Island Charms and Ancient Treasures

Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, is situated on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Sea of Marmara, the shimmering Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hagia Sophia mosque forms the pinnacle of this Byzantine display of splendor. The ostentatious Topkapi Palace was the seat of government for the Ottoman sultans from the 15th century. The Sultan Ahmet mosque with its six minarets, also called the Blue Mosque because of its 20,000 wonderful blue faience tiles, dates from the 17th century. A lively city, divided between east and west by the sea, Istanbul is the most easterly city in Europe and the most westerly city in Asia.

Spend the day sunbathing, enjoy the fresh wind breeze, and relax into the day!

Kavala is an important port and trading city on the Gulf of Kavala. Its picturesque outline stretches over several hills and along the shores of several inlets. Tremendous views of the sea can be had from the promenade or any other street in the city for that matter. An imposing Roman aqueduct with 60 arches spans the gap between a nearby hill and the old town. The impressive, partly walled historic center on the peninsula is a unique mix of Byzantine and ancient Greek culture. The ancient site of Philippi, the first Christian community in Europe founded by Paul the Apostle in 49 AD, boasts imposing ruins of Roman and early Christian buildings bearing testament to its former splendor.

Skiathos is just a few miles from the Greek mainland and is the smallest inhabited island in the northern Sporades. Olives and wine are grown in the mountainous, interior, part of which is forested and boasts lush vegetation. Towards the coast, rich pastures and colorful wildflower meadows give way to the beach and the sea. Skiathos has the most spectacular beaches in the Sporades. Boasting a sheltered location in the south west, Koukounaries beach is 800 m long and is considered to be the finest of the more than 50 beaches on the island with its beautiful fine white sand. The lively capital in the south-east of the island is also named Skiathos and spans two harbors divided by the Bourtzi peninsula.

Although the capital of the Cyclades is situated on the tranquil and traditional island of Syros, outside of the town this seems the most remote island of them all. Ermoupoli, one of the most beautiful island towns in Greece, was built majestically on two hills. Its architecture is exceptional and the numerous monumental neo-classical buildings give the impression of a large, elegant town. Passing over the hill, the spaciousness and vastness transform into a maze of lanes and give a medieval impression.

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.

The old town of Nafplion has a picturesque peninsula setting and three Venetian fortresses guard the pretty town. In ancient times, the excavation site of Mycenae, 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 theatre is one of the most important buildings in this archaeological site.

Exclusive, noble, traditional: Far away from mass tourism, a small, relaxed island with beautiful patrician houses basks in the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. Wealthy Athenians like to spend their vacation days on Spetses – and this evident on the well-kept Saraonic Island. Lush flower gardens adorn the historic shipping villas, chic cafes line the old harbor, and horse-drawn carriages roll by with aristrocratic elegance on the car-free streets. On Spetses, its worth taking a look down: Here, colorful pebble mosaics adorn the streets, and many a visitor gets a kick out of finding the prettiest one.

"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, of philosophy and of 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, lying 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, has been here since 2009.