Indulge your eyes and senses in this magnificent city astride two continents. Visit beautiful Topkapi Palace, the awesome Hagia Sophia and the impressive Blue Mosque. Cruise the Bosphorus to see the city and its surroundings from another perspective. Visit one of the many museums or stroll through the spice market and the famous Grand Bazaar.

Explore this bustling city’s ancient roots, and visit the huge castle perched on the hill – the beautiful Greek theater that the Romans repaired and then copied back in Rome! See the impressive Cathedral and the Church of St. Nicholas, converted from a mosque. Enjoy the Archaeological Museum or one of the fine art museums with collections of important works. Venture into the old quarter near the waterfront to enjoy the old Turkish mansions or into the countryside and discover quaint villages where time has stopped.

Meander through the ruins of ancient Ephesus and marvel at the famed Library of Celsus, the huge amphitheater, the marble roads with their chariot marks, the amazing mosaic sidewalks and the superb, rarely opened Terrace Houses. Or journey to three monumental cities of antiquity – Priene, Miletus and Didyma – renowned for their majestic temples and impressive, beautifully preserved stadiums.

Chania wears its past on its sleeve. Spend the day in museums, from those uncovering the ancient history buried beneath the rocky soil to those celebrating Greece’s magnificent maritime history and the region’s unique folklore. Visit the ruins of the city-state of Aptera, a powerhouse in Minoan and Hellenistic times and eventually a Roman stronghold.

This capital of the island of Cephalonia resides in a sheltered bay along Koutavos Lagoon, where you might catch a glimpse of a loggerhead turtle. The stone obelisk of the Drapano Bridge and the Lighthouse of Saint Theodore are two of the island’s distinctive landmarks. Discover relics from the Mycenaean, Hellenistic and Roman periods in the city’s archaeological museum.

Tour the National Museum of History with archaeological artifacts going back as far as 100,000 years or jump ahead a few millennia and relive the Byzantine era at the Fortress of Justinian. Examine everything from modern art to 800-year-old religious icons at the National Art Gallery or climb the city’s clock tower for fabulous views.

Kotor is a beautiful walled medieval city of twisting, pink-paved streets, markets and architecture reflecting Byzantine to Venetian influences. Stroll through the compact old town, admire the impressive walls and tour the imposing St. Tryphon Cathedral, consecrated in 1166.

The walled city of Korcula is a medieval gem. Walk through the 14th century gate into the Old Town, and it’s like stepping back in time. Supposedly the birthplace of Marco Polo, Korcula features a wealth of Venetian-style architecture, including the Cathedral of Saint Mark and the Bishop’s Palace. For a glimpse of ancient Korcula, note the prehistoric artifacts exhibited in the town museum. There is also an inspirational Museum of Icons full of Byzantine religious paintings, many collected by 18th century sailors. Korcula’s best sand beach is Banje; Luka Korculanska beach attracts those who prefer pebbles.

Once the western capital of the Roman Empire, Ravenna boasts an incredible eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, most of them early Christian mosaics. The oldest, most breathtaking mosaics are in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. The tomb of the revered Italian poet Dante within the Dante Museum is also well worth a visit.