Deal

Piraeus is the gateway to the ancient city of Athens, known as the “Cradle of Western Civilisation” because of its immense impact on cultural and political achievements throughout the world. Due mainly to tourism and the 2004 Olympics, Greece has redeveloped many sites in Athens.

Explore ancient Kavala with its striking mountains, crystalline waters, and multicultural buildings hugging the cliffs. Both the fortress and the Kavala aqueduct date back to the 16th Century. Visit the marketplace, stop for a coffee, stroll through the new shops and galleries. Look for ceramics, great wine, fine leather, white marble, handmade cigars, and designer clothing. The Castle of Kavala and the castle at Palaiochori are not to be missed. Then one of the many museums – the Archaeological Museum or the Municipal Museum top the list. The Imararet, the home built by Mohammed Ali Pasha in the 19th Century boasts Ottoman architecture and spectacular views of the sea. Linger over a meal of local specialties, stuffed eggplant or grilled seafood. Enjoy a glass of wine, a coffee and pastry as you absorb the harmony of Kavala.

Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today offers impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere.

Spend time in the Old City to explore renowned places, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

With an azure-blue sea lapping golden beaches, a multitude of wood-hulled yachts bobbing in marinas and pine-covered hillsides framing it all, Marmaris earns its stripes as a popular resort town. Take in the views along the walls and ramparts of Marmaris Castle (1522) before stopping off at its artefact-rich museum, which includes fascinating finds from surrounding archaeological sites and Marmaris Bay shipwrecks. Admire Old Town’s traditional buildings, then head to the waterfront for dizzying varieties of Greek and Turkish food – and maybe a sip (or two) of ouzo.

Alanya rose to prominence during the Middle Ages under the Seljuks, a tribe from central Asia that built the fortress and protective wall that still dominate the city. Several other buildings from that time also remain, including the octagonal Red Tower and the Seljuk Shipyard. Thousands of archaeological pieces in the Alanya Museum attest to the city’s importance through the ages. But history only touches on Alanya’s considerable allure. The city sits on a lovely gulf, backed by the pine-forested Taurus Mountains on Turkey’s beautiful Mediterranean coast.

Limassol is the jumping off point to explore the ancient riches of Cyprus.View ruins, vast groves of lemons, oranges and olives, majestic mountains and scenery, and stunning beaches. Visit Lemesos Castle, where Richard-the-Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre, and its fascinating museum. Or stroll through ancient Curium and admire its stunning mosaics, theatre, basilica and panoramic views over the sea. Venture inland to Nicosia and its wonders, the Cathedral of St. John, the Venetian fortifications, a restored old town and mosque and the Museum. Take home some lovely lace, copper items, jewellery and pottery. Enjoy a selection of appetisers so extensive it can be a hearty meal as well as fresh seafood accompanied by a delicious glass of wine.

Renowned as the site of the former Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Rhodes was home to the Knights of St. John from the 12th to 16th centuries. Their famous Palace of the Grand Masters remains a “must-see,” as are many of the inns occupied by the Crusaders and the replica of the old church. For a more in-depth look at the city, visitors can take in the Archeological where the Acropolis of Rhodes and the ancient stadium offer perfect photo opportunities.

The capital city of Greece’s largest island, Heraklion beguiles with a pair of Crete’s must-see sights: the state-of-the-art Heraklion Archaeological Museum, home to treasures of Minoan civilisation and finds covering over 5,500 years of Crete’s history; and the Palace of Knossos, a centre of Minoan power that dates back to 2000 BC and revered as the location of the mythic Minotaur’s Labyrinth. Take in spectacular harbor views from Iraklion’s 13th-century fortress and revitalised waterfront, where ‘fish taverns’ serve authentic Cretan dishes like sweet or salty kaltsounia washed down with raki, Crete’s local spirit.

Steeped in Greek mythological history, Mykonos was named after Apollo’s grandson, Mykons, and was the location of the grand battle between Zeus and the Gigantes. Today, this island is one of Greece’s most adored destinations due to its picture-postcard setting and growing nightlife. Mykonos is a superb example of Cycladic architecture, and by law even new buildings have to be built in the same style of whitewashed, organic, cube-like buildings. Be sure to plan a day trip to take in picturesque Little Venice, the unique Paraportiani church, and the archaeological dig at Delos.