occurs during the period from December to March, when you’ll also find snow on the mountains, which then gives way to a lush and colourful springtime. Between June and September there’s virtually no rain to speak of – just long, warm summer days for you to enjoy. As autumn approaches the scenery changes once again, becoming more lush by the day. It really is a glorious climate all year round.

Cyprus is attracting more people to its shores than ever, and it’s not surprising. After all, it is not only steeped in history and culture, but extremely beautiful and charismatic and truly deserving of its unofficial title – the Island of Love.

Cyprus Facts

• The name ‘Cyprus’ is probably derived from the Greek for copper – kypros – which has been mined on the island for several thousand years.

• The main language spoken in the Republic of Cyprus is Greek Cypriot, but more than 85% of the population speak English, as Cyprus was once an English colony. Most of the shop signs and road markings are in English.

• In April 2004, a UN referendum to reunite Cyprus was approved by a factor of two-to-one by the inhabitants of Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus, but was rejected by three-out-of-four Greek Cypriots.

Travel File

• AIR - The two main airports in Cyprus are in Larnaca and Páfos. British Airways (08708 509850; www.ba.com) flies from Heathrow to Larnaca and from Gatwick to Páfos. Cyprus Airways (020 8359 1333; www.cyprusairways.com) flies to Larnaca and Páfos from Birmingham, Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester. Eurocypria (+357 2465 8003; www.eurocypria.com) goes to Larnaca from Gatwick and to Páfos from Gatwick, Newcastle and Bristol. Excel Airways (0870 1690169; www.xl.com) flies from Gatwick and Manchester to Páfos and from Gatwick and a number of regional airports to Larnaca. Helios Airways (0870 750 2750; www.flyhelios.com) flies from Dublin, Luton, Manchester and Gatwick to Páfos, and goes to Larnaca from Gatwick, Luton, Birmingham, Dublin, Glasgow, Stansted, Heathrow, Newcastle, East Midlands and Manchester. Thomson Flights (0800 000 747; www.thomsonflights.com) flies to Larnaca and Páfos from several regional airports.
  

• ROAD - The main road along the south coast is the A6, which connects Limassol and Páfos. The A1 also begins in Limassol, but travels east to Nicosia. The A5 connects Limassol and Larnaca, while the B3 connects Larnaca and Protarás. Larnaca is also well connected to Nicosia by the main A2 route.

• COACH - Buses run Monday to Saturday from 6am until 6pm. Alepa (+357 9962 5027) travels between Nicosia, Limassol and Páfos, and Eman (www.emantravel.com; +357 2372 1321) runs from Nicosia to Ayia Napa. Intercity (www.intercitybuses.com; +357 2464 3492) travels between Larnaca and Limassol, Nicosia, Ayia Napa and Protarás. Nea Amoroza Transport (+357 2693 6822) provides services between Páfos, Limassol and Pólis while PEAL (+357 2382 1318) runs between Larnaca, Protarás and Ayia Napa.

• SEA - Two main lines run services to Limassol, but both are currently suspended. Salamis (www.vivamare.com; vivamare@t-online.de) sails between Piraeus, Limassol and Port Said. Poseidon (www.ferries.gr/poseidon; poseidon@ferries.gr) sails between Piraeus, Limassol and Haifa. However, with the current lack of ferries from Limassol, the number of cruise liners has risen.