Cruising the Greek Isles

The seed of Western civilization is a chaotic tangle of busy streets and bougainvillea-fringed squares, a romantic litany of ruins and relics. It is no stranger to reinvention: factories are now chic hotels, historic sites a showcase for high-end fashion. But Athens is always poised to offer an education in the classics: turn the corner and you might just stumble across a time-worn temple or amphitheater.

Dive into Athens' ancient history at the Parthenon and other Hellenistic ruins of the Acropolis. Or, set out on a scenic drive through the Peloponnese to the Argolis region, pausing at the Corinth Canal, Cyclopean Walls, Lion's Gate, Royal Tombs, Treasury of Atreus and Epidaurus' ancient theater. Alternately, visit a gallery showcasing local contemporary artists and tour the Benaki Museum's Bronze Age exhibits.

Get a handle on ancient history with a tour of the Acropolis Museum, where an expert guide will interpret the spectacular, 2,500-year-old frieze created by the legendary sculptor Pheidias. Later, head to the port of Piraeus to board your expedition vessel.

Your first port of call is Monemvasia, a walled medieval bastion perched on the cliffside of a small Peloponnese island. Come ashore for a closer look inside the fortified city, walking its narrow lanes to reveal the ruins of former Byzantine dwellings and churches, as well as the intact Church of Elkomenos Christos and its dazzling collection of iconography. Linger within the walled city or continue on to Liotrivi Mansion, a former family estate and olive oil mill that survives today as a cultural museum. Alternatively, take a day trip to the ruins of Mystras, a former Byzantine capital.

After a short drive, enter Mystras through the castle gate to discover the Cathedral of Aghios Dimitrios, the Palace of the Despots and the Monastery of Pantanassa.

Greece's largest and most southerly island, where mountains and terraced fruit groves drop down to sapphire-blue seas, is the birthplace of Zeus and the seat of Minoan civilization. Explore the renowned Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Minoan Palace of Knossos, get hands-on with a culinary experience at a local hilltop farm, or visit the Historical Museum of Crete and walk amid Heraklion's living history.

The Greek flag might have drawn its colors from Santorini, so synonymous with the country are the island's whitewashed houses and deep blue seas. Indeed, this moon-shaped isle, the remains of a volcanic caldera, has become a poster child for Greek-island bliss, and its legendary sunsets the backdrop to a million honeymoons.

Visit the Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri — its houses, streets, squares and workshops all preserved in volcanic pumice. Alternatively, hike up the crater of Nea Kameni, followed by a dip in the thermal springs of nearby Palea Kameni, or embark on a scenic drive through the hills, pausing for a tour and tasting at a local winery.

Later, enjoy an afternoon on your own in the pretty villages of Oia or Fira.

The largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes enchants with stunning sandy beaches, forested hills, and ancient sites. Walk the cobblestoned Old Town's medieval fortifications, the Grand Master's Palace, the Avenue of the Knights and the Archaeological Museum.

For a more active experience, head toward the ancient Doric town of Lindos for a hike to its acropolis, taking in the temple of Athena Lindia and the Byzantine church along the way. Or, watch the artists of a local ceramics workshop ply their skill before attempting your own piece. Alternately, visit the Grand Master's Palace, walk Rhodes' Old Town and learn to prepare authentic dishes in a rustic local restaurant.

A stone maze of boutiques and flower-filled alleys, of harbor towns and paradise beaches, the turning sails of old windmills – in many ways, Mykonos is the quintessence of the Greek Islands, the fair queen of the Cyclades. Linger here to walk its narrow streets, take in its sun-drenched beaches and explore the quaint village of Ano Mera's Monastery of Panagia Tourliani. Or, head to Delos, a small uninhabited island that legend holds as the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo. Discover the island's remarkably preserved ruins, including government buildings, homes, a cistern and an amphitheater.

Crowned by a historic monastery, the tiny Dodecanese Island of Patmos has long inspired writers and artists, musicians and poets, and today its sleepy shores draw the kind of stars who prefer to travel on the down-low. Explore the hilltop village of Chora, visiting the House of Simandris, the historical Nikolaidis mansion or the Monastery of St. John. For a more active experience, opt for a hike to the hermitage of Zaroi and a secluded beach.

After disembarking in Piraeus, head to Athens airport and board your return flight home, or join our Northern Greece Post-Tour Extension.