Travel question of the day: Simon Calder on safety in Cyprus

Have a travel question that needs answering? Ask our expert Simon Calder

Q What are your thoughts on travelling to Cyprus in August? Is it safe?

Nikki McBride, Colnbrook

A Personally I wouldn’t travel to Cyprus in August. But that is not because of any sense of danger – just the heat on the island in the warmest month of the year, when the average temperature is above 30C. April and October are my preferred months; May and September are also lovely.

I infer, though, your question has nothing to do with excessive sunshine, but rather the proximity to the appalling war that has cost so many lives in Syria; the Syrian coast is only 50 miles from Cyprus. I see no risk that the unfolding tragedy in Syria will spill over to the island. So apart from the heat, I would happily go to Cyprus – and take my family there. But I wouldn’t rent a car, because the roads are about twice as dangerous than the UK. That is where the main risk resides, along with the water: “Be aware of strong seas and undertows,” says the Foreign Office.

Every day, our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder