Cyprus is a perfect blend of flavours,all year round

Cyprus is a mosaic of nature and culture, a whole magic world concentrated in a small warm and hospitable island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located at the crossroad of three continents between East and West, offering a multidimensional qualitative tourist experience.

The island has established itself as a quality destination with constant investment in tourism, welcoming 3.19 million visitors in 2016. This year has been another year of top results for Cyprus' tourism. Overall, arrivals have already surpassed the 3.4 million mark during the first 10 months.

An island of contrasts, Cyprus has a long history and rich culture that spans more than 10,000 years, offering visitors an engaging and authentic experience, matched with iconic ancient ruins and sites scattered across its vast and awe-inspiring landscape. With an idyllic coastline, it provides numerous luxury resorts, hidden coves, golden sandy beaches, and beautiful blue-flagged shores. Venturing in-land, the island's ancient pine-forested mountains and picturesque villages celebrate ancient traditions, encapsulating legends and history within their rituals and culinary delights. Ranging from pure rest and relaxation, mountains walks, exploring the many cultural attractions, playing golf, diving or bird watching, Cyprus is a perfect blend of flavours for a diversity of tastes and interests.

Spring is an ideal time to visit Cyprus if you like to play golf or take a walk in the Troodos Mountains in the centre of the island, or explore the Akamas Peninsula in the west or Cape Greco to the east. It is also a time for watching the migration of flamingos from Africa to Europe and to see the unique flora and fauna of Cyprus - there are more than 1,700 flower species.

Summer provides the opportunity for families to make the most of the beautiful beaches and warm sea. There is a wide range of water sports on offer as well as theme water parks for all to enjoy. During the warm summer evenings you can experience the delights of eating al fresco at one of the many delightful restaurants.

Autumn in Cyprus is still warm enough to enjoy a late summer holiday as the sea is still warm. The climate is also perfect for exploring the island by car and visiting some of the interesting historical and cultural sites, with a backdrop of the beautiful changing colours of autumn. Visitors can enjoy a jeep safari to see places off the beaten track or try their hand at sub-aqua activities.

Winter is the season for those who enjoy tranquillity and want to take things at their own pace. As Cyprus is located in the southern-most part of the Mediterranean, temperatures drop no lower than 15 degree Celsius in December and January. Hotels in Cyprus maintain high standards; in fact, some of the best hotels in the region can be found in the country. Visitors can expect a high level of quality and service with most offering great facilities such as indoor swimming pools, spas, health and beauty treatments and entertainment programmes. 

The unique advantage of Cyprus is its compact size, which offers a variety of experiences within easy reach. There is a wide range of special interest activities to cater to every taste, and the friendliness and hospitality of the Cypriots enhances the holiday experience for visitors.

New developments: The Cyprus tourism industry has become more competitive and a number of infrastructure projects in tourism resorts have improved the overall look and feel. Major projects are on the pipeline such as the Agia Napa Marina and the Paphos Marina. In addition, a theme style casino resort will be developed in the next three years in the west of Limassol.

Nature: The environment has lent itself to the creation of a number of nature trails and cycling routes. Seven beverage routes have been developed in partnership with the EU to promote the island's long tradition of beverage production. In addition, the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative, set up in conjunction with the Travel Foundation, has organised a series of six village routes to encourage visitors to 'Discover the real Cyprus' and promote the protection of the environment so that future holidaymakers can continue to enjoy the island.

Skiing: Skiing is probably not something that you associate Cyprus with, but believe it or not, during the winter the Troodos Mountains are a popular destination for those looking for some snow-filled fun. There's usually enough snowfall from late December to March, and even if you're not into winter sports, it's worth spending time in the mountains to enjoy the beautiful landscapes. The whole place turns into a winter wonderland!

Diving: Enthusiasts can enjoy spectacular sea caves and tunnels, a dazzling array of marine life, and the Zenobia, one of the top 10 wreck sites in the world. New sites, recently created, offer more choice for divers to explore the marine life and wrecks of the island.

Golf: The island boasts four first-class, 18-hole golf courses in the Paphos region and its mild year-round climate makes it an ideal golf destination, even during the winter months.

Conferences: Cyprus has gained a reputation as a first-class meetings destination. Hotels are constantly being upgraded to maintain high standards. The Filoxenia Conference Centre in Nicosia has been refurbished with a capacity for 800 delegates, and boasts a modern media centre. Professional destination management companies (DMCs) are on hand to assist with every aspect of an organisation's needs - from meetings to events.

Gastronomy: The ritual of sharing good, fresh local cuisine is an important part of the island's culture, and is intrinsically linked with every social event, from family gatherings and special occasions, each marked with its own distinct delicacies and recipes. From hearty meat dishes and speciality cheeses to unique desserts of carob and grape, the Cypriot cuisine is an exotic blend of Greek and Middle Eastern cultures, sprinkled with remnants of ancient civilisations such as indigenous Roman root vegetables or old Phoenician delicacies. And it is no secret that the 'Mediterranean diet' is considered to be one of the healthiest, thanks to its abundance of heart-healthy olive oil, pulses, lean meat, local herbs and freshly grown fruits and vegetables. Add to this the favourable climate - that gives the fresh produce its intense flavour - and a celebration around every corner, complete with special treats, and you will find that a big gastronomic adventure awaits on this tiny island.

Sports: There is no better incentive than practising and preparing for a sport you love on an island where pleasant climate combines with beautiful Mediterranean surroundings and first-rate amenities. The most attractive reasons for choosing the island is indeed its almost-guaranteed daily sunshine, mild winter temperatures and minimal rainfall, and this is further enhanced and complemented by a host of other benefits; state-of-the-art training facilities, sports medicine, accommodation for all budgets, professional support, easy access, a reliable communications and telecommunications network, and an enviable standard of living.

Wellness: Combining the allure of a sunshine island with first-rate healthcare facilities and attractive fees, Cyprus is fast becoming a favoured option for medical and wellness tourism. With relaxing surroundings that are conducive to healing, it is no wonder that an increasing number of people choose the island for treatments and relaxation. The island is home to luxury spa resorts and rural retreats, where comfort and nature harmoniously intertwine with health. 

Weddings: Cyprus is one of Europe's leading destinations for weddings, blessings and honeymoons, and is famed for its wonderful climate, beautiful scenery and myriad options for venues, ceremonies and celebrations