Visit historic Nicosia, island capital for more than 12 centuries. Divided in 1963 by the 'Green Line' separating Greek and Turkish Cypriot territories, the city is both a bustling metropolis, with a vibrant cafe culture, and a fascinating gateway to the island's turbulent past.

Discover the citrus-grove surrounded town of Guzelyurt (which means "beautiful place" in Turkish) and its archaelogy museum and church of Agios Mamas. We'll also visit the fascinating excavations at Soli, with its Roman and Byzantine remains, and travel to the 'Green Line' border town of Lefke, with its former copper mines and orange groves.

Travel into eastern Cyprus to call at the monastery of St Barnabas, and visit the extraordinary ancient ruins at Salamis on today's optional excursion. The remains, which include colonnades, a magnificent theatre and a Roman bathhouse, were part of a much larger settlement that still lies submerged beneath the blue waters and sand dunes.Moving on, we'll visit Famagusta. This fascinating city has become a living museum where ruined churches, the Lala Mustapha Pasha mosque (once the city cathedral) and Venetian Palace rise in in between the city's modern cafes and shops, and the Varosha quarter remains a ghost town since it was abandoned in 1974.

The Karpaz, or Karpasia, peninsula is a rugged spit of land dotted with ancient villages surrounded by some of Cyprus's loveliest beaches and bluest waters. Visit an ancient olive press, and see the important mosaics at Agios Trias. Weather permitting, you'll also have time to enjoy a dip in the sea at Nangomi (golden) Beach, one of the island's finest bathing spots.