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.

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.

Kuşadası is a seaside resort centered on a waterfront promenade, open-air cafés, and beaches. It's also the gateway to Ephesus, 10 miles inland: founded by Ionian Greeks and later a Roman provincial capital, its agoras, baths, libraries, and mosaic houses are unforgettable. Nearby Selçuk's Byzantine and Ottoman sites show the region's long history. Back in Kuşadası, relax in a waterside çay bahçesi or head to Bar Street.

Mykonos is a charming, fashionable Greek island known for golden beaches, blue-domed churches, and windmills. Its capital, Chora, is a whitewashed maze of alleyways built to deter pirates, with boutiques, galleries, and top restaurants. Explore hidden corners by 4x4 or take a short boat trip to nearby Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage site of ancient ruins and the mythic birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

Set on Crete's northwest coast, Chania charms with a Venetian harbor, a maze of old lanes, and a waterfront lined with cafes and colorful buildings. Explore the atmospheric old town, browse local markets and boutiques, or head beyond the city for beaches, olive groves, and mountain scenery that showcase the island's distinct Cretan character.

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.