Across The Aegean

Istanbul (Byzantium from 660 BC, Constantinople from 330 CE, and Istanbul since 1930) is the largest city in Turkey and the fifth largest city proper in the world. It has dominated the Straits of Bosphorus, in the NW of the country, for 25 centuries, and as Constantinople was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. It was a metropolis of stunning splendour when the great capitals of Europe were mere villages and is the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. Read more about Istanbul, Turkey

Canakkale is a pleasant Turkish town settled on both sides of a bridge of the same name, which connects the Biga Peninsula in Asia. Travelling across town is easiest by the use of regular ferries. It is well known for its proximity to the Gallipoli Peninsula, at which the famous Gallipoli Campaign took place in WW1. Read more about Canakkale, Turkey

Kavala is the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia, at the northern end of the Aegean Sea. It is the second largest city in northern Greece. Kavala is not as crowded as the famous sights in central and southern Greece, and the climate in Kavala is much milder. Read more about Kavala, Greece

Thessaloniki is the capital of Greek Macedonia, and has a history that dates back to the fourth century BC. The rebuilt 20th-century city has a modern European layout, and is a hub for international trade and culture. Regarded by many as Greece’s ‘hippiest city’, the influence of the east is pronounced, both in the delicious food and the relaxed lifestyle. Read more about Thessaloniki, Greece

Petra is a Greek village on the island of Lesbos in the North Aegean Sea. The island is just 10 km from the mainland of Turkey and not far from the city Izmir. The village itself has hotels, shops, restaurants and bars close to the beach. Read more about Petra (Lesbos), Greece

Izmir is located along the outlying waters of the Gulf of Izmir, by the eastern side of the Aegean Sea, part of Turkey's magnificent coastline that abounds in vast pristine beaches surrounded by olive groves, rocky crags and pine woods. The city comprises a range of architecturally diverse buildings that result in distinct historic neighbourhoods such as Basmane, Alsancak and Bornova, all of which are of great interest. The beautiful marble Izmir Clock Tower surrounded by four fountains, and the Agora Open Air Museum of Izmir, with well-preserved remains of ancient Smyrna, should not be missed. Read more about Izmir, Turkey

Bodrum Peninsula is located in the Aegean region of Turkey. The Aegean Coast is an extraordinary place, with its immense unspoilt coastline and warm climate which offers all year round sunshine. The place where the first Christian Church was built, and where the art of wine making was developed, it boasts astonishing historical sites and natural wonders that rival any other place in the world. Read more about Bodrum, Turkey

Heraklion is the largest urban centre in Crete, the capital of the region, and the economic centre of this Greek Island. It is a town with modern buildings, but it is probably the surrounding area of amazing beaches, delightful villages, and impressive gorges that accord it its popularity. Heraklion is home to some of Greece's most important archaeological sites. Read more about Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the Aegean Sea, about 200 km from Greece's mainland. It is essentially what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion some 3500 years ago, which destroyed the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and which resulted in the creation of the current geological caldera. Take the cable car to view the beautiful panorama of Santorini. Read more about Santorini, Greece

Mykonos is the principal town of the island of the same name, which is part of the Cyclades, and could well be described as the most sophisticated of the Greek Islands. Visited by innumerable international celebrities - you may even see some enjoying a coffee on the sidewalk - it is not surprising that it is considered by many to be one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It is also an island with beautiful landscapes, scores of churches, some fascinating monuments, and windmills. Read more about Mykonos, Greece

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