A Best of Greece: Athens, The Peloponnese & Santorini

Although it's hard to not keep craning your head to take in the spectacle of the Acropolis at the center of town (especially when it's lit up at night), there's more to Athens than its dense concentration of ancient ruins. Athens is a center for contemporary art, with modern galleries sitting beside museums stuffed with art dating back millennia. This combination of the old and new is especially clear at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a spectacular open-air theater that has hosted concerts and plays for nearly 2,000 years. The city's culture is also reflected in its diverse food and drink, which combines traditional Greek favorites with influences from across the Mediterranean, and the world, as fitting Athens' deep history as a humming harbor hub. While Athens' variety is enough to keep you busy, from the hidden back alleys of the center, to the city's showy coast, the city works well as a base for day trips, whether down the coast, or to the Peloponnese. Head to oracular Delphi, or hunt for where Lord Byron's carved his name into the monumental Temple of Poseidon at the tip of Cape Sounion.

Steeped in history and almost unbearably romantic, Nafplio is one of the most picturesque seaside towns in Greece. Nafplio's dramatic fortresses, neoclassical mansions, and nearby ancient ruins narrate the town's diverse history, a pivotal moment of which was when Nafplio became the first capital of modern Greece. While in Nafplio, you can take long seaside walks, savor authentic cuisine at quaint traditional restaurants, and visit UNESCO-listed archaeological sites, only a short drive away.

The birthplace of the Olympic Games, Olympia is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Greece. The UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Ancient Olympia was where people from all over Greece met every four years to take part in the famous games that helped shape the identity of the Greek nation. History aside, Olympia boasts a unique location in the heart of Western Peloponnese, an authentic region where you can sample the divine products the Greek land yields, such as honey, olive oil, and wine, in a setting of unparalleled natural beauty.

An enchanted land of unfathomable natural beauty and exciting ancient history, Costa Navarino is also a haven of relaxation and luxury offering travelers an exclusive experience in one of the most authentic regions in Greece, the wonder that is Western Peloponnese. From wandering around the ruins of a well-preserved ancient palace to castle hunting across rugged coasts and dramatic hills to enjoying the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea, Costa Navarino has it all for a vacation to cherish for life.

Split between the regions of Laconia and Messinia in Southern Peloponnese, Mani is a sub-region of wonders set in a landscape of tall mountains, rugged rocks, and insanely turquoise waters. Throughout Greece, Mani is a synonym for pride, with locals claiming to be the descendants of Ancient Spartans. A land adorned by silent, mighty towers, Mani is soaked in century-old myths and legends that define it to this day. But, above all, Mani is a hidden gem unscathed by mass tourism, patiently waiting to be discovered.

Although it's hard to not keep craning your head to take in the spectacle of the Acropolis at the center of town (especially when it's lit up at night), there's more to Athens than its dense concentration of ancient ruins. Athens is a center for contemporary art, with modern galleries sitting beside museums stuffed with art dating back millennia. This combination of the old and new is especially clear at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a spectacular open-air theater that has hosted concerts and plays for nearly 2,000 years. The city's culture is also reflected in its diverse food and drink, which combines traditional Greek favorites with influences from across the Mediterranean, and the world, as fitting Athens' deep history as a humming harbor hub. While Athens' variety is enough to keep you busy, from the hidden back alleys of the center, to the city's showy coast, the city works well as a base for day trips, whether down the coast, or to the Peloponnese. Head to oracular Delphi, or hunt for where Lord Byron's carved his name into the monumental Temple of Poseidon at the tip of Cape Sounion.

“Intelligent adults come here and turn into infants,” Craig Walzer, owner of the Atlantis Bookstore. Santorini is every traveler's dream. The whitewashed houses and blue domed churches perched atop of soaring cliffs, the narrow cobblestone streets and unsurpassed views of crystal-clear blue waters -- these all greet you as you step foot on this fairytale land. Intertwining myth and reality, Santorini is every bit as beautiful as the countless postcards, magazine covers, and Instagram photos claim. The village of Oia is world-famous for its sunset, where thousands of spectators line up every evening to witness the magic as the sun bids farewell to the sky and the canvas lights up in fierce hues. Fortunately, the sunset can be enjoyed from much of the rest of this crescent-shaped island. Santorini is also home to Akrotiri, the Greek take on Pompeii. Inhabited since Neolithic times, this city was built up by the Minoans, a seafaring civilization that predated the ancient Greeks, only to be destroyed in the catastrophic eruption that shaped Santorini, which forms part of a massive volcanic caldera. Covered in ashes for millennia, Akrotiri is still being uncovered. We suggest visiting the neighboring center of the caldera, where you can enjoy hot springs, visit the volcanic crater, and enjoy stunning views of Santorini itself. Santorini’s unique ecology, climate and volcanic ash soil paved the way for a flourishing wine industry. Its indigenous varietals will make your stay even more enjoyable.