Antalya, Turkey
Looking like a rocket about to be launched into space, the tall fluted spire of Antalya 's Yivli Minareli Mosque is prettily silhouetted against the mountain-backed skyline of Antalya , the formerly ancient city of Pamphylia . Founded in the 2 nd century BC by a king of Pergamon, Antalya has gone through the usual succession of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman rulers. Blessed by a gentle climate because of its proximity to the cooling mountains, Antalya has become a favorite seaside destination. Be sure to see the spectacular Upper and Lower D ü den waterfalls, only 14 kilometers from Antalya .

Athens, Greece
Walking in the shadow of the Acropolis in the Agora, you can almost hear the voices of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle arguing about who was the greatest philosopher. In the soaring, subtly curved Doric columns of the Parthenon you see the masterful hand of Pericles, Athens' greatest general and builder. And in the ethereally graceful bodies of the Karyatids supporting the porch of the Erectheum, you behold the beauty of the immortals. Ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy and epicenter of western civilization, is a city for all eternity.

Bodrum, Turkey
Known in ancient times as Halicarnassus, this was the birthplace of Heredotus and the site of King Mausolu's Tomb (4th century BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the harbor, Bodrum Castle, or the medieval castle of St. Peter, is a fine example of 15th century crusader architecture, and has been converted into a Museum of Underwater Archaeology, with remains dating as far back as the Bronze Age.

Corfu, Greece
The lushest (and some say the loveliest) of all the Greek Islands, Corfu lies just a stone’s throw from the Albanian coast. And nowhere is the stunning natural beauty of Corfu more evident than in the small village of Paleocastritsa, where legend says Odysseus was washed ashore to be rescued by Nausicaa. Another sight not to be missed is the Achillion Palace built for the Empress Elizabeth of Austria and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm I.

Dalyan River, Turkey
At first glance, this is a picture one hardly expects to see in Turkey. A lovely, unspoiled lake teeming with fish, a lush marshy delta, verdant farmlands, a lazy, reed-fringed river meandering into the sea. And a lonely, deserted beach where sea turtles lay their eggs. But the sea is an incredibly clear blue, and on the bottom are ruins of an ancient civilization. On shore, you can see ruins of the Lycian city of Caunos, with its basilica and fortifications looming over the green marsh where endangered Caretta loggerhead turtles hatch in the spring.

Delos, Greece
You cannot escape the feeling on Delos that the Greek gods are hovering just out of sight, or that Apollo might step out of some ruin at any moment, casting his radiance once again over ancient Delos. Uninhabited today as always, Delos is the hub of the "wheel" for which the Cyclades are named. The Sacred Way, bordered by temples, altars and shrines dedicated to Greek, Roman and Egyptian deities, attests to the religious importance in ancient times.

Dubrovnik, Croatia
It was George Bernard Shaw who said, “Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik.” Indeed, Dubrovnik is a treasure by any measure made more precious by its miraculous restoration. Crowned by the Minceta Tower, the 10th century city walls are the proud symbol of Dubrovnik’s colorful history. Stroll up the Stradún to the elaborately colonnaded Rector’s Palace, the seat of the republic of Ragusa, a powerful Renaissance-era city-state boasting a fleet of 500 ships!

Hvar, Croatia
The heavenly scent of lavender perfumes the air in the fields and valleys around the island of Hvar. Idyllically located just off the Dalmatian coast, the island and the little port named after it have been a favorite getaway ever since the time of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Venetians and even Austro- Hungarian royalty. See the perfectly preserved Cathedral of St. Stephen, the serene cloistered Franciscan monastery and the Venetian Arsenal, where one of Europe’s first public theatres was established in 1612.

Hydra, Greece
It looks barren and rocky, but the narrow harbor of Hydra hides a surprise, a town of stately mansions all built around 1800 by blockade runners who had made fortunes outwitting the British during the Napoleonic Wars. Many of Hydra's merchants were also celebrated naval heroes during the Greek fight for independence from Turkey in the 1820s. Another surprise is that there are no cars, so if you want to see the spectacular view from the Monastery of Ilias you'll have to ride a donkey to the top.

Fethiye (Telmessos), Turkey
Modern Fethiye is best known for it's inviting beaches, which are a great place to laze a day away or catch an excursion boat to the nearby 12 Island archipelago scattered over the turquoise bay. But you can't escape the reminders of Fethiye's ancient Lycian past, for this was the site of Telmessos, an amazing necropolis of what appear to be Greek temples carved into the cliff sides, complete with columns, pediments and porches, waiting to receive the dead.

Kurcola, Croatia
Framed by dense green forests of allepo pine and twisted cypress, the red tile roofs of Korcula make an inviting picture that makes you want to see more of this charming island town whose most famous native son was Marco Polo. The pale wheat colored stone Cathedral of St. Mark houses a treasure trove of Dalmatian and Italian art, including works by Tintoretto and Titian. Walk through the towering Land Gate for a great view of the town, try a traditional Korcula dish, spinning-wheel fettuccini. And if you’re lucky, you may witness Korcula’s thrilling Moreska Sword Dance.

Kastellorizon, Greece
This almost deserted small island of only 200 year-round inhabitants is barely one mile from Turkey 's coast. Once an important base for French and Italian seaplanes between the wars, most of the inhabitants migrated to Perth , Australia , but every year they come back en masse in August, when the gracious old captains' mansions along the harbour front come alive with celebrations and music and life. Kastellorizon's blue grotto is almost as spectacular as Capri 's – without the crowds!

Simi, Greece
One of the prettiest of the Dodecanese islands, Simi was once an important center for ship-building and sponging. Venture beyond the streets of neoclassical Greek houses and the striking Hatziagapitos Mansion of the village of Gialos and you'll discover a number of inviting old monasteries perched on the hills including the imposing Panormitis Monastery dedicated to the Archangel Michael located at the southern tip of Simi Island.

Kotor, Boka Fjord, Montenegro
You might think you were sailing up a Norwegian fjord. In fact, this stunning rock-walled chasm splitting the coastal mountains of Montenegro is the longest arm of the sea in Southern Europe. As you venture deep into the heart of Boka Fjord, you’ll see several charming villages along the shore, but at its very end, Boka harbors one of the prettiest, unspoiled towns you’ll ever see, the medieval city of Kotor. Founded by the Romans, fortified with massive walls during the Byzantine era, then ruled by Venice for much of its history, Kotor has been naturally preserved by its isolation.

Kusadasi, Turkey
Kusadasi is a popular Turkish port of call, as not only is it a bustling resort town full of shops, bars and restaurants, but it is also the main access point for the famous archeological site at Ephesus, where extensive excavations have revealed an ancient city through which visitors can now wander and observe the wonders of a bygone civilization.

Mali Losinj, Croatia
The warm sands of Cikat Bay are an irresistible magnet for beachgoers. And no wonder, the beach is 30 kilometers long and offers every watersport imaginable. In the fortified town of Veli Losinj, climb the 16th century tower and hear the history of the Uskoks, warrior refugees from the Turkish invasion who fled in 1526 to the coastal islands to start new lives under Hapsburg protection.

Mykonos, Greece
One of the most cosmopolitan of all the Greek Islands and quite justifiably attracting visitors from all over the world, Mykonos is a contrast of rocky hills and beautiful beaches. Hora, the capital, spreads around a colorful harbor in which fishing boats nestle side by side with luxury yachts. The brilliant white cubic houses with white-washed balconies built close together with little shops and tiny churches, make up the backstreets of the town. The harbor is overlooked by a variety of tavernas, and is a popular meeting place as the sun goes down, turning the brilliant whites to beautiful shades of pinks and reds.

Patmos, Greece
This serene island is known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St. John the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave where he is said to have lived is now the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. In the 11th century, the Abbot Christodoulos founded the Monastery of St. John on one of the island's highest points. It houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its treasury.

Rhodes, Greece
The beautiful island of Rhodes (Island of Roses) has a rich and varied history. The beach at Lindos is among the best on the island, whose capital, Rhodes Town is a bustling mecca for both sightseers and shoppers alike. This thriving port provides access to the many beautiful sights on this popular island. On the Eastern coast of Rhodes, poised high above two spectacular bays is the Acropolis of Lindos below which one can find a labyrinth of winding streets and dazzling white buildings. Lindos was once the principal city of the island before the founding of Rhodes Town in 408 BC.

Samos, Greece
The island of Samos is only 2,500 meters from the coast of Turkey; in fact it was once part of Asia before the last ice age ripped it from the arms of the continent. Pythagoria was supposedly the birthplace of Hera, wife of Zeus. Other notable island progeny include the mathematician Pythagoras, Epicurus, Polykrates and the great tale teller Aesop.

Santorini, Greece
The island of Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking of all the Greek Islands. Around 1500 BC, a volcanic eruption destroyed the center of the island, leaving a crescent shaped rim of cliffs around a harbor formed in the volcano's caldera.

Sifnos, Greece
Gold gave birth to Sifnos. Every year, the islanders would offer a solid gold tribute to Apollo. When they tried to substitute a fake, Apollo decreed that their rich mines would sink into the ground. Now the abandoned mines are the only reminder of Sifnos golden age. Apollonia, the little capital named after Sifnos' wrathful patron god, is now a center for folk arts, where delicate laces and distinctive island pottery are sold in the markets. Visit Panayia Chrysopyi, a 17th-century monastery precariously perched on a rocky islet jutting into the sea.

Yithion, (Gythion) Greece
The ancient port and naval base of Sparta, and is reputed to be the site where Paris and Helen of Troy fled to Egypt. The town is an ideal base from which to explore the district, and the Caves of Diros. Yithion guards the road to Mystra, the secret treasure of Greece, where centuries old Byzantine frescoes are almost perfectly intact. Trace the exquisite patterns that cover every inch of Mystra's 14th century churches.

Venice, Italy
Venice is the heart and soul of romance. Cast your eye on the rounded domes of San Marco, take a deep breath at the Bridge of Sighs, gaze on the golden lions and the Renaissance glories of the Doge’s Palace, listen for the ghosts of Verdi, Puccini and Caruso at La Fenice Opera House, gape at the classic Palladian proportions of the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore, glide in a gondola down the Grand Canal. And know that love is always in the air in Venice.

Kemer, Turkey
Kemer is Turkey 's version of Cancun – a built-from-scratch resort city situated on a point overlooking a wide welcoming bay, boasting hotels, spas, chic shops, marinas and high-rise condominiums with every modern luxury and amenity.

Olympos, Turkey
The fragrant pine forests and luxuriant oleander, citrus, laurel, wild figs and grapevines make Olympos an attractive destination for nature lovers, who love to stay in the town's famous tree house hotels. And you never know what ancient ruins you may run across as you wander along the picturesque beach or through the woods. At nightfall, a nearby mountainside lights up with the wavering flame of the Chimera, a natural gas flame escaping from the earth that has been a lighthouse for mariners for centuries.

Kekova (Simena), Turkey
The Lycians constructed the ancient and now sunken city of Simena to house their shipyards. Then there was a disastrous earthquake, and half the city sunk into the sea. Today you can see ancient sarcophagi poking out of the water, and the ruins of half-submerged stairways leading nowhere. Atop the hill stands the village of Kalek ö y , dominated by a fortified castle built by the Knights of St. John.

Gocek, Turkey
Situated at the head of the Bay of Skopea , Gocek's totally protected harbour is a favorite destination for yachts seeking to get away from the usual mass market beach and high-rise resort atmosphere. The marinas are outstanding, the restaurants are excellent and the whole town, which numbers only 4,000, is charming. It's a place where backyard gardens supply the vegetables and fruit for dinner and fishermen haggle with bistros for the best price for their catch. Mmmm!

Marmaris, Turkey
Judging from the countless numbers of yachts and ships of every size tied up in endless rows in Marmaris' harbour, you might think you were in Monaco or Cannes . Marmaris is at the junction of the Aegean and Mediterranean and just across from Rhodes, so it's a jumping off place for every gulet and yacht charter company on the Turquoise Coast . Noted for its holiday atmosphere and wild nightlife (rivaling Mykonos ), Marmaris has become a haven for sun and fun-starved Scandinavians escaping the ravages of winter.