ATHENS A city full of history and a must see destination when travelling to Greece, is not an easy city to visit. The famous temples that have commanded the city from the top of the Acropolis for 25 centuries are impressive. The Plaka district, one of the most ancient and characteristic areas in Athens, is one of the most visited not only because of its position at the foot of the Acropolis but also because it is the place to find the traditional Greek taverns, typical restaurants to dine at the sound of traditional music, the lively bars and cafes and the charming souvenir shops.

CRETE The biggest island in Greece and the second biggest (after Cyprus) of the East Mediterranean. It lies at the Southern Aegean Sea and at the crossroads of three continents Europe, Asia and Africa. The large island, set further south of Tunisia, is a popular holiday destination for the beautiful beaches and the fame of the archaeological sites. The main archaeological areas are set on the plateaus connecting the two mountain ranges and are Knossos, Festos, Agia Triada and Gortyn, which returned very important testimonies from the Minoan population.

SANTORINI The island of Santorini is 96 sq. km. with a coastline 69 kilometres long and a population of almost 12,000. An island of awesome beauty, Santorini or Thera, along with its nearby islets, are the fragments of a volcano that massively erupted about XVII BC. They are cyclically formed around the crater, which is today submerged deep into the sea.

CORFU An Ionian island located between mainland Greece and Italy especially popular with British Tourists. Corfu like the other islands on the Ionian Sea shared a different past from the rest of the country, in fact when Greece was under heavy Ottoman oppression they were ruled by Venice, which continued to govern there until the end of 18th century.

AMMAN Built on the site of the Graeco-Roman city of Philadelphia, is the ancient and modern capital of Jordan. Originally, like Rome, it was built on seven hills or Jebels, each of which more or less defines a neighbourhood. Many Jebels once had a traffic circle (roundabout) at their peak; now almost all of the circles have been replaced by traffic lights. However, the junctions are still known as First Circle, Second Circle, etc. and Amman now covers at least nineteen hills. Places of interest – the Citadel, the ruins of the Temple of Hercules, the Roman Theatre, the Nymphium, the Archaeological Museum, King Abdullah Mosque, the downtown market and the gold souq.

DEAD SEA is surrounded by mountains and valleys walked by ancient prophets and imperial armies throughout the ages. At 400 metres below sea level, the sea is devoid of life due to the extremely high content of salts and minerals. It is these natural elements which give the waters their curative powers, recognized since the days of Herod the Great more than 2,000 years ago. Step into the warm, soothing water and try as you may, it is impossible to sink in the thick brine which is five to ten times as salty as regular sea water. One can, however, recline on the water and read a newspaper! The high atmospheric pressure and oxygen rich air make this the most relaxing and healthy place in the world.

JERASH the Decapolis city of Gerasa, is one of the best preserved and most complete Graeco-Roman cities in existence. It is known as the Pompeii of the East for its extraordinary state of preservation. You can feel the impact of the Roman civilisation, architecture and culture on this biblical area. Its engineering was so advanced that large parts of the city still survive today. You can see the original temples, theatres, plazas, baths and the famous 600 metres long colonnaded street, all enclosed within the remaining city walls. Frequent sound and light shows are held during the summer months

UMM QAIS Another Decapolis City, Gadara, Umm Qais was an ancient city of arts. The Ottoman governor’s house has been restored and opened as a museum. Tucked away in the black basalt hillside, 380 metres high, Umm Qais, not as extensively renovated as Jerash, offers incomparable panoramic views over the northern Jordan valley, the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberius), the Yarmouk Gorge and the Golan Heights. On a clear day, snow topped Mount Hermon is visible.

ISTANBUL The commercial center of the Turkish Republic, Istanbul is more than a historic city. The museums, churches, palaces, great mosques, bazaars and the sights of natural beauty seen inexhaustible

ANKARA The tawng yellow central Anatolian plateau, cleft by ravines and dominated by volcanic peaks, forms the heartland of Turkey. During the turbulent history, central Anatolia has endured invasion of conquerors such as Alexander the Great and Tamerlane.

ANTALYA Set amid amazing scenery of sharp contrasts, Antalya, Turkey's principal holiday resort, is an attractive city with Shady palm - lined boulevards, a prize - winning marina.

IZMIR Known in Turkish as "Beautiful Izmir" the city has at the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. Behind the palm-lined promenades and avenues which follow the shoreline, the city, in horizontal terraces, gently ascends the slopes of the surrounding mountains.