Holy Lands & Aegean Allure

Magnificent Athens combines the fascinations of the ancient world with unique modern architecture.

Syros is an important island in the Cyclades, but rather off the tourist map. Just the sort of place we like. The town (named for Hermes) is the capital of the island group, and its airy Miaouli Plaza is a wonderful, palm-lined place to sit in a cafe and have a drink. The medieval Venetian village of Ano Syros crowns a hilltop nearby. Wander the narrow, cobblestone streets to the impressive 13th-century Agios Georgios church. Back in town, the Eastern Orthodox Church of the Assumption holds an icon by the Greek painter known as El Greco. A small archeological museum has some very fine Cycladic figures, and the Ermoupolis Industrial Museum recounts the island legacy of shipbuilding and other occupations.

On Turkey's western Aegean coast is Kuşadasi, a beach town named after the nearby Güvercinada Island, which resembles a bird's head.

Deserted for centuries because of constant raids by pirates and the Turks, this tiny arid island was first settled in 1088 when the Emperor of Constantinople made it a gift to the monk Christodoulos Latrnos so that he could establish a monastery in honor of St. John the Divine on the site. Patmos has been a place of scholarship and religious enlightenment ever since. Today this modern pilgrimage site is a quiet respite from the tourist havens many other Greek isles have become.

Ancient relics, fascinating culture, mouth-watering cuisine, soft sandy beaches and contemporary delights abound in delightful Rhodes.

This small port town was called Telmessos in ancient Lycian times. Throughout its history, dating back to the 5th century BC, it fell under the rule of Persians, Hellens, Romans and Byzantines. Charming Fethiye lies at the southernmost edge of the Aegean in a deep blue bay of 12 islands, one of which is reputedly the birthplace of jolly old St. Nicholas. An earthquake leveled the town in 1958 and most of what was left standing were its tombs from 400 BC. These Lycian tombs were carved directly out of the cliffs that face the harbor; their facades are reproductions of building fronts from those ancient times. There is even a 400-year-old Hamam, or Turkish steam bath. Today bakeries, cafes, and shops abound - a perfect setting for an exploration on foot.

Paphos is a city on the southwest coast of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Inhabited since Neolithic times, it has several sites relating to the cult of goddess Aphrodite, whose mythical birthplace was at Old Paphos (Kouklia). New Paphos is the modern city that incorporates the harbor, and the ancient ruins of tombs, fortresses, theaters and villas at Paphos Archaeological Park

Situated on the slopes of Mount Carmel, along one of the most beautiful bays on the Mediterranean coast, Haifa is Israel's primary port. It also serves as an important gateway to the biblical and historical sites of this sacred land. Although the origin of Haifa is obscure, its name appears for the first time in the 3rd century A.D. in Talmudic literature. Over the years, Crusaders, Arabs, Turks and the British occupied the city. Today, this bustling city possesses the nation's largest industries, several important museums and the respected Haifa Technical Institute. It is also the world center of the Baha'i faith, symbolized by a beautiful gold-domed shrine.

Limassol on Cyprus' south coast is the island's largest seaside resort. It meanders for ten miles along the coast with the Troodos Mountains providing a magnificent backdrop. Sunshine, blue sky and beaches are the criteria that attract scores of vacationers each year. The more adventurous traveler, too, finds worthwhile attractions, such as medieval castles, remote mountain villages, archaeological sites dating back to 7,000 B.C., and inviting cedar forests, orange groves and vineyards. Although the easternmost island of the Mediterranean, eastern culture is augmented by a large dose of European. Rome and Byzantium, the Crusaders and the Venetians, the Turks and the British have all left their traces. Since the Middle Ages, when the Crusaders held Cyprus under Richard the Lionhearted, Limassol has been known to traders for its wine and sugar cane. Today, the island's second largest city is the hub of its wine-making industry and an important commercial center.

Surrounded on three sides by snow-capped mountains, Antalya is situated on a vast fertile plain that was known in antiquity as Pamphylia. Here the Toros Mountains, blanketed by green forests, sweep down the rocky headlands to isolated coves of clear turquoise water. The stunning scenery and mild climate have made Antalya a principal resort on the "Turquoise Coast" of Turkey sometimes referred to as the "Turkish Riviera." Full of ancient sites, the area was once part of empires controlled by the Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, Seljuks, Cypriots and Ottomans. Many of the Mediterranean world's best-preserved ancient ruins are east of Antalya, the most spectacular of which are Perge and Aspendos. The city itself has much to offer the visitor who wishes not to venture far afield. The Kaleici, the historic quarter, protected from modern development and closed to cars, is a perfect place to discover the city's historic past. The old Roman Harbor is now a yacht marina and the winding streets of the picturesque Old Quarter leads you past quaint wooden houses, cafes, shops and the ruins and monuments of bygone eras.

Marmaris is situated on a marvelous natural harbor where Lord Nelson organized his fleet for the attack on the French at Abukir in 1789. The once sleepy fishing village has 10,000 permanent residents but its numbers swell in the summer months when Turkey's rich and famous come for holidays. Tucked into the recesses of the bay, surrounded by pine-clad mountains, Marmaris has become Turkey's largest and most modern yacht harbor. The town is a convenient starting place to visit the ancient Carian city of Kaunos, to venture to the beaches for a lazy day in the sun and sparkling waters nearby, or to enjoy waterfront cafes and the local ambience.

Just 3 nautical miles from the coast of Asia Minor, Kos is an underappreciated gem of an island bedecked with sparkling beaches and picturesque villages. Known for its rich vegetation and temperate climate, Kos is also rich in history, featuring numerous sites of archaeological significance, and is known for being the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of medicine. Enjoy the beautiful weather, stunning views, and delicious local cuisine.

Once a glamorous hang-out, embrace the elegant allure of this perfect Greek paradise and revel in its history, culture and scenic wonders

A charming old fishing village has been transformed into a cosmopolitan resort town that manages to preserve its character. Its Venetian port is ringed by the town in an amphitheater form. The ruins of a 15th century Venetian palace are dramatically sinking into the bay. The churches include the Church of the Assumption high atop the village, and the Agios Athanasios Church which now houses a museum of Byzantine treasures including icons from the 12 and 13th centuries. Sample fresh fish along the waterfront, discover the wine museum housed where the vintner used to live, or retire to one of Paros’s many beaches for some well-deserved soaking and sunning.

Magnificent Athens combines the fascinations of the ancient world with unique modern architecture.

Nicknamed “The Isle of the Aromas”, Spetsai is a delight to all of the senses. The island’s historic old town is a yachtsman’s paradise, boasting a stunning harbor, quaint shops and some of the finest restaurants in the Saronic Gulf. The rest of the island is relatively unpopulated and is ringed by a single road, along which you can travel in a horse-drawn carriage. As you pass by quiet, rolling hills, be sure to pause at one of the many quiet coves along the way to refresh yourself with a dip into the cerulean waters.

This charming village of white houses climbing up the slopes is beautifully situated on the sparkling Gulf of Mirabello. The attractive Venetian harbor is surrounded by restaurants, outdoor cafes and clusters of shops selling everything from necessities to souvenirs. The ship docks in the center of town, and you are able to wander at will and enjoy the atmosphere of Crete's foremost resort.

On Turkey's western Aegean coast is Kuşadasi, a beach town named after the nearby Güvercinada Island, which resembles a bird's head.

Once a glamorous hang-out, embrace the elegant allure of this perfect Greek paradise and revel in its history, culture and scenic wonders

The “green island” of the Northern Sporades is nearly half covered in pine forest. According to mythology, it was created by Dionysus, and in ancient times was famous for its wines, a heritage of settlers from Crete. Wine production is greatly reduced now, after a disastrous phyloxera infestation in the 1940s. Much of the coast consists of steep cliffs, though the island does have a few beaches. Atop one of these cliffs stands the chapel of Agios Ioannis, which was the location for the wedding scene in the film “Mamma Mia.” The port town of Skopelos, or Chora, is famous for its protected stock of traditional Pelion-style houses. The Folklore Museum houses many artifacts from the local culture. Agios Athanasios church, from the 11th century, is just one of the islands 360 churches, although many are either privately owned or closed. There are some interesting Byzantine monasteries however. Beekeeping is popular on Skopelos, and flower or pine honey makes a nice souvenir. The Sporades are a main breeding area for the endangered Mediterranean monk seals.

The lively island of Skiathos, one of the Sporades, boasts no less than 60 inviting beaches around its perimeter. Many of these have been developed and are easily reached by taxi or bus, while others remain more isolated and require transport by boat. The island's medieval Kastro, high atop a hillside, once protected 30 churches and 300 houses from various invaders. No organized excursions are available. Please check on board for suggestions.

This tiny island 12 miles off the Turkish coast embodies the ideal of the “hidden gem.” Its harbor is dominated by a sprawling crenelated fortress with Byzantine, Venetian, Genoese and Ottoman provenance. Its compact town invites visitors to explore winding cobblestone streets with no other objective than to immerse themselves in the antique atmosphere. There is no compelling attraction here other than the picturesque, but unpretentious charm of a quiet, unspoiled haven. Its small museum is the creation of a loving amateur, Hakan Guruney, who often personally leads visitors through his collection of objects and memorabilia recollecting his island’s, and in many ways his nation’s history. Much of the island’s fifteen square miles is dedicated to vineyards producing both red and white varietals. Ayazma beach offers clear water, although freshwater springs keep the water chilly even in the summer heat. At the peninsular Polente Feneri, a white lighthouse is guarded by a picket of modern, three-bladed windmills. Local flavors worth tasting are red poppy syrup and a luscious tomato jam you won’t find anywhere else.

Istanbul unveils its rich history at every turn, while its vibrant present is just as much of a draw for visitors.