Trying to put a brave face on two days which did little to promote tourism, hotel manager Andreas Kyriacou said: ``Cyprus for adventure holidays!''

To be fair it was the worst earthquake to shake the island for more than 40 years. The electrical storm over Paphos the following day was the most severe for nearly 10 years. Certainly nature's little hiccups provide a good talking point, but cannot detract from the holiday attractions of this beautiful island which boasts 340 days of sunshine a year.

Cyprus is the large and divided island which draws 700,000 British tourists throughout the year (40% of all visitors) to water ski in the Eastern Mediterranean in summer and ski in the mountains in winter.

When in the mountains it is a help that the Cypriots drive on the left of the road, which allows total concentration to be given to negotiating hairpin bends while climbing the 5500ft to Troodos. But the scenery is stunning and the greetings from the elderly residents as you pass through apparently isolated villages are well worth a few white knuckles. Even off the mountains, the road surfaces on the secondary roads will keep your speed down and journeys tend to be measured in hours rather than kilometres.

Having reached Troodos it is well worth continuing on the main road to the splendid and imposing Kykko Monastery sitting high on a mountainside; and beyond to the tomb of Archbishop Makarios.

Walking through the pine forests of the upper slopes is the great attraction and the area abounds with nature trails. If your liking is less energetic then visit a monastery or two or restrict your climbing to the main street of the mountain villages, resting frequently to browse in the local shops or enjoy a coffee in one of the many tavernas.

Paphos town, in the south-east of the island, is in two parts , Lower and Upper. The lower has the seaside promenade, harbour, and ubiquitous fort - and the Paphos mosaics including the renowned ``House of Dionysus''. A World Heritage site, the mosaics are now under cover, and give a fascinating glimpse of the quality of life enjoyed by the wealthy Roman settlers some 2000 years ago.

Nearby on the road to Coral Beach is the town necropolis which was in use for 600 years.

Upper Paphos is bright and modern with open spaces, grand buildings, and a market of narrow bustling lanes and a courtyard where the fishmonger's wares are displayed next door to the lace stall; exotic fruit and vegetables spill on to the pavement between the ceramic and jewellery shops.

To the north, through Polis and the beach resort of Latchi, lies the nature reserve of the Akamas Peninsula, rich in wild flowers, pine, and juniper - and the birds and the bees. Talking of which, the peninsula also houses the Baths of Aphrodite, a natural spring where the Goddess of Love is reputed to have bathed