It wasn't the best time to be there as a holidaymaker, as there was strict security in hotels and venues and traffic jams as roads were cleared for the official cars. I didn't mind as I was there as a journalist covering the event. With the royal yacht Brittania docked in the harbour and many tales of brinkmanship and perceived snubs between the delegations, I was kept busy.

I remember that an Arab sheik had booked the entire floor of a top hotel for his family at a time when all accommodation was at a premium. Attempts to dislodge him were abandoned when it was discovered that he held a substantial shareholding in that very hotel group. Such were the things that captivated the media pack.

However, I had time to see enough of Cyprus to know it would make a wonderful holiday destination, and I have returned to the island countless times. Why Cyprus, I am often asked by friends who tend to make a beeline for the Greek islands or the Italian coast in summer. My reply is always that I find Cyprus charming, comfortable and fun.

For me, it's a bit like visiting an old friend. I know the spots I like, the quiet beaches and the little family restaurants, and I enjoy the company of the friendly locals. Being the third-biggest island in the Mediterranean, it has changed over the years into a major tourist destination, but it still has the heart of a small fishing village.

It has a splendid location at the crossroads of three continents and has a distinctive "East meets West" atmosphere. Magnificent five-star resorts can be found alongside tiny fishing villages, where people live as they have for generations, and you can find an old lady selling handcrafted wares a few steps away from the most technically advanced nightclubs in the world, pumping out the latest hits to designer-clad revellers.

And, as the reputed birthplace of Greek gods such as Adonis and Aphrodite, it offers a number of spectacular archeological sites, some of which date back 10,000 years. One of those worth visiting is the Kyrenia castle, which is thought to have been constructed to protect the town against the Arab raids in the 7th century. You can also check out the Shipwreck Museum, located within the castle, which houses the oldest recovered shipwreck in history.

The island has a long and fascinating history of being conquered, annexed and retaken At various times it has fallen under the control of the Assyrians, the Persians, the Egyptians, the Byzantine Empire, the English under Richard I, the Venetians and the Greeks. Everyone wanted to get their hands on this gem of the Mediterranean.

The last spat for control of Cyprus was in 1974 when there was an attempted takeover by Greek Cypriot nationalists, which resulted in Turkey invading and taking control of one-third of the island. Cyprus is still split today, with a small Turkish Cypriot state in the north and the Republic of Cyprus in the south.

The wall that once separated the territories has come down, but there has been no lasting settlement to the dispute. There is no open conflict, though, and it makes little difference to the 2.4 million tourists who head for Cyprus each year. After all, it’s been like that for the past 35 years! The Republic is one of the most advanced economies in the region, and has been a member of the european Union since 2004. Last year it adopted the euro as its currency.

The island can by divided into various zones. First, there are the cities. Nicosia, in the centre of the island, is the biggest business centre and serves as the capital city. On the coast, Larnaca is the most prominent commercial city, with a busy port and many tourist hotels and attractions. Then come the two most popular family holiday spots of Limassol and Paphos. Here you can find luxury resorts, fine restaurants and lovely beaches. Finally, if you want to taste Cyprian nightlife, the place to be is the party town of Ayia Napa.

This fishing village has become one of the party capitals of the world, luring international celebrities, deejays and around 250,000 revellers each summer. The roads and lanes around the port are now crammed with nightclubs and bars. Among the famous clubs here are Guru bar and the Kool Club, but many of the venues change names every season or two, so the best is just to get there and find out which spot is hot.

However, Ayia Napa has not totally lost its cultural heritage - the harbour is still filled with colourful fishing vessels and nearby is a Venetian decorated monastery fronted by a 600 year-old Sycamore tree. My favourite beach, Fig Tree Bay, is only a few kilometres away. It offers fine, golden sand and the chance to do some snorkelling. For a thrill, go to Cape Greco, where you can leap from the rocks into the sea.

You can also go scuba diving from Ayia Napa and even try out some cave and tunnel dives, but my favourite spot is off the coast of Larnaca. Here you can dive to the wreck of the Zenobia, which is rated as one of the top 10 dive wrecks in the world. Obviously summer is the best time to visit, but locals boast that the island has 340 days of sunshine a year!

That may be stretching the truth somewhat, but the island does enjoy an excellent Mediterranean climate with long summers and mild winters. Autumn and spring are short, but still warm enough to spend the day on the beach. By not visiting in July or August, you will miss out on the biggest parties at the island's clubs, but the beaches will be less crowded and the locals even more friendly and relaxed. The choice is yours.