Greece

Athens is high on most people’s wish lists with its hilltop Acropolis, home to the Parthenon temple. See it at night in all its floodlit glory. The ancient Agora also impresses with its temple ruins. For panoramic city views, take a cable car to the peak of Mt Lycavittos – sure to be a hit with younger visitors. Don’t miss the high-tech New Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum (but note that most museums are closed on Mondays). Athens has a fantastic nightlife and remains lively all year round, so is a good option for an out-of-season extended weekend break.

The closest islands to Athens are the Argo-Saronic Archipelago – pretty Hydra features restored neo-classical mansions that are now home to chic boutique hotels.

With rugged mountains and fertile valleys, the Peloponnese offers a pleasantly lush contrast to Athens. It is also home to Nafplion, a beautiful and romantic city. For culture buffs, there’s Ancient Corinth, Ancient Olympia and Epidaurus. South of the Peloponnese lies Kalamata with its delicious black olives.

Stretching off the coast of Turkey, from lush Samos in the south to Thasos in the north, the Northeast Aegean Islands centre on Mytilini (aka Lesbos), home of ouzo, and Chios island with its medieval villages.

The Northern Cyclades are within easy reach of Athens. Its best-known islands are Mykonos, Santorini and Ios, but there are smaller isles for a quieter, more restful break.

The largest – and most southerly – Greek island, Crete has its own unique culture and atmosphere. The coastline is punctuated by dramatic cliffs, wide beaches and hidden coves. The capital Heraklion is the main entry point, though Rethymnon and Chania are more aesthetic with pretty Venetian architecture. Agios Nikolaos retains plenty of character, while the towering White Mountains offer spectacular hikes and drives to hilltop villages and the white windmills of the Lasithi Plateau. Renowned as the birthplace of Zeus, no stay in Crete is complete without taking in the fascinating, ancient Minoan hostory. With a temperate Mediterranean climate in the north and a drier, hotter weather system in the lesser-known south, Crete is perfect for a warm, off-peak holiday.

The lush Ionian Islands offer stunning beaches and rocky interiors that are popular with hikers, and those seeking a laid-back island lifestyle. Corfu and Zakynthos are the busiest, while Kefalonia came to fame following the publication of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. It retains its many charms, with winding coastal roads, remote tavernas with mesmerising sea views and characterful harbour towns.

The Dodecanese are scattered around Rhodes, which, despite its package holiday image, features off-the-beaten-track appeal. Medieval Rhodes Town is a delight, with little alleyways, craft shops and tempting tavernas. Ferries link with smaller islands, some retaining pastel-coloured neo-classical buildings and elegant harbours – a legacy of their trading past. These islands are loved by artists and historians, plus discerning holiday-makers looking for a slice of authentic island life.