Lying right across the path of birds flying north from tropical Africa, through Egypt and on over the eastern Mediterranean, a spring visit to Cyprus provides some of the most exciting birdwatching in all Europe. To enhance our stay still further, we'll be based within easy reach of the island's most famous migration hot-spot: Paphos headland.

With migration in full flow, each new day brings fresh surprises. One morning perhaps a stunning Masked Shrike hunting from a Carob tree, while the next it has been replaced by an equally spectacular Collared Flycatcher. Short-toed Larks and Black-headed Wagtails feed on the stony ground and Red-rumped Swallows hawk overhead. Like so much of the rest of the island, the areas around Paphos headland should be a blaze of colour, carpeted with yellow Crown Daisies, scarlet Poppies and pink Convolvulus. In the afternoons, the colour changes to blue, as the lovely Barbary Nut Irises open in the warm sunshine.

During our stay we'll visit some choice wetlands, including the Asprokremnos reservoir and the reedbeds at Phassouri. To the east, the vast Salt Lake at Akrotiri holds Flamingos well into spring, while its marginal pools attract Squacco and Purple Herons, Glossy Ibis and Spur-winged Plover. We'll watch Griffon Vultures soaring, drive up into the snow-capped Troodos Mountains (where the island's own chocolate Coal Tits are well worth looking for), and explore the scenic Akamas peninsula - excellent for wildflowers and great for migrants.

Though predominantly a birdwatching tour, there'll be opportunities for those that wish to revel in the wonderful Mediterranean flora, too. These include many endemics, whilst among nineteen species of orchid found on our 2005 tour were Giant, Naked Man and Yellow Bee-orchids. We have chosen to stay in one strategically-placed hotel for the whole week to make this a most relaxed tour, with plenty of time spent on gentle walks amidst the birds and flowers of this compelling island.