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riendly in welcome, trusting and trustworthy by nature. You'll wander through picturesque streets, take in colourful festivals and treat your palate to delicious local and international cuisine.

You will witness a culture that draws on Europe, the Middle East, and 9000 years of constant invasion. Crusader castles rub shoulders with ancient vineyards, frescoed monasteries overlook citrus orchards, and sandy, sun-soaked feet tread Roman mosaic floors.

Climate and Temperature With 340 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus has got one of the most enjoyable climates in Europe. The summers are warm and dry beginning in May and lasting till October with an average of 11.5 hours of sunshine a day. A cool breeze accompanies the coming of autumn whilst the sun remains high in the clear blue sky. The winter is short and mild, and the sun usually shines even just after a big storm. The summer season basically begins from the end of March, and stretches up to the middle of November.

With its only population of 27,000 inhabitants Paphos is the capital of Cyprus' western region. Most of the inhabitants work as employees in various branches of tourism, because there is not much industry.

Paphos consists of two areas: the coastal resort area (Kato Paphos) and the town itself (Pano Paphos), which is slightly inland.

Paphos is very popular with tourists, and especially with English, German and Scandinavian tourists. Among its attractions are its ancient mosaic floors, its beautiful old harbour, its modern hotels and restaurants, situated along the seaside promenade. Other sights include an archaeological museum, the Byzantine castle of Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings, St. Paul's Pillar and the Temple of Aphrodite (the goddess of love and beauty).

The climate of Cyprus makes the summer months a popular time for tourism in Paphos, when temperatures reach easily into the mid 30 degrees Celsius every day. However the cooler winter months make walking and cycling ideal activities, especially further away in the mountains.

The main shopping lane, which runs parallel to the beach promenade, is the ideal tourists' marketplace.

Paphos is one of the main tourist spots in Cyprus. The sun shines all day long in the radiant town.

Located in Paphos is the gorgeous Coral Bay, a beauteous beach with soft sand and deep blue water, a perfect place for water sports.

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Limassol (Lemessos) is situated in the south of the island and it is Cyprus´ main industrial and maritime area and also the second biggest town of the country. Its population is about 135.000 and rises during holiday times because of the tourism. Most of the tourists only pass by on their way to the more historic sites like Akrotiri or the Troodos mountains, but there is actually a lot to see in Limassol besides a busy industrial centre. Places of interest include the Berengaria Castle, the place where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria, Kolossi Castle, the ancient city of Curium and its still functionning theatre, amathunta and many other archeological spots scattered around the city.

If it is nightlife you are looking for, check out Yermasogea, the tourist area of Limassol, where both locals and tourists meet in the vibrant clubs and bars.

The old city centre though is the place to go to. A walk will lead the visitor to a vibrant community full of shop owners, crafts people, artists of all disciplines and businessmen. Because the city is relatively untouched by the streams of tourism, it has been able to maintain the traditions of Cypriote life: meze restaurants, wine and beer cellars, places to sit outside and just watch people passing by. Nevertheless, traditional old boutiques and dark inns, where the Cypriots drink the famous whisky sour drink are rapidly changing into modern shopping centres and restaurants. Limassol is known for its famous wine festivals held in August.

Ayia Napa, is located southeast of the islands coast, it s known all over Europe as a famous tourist resort. It is one of Cyprus's most popular beach resorts. The beaches are really fine: thin and fine sand, hidden among a chain of rocky boulders that form many small and cosy bays. The main centre of the district is Paralimni, 3 miles north of Ayia Napa itself. East of the village is Protaras, known for its lively nightlife and partyful people.

Just in the centre of Ayia Napa you'll find a fine monastery, at the entrance an old fig tree. In the court an octagonal fountain on the base of it the portraits of the woman who founded this monastery and also of her mother and father who forbade her to marry.

Ayia Napa has cleaned up its alternative Ibiza reputation recently and is now much more family orientated.

Like most other towns on the southern coast, Larnaca was refashioned by the building boom of the late 1970s. The loss of Nicosia airport with the Turkish occupation led to the airstrip outside Larnaca being extended and new terminal buildings being built. This facilitated a considerable increase in tourist traffic, and a number of large hotels were constructed on the long beach situated just outside the town.

One of Larnaca's most distinctive features is the mid-town seaside promenade lined with tall palm trees. A project to improve the area around the promenade - known as the Finikoudhes - and turn it into a large precinct bordered by tavernas and a sandy beach was recently completed. Nearby is the Larnaca marina, one of the few shelters for yachts on the island (though several new ones are currently under construction in other towns). Palm trees and minarets, which dot the horizon, also give Larnaca a Middle Eastern ambience, particularly in the old, inner city.