Scenic Shores & Ancient Wonders of the Mediterranean

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.

An island until the 19th Century, Koper is the main port in Slovenia and the gateway to Central Europe. The old town is abundant with architecture and cultural monuments. The richness of the culinary heritage, as well as the hospitality, kindness and attention of the native Slovenians, guarantees a pleasant visit.

Lesser known than the beautiful, yet well-trodden cities of Split and Dubrovnik, Sibenik offers all of the quintessential delights than one might have come to expect from destinations situated on Croatia’s glorious Adriatic Coast. Sibenik is situated within a deep bay, one of the best-protected harbours found anyway in the Adriatic region, and boasts spectacular surrounding landscapes, while the city itself is a sight to behold from the first moment it comes into view; typically Croatian scenes of white-washed, terracotta-topped buildings hint at the type of treasures awaiting discovery ashore. Wander the little, steeply-angled streets and attractive squares framed by a mix of centuries-old architectural gems, shops and cafés reveal themselves; particular highlights to see-out include the impressive town hall, the churches of St Barbara and St Fran, and the piece de resistance: Cathedral Sveti Jakov. Built in the early 15th century, UNESCO-listed Sveti Jakov is considered one of Croat…

There's no mistaking the past wealth and proud spirit of this ‘Jewel of the Adriatic', perched on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. An independent city-state for 600 years until conquered by Napoleon, Dubrovnik survives, despite recent events, as one of Europe's best preserved medieval cities - a timeless architectural showpiece, whose graceful churches and cloisters, palaces and fountains, mellow Baroque facades and encircling ancient walls, all seem more stage set than reality.

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.

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.

Built on the shores of two continents and seat of successive Byzantine and Ottoman Empires for 1,500 years, Istanbul (the Constantinople of old) is a chaotic, cosmoplitan collision of East and West, past and present. Among its great wealth of monuments and landmarks are the ethereal Blue Mosque, glittering Topkapi Palace (once home of the sultans), vast Kapali Carsi (the world's largest covered bazaar) and the aromatic Egyptian Spice Market.

Built on the shores of two continents and seat of successive Byzantine and Ottoman Empires for 1,500 years, Istanbul (the Constantinople of old) is a chaotic, cosmoplitan collision of East and West, past and present. Among its great wealth of monuments and landmarks are the ethereal Blue Mosque, glittering Topkapi Palace (once home of the sultans), vast Kapali Carsi (the world's largest covered bazaar) and the aromatic Egyptian Spice Market.

Kuşadasi is a beach resort town on Turkey’s western Aegean coast, and a gateway for the classical ruins at nearby Ephesus, one of the nation’s best preserved ancient cities. Numerous attractive cafes and restaurants scattered along palm-lined boulevards serving a variety of fresh seafood and local specialities add to the lively atmosphere of the town. For a slice of tranquillity many visit Kuşadasi’s various steam baths and the natural spas.

Kuşadasi is a beach resort town on Turkey’s western Aegean coast, and a gateway for the classical ruins at nearby Ephesus, one of the nation’s best preserved ancient cities. Numerous attractive cafes and restaurants scattered along palm-lined boulevards serving a variety of fresh seafood and local specialities add to the lively atmosphere of the town. For a slice of tranquillity many visit Kuşadasi’s various steam baths and the natural spas.

A Roman amphitheatre, ancient catacombs and the site of the great Pharos lighthouse recall distant glories, while the 19th century Montazah Palace - a former royal residence - and seafront boulevards reflect a more recent era. Alexandria exists in the land that gave birth to the first great civilisation.

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.