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From the scripts of ancient Greek poets to modern tourist brochures, Aphrodite has been almost synonymous with Cyprus throughout history. Variously known as 'Kypris', the Cyprian, and 'Paphian', after the town of Paphos from where, mythology has it, she rose from the sea-foam, the goddess of beauty and love is above all a Cypriot goddess.

Visitors catching their first glimpse of the island from the air will not immediately recognize the dry and barren countryside on the approach to Larnaca airport as the object of Homer's verse - especially in summer. Situated in the eastern corner of the Mediterranean, Cyprus has a subtropical climate. In July and August temperatures rise to over 40°C, in the central plain, leaving the land parched and the island a blaze of brown and dusty-gold colors. Only the green leaves of the hardy olive, carob and fig trees break up this auburn kaleidoscope.