Greek Islands & Turkish Riviera

The port of Piraeus brings you to Athens, one of the great names of antiquity, the city of Plato and Socrates, a cradle of Western civilisation and birthplace of democracy. You can step in to that history on the heights of the Acropolis with its glorious 2,500-years-old Parthenon dating from the Golden Age of Classical Greece. Below, in the heart of the city lies the ancient Plaka District's honeycomb of streets, little shops - and tavernas that come alive at night with the pulse of bouzouki.

The port of Piraeus brings you to Athens, one of the great names of antiquity, the city of Plato and Socrates, a cradle of Western civilisation and birthplace of democracy. You can step in to that history on the heights of the Acropolis with its glorious 2,500-years-old Parthenon dating from the Golden Age of Classical Greece. Below, in the heart of the city lies the ancient Plaka District's honeycomb of streets, little shops - and tavernas that come alive at night with the pulse of bouzouki.

On Turkey's Aegean coast, this lively little resort boasts a captivatingly picturesque setting - with tiers of whitewashed houses ablaze with flowers rising from the colourful port and yacht marina to windmill topped heights. Birthplace of Herodotus, the ‘Father of History', it was founded some 2,500 years ago as a Greek colony. No visit should miss the ruined tomb of King Mausolous (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), the 15th century Crusader castle dominating the town - and the many shops selling leather ware and jewellery.

Largest island of the Dodecanese, Rhodes was the headquarters of the crusader Knights of St John before defeat by the Ottoman Turks. Within the capital's massive citadel walls the medieval Old Town presents a hive of narrow cobbled streets, dominated by the Avenue of the Knights and imposing Palace of the Grand Masters. More modern distractions await in the New Town while nearby is picturesque Lindos, clustered below a hilltop acropolis and Crusader Castle.

If you want to explore the ancient culture this area has to offer, then head to the fortress district. There are several interesting sights to explore including Alanya’s Castle, the Red Tower, remains of a Seljuk village and the nearby Damlatas Caves. Or if you simply want to relax then there is a 20km stretch of silky sand beach to the east.

If you want to explore the ancient culture this area has to offer, then head to the fortress district. There are several interesting sights to explore including Alanya’s Castle, the Red Tower, remains of a Seljuk village and the nearby Damlatas Caves. Or if you simply want to relax then there is a 20km stretch of silky sand beach to the east.

Capital of the ruggedly beautiful Crete, largest of the Greek Islands, whose ancient legends and history dates back 5,000 years to the Minoans, Europe's first civilisation. Here was born Zeus, king of the gods, and here at the site of Knossos was the fabled labyrinth where Theseus slew the Minotaur. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Turks have all left their mark, and more recent monuments to the battles of World War II abound.

The port of Piraeus brings you to Athens, one of the great names of antiquity, the city of Plato and Socrates, a cradle of Western civilisation and birthplace of democracy. You can step in to that history on the heights of the Acropolis with its glorious 2,500-years-old Parthenon dating from the Golden Age of Classical Greece. Below, in the heart of the city lies the ancient Plaka District's honeycomb of streets, little shops - and tavernas that come alive at night with the pulse of bouzouki.