Piraeus (Athens), Greece

Athens is still as iconic as ever. Winding pathways from ancient times transformed into modern-day roads and streets lead you to the monumental gateway of the Acropolis and other archaeological sites. It is a land soaked in history and mythology, but not stuck in the past.

As you wend through back alleys, passing the street art and getting serenaded by street musicians, you are never lost. You are simply taking a journey to an unknown destination. You may find yourself at the likes of the Church of Agioi at the southeast corner of the Holy Apostles Ancient Agora, a less-crowded historical site away from the flocks of tourists.

Try your hand at haggling with local vendors at the Plaka or Monastiraki flea market. There are so many handmade wares and trinkets to peruse and purchase. Keep an eye out for the more risqué souvenirs if you want a good laugh.

Aside from venturing through the cradle of Western Civilization, you can explore the port of Piraeus. It is the biggest port in Greece and one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean. Centuries of history have transformed this seaside town from a wartime fortress to a major shipping and transportation center.

Skopelos, Greece

On the picturesque archipelago of Sporades, there is an enchanting island with whitewashed houses clinging to steep slopes. Skopelos is the picture of Grecian serenity and beauty that you have come to recognize in paintings, postcards and, most especially, in the Hollywood film, Mamma Mia! Two of the main filming locations were the Kastani beach on the west coast of the island and the clifftop church of Agios Ioannis Kastri in the northeast. More than retracing Meryl Streep’s footsteps, Skopelos has much to offer fans of water sports. With a coastline that is burrowed with snug little coves, you can spend the day out on your kayak or standup paddleboarding.

Skiathos, Greece

The Aegean boasts many treasures, a few of which you can find on the Sporades archipelago. Skiathos, the westernmost island of this chain, is blessed with more than 60 legendary beaches. Among the most popular is Koukounaries Beach, backed by pine trees and touted as the best beach in Greece. The northwest coast’s beaches are less crowded, but are subject to the strong summer northeasterly winds. For incredible windsurfing, head west of Koukounaries to Agia Eleni Beach. Perched dramatically on a rocky headland above the north coast is the original site of Kastro, the fortified pirate-proof capital of the island from 1540 to 1829.

Volos (Meteora), Greece

Meteora is located in central Greece near the town of Kalabaka, where numerous outcroppings of sandstone jut straight up above the plain to create one of the most striking natural sights in all of Greece. Even more remarkable, several of the rocky pinnacles are topped with Greek Orthodox monasteries built in the 14th and 15th centuries. Of the six remaining monasteries, be sure to see the Agios Stefanos, now a nunnery. The nearby Varlaam Monastery contains an exquisite collection of crosses and icons. To reach this extraordinary pilgrimage site and fascinating geological wonder, you will journey through the city of Volos and its welcoming waterfront./br>

At Sea

Spend the day on the high seas pampering yourself at the spa or enjoying some time on deck. Mingle with your fellow explorers and swap stories of your exploits, making plans for new ones together once you get to shore

Istanbul, Turkey

The influences of Roman, Egyptian, Byzantine and more remain apparent in Istanbul’s architecture, art and traditions. Stop at the Grand Bazaar to get a true feel for the present-day culture, filled with merchants, artisans and authentic wares, providing a vibrant backdrop. For an intimate experience with Istanbul’s traditions, a visit to a hamam, the famous Turkish baths, fits the criteria. Some of the most beautiful architecture in Istanbul is found in the mosques, the most iconic of these the Blue Mosque. These sacred spaces are filled with centuries of religious history that inspire awe with colorful and intricate decor.

Kepez (Troy, Gallipoli), Turkey

Kepez leaves much room for imagination as its rich culture gives way to legend and history, where the lines between the two often overlap. From the seaside town you can venture to the likes of Troy and Gallipoli. The land of myth no longer resides in history as archaeologists have brought to life Troy’s storied past. A walk through the ancient stone columns of the 3,700-year-old city will make you feel like you just witnessed the battle between Paris and Achilles. At the Gallipoli Campaign Historic Site you will find monuments and memorials that honor the Allied defeat in World War I.

Bozcaada, Turkey

Bozcaada Island, also known as Tenedos, offers spectacular views of the cerulean Aegean Sea, where a diverse array of underwater flora invites you to see more beneath the waves. Rocky coastlines lead to lush vineyards that cover one-third of the island and where fun-loving travelers can tour the wineries and wine cellars. Beyond the shores, whitewashed houses in the Greek style decorated with vibrant foliage line the narrow, cobblestone streets. A gateway to the Canakkale Province, you get closer to myth and legend than ever before with a visit to the replica Trojan horse from the star-studded film Troy.

Dikili, Turkey

Rich history, ancient ruins, sandy shores surrounded by mountain ranges, hot springs and healing mud baths, the coastal town of Dikili, Turkey offers plenty of off-the-beaten-path hot spots for travelers seeking more than the average vacation. For a true journey to the past, you must go where the western Anatolia and the Aegean converge: Pergamon. This UNESCO World Heritage Site abounds with ruins, stones and columns that stayed behind from the sprawling city that once claimed the site. An ancient amphitheater carved directly in the mountains takes you back in time to spark your imagination.

Kusadas (Ephesus), Turkey

Making port in the coastal resort town of Kusadasi from the Aegean Sea, travelers are greeted by a castle on Pigeon Island surrounded by lush, green trees. The causeway along the route connects this lone island to the mainland of Kusadasi, where visitors will disembark to begin their exploration of Turkey.

Picture this: marble ruins of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World right before your eyes. Through the rubble you gaze upon the impressive Temple of Artemis. This is the experience of Ephesus, a UNESCO-listed, 4,000-year-old city located in Selcuk that is considered the best-preserved classical city of the eastern Mediterranean.

Countless historical sites and ruins abound in the region, from the Basilica of St. John to the House of the Virgin Mary. A visit to Ephesus makes it easy to step into the past and imagine life among the locals in times before. Nothing invokes that feeling more than the ruins of the Library of Celsus, an ancient Roman site where its namesake is buried in a crypt beneath it.

This archaeological zone still buzzes with activity, as archaeologists continue to dig through the ruins and discover its secrets. To walk among the excavations as scientists continue to unearth the site’s remnants makes it hard not to get swept up in the history.

Standing amid the ruins, beyond the excavations, stretching far and wide before your eyes is Ayasuluk Hill. Dotted with palm trees and other foliage, the site creates the perfect picture of the region’s mild climate, making it a vacation haven.

Patmos, Greece

The “Holy Island” of Patmos holds religious history as the site where St. John wrote the Book of Revelations. Venturing over to the Cave of the Apocalypse amid the hills between Skala and Chora, you get a whole new view of the countryside. Along the seaside village you find an array of restaurants with the fresh catch of the day. With quintessential whitewashed houses in the Greek style and iconic windmills against a backdrop of blue skies, the Sacred Land of the Aegean also offers breathtaking panoramas that will impress the most experienced travelers.

Piraeus (Athens), Greece

Athens is still as iconic as ever. Winding pathways from ancient times transformed into modern-day roads and streets lead you to the monumental gateway of the Acropolis and other archaeological sites. It is a land soaked in history and mythology, but not stuck in the past.

As you wend through back alleys, passing the street art and getting serenaded by street musicians, you are never lost. You are simply taking a journey to an unknown destination. You may find yourself at the likes of the Church of Agioi at the southeast corner of the Holy Apostles Ancient Agora, a less-crowded historical site away from the flocks of tourists.

Try your hand at haggling with local vendors at the Plaka or Monastiraki flea market. There are so many handmade wares and trinkets to peruse and purchase. Keep an eye out for the more risqué souvenirs if you want a good laugh.

Aside from venturing through the cradle of Western Civilization, you can explore the port of Piraeus. It is the biggest port in Greece and one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean. Centuries of history have transformed this seaside town from a wartime fortress to a major shipping and transportation center.