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The works of ancient playwrights such as Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes leap back to life in Pafos’s ancient odeon during this internationally renowned cultural event. It attracts performers and directors from Cyprus, Greece and further afield.

The cloisters of Bellapais Abbey come alive every year during this season of classical concerts, which attract musicians and music-lovers from all over the world.

The Greek Cypriot food at Irinias is a long-standing favourite – make a reservation (or go early in the evening) to be sure of getting a table.

This town’s Byzantine church is decorated with fluid frescoes.

Village costumes and traditional Turkish musical instruments are brought out to celebrate one of Northern Cyprus’s most venerable feasts.

Bouncing from wave to wave on the back of a motorized “waterbike” in imitation of your favourite action hero is a popular beach pastime for locals as well as visitors. Jetskis can be hired at all the resort beaches but, because of the cost of fuel, it’s a relatively expensive activity. Lifejackets are compulsory and because of the risk to swimmers it’s essential to steer well clear of the lines of coloured buoys which designate swimmer-only stretches of inshore water.

For experienced divers, these shallows, some 35 km (22 miles) offshore in the Pafos area, are a great place to see large pelagics such as tuna and jack, as well as octopus and moray. The site consists of a vast underwater cliff, with caves, pinnacles and a tunnel and dives offer drop-offs from the 20-m (65-ft) to 60-m (195-ft) levels. Like Mismaloya, this dive site takes longer to get to than most Cyprus dives. An unmissable experience as long as you have the qualifications.

Two pretty churches are the jewels of this village. Although they are not that old by Cypriot standards – the Church of the Archangel dates from the 18th century and the church of Agia Barbara is a mere late 19th-century addition – they are worth seeing nonetheless for the riot of ornate carving, silver-framed icons and votive candles that are so typical of the Orthodox faith.

The name of this village high in the northern Troodos foothills means “the evil rocks”. It was so titled by weary residents who had to clear their fields of hefty stones before they could begin farming. Attractively restored old stone houses and an old-fashioned watermill add to its charm (see Kakopetria).