Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today offers impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere. Spend time in the Old City to explore renowned places, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

Explore ancient Kavala: mountains, crystalline waters, and multicultural buildings on the cliffs. See the 16th-century fortress and aqueduct, the Castle of Kavala, and Palaiochori Castle. Visit the market, cafés, shops, and galleries for ceramics, wine, leather, marble, cigars, and clothing. Don't miss the Archaeological or Municipal Museum, or the Imaret with Ottoman architecture and sea views. End with local specialties, wine, coffee, and pastry.

With a history spanning more than two millennia, Thessaloniki reigned alongside Constantinople as a capital of the Byzantine Empire. So numerous are the outstanding Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments that as a group they have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don't miss the ornate church and sacred crypt of St. Demetrius, the city's martyred patron saint, or the palace complex of Galerius and the mosaics in the Rotunda. The Archaeological Museum holds even more ancient treasures.

Skiathos, the most popular of the Sporades, offers pine-covered mountains leading to dazzling white-sand Aegean beaches. Skiathos Town is its cosmopolitan heart, with narrow whitewashed alleys, restaurants, and tavernas. North of town, the rocky headland of Kastro holds the remains of the island's medieval capital, abandoned since 1830. Also visit the 18th-century Monastery of Panagia Evangelistria, where in 1807 heroes of the War of Independence took the Oath of Freedom.

Piraeus is the gateway to Athens, the "Cradle of Western Civilization," famed for its lasting cultural and political influence. Driven by tourism and the 2004 Olympics, Greece has redeveloped many sites. Athens remains a historian's delight, with the Acropolis, Parthenon, Plaka's winding streets, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Archaeological Museum's renowned ancient artifacts.

Mykonos, steeped in Greek myth, was named after Apollo's grandson, Mykons, and linked to the battle between Zeus and the Gigantes. Today it's one of Greece's most beloved destinations, known for its postcard scenery and lively nightlife. It showcases classic Cycladic architecture, with even new buildings required by law to match the whitewashed, cube-like style. Visit Little Venice, Paraportiani Church, and the Delos archaeological site.

Heraklion, Crete's capital, offers two must-sees: the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, with Minoan treasures and artifacts spanning 5,500+ years, and the Palace of Knossos, a Minoan center dating to c.2000 BC and linked to the Minotaur's Labyrinth. Enjoy harbor views from the 13th-century fortress and waterfront, then try fish taverns serving Cretan dishes like kaltsounia with raki.

Marmaris is a popular resort town with azure sea, golden beaches, yacht-filled marinas, and pine-covered hills. Visit Marmaris Castle (1522) for views and its museum of artifacts from nearby archaeological sites and bay shipwrecks. Then explore Old Town and the waterfront for Greek and Turkish food, perhaps with ouzo.

Izmir, curled around a cerulean bay, blends 4,000 years of history with a lively cosmopolitan vibe. Enjoy the Mediterranean waterfront, sampling boyoz, kumru, kokoreç and lokma with strong Turkish coffee. See the Roman agora, the patterned clock tower in Konak Square, and the 500-year-old Kemeralti Bazaar. Visit the archaeological museum and take a cable car for panoramic views of the "Pearl of the Aegean."

Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today offers impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere. Spend time in the Old City to explore renowned places, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today offers impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere. Spend time in the Old City to explore renowned places, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.