Aegean Delights

For those who want to shop – and those who want to explore – the main seaport of Limassol offers lots of opportunities.

Limassol is the place to discover the real traditions of Cypriot life. Search through traditional old boutiques for curios, sample the island’s famous whisky-sour drink in dark inns, visit the medieval Limassol Castle, or find authentic Cypriot crafts in the Folk Art Museum.

One of Turkey’s biggest hubs, Izmir is your gateway to Ephesus, the Mediterranean’s best-preserved classical city. It was in Ephesus that one of the seven Ancient Wonders of the World once stood, the Temple of Artemis. Be whisked back to the Roman age and feast on its architectural riches…….

Patmos, an Aegean island in the north of Greece’s Dodecanese island group, is a significant Christian pilgrimage site. Its Cave of the Apocalypse is where John of Patmos (St. John the Theologian) is said to have written the Book of Revelations. A fortresslike, 11th-century monastery dedicated to the saint overlooks the whitewashed houses of the hilltop capital, Hora (also known as Chora).

Pack your beach towel, your sunblock and your camera, The third largest Greek island and one of the sunniest places in Europe also features Rhodes Town.

Combining cosmopolitan charm with medieval sights, Rhodes Town has all the sun, sea, sand and attractions you could wish for. Wander through the Old Town to see the Palace of the Grand Masters, decked with mosaics, sculptures and antiques. Call in at the 15th century Knights of St John Hospital, now a splendid archaeological museum which houses the statue of Aphrodite of Rhodes. Continue down to the beaches and find the Street of the Artists, where artists share pavement space with open air cafes. And for the best view of the town and harbour, take a taxi to the top of Monte Smith, crowned by a 3rd century BC stadium.

Bright and breezy meets class and sophistication as the yachts of the rich and famous anchor off the the coast of Marmaris.

Being the largest of the Turkish beach resorts, there’s a definite ‘Riviera’ feel to Marmaris. Elegant palm-lined promenades run along the waterfront while the marina plays host to a large collection of yachts. By day the young and beautiful frolic in the sea or bathe on the five kilometre stretch of Uazn Yali Beach – but scratch the surface and traditional Turkey is never far away. The rabbit warren of small streets with its whitewashed, red-roofed houses hide a treasure trove of delights including a bazaar. Not too far away is ancient Ephesus, one of the world’s most impressive classical sites that was once home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Legendary hangout of Queen Cleopatra, Alanya’s two-faced for all the right reasons. On the one hand an ancient Seljuk city, on the other a slick beach resort, it’s a place where old meets new and the pair get along famously. Walk around and you’ll notice a lot of places with Cleopatra in their names, even one of the beaches. It’s no coincidence. In 44BC, Mark Antony presented the town to his girlfriend as a present. And as gifts go, it takes some beating………

For those who want to shop – and those who want to explore – the main seaport of Limassol offers lots of opportunities.

Limassol is the place to discover the real traditions of Cypriot life. Search through traditional old boutiques for curios, sample the island’s famous whisky-sour drink in dark inns, visit the medieval Limassol Castle, or find authentic Cypriot crafts in the Folk Art Museum.