Athens (Piraeus) to Athens (Piraeus)

Home to the largest and oldest amphitheatre in Greece, this seaside town is an idyllic gateway to Athens ? the intellectual and artistic center of Greece. Immerse yourself in the Temples of Demeter and Dionysus and discover why these ancient sites are so renowned.

Mykonos is living proof that picture postcard destinations do exist. Its many charms include its iconic windmills, fabulous beaches, and an irresistible traditional town with a maze of twisting streets and alleys originally designed to confuse marauding pirates. Dazzling sunlight reflects off of whitewashed houses and hundreds of small chapels. Other adornments include shaded courtyards and balconies lush with flowers, and a lively nightlife that some claim is the best in Europe. Nearby you can visit the uninhabited island of Delos, birthplace of Apollo, fittingly the god of sunlight, music and beauty.

The mythical “City of the Argonauts”, Volos is a modern city in the heart of Greece. Dating back to the Neolithic age, this prominent port overlooking the Pagasetic Gulf was built on ancient cities, and is a place of immense natural beauty and cultural heritage. Stroll along the famous seaside promenade to watch the fishing boats and yachts. Fill your day with swimming or sailing at one of the many beaches. Visit one of the area’s many archaeological sites or discover the city’s classic architecture, neoclassical buildings, churches, monuments and museums: the Tsalapatas Brickworks Museum, Kitsos Makris Folklore Center at the Topali Mansion or the impressive Archaeological Museum. Reward your palate with delicious flavors at any number of tavernas or fresh food markets. The traditional picturesque villages of Mount Pelion are the perfect backdrop to what truly is one of Greece’s most alluring cities.

As the second-biggest city in Greece and the second-most important city of the Byzantine Empire, the word “second” is often used to describe Thessaloniki, but we’re here to tell you: Thessaloniki is anything but second-rate! The energy in this ancient cultural capital is palpable—especially in the vibrant downtown that was rebuilt in a spectacular Byzantine style after a devastating fire in the early 1900s. And this second chance at urban planning resulted in a city built around Aristotelous Square, which acts as a gateway for the surrounding neighborhoods.

Touching both the shores of Asia and Europe, Canakkale sits on the Black and Mediterannean Seas. Visit the ancient city of Troy to see the inspiration for Homer's Iliad and a replica of the Trojan Horse. Once you do, you'll understand why people have been passing through here for centuries.

Istanbul is supremely exotic, warmly welcoming, and quite unique – after all, where else can you tour Europe and Asia on the very same afternoon? Must sees include Haghia Sophia, decorated in 30 million tiny mosaic tiles, the greatest church in Christendom for 1000 years, then a mosque and now a museum; and Topkapi, palace of sultans, complete with harem quarters. And of course shopping in the Grand Bazaar, a medieval version of a mall, for unusual gifts to take home, stopping along the way in a café for a cup of Turkish coffee or mint tea.

Istanbul is supremely exotic, warmly welcoming, and quite unique – after all, where else can you tour Europe and Asia on the very same afternoon? Must sees include Haghia Sophia, decorated in 30 million tiny mosaic tiles, the greatest church in Christendom for 1000 years, then a mosque and now a museum; and Topkapi, palace of sultans, complete with harem quarters. And of course shopping in the Grand Bazaar, a medieval version of a mall, for unusual gifts to take home, stopping along the way in a café for a cup of Turkish coffee or mint tea.

Çeşme (Turkish pronunciation: [ˈtʃeʃme]) is a coastal town and the administrative centre of the district of the same name in Turkey's westernmost end, on a promontory on the tip of the peninsula that also carries the same name and that extends inland to form a whole with the wider Karaburun Peninsula. It is a popular holiday resort and the district center, where two thirds of the district population is concentrated. Çeşme is located 85 km west of İzmir, the largest metropolitan center in Turkey's Aegean Region. There is a six-lane highway connecting the two cities (Otoyol 32). Çeşme district has two neighboring districts, Karaburun to the north and Urla to the east, both of which are also part of İzmir Province. The name "Çeşme" means "fountain" and possibly draws reference from the many Ottoman fountains that are scattered across the city.

There is no missing the Monastery of St. John, a massive dark fortress atop a hill, standing out against the traditional white houses of the village of Hora that surround it. It was constructed in the late 11th century to honor St. John the Divine, who is said to have had his apocalyptic vision while in Patmos, leading him to write the Book of Revelation. The monastery is a warren of interconnecting courtyards, arcades, galleries, and roof terraces. There are lovely chapels, some with 12th century frescoes; the treasury exhibits an impressive array of art; and the library contains a wealth of historic texts.

Home to the largest and oldest amphitheatre in Greece, this seaside town is an idyllic gateway to Athens ? the intellectual and artistic center of Greece. Immerse yourself in the Temples of Demeter and Dionysus and discover why these ancient sites are so renowned.