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.

Skiathos, one of 24 islands on an ancient Aegean trade route off Greece's east coast, is part of the Sporades ("scattered"). It's a Greek island idyll: sandy beaches, pine forests reaching the water, whitewashed townhouses, hillside monasteries, tree-hidden lagoons, and bayside fish restaurants. By boat, explore inlets, capes, sea caves, and Lalaria, a picture-perfect rock arch only reachable from the sea.

Explore history, culture, and carpets in western Turkey: walk in Cleopatra's steps to the Roman ruins of Ephesus, dedicated to Artemis, amid monuments, shrines, columns, and ruins. Then visit Pamukkale's sacred thermal pools, where pilgrims seek healing and reflection. Travel to Orthodox villages blending Turkish-Greek culture, taste organic filo, feta, and spinach, and learn about Turkish weaving, natural dyes, looms, and the making of carpets and kilims.

Lesbos is a lush Greek island just 10 km from Turkey, yet far from the crowds. Life moves slowly here, with history spanning millennia. It's the land of Sappho, where Odysseus paused and Homer's Iliad stormed. Wander Mytilene's cobbled lanes to its fortress, overlooking an island of fishermen, forests, some petrified, and birdsong.

Explore Istanbul's east-meets-west charm: the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Turkish baths, and the old city's vine-shaded streets. Haggle for gold, linen, and antiques, feast on meze, bluefish, kebabs, baklava, and olives, then sip raki. Cross to Asia for street food, browse the Spice Bazaar, and party late by the Bosphorus until dawn.

Explore Istanbul's east-meets-west charm: the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Turkish baths, and the old city's vine-shaded streets. Haggle for gold, linen, and antiques, feast on meze, bluefish, kebabs, baklava, and olives, then sip raki. Cross to Asia for street food, browse the Spice Bazaar, and party late by the Bosphorus until dawn.

Start early to have Mykonos to yourself. Wander narrow streets of Cycladic whitewashed cubes, boutiques, churches and windmills. Mix with glitterati at beach events, saltwater pools, vineyards and bars. In the afternoon, visit sacred Delos for ruins, temples, squares and shrines. Dine in Chora on local dishes, filo, Greek salad, halloumi and sea urchin with freddo, then watch sunset over the ocean and end the night at legendary bars and clubs.

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.