MAYBE it was the impossibly turquoise seas, or was it the perfect climate? We will never know for sure, but Mark Anthony was so impressed with Cyprus that he gave it to Queen Cleopatra as a gift.

Lucky girl, but really it belongs to another woman. This is the island of Aphrodite, the goddess of love who according to legend was born in the sea at Petra tou Romiou.

And the Cypriots take their Greek heritage seriously. It dominates not only the island’s culture, but its language and cuisine.

Here the traditional dish is meze, where groups of dishes arrive at the table about four or five at a time consisting of olives, tahini, salad and yoghurt followed by meat or fish such as Kleftiko (lamb cooked in a clay oven) and Stifado (beef in wine).

Eating a Cypriot meze is a social event and for about 20 euros you too can feast like a god. It is best sampled in a taverna like Thalassa’s on Limassol’s Governor’s Beach where, unsurprisingly, fish meze is a house speciality. For village cuisine, don’t miss the fabulous Anotera Tavern in town.

Limassol is the island’s largest resort and home to a majestic medieval castle. The city has a near perfect climate, where even winter temperatures average 17 degrees.

We stayed at the five-star St Raphael Resort Hotel, which offers spectacular views over its own 237-berth marina. Last year, the hotel won the World Luxury Travel Award and was named the Mediterranean’s Leading Resort award 2010.

The star attraction is the Sailor’s Rest; a lounge bar and restaurant which serves an array of gourmet cuisine in an amazing re-creation of the city’s favourite hot spot.

Limassol is an ideal destination for families where you will want for nothing, but along the coast is Paphos; the former capital and an altogether quieter, more traditional Cypriot town.

Here you will find the innovative and five-star Asimina Suites Hotel, which is radically changing the way we holiday. Revamped two months ago, the hotel pampers like you’ve rarely seen. All the rooms are luxury suites, some with private pools; all boasting stunning sea views.

It’s also adult only, so this really is the place to unwind with cocktails on the palm-lined terrace against a breathtaking sunset.

Up early and before the searing heat builds, we set off for the Paphos Mosaics next to the harbour. One of the most historic sites on the island, they are considered the finest Roman mosaics in the eastern Mediterranean.

Interestingly, the designs are from Greek rather than Roman mythology and the finest is the House Of Dionysus where 14 rooms are covered in fabulous mosaics including one depicting the god of wine giving Ikarios, the king of Athens, the secret of viticulture.

Paphos harbour is the Cyprus of postcards; a quaint little horseshoe of coast, lined with fish restaurants, tavernas and cafes, all dominated by the 14th-century castle.

The town is blessed with fine beaches, of which Coral Bay is the best. It’s a sweeping curve of golden sand with calm, clear, shallow waters and plenty of activities to make the most of it.

But leave the cities behind and you’ll discover a more beguiling Cyprus. Peaking at 6,000 ft, the fresh air of the Troodos mountains offer sanctuary from the blistering heat of the coast and panoramic views repay persevering with the winding roads. Omodos is a good place to discover the real Cyprus, somewhere to join the locals over a game of cards, put the world to rights over coffee and pastries or just while away an hour people watching. Then there is Lefkara, famous for lace and silver, or why not try the Kaleidonia nature trail, a surprisingly verdant area with waterfalls and flowing rivers.

After walking up an appetite, try one of my favourite tavernas on the island, Neraida at Phoini village.

Back towards Paphos and Ayios Neophytos Monastery offers another haven of tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The first thing you notice on arrival is cats, dozens of them, and here there are even more spectacular views.

The monastery was founded by a Cypriot hermit and writer called Neophytos in 1159. Neophytos carved a home for himself out of the mountain rock and painted some of the finest frescoes of the Byzantine period.

Cyprus is a fabulous destination where islanders welcome visitors as warmly as the ever present sun. And with a growing list of five-star hotels, this is a place of sheer luxury too.

If Mark Anthony is up there looking down, he must be kick-ing himself for giving it away.


Fact file

Matt flew to from Leeds Bradford to Paphos with Jet2.com. Fares are from £59.99 one way, including taxes.

He stayed at the Asimina Suites hotel, Paphos, where Jet2holidays.com offer deals from £709 per person for a week’s stay, and St Raphael Resort hotel, Limassol, where packages range from £719 per person, per week. Both include resort transfers and 22kg luggage.