Attractions

Greece:

From gorgeous terrain to historical museums, you can find it all in Greece. Here are a few favorites:

• The Acropolis and the Parthenon: A must-see in Athens! Featuring Athena’s sacred temple, the Parthenon, this famous rock is a great site any time of the year, but should be visited either in the early morning or late afternoon, as it gets crowded.

• The National Archaeological Museum: Even if going to a museum is not your idea of a good time, you must go to this one. The tall, enigmatic kouroi statues are exquisite. Don’t forget to look at the Egyptian antiquities collection upstairs.

• Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon: The epitome of ancient Greece, these ruins showcase the beauty of nature. The Aegean Sea sits below you as you gaze out across the landscape. This is best enjoyed at sunset, as it is most beautiful then, and less crowded.

• The Island of Santorini (Thira, Fira): Discover a remarkable island, rich with gorgeous landscapes, villages, and architecture. Many Greek singers have chosen this Island as the setting for their videos. Many TV series have been shot here, as well as some Hollywood movies.

• The Island of Mykonos: This is Greece’s most famous Island. Those looking for great shopping, exciting nightlife, and just plain craziness, will make this their leading destination. If you’ve had enough of the frenzy, the other side of the Island offers a much more tranquil environment.

• The Ancient Theater of Epidaurus: You’ll find the best acoustics here, so seeing a play on your trip would be worthwhile. There is a great museum on site just past a wonderful village bakery/liquor store in Adami.

Turkey:

Turkey has very similar attractions to Greece. Explore its ancient architecture, rich and textures culture and its gorgeous panoramas.

• Hagia Sophia Museum This is a great masterpiece of Byzantine art. It was built by the Justinians in the 6th century AD and first served as a patriarchal basilica, then as a mosque and now as a museum. For a millennium after it was first built in 537 AD, it remained the largest church in existence.

• Blue Mosque It isn’t every day you get to see such a spectacular mosque. Make this a priority, as you probably won’t see one more beautiful in your lifetime. Blue tiles decorate the interior, hence the name. The Imperial Architect Mehmet Aga completed it in 1616.

• Pamukkale This unique white limestone “castle” was formed over a period of 14,000 years. It is believed that its thermal spring water has therapeutic qualities and can cure such illnesses as rheumatism and kidney and heart diseases.

• Commagene Kingdom at Mt. Nemrut This is a site to see, and is at its most remarkable at sunset. Mt. Nemrut is an extension of the Taurus mountain range. The Commagene Kingdom, an ancient Armenian kingdom of the Hellenistic Age, was established here after the division of Alexander’s Empire in three.

• Topkapi Palace Museum Built by Mehmet II, this gorgeous palace is like its own town, with public and private buildings, gardens, courtyards, pavilions and kiosks. Be sure not to miss this.

• Troy Everyone has heard of this magnificent city. If you’ve read Homer’s The Iliad, or even if you haven’t, you’ll want to visit its famous remains.