Standing at the crossroads of three continents Northern Cyprus has a vibrant history, a perfect climate and the warmest welcome in the Mediterranean.

It has been a European playground for many years offering the perfect combination of relaxation, water sports and exciting exploration.

Northern Cyprus enjoys over 300 days of uninterrupted sunshine, clear blue unpolluted seas, the beauty of an unspoiled landscape and uncrowded beaches.

Add to this the friendliness and hospitality of the people, wonderfully varied cuisine and you have the perfect recipe for a truly idyllic holiday.

Whether you are a lover of nature, an archaeologist, a keen walker, a water sportsman or simply a sun-worshipper this little island is the ideal spot for you.

Along the northern coast stretch the pine-clad Kyrenia Mountains slope gently to the warm and tranquil waters of the Mediterranean.

There are many good restaurants in the area, and the picturesque Kyrenia harbour is the place to be in the evening. Famagusta in the east is famed for its endless sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Besparmak (Five Finger) mountains, Kyrenia (Girne) is regarded as one of the Mediterranean's most picturesque towns, and is now North Cyprus' most popular resort.

Its beautiful scenery, tranquil waters, rocky coves and sandy beaches, not to mention the historic monuments to bygone eras are enough to inspire the poet in all of us.

In fact Kyrenia has always been popular with artists and writers. It was in the peaceful setting of the beautiful twelfth century Bellapais Abbey that Lawrence Durrell wrote his "Bitter Lemons", and the stunning fairy-tale castle of St. Hilarion, rumoured to have been the inspiration for Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle.

The heart of Kyrenia is the charming Venetian Harbour, the ideal place to slow down to Cypriot pace in one of the numerous restaurants and watch the world go by.

To one side of the harbour is the imposing seventh century Kyrenia Castle, which now houses the fascinating ship wreck museum.