Piraeus (Athens), Greece

Athens is still as iconic as ever. Winding pathways from ancient times transformed into modern-day roads and streets lead you to the monumental gateway of the Acropolis and other archaeological sites. It is a land soaked in history and mythology, but not stuck in the past.

As you wend through back alleys, passing the street art and getting serenaded by street musicians, you are never lost. You are simply taking a journey to an unknown destination. You may find yourself at the likes of the Church of Agioi at the southeast corner of the Holy Apostles Ancient Agora, a less-crowded historical site away from the flocks of tourists.

Try your hand at haggling with local vendors at the Plaka or Monastiraki flea market. There are so many handmade wares and trinkets to peruse and purchase. Keep an eye out for the more risqué souvenirs if you want a good laugh.

Aside from venturing through the cradle of Western Civilization, you can explore the port of Piraeus. It is the biggest port in Greece and one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean. Centuries of history have transformed this seaside town from a wartime fortress to a major shipping and transportation center.

Patmos, Greece

The “Holy Island” of Patmos holds religious history as the site where St. John wrote the Book of Revelations. Venturing over to the Cave of the Apocalypse amid the hills between Skala and Chora, you get a whole new view of the countryside. Along the seaside village you find an array of restaurants with the fresh catch of the day. With quintessential whitewashed houses in the Greek style and iconic windmills against a backdrop of blue skies, the Sacred Land of the Aegean also offers breathtaking panoramas that will impress the most experienced travelers.

Bodrum, Turkey

From its sunbathing corners shaded by olive groves to gourmet cuisine and a lively night life, Bodrum has been deemed the St. Tropez of Turkey. The vibrant city has become a celebrity hot spot for a getaway away from prying eyes.

Located along the southern coast of Bodrum Province, this town offers vistas of deep blue sea that only the Aegean Sea can provide. Whitewashed houses mixed with the more colorful buildings reaching up into the hills creates a magnificent sight that calls travelers to come further explore the city’s shores.

Further into the backstreets and side paths of Bodrum, you pass between the iconic Greek style houses adorned by brightly colored flowers and lush foliage. These narrow streets and paths beckon with the sense of adventure and taking the road less traveled.

From the street markets and into the Bodrum Bazaar, you get the chance to test your haggling skills as you shop among the locals for fresh herbs and produce. The spice markets of Bodrum tantalize with a rainbow of colors and fresh, aromatic scents that drift through the air as you peruse the stalls for what will become part of your next culinary adventure.

Fresh seafood abounds at the restaurants along the waterfront. Savory smoked mackerel fillets send a whiff of pure deliciousness through the air that will make your nose lead the way. If you have a sweet tooth, then lokmasi is the way to go. These deep fried dough balls submerged in syrup will leave your mouth watering for more once the very last one is gone.

Marmaris, Turkey

At the intersect where the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas meet lies the Turkish town of Marmaris. Stunning vistas of deep blue ocean and sky surrounded by expansive mountain ranges dotted with lush green make this city an absolute heaven on earth. Sandy beaches dotted with multicolored umbrellas along the water’s edge invite travelers to stop for a moment and take in the wonder.

As soon as you step on shore the sight of Marmaris Castle, built around 1044 B.C.E., greets you. The path that leads you to the castle lies on a stone road between whitewashed houses with vibrant flower decorations. Interspersed within the castle’s stone walls stand tropical palms, creating a juxtaposed image of ancient history with paradise vibes.

Throughout the town, structures range from the iconic Greek style to brick paved houses and streets. But all paths wind their way through the city, giving you plenty of corners to explore and discover away from crowded areas. Between adventures you can stop at one of the many tavernas to grab a kebab or indulge in a piece of baklava or kunefe. You may get pulled into conversation among the friendly residents while you’re there.

In the evening, the musical dancing fountain provides a fantastic spectacle that will bring out your inner child. Located in the heart of the Marmaris town center, many visitors stop for a few minutes to catch the show. Colorful lights synchronized with music and a spewing fountain make for a delightful performance to forever keep in your memory.

Fethiye, Turkey

Along Turkey’s southwestern Turquoise Coast lies the perfectly blue-green lagoon of the beach at Oludeniz in Fethiye. The rocky coast dotted with green shrubbery amid the remote, ocean backdrop makes the perfect spot to do a cannonball into the water and grab an epic picture.

The former ancient city of Telmessos transformed into Fethiye holds thousands of years of rich history and culture. The ancient ruins of Lycian society and a Roman theater strewn over the mountains spark a sense of adventure as your imagination runs wild of what life must have once looked like among the stone structures and columns.

Amid the 86,000 square meters of Butterfly Valley you can mingle with over 100 species of these gossamer beauties. A cascading waterfall in the background runs into a gentle river that waters the butterflies’ native habitat, the chaste trees. Between the nature preserve and forested mountains, Fethiye’s environment enchants and enthralls with its breathtaking views.

The city’s Old Town creates the perfect backdrop for wandering through the bazaars where you can haggle with the locals for their goods and wares. When your appetite opens up, there are plenty of restaurants to stop and grab a kebab, mezes, or fresh-caught seafood.

The sweet and savory flavors of dishes like yogurt with herbs and garlic or hot pepper, walnut and tomato crush mix on the palate for a feast you are not soon to forget. Along the seaside promenade lies a feast for the eyes as well as the sun sparkles on top of the water.

Paphos, Cyprus

Considered the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, Paphos contains enough prehistoric, archaeological sites rich in the real and the mythical to satiate the most curious minds. The vast Archaeological Park and Tombs of the Kings, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offer a playground of ancient ruins to let your imagination run rampant. Paphos does not get mired in its past, though, with a modern waterfront filled with shops, restaurants, and hotels. Cypriot cuisine makes an impression on every traveler. With influences coming from across three continents and various cultures, the flavors of this island’s food range from Greek to Turkish to Middle Eastern.

Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel

The port of Ashdod acts as a gateway to the powerful history of the Holy Lands. A pilgrimage along the expansive scenery along the Dead Sea takes you to Massada: an ancient fortress and ruins that hold great significance in the Jewish religion. Overlooking the remnants of the past Jewish rebels’ stone houses from which they fled slavery, solemnity takes hold under the blazing desert sun.

The trek to the summit of Massada begins either on the zig-zagging Snake Path or the easier Roman Ramp. The walk along these paths offers stunning views of golden sun over brown, stone hills as far as the eye can see. But if walking is not your speed, then you can ride the cable car up from the eastern entrance of the national park for an equally amazing vista.

Below the ancient fortress lies the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea, where you can float weightlessly for an experience like none other. The silky smooth waters flow over your skin creating a pleasant sensation that makes it impossible to tell that you are still bound to the earth.

Out in the quiet desert of the Mitzpe Ramon nature reserve, a deep blue-black sky filled with twinkling stars surrounds you with a sense of wonder. As you gather around a crackling fire at your campsite with new friends, basking in the crisp, cool night, you cannot help but be overwhelmed with the pure magic created by a perfect night for stargazing.

Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel

The port of Ashdod acts as a gateway to the powerful history of the Holy Lands. A pilgrimage along the expansive scenery along the Dead Sea takes you to Massada: an ancient fortress and ruins that hold great significance in the Jewish religion. Overlooking the remnants of the past Jewish rebels’ stone houses from which they fled slavery, solemnity takes hold under the blazing desert sun.

The trek to the summit of Massada begins either on the zig-zagging Snake Path or the easier Roman Ramp. The walk along these paths offers stunning views of golden sun over brown, stone hills as far as the eye can see. But if walking is not your speed, then you can ride the cable car up from the eastern entrance of the national park for an equally amazing vista.

Below the ancient fortress lies the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea, where you can float weightlessly for an experience like none other. The silky smooth waters flow over your skin creating a pleasant sensation that makes it impossible to tell that you are still bound to the earth.

Out in the quiet desert of the Mitzpe Ramon nature reserve, a deep blue-black sky filled with twinkling stars surrounds you with a sense of wonder. As you gather around a crackling fire at your campsite with new friends, basking in the crisp, cool night, you cannot help but be overwhelmed with the pure magic created by a perfect night for stargazing.

Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel

The port of Ashdod acts as a gateway to the powerful history of the Holy Lands. A pilgrimage along the expansive scenery along the Dead Sea takes you to Massada: an ancient fortress and ruins that hold great significance in the Jewish religion. Overlooking the remnants of the past Jewish rebels’ stone houses from which they fled slavery, solemnity takes hold under the blazing desert sun.

The trek to the summit of Massada begins either on the zig-zagging Snake Path or the easier Roman Ramp. The walk along these paths offers stunning views of golden sun over brown, stone hills as far as the eye can see. But if walking is not your speed, then you can ride the cable car up from the eastern entrance of the national park for an equally amazing vista.

Below the ancient fortress lies the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea, where you can float weightlessly for an experience like none other. The silky smooth waters flow over your skin creating a pleasant sensation that makes it impossible to tell that you are still bound to the earth.

Out in the quiet desert of the Mitzpe Ramon nature reserve, a deep blue-black sky filled with twinkling stars surrounds you with a sense of wonder. As you gather around a crackling fire at your campsite with new friends, basking in the crisp, cool night, you cannot help but be overwhelmed with the pure magic created by a perfect night for stargazing.

Haifa (Nazareth), Israel

Along the northern slope of Mount Carmel lies the port city of Haifa. Often called “Israel’s San Francisco,” Haifa gives way to a sprawling, modern city complete with skyscrapers. But the true jewel of the city is the Bahai Gardens, an oasis of terraces that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Haifa, make your way to the Biblical city of Nazareth, Israel’s largest Arab city. Explore the Old City’s shuk, outdoor market, searching for fresh produce and mingling with the locals. The Church of the Annunciation is the primary focus for visitors, but the nearby archaeological site of the Nun’s Convent holds a plethora of ancient treasures as well.

Haifa, (Tel Aviv), Israel

Along the northern slope of Mount Carmel lies the port city of Haifa. Often called “Israel’s San Francisco,” Haifa gives way to a sprawling, modern city complete with skyscrapers. But the true jewel of the city is the Bahai Gardens, an oasis of terraces that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Haifa, you can venture out to the modern-day city of Tel Aviv before or after your expedition. This vibrant city comes alive with sandy beaches, world-renowned nightlife, rich cultural experiences and delicious cuisine. The UNESCO-listed architecture of The White City of Tel Aviv by far holds an impressive allure with its collection of Bauhaus-style buildings.