Rome is more than ancient architecture: it offers hidden gems, fashion, street art, Vespa rides to the Appian Way, and coins tossed into fountains. Visit the Vatican's Sistine Chapel and private quarters by appointment, plus the Colosseum, Caravaggio churches, the Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon. Make pasta, hunt truffles, enjoy gelato and coffee, or unwind in a 3,000-year-old pool. In Rome, old and new blend so you can indulge in it all.

Sorrento seduces with Siren-like beauty: Vesuvian views, Amalfi hikes and Positano charms. Wander the maze-like Centro Storico, with hidden gardens and historic churches, then enjoy old-school pizzerias and lemon gelato in Piazza Tasso. Look into Valle dei Mulini, hike the Lattari Mountains, and visit Pompeii and Herculaneum. Sail to chic Capri or nearby Ravello's terraced gardens. With limoncello and dolce vita glamour, Sorrento shines.

Slow down and enjoy Monemvasia's peace and quiet. Rising above the inky blue sea, this mirage-like rock town on the Peloponnese is split into upper and lower towns. The upper town holds ruined streets, Byzantine architecture, and Agia Sophia; the lower town has cobbled lanes, tavernas, and residents. Listen to cicadas, taste Malvasia wine, and soak up the silence, sky, and Mamma Mia charm.

This horseshoe-shaped Cycladic island, where the Venus de Milo was found in 1820, blends major history with striking landscapes. See the Hellenistic marble amphitheatre and 1st-century catacombs, or explore hot springs, mines, volcanoes, and hillsides in russet, pink, and orange. Of 78 beaches, Sarakiniko's wind-carved white rocks feel lunar; others offer volcanic sand, sea caves, arches, and clear water. End with sunset from Plaka's castle ruins.

Athens doesn't live in the past. Glamorous and forward-looking, it blends galleries, gelaterias, bijoux boutiques, and museums with the wonders of the Acropolis and Parthenon. Wander lively streets and markets, dance at bouzoukia, sing in tavernas, then head to the harbour for dimly lit bars and cold beer. With salty air and fishing boats setting out at dawn, Athens feels both ancient and progressive.