Oceania Riviera from Istanbul to Athens

Explore this bustling city's ancient roots, and visit the huge cas-tle 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 Museumone of the fine art museums with collections of important works. Venture into the old quarter near the waterfront to enjoy the old Turkish mansionsinto the countryside and discover quaint villages whe-re 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.

Enjoy a walking tour of the old fortified city and stand in awe of the impressive Grand Master's Palace. See whe-re the Colossus of Rhodes once stood and savor the charm of this remarkable walled town. Or drive along the scenic coast to Lindos. Enjoy the whitewashed little town and climb to the ancient acropolis, its temples and wonderful views.

Alanya rose to prominence during the Middle Ages under the Seljuks, a tribe from central Asia that built the fortress and protective wall that still dominate the city. Several other buildings from that time also remain, including the octagonal Red Tower and the Seljuk Shipyard. Thousands of archaeological pieces in the Alanya Museum attest to the city's importance through the ages. But history only touches on Alanya's considerable allure. The city sits on a lovely gulf, backed by the pine-forested Taurus Mountains on Turkey's beautiful Mediterranean coast.

Paphos isn’t just sunny, it’s really sunny – with an average of 13 hours a day in the summer and five hours during what are normally dreary months. It’s easy to fall in love with this beautiful land of rocky coastline and clear blue waters, which is why it was the perfect setting for the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love. UNESCO World Heritage sites reveal the area’s historic devotion to the deity. The Kato Paphos part of town has extensive remains of Aphrodite’s Sacred City, while the nearby village of Kouklia has the ruins of a temple erected in her honor as well as the site of Old Paphos, whe-re she was revered.

Discover this delightful ancient town and its many treasures, from the superb artifacts in the museum to Ottoman mansions, Byzantine churches and mosques, Hadrian's Gate, and the ancient Roman harbor now restored and alive with cafés and pleasure boats. Or head for the magnificent ruins of Perge and Aspendos and imagine the history of these cities, from Alexander to St. Paul and from the Romans to the Arabs. Stand in awe of the huge Roman theater and the crumbling aqueduct

Explore this charming town, discover fascinating ancient Minoan and Byzantine villages, and see the panorama of lovely windmills irrigating meticulously cultivated fields on the Lasithi Plateau. Visit a monasteryhead across the island to see the reconstituted Palace of Knossos.

Since John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelations here, Patmos - the Jerusalem of the Aegean - is hallowed ground, with hundreds of churches that attest to the fact. One of the island's chief attractions is the Cave of the Apocalypse, whe-re St. John is said to have lived during his exile. The other is the Monastery of St. John, adorned with frescoes dating back to the 12th century. Some of the more popular secular activities revolve around the island's lovely beaches shaded by tamarisk trees and walking Patmos' many country trails, which are often donkey paths.

Enjoy wandering through the narrow, winding streets of this delightful seaside village with its whitewashed houses, flowers and brightly painted shutters and doors. Stand beneath the windmills on the hill. Visit the archaeological museum and an old bakery still using a 15th century wood-burning stove.

Climb up the magnificent Acropolis and stand in awe of the Parthenon, the beautiful temples and the view over Athens stretched out before you. See city highlights including the new and old Olympic stadiums. Journey to Cape Souni-on and the temple of Poseidon overlooking the sea,visit ancient Corinth and the narrow Corinth Canal cut through miles of solid rock.