Exploring The Greek & Turkish Coasts of The Mediterranean

Although it's hard to not keep craning your head to take in the spectacle of the Acropolis at the center of town (especially when it's lit up at night), there's more to Athens than its dense concentration of ancient ruins. Athens is a center for contemporary art, with modern galleries sitting beside museums stuffed with art dating back millennia. This combination of the old and new is especially clear at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a spectacular open-air theater that has hosted concerts and plays for nearly 2,000 years. The city's culture is also reflected in its diverse food and drink, which combines traditional Greek favorites with influences from across the Mediterranean, and the world, as fitting Athens' deep history as a humming harbor hub. While Athens' variety is enough to keep you busy, from the hidden back alleys of the center, to the city's showy coast, the city works well as a base for day trips, whether down the coast, or to the Peloponnese. Head to oracular Delphi, or hunt for where Lord Byron's carved his name into the monumental Temple of Poseidon at the tip of Cape Sounion.

Visitors to Heraklion, Crete's capital, are greeted by the imposing Venetian Koules Fortress, a reminder of the importance of this historic gateway to the rest of the island. A vibrant university town, Heraklion is home to some of the island's most important landmarks, such as the Knossos Palace, with its striking Bronze Age ruins, complete with colorful, stunning frescoes. Heading to the center, the bustling Old Town has many markets and cafes, along with neoclassical buildings and a 10th century church with impressed stained glass. Heraklion is a great base for exploring the island, but before you hit the road, take the time to stroll along its Venetian harbor, lined with traditional fishing boats and offering spectacular views of the Koules Fortress.

The island of Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands and one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece, is steeped in 3,000 years of history, with a multifaceted character that over the centuries gained the reputation of a place of spiritual calm. Inside the Medieval City of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will be transported back to the world of the Knights of the Order of Saint John. Let your imagination run free and the city’s atmosphere guide your steps to encountering an authentic experience inside one of Europe’s oldest medieval towns.

While Fethiye is often just the departure point for travelers on their way off to explore the region, the city has a charm in its own right. With abundant sunshine, blooming bougainvillea, and easy access to the sea, Fethiye is a lovely place to stop if you want to experience the Turkish coast while still surrounded by the convenience of a major city. History, nature, and sea are all easily accessible from Fethiye, with constant bus connections and car transfers available. A diverse dining scene caters to the diverse clientele that passes through the city, and the Fethiye Museum collects artifacts that have been uncovered in the region.

Bodrum is one of the most popular seaside destinations on the Turkish Riviera, where sunbathers and yachts share space along the turquoise coastline. Ruled over the centuries by the Greeks, Romans, Persians, Crusaders, and Ottomans, among others, history is still visible throughout the Bodrum peninsula, including at the well-preserved Theater of Halicarnassus and the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the wonders of the ancient world. And yet, Bodrum is a thoroughly modern city, where the glitterati of Istanbul are as likely to be spotted as international beach lovers. With this kind of coastline, there is something here for everyone who loves the sea.

Of Turkey’s three biggest cities, Izmir is the most relaxed, free from the politics of Ankara and the cultural vanguard of Istanbul. Instead, Izmir is a city that fits in comfortably to its Aegean locale. Known as Smyrna from the classical antiquity era until about 1930, Izmir brims with the history of the empires, settlements, and people who have passed through, while remaining a vibrant and ever-changing modern metropolis. Enjoy fresh Aegean cuisine at Izmir’s outdoor restaurants, where local olive oil, fresh herbs, and grilled fish are the stars of the show, and wanted around the market district at Kemeralti to haggle like a local.

Istanbul is a sprawling city of 15+ million people that contains two continents and a wealth of history. From the Byzantines to the Ottoman Empire to the modern Turkish Republic, Istanbul has seen the churn of history throughout the centuries, and the remains of all these eras live alongside the ever-changing face of contemporary Turkey. The Hagia Sophia, formerly a Byzantine church, an Ottoman mosque, and a Republic-era museum, before reverting recently to a mosque, is Istanbul’s most significant site, located in the heart of Sultanahmet. The hip districts of Beyoglu, Besiktas, and Kadikoy overflow with restaurants and cafes, and the central boulevard Istiklal Caddesi serves as the main artery for shopping, food, and nightlife in this buzzing city.