HIDDEN PEARLS OF THE AEGEAN SEA

Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.

The old town of Nauplio has a picturesque peninsula setting and three Venetian fortresses guard the pretty town. In ancient times, the excavation site of Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was one of the most important towns in Greece. Its legendary king, Agamemnon, has a large role in Homer's Iliad. The palace grounds were surrounded by a cyclopean stone wall. Now you can only gain entrance through the famous Lion Gate. In Epidaurus, also protected by UNESCO, the impressive 14,000-seat theatre is one of the most important buildings in this archaeological site.

The little town of Monemvasia nestles closely against a rock that lies just off the coast. This impregnable fortress was an important trading center in Byzantine times. Today it is a retreat for wealthy Athenians who spend their weekends here. Behind its walls you can discover the beautifully restored lower town, where you simply want to drift along the tranquil narrow lanes. This picturesque little town on a rock transports you back in time to the romantic Middle Ages, when it was exceptionally modern and lively.

The unique character of Milos' landscape was formed by volcanic activity. Hot springs, spectacular cliffs and distinctive rock formations give the various beaches their own individual character. The colors of Milos are most obvious where the water meets the stone and forms the coastline. Minerals have colored the sand and stones and each rock along the coastline seems to glow in a different color. Plaka, the picturesque old capital with its typical dazzling-white houses, is overlooked by a mighty castle which offers a superb view over Adamos Bay and the surrounding islands.

Does it still exist, a real insider tip in Greece? Astypalaia seems to be one of these places that have become rare. From above, the small island jewel looks like a butterfly that has landed on the blue waters of the Aegean Sea. Since the journey to Astypalaia is a bit tedious – if you are not just relaxed with the windjammer on the way – the little island is spared from tourist crowds and has been able to preserve its original charm. Thus, between countless beaches, crystal clear water, snow-white alleys and red windmill roofs, even as a guest you quickly become part of the typical Greek island everyday life.

The idyllic little island of Patmos houses one of the most important monasteries of the Greek Orthodox church. The monastery of St John is a World Heritage Site, protected by UNESCO. It was built in honour of the Apostle John, who is said to have lived in a cave on the island. It is also said that he wrote down his Revelation of the Apocalypse there. The whole island is considered holy ground and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Greek Orthodox world.

At 300 meters above the deep blue sea, the monks are very close to heaven. The white monastery of Panagia Hozovitissa almost seems to grow out of the steep cliffs, so high and narrow is it. Its eight floors are connected by a labyrinth of corridors, and every now and then you catch a breath-taking view of the vastness of the Aegean Sea through a rock window. The magical cliff-top monastery is the best-known highlight of Amorgos, but beyond this architectural marvel, the charm of the Cycladic Island also enchants – with remote little mountain villages, old stone windmills and the scent of wild oregano.

Although the capital of the Cyclades is situated on the tranquil and traditional island of Syros, outside of the town this seems the most remote island of them all. Ermoupoli, one of the most beautiful island towns in Greece, was built majestically on two hills. Its architecture is exceptional and the numerous monumental neo-classical buildings give the impression of a large, elegant town. Passing over the hill, the spaciousness and vastness transform into a maze of lanes and give a medieval impression.

"A ship will come...", declared the singer Melina Mercouri to the port of Piraeus. Later, as Greek Minister for Culture, she made Athens the first European Capital of Culture in 1985. The city is considered the birthplace of Europe, of philosophy and of democracy, and is the embodiment of the Olympic ideal. World-famous and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, its landmark is the magnificent Parthenon temple, lying high up on the Acropolis in all its glory. At the foot of the Acropolis hill is the Plaka, the oldest quarter of Athens, and the world's most modern archaeological museum, the new Acropolis Museum, has been here since 2009.