Cruising the Greek Islands of the Southern Aegean – with Smithsonian Journeys

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

The Greek Island of Patmos is possibly best known as the place where the apostle John received his vision and wrote the Apocalypse, and is subsequently sometimes called the Jerusalem of the Aegean. Whether you are interested in history and religion or not, the Monastery of St. John is regarded as a 'must see'. Read more about Patmos, Greece

Symi is the main town of a Greek island of the same name. Lying NW of the island of Rhodes, it has areas of significance in history and mythology. The town of Symi is divided in two parts: the harbourside one called Gialós, and the adjacent one on the slopes of the hills, called Chorió. Read more about Symi, Greece

Amorgos - aka Yperia, Patagy - is the easternmost island of the Greek Cyclades island group, lying closest to the neighbouring Dodecanese island group. Around 3200 to 2000 BC it was the site of an ancient and powerful civilization with major population centres built around natural ports on the island's west coast. Today these are the locations of Tholaria, Stroumvos, Katapola and Castri. Read more about Amorgos, 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

Milos Island lies in the Aegean Sea mid-way between Athens and Crete. It is also known as the Island of Colours because of its colourful beaches, rocks and waters, due to the island's volcanic origins. It is also where the centre-piece of the Louvre in Paris, Aphrodite of Milos (Venus de Milo), was found. Read more about Milos, Greece

Delos (or, Dilos), is the sacred island at the centre of the ring of about 220 islands called the Cyclades archipelago, in the Aegean Sea about 150 km SE of Athens. A few kilometres to the NE of Delos is the larger tourist-frequented island of Mykonos. According to Greek mythology Delos was the birthplace of the mythical Apollo and Artemis. Read more about Delos, 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

Nafplion (with a variety of spellings), the first capital of Greece, is situated on the Peloponnese Peninsula just a two and a half hour drive from Athens. Its picturesque harbour, with two mountains crowned by medieval fortresses overlooking the town. The small island fortress called the Bourtzi that once protected the harbour presents a scene that will ever be remembered. Read more about Nafplion, 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