Attractions
Greece:
The Acropolis and the Parthenon: No trip to Greece can be complete without a visit to its supreme symbol, the outcropping of rock called the Acropolis, crowned with Athena's sacred temple, the Parthenon. It looks great all day, but visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds. New pedestrian pathways make it easy to visit via the Athens Metro.
The National Archaeological Museum: It's a world-class display of seemingly endless artifacts. Most dramatic are the tall, enigmatic kouroi, archaic statues of godlike young men displayed against a rich red background that reminds us that the real temples, statues, and walls of Ancient Greece weren't bleached white by centuries of sun and rain.
Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon: It's worth the bus trip or car ride to visit this clifftop temple. The empty spaces between the columns frame the sky and look like a portal into eternity. With the Aegean Sea below spread out below like an endless shimmering sea of silk, one wonders if the sea god Poseidon misses the loss of his temple's roof and walls very much. Most popular at sunset, it's as beautiful in the early morning, and much, much less crowded.
The Island of Santorini (Thira, Fira): Atlantis legends, missing Minoans, a live volcano, gorgeous sunsets, great local wine, fine restaurants and vampire stories: There's nothing Santorini. Make sure you do anything in your power to be able to arrive by sea, slowly crawling up the coast watching the banded cliffs of brown, black, and red crowned by snow-white tufa, a light lava which still clings to parts of the island like frosting on a cake. The signature sight of the once-buried city of Akrotiri is under a tin roof, and it gets extraordinarily hot—so go early in the day. The hotels carved into the cliff sides are not for those with vertigo.
The Island of Mykonos: The most famous Greek island got that way for good reason. It's charming, fun, beautiful, and now is renowned for its sophisticated, international goings-on. Get over onto the other side of the island for an entirely different Mykonos, one which boasts a chapel for every day of the year.
The Ancient Theater of Epidaurus: A relatively easy drive from Athens, the site of Epidaurus on the Peloponnese Peninsula is worth a special trip. The Theatre, functional enough for plays to be regularly presented during the summer Epidaurus Festival, has unbelievable acoustics. Enjoy the small, good onsite museum. On your way, stop at a great little village bakery/liquor store in Adami.
Turkey:
Haghia Sophia Museum: The great masterpiece of Byzantine art. It was built by Justinian in 6th century AD and is the third church to occupy this site. At the time it was built, it was the largest church in existence. The church was sacked by the Latins during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and many of its treasures were taken to the west.
Blue Mosque: The Blue Mosque, Sultan Ahmet Camii is one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. Its name is derived from the blue tiles decorating its interior. Completed in 1616 by Mehmet Aga, Imperial Architect and one of the students of the great architect Sinan.
Pamukkale: Pamukkale is one of the natural wonders of the world. It is a unique geological formation formed over 14.000 years. The spring water at Pamukkale has therapeutic qualities and since antiquity has been said to cure rheumatism, kidney and heart diseases.
Commagene Kingdom at Mt.Nemrut: One of the most spectacular sites in Turkey especially at sunset. Mt Nemrut (approx. 2552m) is an extension of the Taurus mountain range in southeastern Turkey. After the division of Alexander's Empire into three, the Seleucids established the relatively small and wealthy Commagene Kingdom in the region.
