Sweet Mediterranean Escape

Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, is also one of the world's oldest cities with an unparalleled history that spans around 3,400 years. Experiencing long periods of sunshine throughout the year, and known as "the cradle of Western civilisation", it is a 'must-see' destination for world travellers. The city contains a fascinating variety of different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman through Neo-Classical, to Modern. Read more about Athens, Greece

The Greek Island of Patmos is possibly best known as the place where the apostle John received his vision and wrote the Apocalypse, and is subsequently sometimes called the Jerusalem of the Aegean. Whether you are interested in history and religion or not, the Monastery of St. John is regarded as a 'must see'. Read more about Patmos, Greece

Delos (or, Dilos), is the sacred island at the centre of the ring of about 220 islands called the Cyclades archipelago, in the Aegean Sea about 150 km SE of Athens. A few kilometres to the NE of Delos is the larger tourist-frequented island of Mykonos. According to Greek mythology Delos was the birthplace of the mythical Apollo and Artemis. Read more about Delos, Greece

Paros is an island of Greece, part of the Cyclades island group, in the central Aegean Sea. Historically it was known for its fine white marble; today it is considered as the 'island for every man', as almost every ferry stops here, and according to the locals once people stop here some simply do not want to leave. Visitors enjoy the many delightful beaches that offer a range of water-based activities including kayaking, windsurfing and sailing. Read more about Paros, Greece

Milos Island lies in the Aegean Sea mid-way between Athens and Crete. It is also known as the Island of Colours because of its colourful beaches, rocks and waters, due to the island's volcanic origins. It is also where the centre-piece of the Louvre in Paris, Aphrodite of Milos (Venus de Milo), was found. Read more about Milos, Greece

Nafplion (with a variety of spellings), the first capital of Greece, is situated on the Peloponnese Peninsula just a two and a half hour drive from Athens. Its picturesque harbour, with two mountains crowned by medieval fortresses overlooking the town. The small island fortress called the Bourtzi that once protected the harbour presents a scene that will ever be remembered. Read more about Nafplion, Greece

Hydra is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf. In ancient times the island was known as Hydrea, which was a reference to the (now depleted) springs on the island. There is one main town, known simply as Hydra Port. Read more about Hydra, Greece

Today’s Corinth was built on the shores of the Gulf of Corinth in 1858 after an earthquake destroyed the former city which was situated near the ruins of ancient Corinth. Today’s Corinth is about 78 km SW of Athens, on the Corinthian Peninsula, ‘separated’ from the mainland by the Corinthian Canal. The city is surrounded by several coastal townlets and the inland townlets of Exmilia and perhaps, best known, the archaeological site of the ancient city just 5km to the SW. Read more about Corinth, Greece

Taormina is a small town on the island of Sicily in Italy, in the Province of Messina. Settled on a hill, the town - accessible via an aerial tramway - dominates two sweeping bays, and on the southern side the top of Mount Etna can be seen. While it is unashamedly touristy and has a main street lined with high-end designer shops, the town remains a striking location with gorgeous medieval churches, a stunning Greek theatre, and sweeping views. Read more about Taormina, Italy

Gaeta, set on a promontory in the Gulf of Gaeta that eventually extends to Naples, is an active, authentic, and ancient portrait of Italy. Historically it has played a conspicuous part in military affairs as noted by the fact that its fortifications date back to Roman times and include, at the top of Monte Orlando, the first century mausoleum of a Roman General. Attractions include numerous famous and architecturally diverse churches, such as the Church of Annuziata and the church of San Giovanni a Mare. Read more about Gaeta, Italy

Porto Santo Stefano is a seaport town on the west coast of Tuscani, Italy. It lies 65 km NW of the major cruise port Civitavecchia, two hours from Rome. The port is on the north side of a 10 km wide ‘island’, joined to the Italian mainland by three narrow 5 km sandbars, one of which has an entry-exit road. Read more about Porto Santo Stefano, Italy

Seen from the water, Calvi, on the island of Corsica off the southern shores of France, is a beautiful spectacle with its three immense citadel bastions topped with ochre buildings that are sharply defined against a hazy backdrop of mountains. A hangout for European glitterati in the 1950s, the town these days is an interesting resort, in that its glamorous marina, souvenir shops and fussy boutiques contrast with the down-to-earth villages of its rural hinterland. Fascinatingly, Christopher Columbus supposedly came from Calvi, and there is a large statue at the foot of the citadel that commemorates this legend. Read more about Calvi, France

Nice is situated on the SE coast of France on the French Riviera, and is the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast. Monaco lies 13km to the east. Nice itself is an attraction: the rich blue-green sea, diverse shopping, splendid dining and lovely art-deco façades. Read more about Nice, France