Nestled on the Bosphorus, Istanbul stands as one of Turkey's most stunning cities. Founded by the Greeks as Byzantium and later renamed Constantinople under the Roman Empire, this historic city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. On Sultanahmet Hill, the majestic Blue Mosque, the enigmatic Hagia Sophia, and the expansive Topkapi Palace with its intricate mosaics dominate the Marmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, explore the Grand Bazaar's elegant covered passages. A short distance away, the enticing aromas of loukoum and spices captivate visitors at the Egyptian Bazaar.

Discover Canakkale on the edge of the Dardanelles in northwest Turkey. Stroll along the harbor promenade and encounter a modern sculpture of a giant wooden horse, symbolizing Odysseus' famous ploy to conquer Troy. Visit the Archaeological Museum to view artifacts unearthed from the ancient city. Travel about thirty kilometers south to explore the archaeological site of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Amidst lush Mediterranean vegetation, admire numerous stone walls, sculptures, inscriptions, and an ancient theater with stone tiers.

The attractive seaside resort of Kusadasi is located in a gulf on the western coast of Turkey. You can bathe there in clear waters or stroll along the coastal walk, in the shade of palms. In the historical district, you can take a mosey down the narrow streets and explore the colorful shops in the bazaar. Close by, the Ephesus archaeological site in the hillsides provides an opportunity to discover the ruins of one of the most famous cities of Antiquity.

Patmos is one of the legendary must-see islands in the Dodecanese. This is where Saint John resided, presumed author of the last book in the Bible. The Cave of the Apocalypse and the Saint John Monastery are dedicated to him. These sites, which are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, are located at the top of a hillside planted with vines and orchards. On the shore, the crystalline coves of Kambos and Lampi offer gorgeous swimming areas.

The spectacular volcanic island of Santorini stands out proudly in the Cyclades. Its basalt cliffs offer particularly expansive views of the Aegean. To enjoy these views, you can head for the capital, Fira. Its floral belvederes of bougainvillea provide a bird’s-eye view of several thousand meters of coastline. Further away, the gorgeous village of Oia looks like a stairway of blue and white houses on the slopes of the volcano. In the south of the island, you can visit the stunning ruins of Akrotiri, an ancient city destroyed by an eruption and covered with a thick layer of lava stone.

This legendary Cyclades island of Delos stands just a few miles southwest of Mykonos. The ceremonial solemnity of this ancient holy sanctuary will not leave you indifferent. This UNESCO World Heritage site's sheer size and importance, which covers over half of the island, is thrilling. From the Stoa of Antigonos, the Terrace of the Lions, to the carved marble animal statues, discover against a backdrop of the Aegean stretching to the horizon. The theatre steps on the hillside are a particularly good place to enjoy the expansive view.

Nicknamed “little Venice,” Mykonos is famous for its Alefkandra district, where houses are built on the water’s edge. Their multi-colored loggias are emblematic of this Cyclades island, as are the pelicans and windmills. You can get close up to the birds on the quaysides of the old port. Up on the hillside, you can see the windmill sails turning. In the cobbled streets of the pedestrian center, bougainvillea bedecks immaculate facades. As you weave in and out of the little streets, snatches of coastline will undoubtedly call you to the island’s beaches, the quietest of which can be found on the northern coast.

 

The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Do not be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma square as well as the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are simply awesome. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic Gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name for the first villages that surround the Acropolis. Be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colorful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological Museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.