Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Athens is the cradle of the Western democratic tradition, home to a civilization as radiant as any before or since. Feel the pulse of history as you climb to the hilltop Acropolis, home to some of the city’s most renowned ancient sites. Gaze in amazement at the massive columns of the Parthenon, Pericles' greatest monument. Admire the little Temple of Nike and the fantastic carvings of the caryatids that support a porch of the Erechtheion. At the bottom of the hill, the Acropolis Museum includes original statues of the maidens and numerous other artifacts unearthed here. Equally outstanding is the National Archaeological Museum, one of the largest in the world. In the Agora, you can walk in the footsteps of Plato and Aristotle, carry on an imaginary dialogue with Socrates and discover where Hippocrates healed and Pericles ruled. Then for lighter fare, savor the lively tavernas and twisting lanes of the Plaka neighborhood.
Nafplio, Greece
The Venetians left their mark in Nafplio. Perched on a cliff jutting into the sea, their impregnable fortress is an elegant display of Venetian might. Walk through the Old Town with its handsome neoclassical buildings and balconies dripping with bougainvillea. One of the most beautiful towns in Greece, Nafplio is also one of the most historic; its cultural roots date back to both the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War. From here you can drive across the Peloponnese where tales from Homer’s Iliad come alive. Visit the immense beehive tomb of Agamemnon in the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wonder at the acoustic marvel of the ancient theater in Epidaurus, another UNESCO World Heritage site, built in the 4th century BC and still in use today.
Heraklion, Crete, Greece
On the eastern coast of Crete lies the island’s capital and largest urban center, Heraklion. A lively port city on the surface, millennia of history lie beneath its modern facade. Turkish fountains lie within the modern bustling city center and Venetian buildings and Minoan fortresses transport visitors back in time. See Minoan art and artifacts at the Heraklion Archeological Museum and explore the impressive Koules fortress for a view of Heraklion’s past before roaming the city’s plazas. The Palace of Knossos transports visitors to the Minoan Era, with preserved remains of colorful murals and imposing red columns. Not only known for its historical sights, Heraklion is fringed with stunning beaches, from the former hippies’ paradise, Matala Beach to the golden sands of Agia Pelagia Beach.
Mykonos, Greece
Bronze bodies bask in the sun on golden beaches, blue-domed churches dot the island, and picturesque windmills paddle the horizon. This is Mykonos, one of the most charming and fashionable of the Greek isles. Chora, its capital, is a cubist jumble of whitewashed houses and a maze of alleyways built long ago to foil pirates. Get lost in these narrow, twisting lanes filled with exclusive boutiques, art galleries and world-class restaurants. Take a 4x4 to explore the hidden corners of this stunning Cycladic island, or take a short boat trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Delos, a sacred islet of ancient ruins and the mythological birthplace of the twins Apollo and Artemis.
Bodrum, Turkey
Located on Turkey’s sun-drenched Aegean coast, the town of Bodrum effortlessly blends seaside chic with ancient history and a relaxed beach scene. The town is the hub for boating on the peninsula, and traditional wooden gulet boats will take you along the coastline to idyllic hidden coves to swim in sparkling turquoise waters. Bodrum’s 15th century St. Peter’s Castle stands guard over the old bazaar district’s narrow cobbled streets, quaint cafés, artisan workshops and bougainvillea-draped whitewashed walls. To the east you’ll find lively beach clubs and a bustling nightlife zone, while to the west you’ll discover the town’s impressive marina, which anchors an upscale district of stylish stores, restaurants and bars.
Rhodes, Greece
The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes is renowned for its sunshine, sandy beaches and spectacular heritage. During two centuries of occupation, the crusading Knights Hospitaller transformed Rhodes Town into a medieval stronghold. Today its Old Town is a wonderful tangle of streets and squares that are bustling with cafés and restaurants. The architecture here is fascinating – a beautiful blend Gothic, Byzantine and Ottoman styles. To the north you’ll find Mandraki Harbor, which was purportedly the location of the Colossus of Rhodes, an ancient towering statue of the sun god Helios. Head down the coast and you’ll find the island’s most beautiful ancient site, Lindos. The hilltop acropolis here offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Agean Sea and surrounding villages. Lindos’ main square and dine on delicious local specialties like grilled tuna or cuttlefish-ink risotto.
Santorini, Greece
Make sure to be on deck to witness sailing into one of the Aegean’s most spectacular sights: the volcanic caldera that is Santorini’s bay. Rising from the sea, the earth transforms into a wall of stone that looms in striating hues of ochres, grays and pinks. Dotted with the island’s iconic blue-domed churches, the whitewashed village of Fira hovers in the cliffs, bustling with shops, tavernas and a fine museum while clinging to the caldera’s rim. After gazing down at the stunning view from Fira, you can hike the Caldera Trail to Oia – a different and equally breathtaking perspective of the exquisite bay awaits you at every turn. Or sample other island delights – the wineries, the black sand beaches or the Minoan ruins of Akrotiri, which Plato believed was the lost city of Atlantis. Then relax in a cliffside taverna with a local assyrtiko wine and watch an amazing sunset.
Milos, Greece
One of the most geographically distinctive and culturally rich islands in the Cyclades, Milos is a volcanic island of beautiful beaches, thermal springs and unusual rock formations. Adámantas, the island’s pretty port and nightlife hub, is sheltered inside the volcano’s former caldera. Plaka, the nearby capital, overlooks the entrance to the Gulf of Milos. This charming hilltop town is home to Plaka Castle with views of the entire island as well as an acclaimed archaeological museum, which features a replica of the island’s most famous find: the Venus of Milo. A diverse array of historic sites – Bronze Age settlements, ancient Greek ruins, Christian catacombs, abandoned windmills and pirate caves – dot this lovely island. And while you’re there, be sure to try the local culinary specialties, like watermelon pie and bonbons with white pumpkin.
Taormina (Naxos), Sicily, Italy
Nestled on the beautiful Sicilian coast, Taormina is most famous for the 3rd-century Teatro Antico di Taormina, the world's most dramatically situated Greek theater. Nearby cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches. The city center is filled with 15th-century stone palaces and churches, and pedestrian-only Corso Umberto is the spot for people watching, shopping, fine dining or a gelato. Strung along the bay below Taormina is Giardini Naxos, a picturesque seaside resort on the site of the most ancient Greek colony in Sicily. Of course, many visitors make the trek inland to magnificent Mount Etna, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for a hike through the foothills or a walking tour of the upper crater. On the north slope is the often overlooked but incredibly scenic waterfalls and rapids of Alcantara Gorge, a great place for hiking or cooling off with Sicilian locals.
Sorrento, Italy
This port on Italy’s southern coast overlooking the Bay of Naples is a popular starting place to see all of the pretty towns along the famous Amalfi Coast, but don’t miss the charms of Sorrento itself. The town is perched on cliffs high above the marinas and port below. Visit the 8th-century Cloisters of San Francesco and the Sorrento Cathedral, started in the 15th century with many additions made over time. Relax at a café in Piazza Tasso, the hub of the town. From Sorrento it is also possible to take an excursion to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Pompeii and the mighty volcano Vesuvius.
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
An amazing amalgam of sights and sounds, Rome is a kinetic tapestry stimulating every sense. The ring of church bells and honks of early morning traffic echo off the weathered stone of ancient buildings. Office workers dash past fruit stands and sidewalk cafés in the shadows of elegant palace façades. Meanwhile, tourists make their way from piazza to piazza, monument to monument, church to church: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica. From the sculptures of the ancients to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes to the Baroque fountains of Bernini, Rome’s art and architecture are unsurpassed. Here the day-to-day life of a busy European metropolis intermingles with many of the most recognizable monuments ever created. Rome belongs not only to Italy, but to the world.
Places to visit 
