A jewel of the Med

Over another Cyprus coffee (my new-found habit had become worrying), Sofronis spoke of his refreshing take on life, that sums up the wonderful attitude of the island.

“I could charge people for the wi-fi,” he said. “But why should I? I don’t run this place for a profit – I just charge money to keep going.

“When tourists stop here, I go fishing with them, I eat with them, we make friends – that is what is important.”

As the pace of the modern world grows ever quicker, I am reminded that, with the right people, the right weather and the right food, life need not be a struggle.

Cyprus: The facts

l Cyprus was under British rule until 1960, and a large proportion of the natives still speak English.

l The island prides itself on good weather all-year round, but the best times to visit the are from April-July.

l Richard flew with Monarch airlines, who now run twice-weekly flights to Larnaca from Leeds Bradford Airport. Visit www.monarch.co.uk for more information.

l The hotels Richard stayed at were the Almyra in Paphos and the Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri Bay. Visit http://www.almyra.com/ or http://www.columbia-hotels.com/en/beach-resort-cyprus/.