Few places are as uniquely positioned as Cyprus, at the exhilarating crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa.  For thousands of years, the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, has seduced travellers with the promise of endless summers, windswept beaches, and romantic harbours.  Successive invasions by powerful neighbouring empires, each leaving traces of their culture, have created a rich and complex heritage, plus some of the world’s most significant archaeological sites and best preserved villages. The first settlers arrived in 7000 BC, followed by waves of Mycenaean Greeks.  Next came raids by the Assyrians, Egyptians and Persians, before Roman rule brought peace and prosperity.  In AD 330 Cyprus became part of the Byzantine Empire, leaving an astounding Christian legacy.  The island was then conquered in 1197 by Richard the Lionheart and sold to his lieutenant, Guy de Lusignan, turning it into a Crusader state.  Over the next centuries Cyprus fell under Venetian, Ottoman and even British rule in 1878.  At long last, independence was granted and the Republic of Cyprus was formed in 1960.  However, the nation was divided – the Greek Cypriots were optimistic for a union with Greece, whilst Turkish Cypriots pushed for a Turkish state.  This led to the formation of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC), separate to the republic in the south.  The Green Line, set up by the UN to keep the peace, still divides the island, but the relationship between both sides has vastly improved with ongoing attempts at reunification.  A growing number of crossing points on the line also makes travel between north and south much easier, encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore this remarkable island. Join us on this wonderful tour as we discover spectacular northern Cyprus, dominated by the impressive Kyrenia Mountains that keep watch over the pristine coastal strip, dotted with lovely seaside towns.  We stay in one of the island’s most beautiful towns, ancient Kyrenia, one of the ten kingdoms of Cyprus during the Classical Greek period, complete with its own magnificent castle. We head northwest to Güzelyurt, an area less frequented by visitors but unmissable because of the astonishing ancient sites, incredible Soli and the mysterious Palace of Vouni.  Nothing can prepare you for the sheer scale of the ruins here, some dating as far back as 500 BC.  Further inland stretches the island’s main mountain range, the lofty Troodos Massif, and at the foothills lies the university town of Lefke, where you will see the legacy of its past rulers. On our eye-opening tour we take you to renowned St Hilarion, which is said to have inspired several more famous fairy-tale castles.  Perched atop a craggy peak, the views from the top are absolutely incredible.  We also enjoy a drive to Bellapais village, renowned for its medieval ‘Abbey of Peace’, one of the most beautiful in the eastern Mediterranean. A tour of Cyprus would not be complete without a visit to bustling Nicosia, the divided capital city and last of its kind in the world after the fall of the Berlin Wall.  The northern half, Lefkoşa, is occupied by the TRNC, whilst the southern half, Lefkosia, is the capital of the Republic of Cyprus.  You will have the opportunity to cross the Green Line, with your passport on hand of course, to visit south Nicosia and experience the difference between both sides. Finally, we head east to coastal Famagusta, the atmospheric old town with the deepest harbour of the island, surrounded by 15th-century Venetian walls.  You will see the ghost town of Varosha, left as it was when it was abandoned in 1974, as well as ancient Salamis, one of the most significant and stunning archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. When it comes to Cypriot cuisine, it is very similar to that of Greece and Turkey but with small differences that the Cypriots would be quick to point out.  The absence of international fast food chains has been filled by Turkish fare, and the Cypriots take great pride in serving locally grown produce.  The island’s long history of winemaking since Lusignan rule also means you’ll find a good selection of local wines.  Step back in time on our wonderful tour and visit this living, breathing museum to get a real sense of civilisations past, with its plethora of ancient ruins, religious remains and medieval sites.  At the same time, you will experience the wonderful culture, climate, and hospitality, and perhaps most intriguing of all, how history has influenced and shaped the Cypriots today.