It’s no secret no more that along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, you’ll find a blur of ancient cities with modern flair, brilliant cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. Loaded with history, these cities lure you into their maze of tiny alleys—past shops of colorful textiles and bars roaring with chatter—and deeper still into another world, of another time. A different time still lingers in the present with its myths, gods, wars, and knights. You can feel the Roman, Greek, Ottoman, and Venetian footprints with every step as you wander through forgotten ruins or vibrant bazaars, haggling with the descendants of ancient cultures.

About My Trip: I traveled through Greece with my family in early May 2025. Even though it was still spring, the heat was already intense – yet not too hot to handle.
We took a cruise with AIDA, visiting the islands of Corfu, Crete, and Rhodes, as well as Athens on the mainland of Greece and Kusadasi in Türkiye. This was only my second-ever cruise, and I must (somewhat sheepishly) admit that this way of traveling is growing on me. I can’t ignore the perks: swapping my backpack for a floating leisure land, traveling up to 750 km while hitting the gym, sweating out last night’s indulgences in a sauna with stunning sea panoramas reaching as far as the horizon, and treating myself to multi-course dinners. It’s pure decadence, surely, and will therefore remain an exceptional treat. However, I felt like an ancient goddess myself travelling the Mediterranean Seas, paying fair tribute to lost civilizations, instead of wandering around the world like a hobo in crinkled clothes.

Corfu

We flew into Corfu and started our day with a coffee at Café Kanoni (about a 7-minute cab ride from the airport), enjoying lovely views over the sea and the monastery of Panagia Vlacherna.

From there, we walked to the town of Kérkyra—a pleasant 30-minute stroll through a pine forest with turquoise waters glimmering below.

We passed a picturesque windmill (Anemomilos) and several charming tavernas along the promenade reaching into the old town, offering fab views of the city´s Old Fortress.
Once in the center of Kérkyra, we found ourselves among crowds, food stalls, jewelry shops, and souvenir stands. The old town buzzes with life and plenty of places invite you to cool down with a freshly draught Greek beer.

Crete

We arrived in Souda Bay and rented a car to explore the area and reach Chania. Our first stop was the Holy Trinity Monastery, and it took us about 20 minutes to get there from the harbor.

From the monestary, we drove up winding hills through scenic landscapes and were greeted by roaming goats. We stopped at the entry gate to Katholiko and began our hike down to the ruins of another (lost) monastery. The trail going down was serene and the breeze from the sea very appreciated; the climb back up was less exhausting than we were afraid of ;-).

A short (moderately difficult) descent led us to a canyon walk that opened up to the sea, preceded by a crystal-clear pool of water. The whole trip was a very nice alternative to the famous Samaria gorge.

On our way to Chania, we stopped for refreshments and snacks at Koukouvaya, a lovely coffee shop with sweeping views over the city of Chania. Before heading down we also stopped at the Venizelos Graves, offering peaceful surroundings, and a nice last resort before the turmoil of the city.

Chania’s old town was vivid. Along the harbor towards the main square, it was busy, and the air was flickering with scents of the sea and the music of local singers, church bells and calls of the muezzins.

Reaching deeper into the old town of Chania you will find artisan Cafés, Bars and taverns, and swap tourists for an authentic urban vibe.

Rhodes

Rhodes welcomed us with its massive fortress surrounding the medieval old town—a stunning impression.

Within the walls, you can (and should) lose yourself in the small alleys, cute souvenir shops, and countless taverns. From the moment you glimpse the old town and step inside, you feel transported back in time (if you can ignore the crowds of tourists), and may imagine the knights and their beautiful Greek sweethearts having the shutters of their celibate homes shut between them.

Nearby are the remains of ancient Rhodes. From the picturesque harbor, a gentle uphill climb rewards you with fantastic views down your feet over green hills merging into turquoise water. At the top, a path leads left to the ancient ruins of Rhodes and Monte Smith.

Other Parts of Rhodes

During an earlier trip in 2021, I explored more of the island of Rhodes. Particularly memorable were Lindos (ancient Troy?), the Butterflies Valley, and ancient Kamiros.
Rhodes was also where I rekindled my childhood love for snorkeling. The water is so incredibly clear that diving in became an addictive treat.

Kuşadası

Arriving at Kuşadası harbor, we were instantly swept into a lively bazaar where merchants shouted their best offers and dragged you deeper in. We plunged into the vibrant scene, swapping souvlaki and red wine for Iskender and ayran. The alleys were narrow, the merchants outgoing, and among all the color, shades of green cascaded down the walls from flower-laden bushes.

Just minutes from the harbor’s bustle, we found peace on Pigeon Island (Güvercinada Kalesi/Küçükada). For EUR 8, it offered a tranquil escape.

From Kuşadası, we took a cab to Ephesus (Efes), home to another of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World on this holiday: the Temple of Artemis (the other being the Colossus of Rhodes).
The ruins were phenomenal, and the EUR 40 entry fee well spent. The site offers a humbling glimpse into the sophistication of ancient civilizations. For me, wandering in such realms always puts things in perspective—leaving me both moved and awestruck.

Athens

Athens. My personal highlight—and my only regret: we had just 10 hours in this cultural heartland. Climbing Apostolou Pavlou to the sound of street musicians, walking under pine trees and over ancient rocks, and finally standing atop Philopappos Hill, gazing at the Acropolis in the distance and the metropolis of Athens behind and around and as far as you could see—this was yet another once-in-a-lifetime experience I’m genuinely grateful for.

Few places in the world offer an unique sensation of timelessness, of everything being everywhere, all at once. I’ve felt it only in Rome, Cusco, and Siem Reap before. In those places, history seems seamlessly merging with the modern world—contemporary trends, music, and culture thriving among ancient ruins. The people embody the energy. You’re on holiday, far from home, yet feel caught in a translucent, nonlinear stream of time.

In Athens, it’s the Acropolis and its surrounding hills that rise from the city’s throbbing core—a city of about four million—where traditional taverns playing Greek folk meet minimalist bars pulsing with techno. This vibrant city, built around the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Hephaestus, the Roman Agora, and Hadrian’s Library, feels alive in every corner and bubbling with remains of thousand(s) of years of history.

If you close you´re eyes here, it´s not difficult to imagine past lives. Now imagine past lives entangled with the world we know. You can see it all come together. The rich, the poor, the middle class; drinking, singing, dancing, laughing, fighting; loving, grieving, caring, exploiting; living lives to their fullest, trying, succeeding, failing; global markets, immigration, climate change, catastrophes, famine, wars, peace, and greed— everything repeating itself as the world keeps turning, and you might not help but wonder: are humans incorrigible creatures?

They might- but many are also thoughtful and kind, generous and decent. It´s our decision and responsibility to choose who we are and how we want play into this beautiful mess called life.