Just four and a half hours away from the UK along the idyllic Mediterranean coast sits a picturesque winter sun haven, which averages 19C in December.

The third smallest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus, also benefits from something the UK doesn’t in December: low rainfall. 

It takes around two to three hours to drive across, so it’s possible to explore its diverse landscapes, beautiful beaches, and rugged mountains wherever you’re staying.  

One of the most iconic activities is the 1,952-metre-high Mount Olympus, which can be found within the Troodos Mountain range, the largest on the island. 

The range is also a popular destination for exploring traditional villages, like the picturesque Omodos where you can visit a monastery and try traditional sweet wine. 

Valleys, gorges and sandy bays in the Akamas Peninsula in west Cyprus is a great place to see wildlife, home to over 150 varieties of birds, 20 different reptiles and 16 species of butterfly. 

The stunning Aphrodite’s Rock, or Petra tou Romiou, sits along the coast which, according to Greek mythology, is where Aphrodite was born out of sea foam. 

On a less sunny day, the Tombs of the Kings is a short trip from Paphos where you can see underground tombs dating back to the 4th century B.C. 

Explore the Cypriot cuisine with a meze platter, made up of a variety of traditional small plates like halloumi, souvlaki meat skewers, pita bread, stuffed vegetables, hummus and tzatziki. Slow-cooked lamb called Kleftiko is also a must-try.  

Cyprus’ capital city, Nicosia, is the only divided capital city in the world following the civil war in 1974.

To the south is the Greek Republic of Southern Cyprus, and in the north of the country is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.