Athens

The past simply can't be ignored as you travel through Athens. It's palpable and visible in the cityscape. You simply have to check off the great citadel where the Parthenon stands, but there's also the all-new and acclaimed Parthenon Museum to go with it, along with the cobbled streets of the Plaka area and the hulking outline of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Throw in the incredible collections of the National Archaeological Museum and the haunting shrines of the ancient Agora and you're still only scratching the surface!

Back to the present: Athens boasts chic coffee houses in Thissio and Psiri, hipster brunch spots in Koukaki and fantastic seafood eateries in coastal Glyfada. A quick hop to the south of town can also transport you from the buzz of the metropolis to sun-kissed Aegean coves and beaches, like gorgeous Vouliagmeni with its azure waters and cocktail bars (perfectly positioned for the sunset).

Private charter flights to Athens usually land at the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. You can easily hit the city centre from there or choose to make straight for Piraeus Port, where yacht charters for odysseys through the Greek islands can begin.