Cruising the Aegean: Turkey and the Greek Isles – with Smithsonian Journeys

Athens, the capital of Greece, sits along the Saronic Gulf in the country's eastern region. Known for its historical significance, the city surrounds the iconic Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site atop a rocky plateau. Explore vibrant districts like Plaka, with narrow streets and local dining spots, or visit cultural landmarks such as the National Archaeological Museum and the Cycladic Art Museum, which highlight Athens' rich history and art.

Nafplion, nestled on the hillsides of the Argolic Gulf in the eastern Peloponnese, boasts a rich cultural heritage. Highlights include the ancient agora on the Akronafplia plateau, Italianate arcades in Syntagma Square, and the Palamidi fortress offering panoramic views of the gulf and surrounding mountains. Stroll along the Arvanitia promenade to a secluded creek shaded by cedars and cypresses for a peaceful retreat by the water.

Famous for its white marble, the island of Paros is located in the Cyclades. Along the quays of Parikia, its main town, you’ll see Byzantine churches and neoclassical buildings. To make the most of the turquoise waters, you can stop over in Naoussa. This little fishing port is bounded by a very beautiful cove.

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. The sheer size and importance of this UNESCO World Heritage site which covers over half of the island is thrilling in itself. From the Stoa of Antigonos, the Terrace of the Lions, to the carved marble animal statues, you will discover discovery, against a backdrop of the Aegean stretching to the horizon. The theatre steps on the hillside are a particularly good place from which to enjoy the expansive view.

Nicknamed “little Venice”, Mykonos is famous for its Alefkandra district where houses are built right 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 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 colourful 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 absolutely gorgeous swimming areas.

Canakkale is located on the edge of the straits of the Dardanelles, in the north-west of the country. On the promenade alongside the harbor, you’ll come across a contemporary sculpture of an immense wooden horse evoking Odysseus’ legendary scheme to take Troy. In the Archaeological Museum, you’ll see artifacts found during the excavations made in the ancient city.  Thirty or so kilometers south of Canakkale, you can also visit the archaeological site of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rising out of the luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation, you’ll see many stone walls, sculptures, and inscriptions, as well as a theatre with stone tiers.

The Dardanelles Strait is an emblematic, 61 km-long waterway connecting the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara. It is strategic for controlling passage between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Like the Bosporus, or Strait of Istanbul, it separates Europe from Asia. A surface current flows along it, while a more saline undercurrent flows in the opposite direction. Along the strait, you will be able to admire hilly landscapes and arid lowlands brightened by fields and groves of olive trees.

Located on the Bosphorus, Istanbul is one of the most beautiful of all Turkish cities. Named Byzantium when founded by the Greeks, and then Constantinople under the Roman Empire, this city is steeped in history and, for this reason, is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Located on Sultanahmet hill, the great Blue Mosque, the mysterious Hagia Sophia, and the vast Topkapi Palace and its countless mosaics, dominate the Marmara Sea. In the Beyazit district, the Grand Bazaar allows one to discover elegant covered passages. A little further away, the delicate aroma of loukoum and spices will draw the visitors’ attention to the Egyptian Bazaar.