5 Nights of yachting in the Greek Isles

Athens is the cradle of the Western democratic tradition, home to a civilization as radiant as any before or since. Feel the pulse of history as you climb to the hilltop Acropolis, home to some of the city’s most renowned ancient sites. Gaze in amazement at the massive columns of the Parthenon, Pericles’ greatest monument. Admire the little Temple of Nike and the fantastic carvings of the caryatids that support a porch of the Erechtheion. At the bottom of the hill, the Acropolis Museum includes original statues of the maidens and numerous other artifacts unearthed here. Equally outstanding is the National Archaeological Museum, one of the largest in the world. In the Agora, you can walk in the footsteps of Plato and Aristotle, carry on an imaginary dialogue with Socrates and discover where Hippocrates healed and Pericles ruled. Then for lighter fare, savor the lively tavernas and twisting lanes of the Plaka neighborhood.

Bronze bodies bask in the sun on golden beaches, blue-domed churches dot the island, and picturesque windmills paddle the horizon. This is Mykonos, one of the most charming and fashionable of the Greek isles. Chora, its capital, is a cubist jumble of whitewashed houses and a maze of alleyways built long ago to foil pirates. Get lost in these narrow, twisting lanes filled with exclusive boutiques, art galleries and world-class restaurants. Take a 4×4 to explore the hidden corners of this stunning Cycladic island, or take a short boat trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Delos, a sacred islet of ancient ruins and the mythological birthplace of the twins Apollo and Artemis.

Simple seaside pleasures – a waterfront promenade, open-air cafés and some gorgeous beaches – are the focus of life in the resort town of Kuşadası. This modern port is the gateway to Ephesus, one of the great cities of antiquity, which lies just 10 miles inland. Founded by the Ionian Greeks, Ephesus flourished as a provincial capital of Imperial Rome. Wandering around its agoras, baths, libraries and mosaic-adorned houses is an experience you’ll never forget. Although Ephesians were forced to abandon their city, Byzantine and Ottoman sites in the nearby town of Selçuk illustrate the unstoppable march of history in this corner of Asia Minor. Back in Kuşadası, pull up a chair in a çay bahçesi (tea garden) on the water’s edge in the evening, or join the party along Bar Street.

The sacred and the secular share Patmos, the holy island of the Aegean where St. John is held to have written the Book of Revelation while in exile. Dominating the island, the Monastery of St. John the Theologian is a castle-like complex wrapped by the white-washed buildings of the historic Chora. For centuries, Christian pilgrims have visited this hilltop site, the nearby Cave of the Apocalypse and the many other churches and religious edifices that dot the rugged interior. Skála, the capital, is a pretty port town whose natural harbor, curved around Patmos’ narrow middle, provides wonderful anchorage for visitors who come to swim, dine and relax. The village of Kámpos is a popular spot for sun-seekers and water sports while peaceful coves and beaches are found along the intricate coastline.

One of the most geographically distinctive and culturally rich islands in the Cyclades, Milos is a volcanic island of beautiful beaches, thermal springs and unusual rock formations. Adámantas, the island’s pretty port and nightlife hub, is sheltered inside the volcano’s former caldera. Plaka, the nearby capital, overlooks the entrance to the Gulf of Milos.  This charming hilltop town is home to Plaka Castle with views of the entire island as well as an acclaimed archaeological museum, which features a replica of the island’s most famous find: the Venus of Milo. A diverse array of historic sites – Bronze Age settlements, ancient Greek ruins, Christian catacombs, abandoned windmills and pirate caves – dot this lovely island. And while you’re there, be sure to try the local culinary specialties, like watermelon pie and bonbons with white pumpkin.

Athens is the cradle of the Western democratic tradition, home to a civilization as radiant as any before or since. Feel the pulse of history as you climb to the hilltop Acropolis, home to some of the city’s most renowned ancient sites. Gaze in amazement at the massive columns of the Parthenon, Pericles’ greatest monument. Admire the little Temple of Nike and the fantastic carvings of the caryatids that support a porch of the Erechtheion. At the bottom of the hill, the Acropolis Museum includes original statues of the maidens and numerous other artifacts unearthed here. Equally outstanding is the National Archaeological Museum, one of the largest in the world. In the Agora, you can walk in the footsteps of Plato and Aristotle, carry on an imaginary dialogue with Socrates and discover where Hippocrates healed and Pericles ruled. Then for lighter fare, savor the lively tavernas and twisting lanes of the Plaka neighborhood.

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