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Eastern Mediterranean & the Black Sea
Mykonos
Ephesus, Turkey
Acropolis, Athens
Marmaris, Turkey
Nessebar, Bulgaria
Mykonos Town, Mykonos
A jewel in the Aegean, Mykonos is sprinkled with sugar-cube houses and whitewashed windmills. * Wander through the labyrinthine-like lanes of Mykonos Town, crammed with tiny churches, shrines, shops and cafés. * Take a stroll along the seafront known as Little Venice. Don't forget to keep an eye out for places that appeared in Shirley Valentine.
* Explore the town's many churches, from the 5th-century basilica on the seafront to the impressive Old Bishop's Residence at the heart of town. No wonder UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.
Piraeus (for Athens), Greece
Trip over reminders of the past in ancient Athens, where cultural treasures line up to dazzle you. It's a real gold medal winner of a city. * Scale the heights of the Acropolis for awesome views, then take a look at the Parthenon, perched atop Athens' most famous hill. * Be in Syntagma - or Constitution - Square in time to see the skirted soldiers perform the changing-of-the-guard. * Explore Plaka, the Medieval quarter at the foot of the Acropolis. The 19thcentury lanes are crammed with tavernas and street markets.
Nauplion, Greece
Nauplion sweeps down a hillside to an elegant harbour gazing out on the Argolic Gulf. * See the crumbling Palamidi Castle. It's the town's most famous landmark. * Don't miss the ancient ruins of Corinth. Sights include the Temple of Apollo, a large forum, a basilica and the Temple of Aphrodite. * Mycenae, too, is well worth a trip. It was, after all, once the most powerful kingdom in Greece. See the ruins of Agamemnon's Palace with its Great Court.
Rethymnon, Crete
All the Greek stereotypes line up here - doll-sized whitewashed houses, streets just wide enough to take a donkey's cart and churches spilling over with villagers. It seems little has changed in decades. * Head for Crete's capital, Chania. A good starting point is the old town. Cue Minoan ruins, Medieval forts, even a Venetian-Egyptian lighthouse. * The Venetians held the city in high regard, leaving their mark in the quiet courtyards and elaborate fountains. See some of them for yourself. * A palm-fringed promenade backs a never-ending stretch of sand and shingle. Surf the waves on a jet ski or have a go at windsurfing.
Nessebar, Bulgaria
Cluttered with monuments from Medieval Bulgaria, Nessebar is one of the oldest towns in Europe. What's more, it boasts some of the finest beaches on the country's Black Sea. * Admire the beautiful Renaissance architecture as you stroll through old Nessebar's crooked streets, browsing stalls piled with crafts.
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