Greece

 

What We Love

  • Whitewashed Mediterranean villages; ruins that mark the birth of Western civilization; and the sun-drenched islands of Santorini and Mykonos.
  • A stroll through the Parthenon, dedicated to Athena around 437 B.C. The history of this ancient culture comes alive with our expert guides.
  • Sipping white wine on the porch of a cliffside hotel in Santorini, surrounded by the azure Aegean Sea.
  • Sailing through the hidden hamlets and coves of Mykonos.

Things To See & Do 

  • Dine in the Plaka, an old historical neighborhood in Athens—we know just the restaurant for a festive welcome to Greece.
  • In Crete, explore the Palace of Knossos, the traditional fishing village of Krista, and the famous frescoes in the church of Panagia Kera.
  • Take a cruise to Delos, an uninhabited island filled with archaeological treasures. Delos was first a place of pilgrimage before becoming a thriving commercial port in the third and second centuries B.C.
  • Wander the narrow streets of Mykonos town and stop by a traditional bakery before hitting a postcard-perfect beach.
  • Sail to some of the less frequented islands to immerse yourself in the ancient, casual quiet ways of an enduring Greek lifestyle.

 

Turkey*

*While visiting Turkey is dependent on the political situation, this jewel of civilization should be on everyone’s list of lifetime must-sees. 

 

What We Love

  • Quite literally where East meets West, Turkey’s incredible mix of culture, architecture, design, religion, food, and art, makes it one of the most popular destinations in recent years.
  • Istanbul was once the capital for the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman empires. One of our favorite introductions to the city is an afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus—or a private tour of the astounding Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, and Topkapi Palace.
  • Shopping for textiles at the Grand Bazaar.
  • Floating over Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscape in a hot-air balloon.
  • Turkey shares the Aegean with Greece and rivals its best seaside villages and resorts. Bodrum and Cesme are the new unofficial capitals of the bohemian jet set.

Things To See & Do

  • Cook a traditional Turkish meal at an authentic family-run restaurant.
  • Stay in a boutique cave hotel.
  • Discover archaeological wonders in the Ionian city of Ephesus.
  • Back in Istanbul, explore the newly renovated Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum with their impressive collection of carpets, tiles, and calligraphy.
  • Properly caffeinate with a cup of kahve before experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of the Grand Bazaar.