East seems to be a common thread for Cyprus, for this island is situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, far away from the Atlantic Ocean, whose weather patterns often influence conditions in places like Portugal, southern Spain and even the islands of Mallorca and Ibiza. But Cyprus is well protected from all of that and sometimes when places like Ibiza and Menorca find themselves in the grip of wet or windy conditions, Cyprus could be hot and sunny. That may not be surprising when you think that Cyprus is more than 2000 miles from the Atlantic, but for anyone considering a holiday either side of the peak summer months that may well be the difference between a great break and a damp one.

In the south east corner of Cyprus, most easily reached by taking a flight to Larnaca, an array of attractive resorts are within a short drive, starting, of course, with the many bays and beaches around Larnaca itself.

Further east and you'll discover Potamos and its small white sandy beach. The waterway here is home to all kinds of fishing boats, both old and new and there's not a whole lot of commercial development yet, although there are some small villa complexes on the eastern bank. The small beach at the tip of the headland is a real beauty and a great place to spend a relaxing day watching the world go by. A basic cafe gives some simple food and drink options and other than that there's not much to interrupt a lazy day.

Travel further along the coast road, passing Waterworld, an exciting place for a day out if you have children and you'll eventually get to Makronissos Bay and the first hotels within reach of Ayia Napa, which is still 2 miles away. Hence the resort is quite quiet and great to relax in, as is the next and slightly larger bay at Nissi Beach. There's no doubt that this is a stunning place, with the warm, shallow waters of the bay here perfect for families with small children. Described as paradise by some, the wonderful sandy beach, frequent glorious sunsets and a wide choice of very high quality hotels has earned Nissi a great reputation already.

Keep travelling along the Ayia Napa strip and you'll stumble across a number of small sandy beaches, a useful coastal promenade and other more sizable beaches in the style of the one at Callisto beach. There are many hotels in this area, some with their own semi-private beaches, making for a great beach-orientated holiday if that is what you are looking for.

Eventually you will reach the centre of Ayia Napa, with its marina and main beach stretching along the coast for half a mile. At peak times this beach can get quite full, but it's well served by beach umbrellas and sun loungers and there's no doubt it's a great place to lie in the sun, taking the occasional splash in the crystal clear blue waters to cool off. For a quieter beach resort then travel east again and try out Kermia Beach, a small resort with a nice sandy beach, fringed by palm trees. Again shallow waters make taking a dip in the sea very easy. Eventually you will reach Cape Greco at the south eastern tip of Cyprus. This is a protected area, so there are no developments, but is a nice place for a day trip and has great views from the headland and high points. The amazing blue waters of the sea here have to be seen to be believed.

Around the headland, heading north and we soon reach those resorts in the east we are looking for. Here the choice of great holiday locations is almost too long to list. Resorts like Fig Tree Bay at Protaras, the bays around Pernera, and other smaller bays before you reach Famagusta. Protaras is a resort that seems to satisfy all kinds of holidaymakers, from couples looking for peace and quiet as well as families looking for safe areas for small children. English is spoken widely and the quality of bars and restaurants will not disappoint. The East of Cyprus may just be the ideal location to head to for your next summer holiday.