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The Ancient Greeks can lay claim to some of the greatest achievements of Western civilisation, and throughout July the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama in Cyprus will attempt to breathe new life into this proud tradition. The festival was created in 1996 and attracts theatre companies from as far afield as Britain, USA, Russia and Korea. Through this international participation, the Cyprus Centre for Theatre aims to highlight the universality of Ancient Greek drama and its relevance in the modern world.

The performances take place at a number of historic locations across Cyprus. Each venue is intertwined with the classical origins of the festival, and travelling between the sites is also the perfect chance to see the length and breadth of this beautiful island. The most spectacular of these venues is the ancient Greco-Roman amphitheatre at Kourion. This architectural wonder has been completely restored to its former glory, and allows you the incredible opportunity to watch performances with the Mediterranean itself as a backdrop.

Another venue is the Odeon in the coastal city of Paphos. The current city lies next to the ruins of Old Paphos, the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, and the city itself is so full of historical wonders that the whole area has been included in the UNESCO list of 'cultural and natural treasures of the world's heritage'. The final location on the theatrical tour is the Makarios III Amphitheatre in Nicosia, the capital of the island. The city is divided up between Greece and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and is a timely reminder of the tensions that have troubled the island in recent years.

Mainland Greece is the birthplace of drama, and this heritage is also an essential part of Cypriot culture. The festival brings this ancient tradition bang up to date, allowing you to see incredible stories of domestic conflict and outrageous comedy performed in the format they were originally intended. If going to the theatre brings back memories of sitting in cramped seats at the back of a gloomy hall then you will be relieved to hear that Ancient Greek theatre is a completely outdoor experience. As you sit in the ancient auditorium you can take pride in the fact that your are continuing in a tradition that has lasted for thousands of years. The high profile of the festival means that it attracts visitors from around the world, and Thomas Cook organise a number of flights to Cyprus over this period.