Cyprus
Cyprus is a country where East meets West, fashionable spas sit side-by-side with village kafeneia and heavenly beaches are backed by rugged mountains. While the coast calls to sunseekers and clubbers, inland is a haven of traditional villages, medieval castles and impressive ancient sites.
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.
With its intense Mediterranean climate, the island's weather is easy to predict. The summer months of June to September are hot and action-packed. August in particular is the peak of Cyprus' tourist season, when locals squeeze up next to tourists on beaches and restaurant benches. Accommodation prices go up quite a lot during these months so if you're on a budget, avoid the height of summer and go for the shoulder seasons - April/May and September/October - instead.
