Villa Otrera

Cyprus is dotted with pine trees, vineyards and wildflower-filled meadows. The coastline is strewn with incredible white sandy beaches and impossibly blue water, while there's hiking, museums and ancient ruins to explore inland. This villa is tucked away on the eastern coast of Cyprus in the coastal village of Kapparis; this villa is ideally located five minutes from an unspoilt beach with crystalline waters. It's also close to plenty of amenities, including bars, shops and restaurants.

A larger resort called Protaras is a five-minute drive away, with lively bars, international dining and Fig Tree Bay, the home of watersports. This beach is named after its lone pine tree - it boasts glittering waters, golden sand and Hellenic tombs that rise above it in addition to its fantastic array of aqua-based activities. Delightfully picturesque, it's one of the most famous beaches in the area for a reason. At this beach, you can get stuck into water skiing, kitesurfing and paragliding.

Another fantastic beach in the area is Nissi, with its powdery white sand and swirling blue and green waters - this must be what paradise looks like. You can also try watersports here including windsurfing, as well as scuba diving. The coral reefs of Corfu are truly breathtaking - watch marine life in its natural habitat.

A day trip to Paphos will unearth historical and cultural relics of the island. With incredibly well preserved Roman ruins, complete with mosaics and the Tombs of the Kings, it's a great place to get acquainted with one of the oldest civilisations in the Mediterranean area.

Take a trip to Aphrodite's Rock, a beautiful spot dedicated to the Greek goddess. Aphrodite, the goddess of love is said to have been born of the sea foam in Paphos. According to ancient mythology, if you swim around the rock three times, you will be blessed with eternal youth, beauty, good fortune, fertility and true love. However, be warned that the sea here is rough - but a pilgrimage to see Aphrodite's Rock from the gorgeous beach is a lovely idea.

Nicosia, Europe's last divided capital is a fascinating city, split between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. With a charming Old Town with city walls, the city is full of important and quirky museums. From Cyprus Museum, featuring a wonderful collection of archaeological finds to the Museum of Shipwrecks, it's perfect for a cultural day trip.

There are so many Cypriot delicacies to try all over the island - the best way to start is with a traditional meze platter. This way, you can get acquainted with many different local dishes, such as atelia - pork cooked in red wine - and the many dips such as tahini, taramosalata and skordalia. Of course, Cyprus is the home of delicious halloumi, grilled or barbecued to perfection and served with pitta bread, salad and a side of hummus. For dessert, tuck into some sticky baklava - so indulgent!

Cyprus has many natural wonders, such as Larnaca Salt Lake, home to migrating birds and a dizzying array of shrimp. Made up of four separate salt pans and beloved by flamingoes, the salt pan features in both Muslim and Christian lore. In summer, visitors can see the salt stretching as far as the eye can see.