WHEN it comes to Olympic titles - and who isn't talking about London 2012 now? - there was only going to be one winner: Me!

I knew it from the moment our taxi pulled up at our Cyprus holiday hotel, the Olympic Lagoon Resort on the island's south-east coast.

Our flight had been one of those midnight specials where you arrive at your destination in the early hours, everyone asleep, feeling shattered, unwanted and totally out of sorts.

Golden But at the Olympic, the attentive and friendly night staff whizzed us through the formalities of checking in, and offered us a drink and a sandwich before our luggage (and us) were loaded onto a golf buggy and taken to our ground-floor apartment.

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Golden The eastern Mediterranean island, telly hunk Peter Andre's STUNNING fave place, has been receiving visitors for centuries, some more welcome than others as invading armies criss-crossed the region.

But whether present-day tourist invaders are going for a wild old time in clubbing hotspots such as Ayia Napa, or exploring the splendour of the Troodos Mountains, the island opens its arms to embrace you (and your euros).

It really is a place of contrasts.

In the winter you can spend the morning skiing in the mountains amid villages that wouldn't be out of place on a Tyrolean postcard.

drive will have you factor 20ed up Then, in the afternoon, a short drive will have you factor 20ed up and picnicking on the beach. And and picnicking on the beach. And driving is no problem. They keep to the left. And Cyprus uses threepin plugs, so no need for adaptors. But best of all are your accommodation options. There are super hotels to suit every pocket.

Frozen Our choice was the incredibly spacious and newly refitted Olympic Lagoon Resort which sits with its sister beachside boutique hotel (19 adults-only couples, please) in Nissi Bay, a couple of miles from Ayia Napa.

It was amazing to think as we mooched around the palm treestudded grounds trying to decide which of the hotel's many huge pools to cool off in, that we were so close to the most headbangingest place on the planet.

As we had decided on a break where we could just chill, it was the perfect choice.

That's not to say we didn't have a good nosey around. Nicosia was our first stop.

The island's ancient main city, divided since 1974 - one half's Greek and the other Turkish - is a lively shopping centre.

On to the Troodos Mountains and you pass Nicosia's international airport, again frozen in time since the Turkish invasion and sitting sad and dejected in a weed-strewn No Man's Land guarded by the United Nations.

Atop the Troodos's highest peak, at 2,200metres, sits one of the many British military installations on the island, the radars given away by their white domes.

And that's where you'll find the winter skiers too.

Wonderful restaurants dot the roads winding up to the peak so there is always the temptation to break your journey for a snack or a full-blown meal. Pretty villages suddenly appear around bends in the road, including those that look more at home in the Alps than a short flight from the delights of Egypt.

Day two found us up early and out on the road again, this time heading for Famagusta.

Pirate It was over the "border" again into the Turkish territory, but with the lure of the historic ruins of Salamis with its famed gymnasium (a sort of spa-come-centre for ancient fitness freaks).

In the city itself, the former St Barnabas's cathedral is now stripped of its finery to serve as a huge mosque near the harbour.

Here you can find Petek's, one of the best patisseries I've ever encountered, a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy. Well worth the trip itself.

As we left to return to the hotel we passed shell-pocked holiday hotels on our way to Ghost Town, the former Greek homes hurriedly abandoned in 1974 and unoccupied ever since. Again, this sad, deserted little enclave is controlled by the UN.

With sightseeing done and dusted we could concentrate on devoting ourselves to a bit of pampering, Olympic style. With its atmospheric spa, gym, thoughtful childcare facilities and three pools (including a pirate boat experience for the kids), there was no lack of choice for adults or the children.

Accommodating around 800 guests, you would be fooled into thinking the resort was half full such is the spacious layout.

Cooling palms are dotted around the pools, and if you do overheat, try the huge ice-cold plunge pool or grab a man-sized rubber ring and drift around the Lazy River experience.

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You will spot the exclusive Fisherman's Cottages apartments at a quiet end of the resort and two feature restaurants: the exquisite Japanese-themed NIKO and Captain's Deck for a belly-busting meze. There is also a rock'n'roll burgers and hot dog diner straight out of Happy Days.

Meanwhile, the main buffet restaurant offered mouthwatering menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Phew! Mind you, you'll need all that grub to keep energy levels up for a bit of partying in Ayia Napa. Taxi!

FACT BOX

Thomas Cook Holidays With Style is offering seven nights, all inclusive, at the four-star Olympic Lagoon Resort from £652 per person, from Gatwick on April 11.

Exclusive to Thomas Cook customers in the UK, other airports and room upgrades are available.

Visit thomascookstyle.com, call 0844 412 5970 or visit the nearest Thomas Cook, Going Places or Co-operative Travel shop.

Cyprus travel guides are available from £4.99 at thomascookpublishing.com. Call 01733 416477.