"A ship will come...", declared the singer Melina Mercouri to the port of Piraeus. Later, as Greek Minister for Culture, she made Athens the first European Capital of Culture in 1985. The city is considered the birthplace of Europe, philosophy and democracy, and is the embodiment of the Olympic ideal. World-famous and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, its landmark is the magnificent Parthenon temple, set high up on the Acropolis in all its glory. At the foot of the Acropolis hill is the Plaka, the oldest quarter of Athens, and the world's most modern archaeological museum, the new Acropolis Museum, created in 2009.

Mykonos, with its houses stacked like sugar cubes with blue shutters, balconies adorned with flowers, blue-domed churches, and windmills, is perhaps the most famous and picturesque of the Cyclades islands. We have to thank Aristotle Onassis and his international jet-set friends for rediscovering the island in the mid-1950s and developing it into the favorite destination of the rich and famous. In Mykonos town you can happily lose yourself in the labyrinth of whitewashed lanes. Fishing boats bob up and down in the port. Upmarket restaurants, rustic taverns and classy bars and clubs invite you to stay a while. From the promenade you have a spectacular view over the sea.

This small island, of Greece's Dodecanese group in the Aegean sea, has embraced tourism without losing its original character. Small but charming, explore its whitewashed streets and small town of Chora, or relax by the sea. 

Imposing cliffs, spectacular beaches and plenty of traditional Cycladic lifestyle - the island of Folegandros is almost untouched by large streams of tourists and can only be reached via the tiny port of Karavostasis. Chora, the largest village on the island and not far from the port, is perched spectacularly on a steep rocky slope 300-meters (985 foot) high and offers a fantastic view over the island and the sea. The church of Panagia is set even further up on the rocks and towers over the little town with its snowy-white cottages, beautiful castle, and narrow lanes.

The unique character of Milos' landscape was formed by volcanic activity. Hot springs, spectacular cliffs and distinctive rock formations give the various beaches their own individual character. The colors of Milos are most obvious where the water meets the stone and forms the coastline. Minerals have colored the sand and stones and each rock along the coastline seems to glow in a different color. Plaka, the picturesque old capital with its typical dazzling-white houses, is overlooked by a mighty castle which offers a superb view over Adamos Bay and the surrounding islands.

Explore some of Greece's finest beaches at Neapoli Vion, Simos Beach, and Elafonisos. With clear turquoise waters, powder-soft white sand, and beautiful rocky landscapes, these favorite spots are seaside paradise.

The old town of Nauplion has a picturesque peninsula setting and three Venetian fortresses guard the pretty town. In ancient times, Mycenae, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was one of the most important towns in Greece. Its legendary king, Agamemnon, has a large role in Homer's Iliad. The palace grounds were surrounded by a cyclopean stone wall. Now you can only gain entrance through the famous Lion Gate. In Epidaurus, also protected by UNESCO, the impressive 14,000-seat theater is one of the most important buildings in this archaeological site.

"A ship will come...", declared the singer Melina Mercouri to the port of Piraeus. Later, as Greek Minister for Culture, she made Athens the first European Capital of Culture in 1985. The city is considered the birthplace of Europe, philosophy and democracy, and is the embodiment of the Olympic ideal. World-famous and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, its landmark is the magnificent Parthenon temple, set high up on the Acropolis in all its glory. At the foot of the Acropolis hill is the Plaka, the oldest quarter of Athens, and the world's most modern archaeological museum, the new Acropolis Museum, created in 2009.