Athens. Greece

Both ancient and modern, with equal parts grit and grace, Athens combines the historic and the modern. Iconic monuments accompany world-class museums, lively cafes and attractive dining – and it’s downright fun. The city center is essentially an open-air museum, yet the city’s cultural and social life is most prevalent here, merging past and present. The magnificent Acropolis is perched above the sprawling city and has witnessed the city’s multiple transformations over the centuries.