60 days in Greece & Turkey Itinerary

Few places manage to capture the world's imagination quite like Greece, a land of sun-kissed coastlines, tranquil whitewashed villages, lively seaside towns, and well-preserved ancient sites. One of the world's top tourist destinations since ancient times, the country draws nearly 20 million visitors each year. Athens, the birthplace of Western civilization, continues to attract the biggest crowds and serves as a base for exploring the country and its 227 inhabited islands. Away from its cities, Greece features a picturesque countryside of olive groves, vineyards, and tiny settlements nestled against rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges. Explore the old mainland on foot and discover the islands on a guided boat or ferry tour.

Rich in culture and customs and brimming with hospitality, natural beauty, and historical heritage, Turkey serves as a crossroads between Asia and Europe. The landmass known as Anatolia on which Turkey thrives has been home to numerous civilizations and their faiths and cultures, as attested by the 13 World Heritage Sites and countless religious sites you'll find here. Relive the ancient world through the ruins, customs, and traditions that are among the nation's most precious heritages. Adventure-seekers have plenty do to here, including mountain climbing, scuba diving, rafting, and skiing. A holiday to Turkey is incomplete without a cup of Turkish coffee, the pinnacle of Turkish cuisine inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Rich history and scenic landscapes make Chios one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Aegean. Nicknamed the "Mastic Island" because it remains one of the world's major producers and exporters of mastic gum, Chios offers visitors a chance to explore medieval villages and age-old monasteries. Start at the ancient settlement serving as the island's center of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Alternatively, make the southwestern port of Mesta your base for touring a cluster of satellite islands reachable by boat or ferry. The island is nearer to the Turkish coastline than the Greek mainland, and as a result shares much of eastern Turkey's topography of rugged crags and fragrant citrus groves.

An island of green hills, fertile valleys, and golden beaches, Rhodes blends cosmopolitan and traditional cultures, exemplified by its traditional taverns, upscale hotels, and archaeological sites. Nicknamed the "Island of Roses," this island offers visitors a chance to discover lively tourist resorts in the north and tranquil rural areas in the south. The island's slow pace seems utterly unaffected by the challenges of mass tourism, its permanent residents stubbornly clinging to their age-old traditions and relaxed lifestyle. As you explore the areas farther away from the busy coastline, take time to meet the garrulous locals in their natural environment, the village tavern.

Covering Crete's western section, Chania prefecture features some of the island's least spoiled natural areas, as well as its only freshwater lake. Most tourists concentrate on the prefecture's namesake capital, overlooking the dramatic landscapes of the region's sprawling national park. Designated as one of UNESCO's biosphere reserves, the park contains a rugged gorge known for sheltering many endemic plant species and providing a much-needed refuge for the rare kri-kri goat. Test your best hiking shoes by exploring this nature lover's paradise on day trips from the town of Chania, or settle in one of the nearby villages and spend your vacation touring the island's less-frequented southwestern shore.

Situated at the center of Crete, Heraklion prefecture remains best known for its eponymous capital city, the birthplace of artists El Greco and Nikos Kazantzakis. A crowded tourist mecca, the vibrant city serves as the starting point for day trips to the prefecture's main attraction, an ancient complex of Minoan palaces. This important archaeological site contains traces of Europe's oldest city, from which the mythical King Minos allegedly ruled the region. Venture farther away from the prefecture's big city and popular northern resorts to discover a less-trodden landscape of tiny villages, fertile green plains, and low mountain ranges.