Athens is a majestic, ancient city where elegance meets grit: highways wrap around ruins, museums and galleries stand beside street art, and its legacy spans philosophy, drama and democracy. See the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, Mount Lycabettus views, and the Old Olympic Stadium. Beyond the center, beaches and temples line the coast. Slow down for Greek coffee and souvlaki.

Milos is a Greek island in the SW Cyclades, Aegean Sea, 86 nautical miles from Piraeus and midway to Crete. It covers 151 sq km with a 125 km coastline. Adamas, its main port, is a seaside village of white houses founded in 1835 by refugees from Sfakia, Crete. With its large, safe natural harbour and strategic position, Adamas became historically important. It has beaches, tourist services, old churches, and mining and ecclesiastical museums.

The Peloponnese's Laconian plain stretches from Sparta to the port of Gytheion, a scenic harbor town of neo-classical houses on Mount Kourmaros. Known for its ancient theater, museum, beaches, and dining, it was once Sparta's naval base and trade port. Nearby sites include Kranae/Marathonissi, Mistra, and ancient Sparta.

Olympia, the spiritual home of the Olympic Games, has a lasting legacy. From Katakolon, a small port on the Peloponnese, you can relax at Kourouta Beach or head inland to this legendary site in the Alfeios valley. Explore the museum and Olympia Stadium, where ancient games honored Zeus. See the Temple of Hera, where the modern Olympic flame is lit, and the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, once home to Phidias' 13-meter Statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Dubrovnik, Croatia's walled "Pearl of the Adriatic," is a striking medieval fortress city rising from the sea. Its thick stone walls, old town, baroque churches, fountains and Stradun street have made it a filming location for Star Wars, Robin Hood and Game of Thrones. Once a maritime republic and still scarred by the 1991 siege, it now offers wall walks, Lovrijenac and Srđ views, beaches like Banje, great seafood, and trips to Lokrum.

Split, on the sunny Dalmatian Coast, is a romantic Adriatic city built around Diocletian's Palace, a vast Roman monument and living historic heart. Beyond its stone walls, the old town mixes bars, restaurants and quiet corners. Highlights include St Domnius Cathedral, the palm-lined seafront, Marjan Hill, Sustipan, nearby Hvar and Brač, Krka's waterfalls, and UNESCO-listed Trogir.

Zadar, Croatia's "Capital of Cool," blends Roman, Venetian, Austrian, French and Italian influences with a lively festival scene and easy access to beaches and waterfalls. Explore the old town's stone gates and marble streets, St Donatus Church, and Zadar Cathedral, then shop the market or walk to Kolovare Beach. Nearby day trips include Kornati National Park and Plitvice Lakes. Don't miss the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation, best at sunset.

Rovinj, Croatia's "Little Venice," blends strong Italian charm with a romantic old town, seafront promenades, waterside cafés, and working fishing boats. Wander cobbled lanes past colourful houses, shops, bars, and restaurants serving Istrian truffles, then climb the Venetian bell tower of St Eufemia for sea views. Nearby are islands, beaches, olive groves, vineyards, and Pula's Roman amphitheatre.

Koper, Slovenia's oldest town, blends Venetian old-town charm with a sunny Istrian port vibe. Once an island, it was linked to the mainland in 1825 and is now the country's main port. At its heart is Tito Square, the Cathedral of Assumption with its 1664 bell tower, and cobbled Čevljarska Ulica with shops, bars, and restaurants. Nearby Ljubljana offers parks, boulevards, and the Ljubljana River, while Bled Castle rises from a tiny island on an alpine lake.

Venice is a timeless floating city of canals, bridges and masks, where a lagoon of 100+ islands invites you to travel through history. Drift by gondola or vaporetto past the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, then slip into quiet side streets away from the crowds. In Piazza San Marco, see St Mark's Basilica, the Campanile and the Doge's Palace, linked by the Bridge of Sighs. Take island trips to Murano for glass, Torcello for cathedrals, and Burano for lace and bright painted houses.