greece and the orient express

Named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world -- built around its namesake deity's temple, the Parthenon, which still stands today. But Athens feels far from an ancient city. While it has done an excellent job at preserving sites like the Acropolis (where the Parthenon is located) and Greek Orthodox churches, it has evolved into a hip and modern metropolis and homeport for ships sailing the Greek Islands. The city's recently overhauled Metro system also provides a cheap, safe and easy way to get around for sightseeing if you have extra time before or after your cruise. Aside from major landmarks, even once-dingy neighbourhoods like Plaka and Thissio have been restored, boasting fresh pastel-coloured painted facades and chic restaurants, bars and shops. Syntagma Square -- Athens' central square -- also has been reborn as a tree-filled haven from which to take in the city's gorgeous neoclassical Parliament building and catch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (Yes, that means you get to watch those men in frilly skirts, elaborate waistcoats and bobbled shoes do their high-kicking thing.) Athens, once (in some parts, still) one of the most frenetic and traffic-polluted cities in the world, now owns a real buzz and is well worth spending a few days in if your cruise starts or ends there.

Sailing into the harbor of Syros, you might not feel like you're in Greece. The island's port city could easily pass for a coastal town on the French Riviera or Italy's Amalfi Coast. That's because immigrants who came to Syros from France, Italy, Germany and other parts of Greece between the early to mid-1800s collectively influenced the architecture, which consists mostly of multistory stone buildings with arches and pops of pastels. The heart of Syros' port city -- Ermoupoli, which also happens to be the capital -- is Miaouli Square. Visitors to the square will be awed by its main attraction, the grand Town Hall, which not only serves as the island's political center, but also the archeological museum. Adjacent to the square are various cafes and shops, as well as a statue of Andreas Miaoulis, an admiral from the Greek War of Independence. The shops in Ermoupoli sell mostly goods handmade or manufactured in Greece, with lots of unique jewelry, handbags, clothes and cookware. Outside the port city, Syros continues to offer a taste of authentic Greece at its seaside villages with quaint restaurants and beaches. Aside from only a few small cruise lines, Syros is mostly visited by other Greeks, so it doesn't feel crowded with tourists like more popular islands Mykonos and Santorini.

Thessaloniki might be the most important Greek city that you've never heard of. The capital of the Central Macedonia region, close to the birthplace of Alexander the Great, Thessaloniki (also referred to Salonika by locals) is the second-largest city in Greece. Like most of Greece, Thessaloniki can trace its roots to ancient times; St. Paul preached there in 50 AD. A bus trip takes you to the foot of Mount Olympus, where you'll explore ruins of crumbling temples to Zeus and Athena. Examples of the Byzantine era are everywhere -- including recently discovered royal tombs in Vergina. Aristotle grew up not far away. Mount Athos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the holiest modern religious sites in the entire country, and while it is only open to men with written permissions, some cruise line excursions and ferries will circle its scenic and sacred shores for everyone to view its monasteries. The site is about 95 miles from Thessaloniki. But steps from where your ship will dock is a modern metropolis, with hip bars and cafes crowding the waterfront. An iconic piece of history is just a brisk 30-minute walk away, down the promenade, as you close in on the 500-year-old White Tower -- former Byzantine fort and now a monument and museum -- which is visible from the cruise terminal. Language Greek is the primary language, but Thessaloniki is a large city, so most people also speak English. Efcharisto (eff-car-ee-stow) means "thank you." Currency & Best Way to Get Money Greece is on the euro. ATMs are located all around the city.

Few cruise ships call at Volos, though it is the third largest port in Greece. When you disembark, you'll see the cranes and shipping containers of an industrial port, rather than shops, ATM's and other passenger necessities. But don't be put off. Once you get away from the docks, you'll find that this dynamic city -- which lies between the wooded slopes of Mount Pelion and the Gulf of Pagasitikos, 326 km from Athens and 215 km from Thessaloniki -- offers plenty to do on a day ashore.

Downtown Volos is a conveniently short shuttle bus ride from your arrival point. You'll find interesting museums and churches, an array of shops, and a pretty, yacht-lined waterfront with plenty of al fresco restaurants serving traditional Greek dishes. Do as the locals do, and take a volta-- a leisurely stroll -- after your meal to walk off dinner along the quayside. In the surrounding areas, picturesque mountain villages offer scenic views and local products, while centuries-old monasteries perch atop rocky outcroppings. And, if that doesn't appeal, you can always head to a nearby beach for a relaxing day in the sun.

Çeşme, a sun-drenched coastal resort town situated on the western tip of Turkey’s İzmir Province, is a captivating Aegean jewel steeped in a 2,700-year maritime history. Overlooking the shimmering historic harbor and award-winning marina, the imposing 16th-century Çeşme Castle dominates the townscape and houses an impressive archaeology museum. The town's compact, walkable centre leads out to traditional bazaar streets and nearby mineral-rich thermal springs, most famously at Ilıca Beach, where warm sulfur waters bubble directly up from the sea. Just a short journey away lies the enchanting neighbouring village of Alaçatı, celebrated for its narrow cobblestone lanes, bougainvillea-draped historic stone houses, and world-renowned windsurfing conditions.

Nicknamed 'The Rock,' the reason behind this will become apparent as you arrive into port. There's a sense of being paused in time as you see dramatic cliffs and striking houses and churches clinging to the hillsides. The old town of Monemvasia includes a medieval settlement that is not only well preserved but still inhabited. The turbulent history of the island is shown through examples of Venetian, Ottoman and Byzantine influences. A stretching but rewarding walk is the cobbled path toward Ano Polo that offers stunning views of the town and sea beyond. Be sure to grab a bottle of the local wine before heading back to your ship.

Dream up a wish list of everything you'd want from a Greek holiday: talcum-soft beaches, spectacular subtropical forests, tasty cuisine and a beautiful, historic Old Town to explore. Add wall-to-wall sunshine, and you'll find Corfu ticks pretty much every box.

This small Ionian island (only 40 miles long and 20 wide) is a highlight of many Mediterranean cruise itineraries, and it's not hard to see why. Corfu (known to the local Corfiots as Kerkyra) is one of Greece's most verdant and picturesque islands.

Its lush interior, well-watered by winter rains and smothered in fragrant pine forests and dense olive groves, is studded with charmingly old-fashioned rural villages, where the sleepy routine is occasionally enlivened by summer religious festivals (panegyria).

At such times, tempting food and craft stalls appear, a fairground atmosphere prevails and brass bands, known locally (and rather confusingly) as philharmonic orchestras, toot out foot-tapping tunes. The main festivals take place in July and August and, of course, over Easter. And if religion's not your thing, perhaps the two Corfu beer festivals, in July and October, will grab your attention.

Most time-strapped cruise visitors confine their visits to exploring Corfu Town on the island's east coast, and this delightful medieval enclave, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, certainly deserves the attention. You'll find historic fortresses and the vast Spianada Square (esplanade), which is the largest public square in the Balkans, as well as intriguing alleyways and spectacular statues and fountains (not to mention excellent shops and lively restaurants).

If your cruise schedule allows, or you've visited Corfu Town before, you'll find it very rewarding to venture farther afield. In its long history, Corfu has "belonged" to many invaders -- Byzantines, Venetians, France, Russia and Britain -- before returning to Greek rule in 1864, and all have left their cultural stamp. You'll see it in the esplanade's cricket pitch and the island's Byzantine churches, Italianate mansions and the elegant French Liston arcade.

It all blends into the fascinating jumble, which makes Corfu one of the best-known and best-loved islands of the Ionian archipelago.

Of all the cities in the world, only Paris comes remotely close to matching Venice in terms of sheer beauty and romance. You've seen it in photos and films, but there's no substitute for the reality -- the shimmering Grand Canal, the gondolas slipping down watery alleyways, the elegant palazzos emerging straight from the sea. 

Venice once ruled the Mediterranean as a shipping power, amassing vast wealth and producing some of Europe's greatest artistic and cultural treasures. But, over the centuries, Venice has declined a bit and now has less than half the population it had at its peak. What remains of its former grandeur -- the crumbling palaces, the sumptuous art in its museums and churches, the fantastic rituals of Carnevale -- makes Venice a living tribute to the past. 

Aside from a number of charming squares, such as the famous Piazza San Marco, Venice is mostly composed of a warren of narrow canals and streets spread over more than 100 islands. These tangled passageways are an attraction among themselves. There are few better cities to simply get lost in, particularly if you want to escape the tourist hordes that clog the main arteries around San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. 

So once you've seen the major sights, fold up your map, and set off on foot. You'll discover pretty, residential neighborhoods with colorful flowerboxes in the windows and clean laundry billowing in the breeze. You'll discover tiny trattorias where the locals enjoy the catch of the day. And, away from the vaporetti (water taxis) and motorboat traffic on the Grand Canal, you'll discover one more pleasure of this place, aptly dubbed La Serenissima -- the unexpected quiet of a city without cars.