"I keep coming back to one phrase - Cyprus is absolute paradise"

Cyprus became a full member of the EU in 2004, and after that date membership increased demand and prices for holiday and retirement property. The past has seen a huge rise in Cyprus property sales to many foreigners, especially the British, buying now to beat the forecast property boom. . Not only do you get the Cyprus  lifestyle, the climate, and the sheer pleasure of living there, but also perhaps to see the value of your Cyprus property appreciate considerably. Land prices in Cyprus have risen recently as Developers are acquiring large plots and holding them awaiting permission to develop more property. All the signs suggest that there has never been a better time to invest and buy property in Cyprus – you too can then enjoy Living In The Sun.

The island of Cyprus is beautiful and picturesque, offering sandy beaches, cliffs, rocky coves, and mountains that provide skiing in winter. The mountains are forest clad volcanic hills, with deep valleys and fertile plains. The highest mountain is inevitably called Mount Olympus, at 6401 ft, and the mountains enjoy a cooler climate, and the topmost peaks offer 2-3 meters of snow often lasting until April. There are excellent planned walks and mountain bike trails through the spectacular scenery.

The south coast contains the main tourist areas, and behind the beaches and hotels are the foothills with glorious views of the sea just a short drive from the amenities. The northern coast tends more towards cliffs and coves – some good diving and snorkeling – and is quieter. The water temperature in Cyprus is around 63 in winter and 73 in summer.

Larnaca property offers good value - close to an airport, with prices less than at the other end of the island. Further west is Ayia Napa, the nightclub resort, but nearby are Protaras and Paralimni which offer some good properties. Paphos remains the absolute favourite, where most people want to be - lots of facilities, antiquities and property choices. To the north of paphos is Polis - a superb bay with mountains at either end which is a quiet retreat, with little development - well worth considering.

It is 3750 sq. miles in area, 140 miles long and 60 miles deep. It’s 40m from Turkey, 59 from Syria, and 236 from Egypt, and there is a range of boat connections from the island.

Cyprus has one of the healthiest climates on the planet. 340 days of sunshine every year, and warm days of 16 to30 degrees from winter to summer. Most rainfall occurs between November and March, and the wettest month is generally January, which might have 10 days of rain. Umbrellas get dusty rather than wet!

Coastal Temperatures

Between May and September there is normally about 300 hours sunshine per month, and often no rain in July and August. Solar heating is becoming popular as a result.

British Airways is to fly to Paphos - a twice weekly service from Gatwick from October 12 - from £159 return. Helios Airways are expanding their services at very good prices - the contact for more information on fares and availability is their office in London on 08707502750.

You drive on the left, and a visitor from the UK holding a valid driving license from his country or an international one is allowed to drive on Cyprus. There are 3k miles of surfaced roads and 3.7k un-surfaced, and in the mountains a four-wheel drive is advisable. There is no railway system.

Taxis run from town to town on a shared basis in stretch limos carrying up to 8 people. (tel Taxi 333333)

Petrol is inexpensive and can be found over 24 hours in the card-operated stations. Other stations operate 0600-1800, and until 1500 on Saturdays. On Sundays and bank holidays only about 10% are open, on a rota basis.

Butterflies are abundant, and the very exotic Swallowtail is to be found here. The plant life does contain exotic species introduced by humans – palms, cacti, mimosa, and citrus trees. Food plants include avocado, prickly pear, tomatoes, peppers, aubergine, citrus and pomegranate.

Lying astride the migration routes, Cyprus is a popular destination with birders at those times. There are still a number of birds of prey to be seen. Though scarcer than they were. There are Hoopoe, alpine swifts, bee-eaters, and spectacularly, flamingos wintering on the island.

Only 16 mammals, including 8 types of bat, exist. There are more reptiles, and there are 2 poisonous varieties. These are shy and retiring, and avoid humans if they can – so it’s worth wearing stout footwear in areas where they can’t be seen. Only one (the blunt nosed viper) is really a risk and this is quite rare. There are stocks of anti-venom held in most chemists in the event of a real emergency, but it’s probably less of a risk than the Adder is in England.

Sea turtles breed on Cyprus – the fisheries department runs a camp to protect nests and fledglings. Dolphins can be sighted off the north coast, but not commonly.

The largest mammal is the Mouflon, a form of sheep, widely used as a symbol of Cyprus. Otherwise it’s very like England though the detail of species varies a little – e.g. the hedgehogs have long ears!

For Cyprus Gardeners - cacti ans succulents require little maintenance, thriving well in the Cyprus climate. Potted plants are a good choice - bright geraniums lift a patio or pool area with little effort. Stunning bougainvilleas in lots of colours are spectacular - good for a pergola unless you're looking for a vine to make your own vintage. 

You can have palms and even banana plants. With enough land you could have oranges, lemons, figs, olives, dates and more. A single tree can give a lot of fruit.

The key is irrigation - with 340 days of sunshine you will need to give plenty of wet TLC.  

The people are warm and welcoming, and visitors and residents alike find themselves quickly making friends and joining the Cypriot community. Spend time in the local Taverna and you’ll be a local in no time at all.

8500 BC life is evidenced by some cave dwellings near Liopetri, with the bronze and copper age seeing much development and contact with the main cultures nearby. 1200 BC saw the Greeks arrive and give birth to the Hellenic tradition on the island. The story is a long and rich one. Persia was effectively the landlord for a long period, until Alexander the Great defeated them and Cyprus became part of his empire. On his death if fell to one of his generals, who ruled Egypt. Around 30 BC the Romans integrated it.

There followed a period under Byzantine control, and dispute between Christendom and Islam saw Richard the Lionheart capture Cyprus in 1191. He sold it to the Frankish King of Jerusalem, and the franks rule lasted until 1489. It was the turn of the Venetians who saw it as an important stop on the Silk Route to China. But the Turks conquered in1571. In 1878 Cyprus was leased to Britain, and when Turkey entered the war in 1914 on the side of Germany, Britain annexed Cyprus and turned it into a crown Colony. Turkey surrendered all claims to the island in the Lausanne Treaty that it concluded with Greece in 1923.