The tug of war for control of the serene island of Cyprus has been the story of the Mediterranean jewel since before the reign of Alexander the Great. The most recent custody battle between Greece, Turkey and Great Britain has been contentious and unfortunate not only for native Cypriots, but tourism to the area.

Mercifully, sunny days appear to be in the cards for Cyprus. Investment from former nationals and wealthy expats have brought new resort developments to Cyprus, along with a public relations campaign to brand the country as both a family vacation destination and party island. A fresh wave of new visitors to the coast has made Cyprus a trendy new hot spot.

Ayia Napa in particular, has been the beneficiary of the new image campaign. As a contender to replace Ibiza and Mykonos as destinations with the backpacker and rave set, the resort town in Cyprus also has inherent appeal with travelers who like a little culture in their target destination.

The Makronissos Tombs is a preeminent example. The excavation site contains burial plots from the Hellenic and Roman periods of Cypriot conquest.

The Farm House, in stark contrast to the modern resort Ayia has become, depicts the agricultural heritage of the region with vivid authenticity.

The Municipal Museum of Marine Life features excellent exhibits of endemic marine fauna to Mediterranean Cyprus, with emphasis on ecosystem conservation.

The medieval monastery in the heart of the old town is the most famous attraction in Ayia Napa. Part of the 16th century church was cut out from foundation rock and sits underground.

Agios Antonios and Agia Varvara reflect a bygone era of Ayia Napa. The spectacular 16th century chapels represent two rare remainders of Byzantine architecture left in the region.

Nissi beach is just one of several in Cyprus with coveted Blue Flag designation. What sets the span of Ayia Napa coastline apart, aside from pristine sand and great views, is the superb array of recreational pursuits available. Nissi is also a popular nightlife destination in the summer.

Ayia Napa is a regular pilgrimage haunt for Euro club heads and hardcore house, garage and grime music fans. A slew of clubs dot the resort town and popular beachfront spots host raves throughout the peak tourist months.

Green Monday is a tribute to the Greek god Dionysus in February. The pre-Lent celebration features outdoor countryside feasts.

The Festival of the Flood in June is a secular and spiritual celebration that features traditional dance, music and food, as well as concerts by international artists.

A more pure and authentic experience is available at the annual Ayia Napa Festival in September. The celebration of Cypriot culture, agriculture and folklore features a slate of traditional performances and events.

Ayia Napa has a hot, dry Mediterranean climate, with temperatures that rarely drop below 10°C.

• Winter (December to March) 8-18°C
• Spring (April to May) 11-26°C
• Summer (June to September) 20-32°C
• Fall (October to November) 12-27°C