Cyprus: Route around the Island of Aphrodite, the goddess who rose from the sea, tailor-made by car

Greek mythology says that Cronus, after castrating his own father Uranus, threw his genitals into the sea where they formed a new being among the foam, Aphrodite. Once the figure of the goddess of beauty and love had been created, she was brought to the surface in a huge seashell, an image immortalised by the Renaissance painter Botticelli's masterpiece, The Birth of Venus (the Roman equivalent of Aphrodite). The place where the goddess appeared from the waters is found on a tiny romantic beach on the southwestern coast of Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean. It's home to a spectacular sea stack that is the cradle of this popular legend, the famous Petra tou Romiou. This is why Cyprus bears the nickname of the Island of Aphrodite, yet there are many more archaeological remains in the country that make reference to the goddess. And, of course, the country truly reflects its title as the birthplace of Aphrodite, with attractions including the lush forests of the Troodos Mountain and a stunning coastline peppered with heavenly beaches. We'd like to suggest a road trip laden with history and archaeology on which you'll discover not only Petra tou Romiou, but also the legacy of Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Ottomans and the British. But Cyprus is much more than its long and frenetic past. It's also a modern and vibrant sun-and-sand destination blessed with crystal-clear waters, picture-postcard beaches, entertainment for all ages and a lively nightlife, focused around the party resort of Ayia Napa. Travel to Cyprus and discover why it is one of the Mediterranean's top destinations.