Planning a holiday is one task that many of us look forward to. Choosing a destination, accommodation and flights can be exciting, particularly if we are about to enjoy our first trip in some time. As I planned my trip to Cyprus, I felt that same sense of anticipation.

I'd decided to visit the popular Mediterranean island after having some friends recommend it as a holiday destination that they thought might appeal to me. They sold me the idea on the basis that this would be a place where I could relax on the beach, but also be able to travel round the island and take in some of the real Cyprus. In truth, I knew relatively little about the island. I was vaguely aware of the political situation and decided to read up on it to find out a bit more.

The island is split in two halves, with the northern portion being occupied by people with ties to Turkey. The southern portion is comprised mostly of Greek Cypriots. There is some debate about whether the Turkish occupied part of the island should be recognised by the international community.

Southern Cyprus has a larger tourist trade and an infrastructure aimed at overseas visitors. I decided to visit the Greek Cypriot part of the island and opted for a hotel in a resort known as Paphos. This, known locally as Pafos, appealed because I wanted somewhere that would allow me to relax in the surroundings of my hotel, while also allowing me to see a bit more of the country.

The eastern part of the island seemed to be centered around the resort of Ayia Napa. Ayia Napa is famed for its nightlife and dance music scene. Wanting a less lively holiday than Ayia Napa appeared to offer, I decided to opt for Paphos.

On arrival, I wasn't disappointed with my choice. I flew into the nearby Paphos Airport and was transferred to my hotel in less than 30 minutes. With four beaches in and around the resort, there was an excellent selection of locations to relax. My hotel had some high quality facilities too and I happily spent many hours by the pool.

As for seeing the real Cyprus, I was pleasantly surprised. Away from the popular tourist resorts, it's clear that a traditional way of life is maintained by many Cypriots. It's an island that embraces the modern, without forgetting its roots.

Author's Note: You can find out about traveling to Cyprus by reading the Cyprus airports guide, which has further contributions from Keith Barrett. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.