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.

A tiny island with a big reputation. Visit discreet Patmos, a secluded paradise for discerning travelers: sun-kissed beaches, clear coves, warm hospitality, and classic Greek beauty-mountain views and white houses dotting the hills. Known as the Land of Legends, it's said St John wrote Revelation here. Quiet yet powerful, Patmos was once called "Letois," linked to Artemis, daughter of Leto, and believed to exist through her divine intervention.

Explore an old-world fishing town with high-society charm on the sunlit Peninsula of the turquoise coast. Enjoy breathtaking views, lively streets, shopping, dining, and relaxation. Pay respect to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, then savor fresh fish, meze, and strong coffee. Discover Bafa Lake, olive groves, bougainvillea, and rich birdlife. Set sail on a private gullet to crystal-clear Aegean coves and make lasting memories.

Syros lies just across from Mykonos, but feels a world away from its hedonism. Far from sleepy, its capital Ermoupoli-once the Aegean's mercantile heart-is an elegant neo-classical city buzzing with Greek life. Explore marble boulevards to Vaporia, with preserved merchant palaces, waterfront cafes, and the Apollo Theatre. Also visit Ano Syros, a Venetian hilltop village crowned by San Giorgio, plus fishing villages, sandy shores, and quiet coves.

Marvel at this chic walled city of palazzi, ancient forts and epic Adriatic views. Enter Pile Gate to wander alleys, squares, museums and baroque churches. Kayak around the ramparts, taste Dalmatian wines in Konavle, and visit Cavtat and Mostar. Escape to cacti-clad Lokrum for yoga and walks, or dine on the rocks. No wonder the glitterati flock to this charming medieval Dalmatian marvel.

Welcome to carefree Hvar: a historic island of Venetian stone houses and monuments above a palm- and superyacht-lined harbour. Visit the Grand Piazza with its baroque cathedral and Venetian castle, plus the oceanback monastery and its legendary 'Last Supper' painting. Head to the pine-covered Pakleni islets for seclusion, enjoy Carpe Diem by the sea, and explore lavender-scented Humac and Stari Grad.

Explore Venice's ancient palaces, galleries, and modern exhibits; walk among masterpieces, catch an opera, admire medieval buildings, and blow Murano glass. Drift the Grand Canal by gondola past churches, convents, and campi, cross hump-backed bridges, and reach Piazza San Marco, the Basilica, and the Doge's Palace. From palazzos to perfumeries and the Bridge of Sighs, beauty is always moments away in this liquid-gold city.