Athens, cradle of Western democracy, offers a living link to antiquity. Climb the Acropolis to see the Parthenon, Temple of Nike, and Erechtheion caryatids, then visit the Acropolis Museum for original statues and artifacts. The National Archaeological Museum is also outstanding. In the Agora, follow the footsteps of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Hippocrates, and Pericles. Finish in Plaka with its winding lanes and lively tavernas.

Milos, one of the Cyclades' most distinctive and culturally rich islands, is a volcanic island known for beautiful beaches, thermal springs, and unusual rock formations. Adámantas, its sheltered port and nightlife hub, sits in the former caldera. Nearby Plaka, the capital, overlooks the Gulf of Milos and has Plaka Castle, an archaeological museum with a Venus of Milo replica, and local specialties like watermelon pie and white-pumpkin bonbons.

Witness sailing into Santorini's volcanic caldera, where ochre, gray, and pink cliffs rise from the sea. Visit whitewashed Fira, dotted with blue-domed churches, shops, tavernas, and a museum, then hike the Caldera Trail to Oia for stunning views. Also explore wineries, black-sand beaches, or Akrotiri's Minoan ruins, and end with assyrtiko wine and a famous sunset.

Chania, Crete's former capital, sits beneath the Lefka Ori mountains. Its heritage spans Byzantine monasteries, medieval churches, and Turkish baths. In the Old Town, the Venetian harbor features a lighthouse and colorful waterfront palazzos, with nearby alleyways full of cafés, galleries, bars, and restaurants. Visit the Archaeological Museum or the ruins of ancient Aptera above Souda. In the evening, try Cretan tavernas or the lively harbor bars.

Taormina, on Sicily's coast, is famed for the 3rd-century Teatro Antico, a dramatically sited Greek theater. Its old center has 15th-century palaces and churches, and pedestrian Corso Umberto is ideal for strolling, shopping, dining, or gelato. Below lies Giardini Naxos, a seaside resort on Sicily's oldest Greek colony. Nearby are Mount Etna, a UNESCO site, and the scenic Alcantara Gorge for hiking and cooling off.

This port on Italy's southern coast overlooking the Bay of Naples is a popular starting point for the Amalfi Coast, but Sorrento itself is worth seeing. Perched on cliffs above the marinas and port, it features the 8th-century Cloisters of San Francesco, the Sorrento Cathedral (begun in the 15th century), and lively Piazza Tasso. From here, you can also visit the UNESCO-listed ruins of Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius.

Rome is a vivid blend of sound, movement, history, and art. Church bells and traffic echo off ancient stone as workers, tourists, and café crowds move through the city. From the Colosseum and Roman Forum to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica, Rome's monuments are world-famous. Its sculptures, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and Bernini's fountains make its art and architecture unsurpassed. Rome belongs not only to Italy, but to the world.