10 Nights Europe, Mediterranean

Greece's capital and its largest city was born atop the Acropolis, where ancient warrior-kings once dwelled. These ruins are a testament to the golden age of Greece, and the Parthenon is considered the most architecturally sophisticated temples of its time. Ancient Agora, a sprawling array of stones, slabs and foundations, was once the focal point of ancient Greek life.

The Aegean Sea. It is located 78 nautical miles south-east of Athens. The area of the island is 83.6 km² and it has 21,507 inhabitants. The largest towns are Ermoupoli, Ano Syros, and Vari. Ermoupoli is the capital of the island and of the Cyclades

Paros is a Greek island in the Aegean Sea best known for its beaches and traditional villages. Parikia, the bayside capital, is a boating and transportation hub for the Cyclades region. It's also home to the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, a landmark Byzantine church from the 4th century A.D. The north coast's Kolimbithres is a beach where naturally sculpted rocks form swimming coves.

Rhodes, Greece offers over 300 days of sunshine a year with an east coast abound with pristine sandy beaches. The old town of Rhodes is considered the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, and its mighty fortifications are a splendid example of the defensive architecture of its time. The Acropolis of Lindos, in eastern Rhodes, is a must-see archaeological site.

Crete is both a beach paradise and home to some of the country s premier archaeological finds and attractions. Visit Greece and tour the Palace at Knossos, built by the Minoans more than 4,000 years ago, before exploring the Archaeological Museum, where the treasures of Knossos ? including sculptures, jewelry and mosaics ? are exhibited.

This charming, Turkish resort is reputed as one of the most attractive cities on the Aegean Sea. It is known for the ancient ruins of Ephesus - one of the world's most wondrous archaeological sites. Other historical masterpieces include the Great Amphitheatre, where St. Paul addressed the Ephesians, the Selcuk castle, and the tombs of the Seven Sleepers.

One of the smallest of the Dodecanese Islands, Patmos is an island steeped in political and religious history. During the 1st century AD, St. John was exiled to Patmos for preaching Christianity. He established a Christian colony here and wrote the Book of Revelations.

Mediaeval villages, a diverse landscape, beaches with wild beauty, ?miraculous' masticha, Chios is much more than just an island on the edge of the Aegean. Chios is an island that has been blessed by nature and history. It is fragrant, and authentic, multi-dimensional and irresistible.

Once called Constantinople, the former capital of the Byzantine Empire is the only city in the world to straddle two continents - Europe and Asia. Its old palaces, great mosques with soaring minarets, ancient churches, museums, bazaars, and the Istanbul Strait are all worth seeing. The Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace are impressive, unforgettable sites.

Once called Constantinople, the former capital of the Byzantine Empire is the only city in the world to straddle two continents - Europe and Asia. Its old palaces, great mosques with soaring minarets, ancient churches, museums, bazaars, and the Istanbul Strait are all worth seeing. The Grand Bazaar, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace are impressive, unforgettable sites.