Sailing the Cyclades 
to Constantinople

Mild Meltemi winds carry us to picturesque Paros, a scenic retreat in the Cyclades, known as "the isle of marble and mosaics" for Hellenistic masterpieces and snowy "Parian stone". Its cosmopolitan charms mingle with landscapes aflutter with butterflies and crystalline nights primed for stargazing, where both bourgeois and bohemians laugh in the same language. Venture to the Venetian port of Náoussa for its hypnotically beautiful village of crisp-white homes with azure-blue doors. Head to the capital of Parikia for the ancient AD 326 Byzantine monastery or find a bounty of blonde-sand beaches to lounge or swim freely. For more myth and magic, ferry to nearby Antiparos to melt into something utterly authentic: the clanking bells of goats, fish drying naturally in the sun, and a cozy taverna serving small plates of octopus.

Greece’s most glamorous playground, Mykonos, is a magnet for its whitewashed villas and shared celebrations against a Cycladic sunset. Lose yourself in Chora's labyrinth of sugar-cube homes and twisting alleys that once were escape routes during pirate raids. Wander the heavenly Panagia Paraportiani, an iconic, blue-domed cathedral, join bronzed bodies at meditative spaces, or view Delos from the ageless Agios Ioannis Beach. During the golden hour, sip a sundowner in Little Venice, then continue the celebration at a contemporary agora where music, art and mindfulness shape the dawning of a new day. 

Skopelos captivates with its lush, laid-back atmosphere. This verdant island in the Sporades is adorned with charming hilltop chapels, ancient monasteries, and secluded beaches. Skopelos Town is a picturesque blend of whitewashed cottages and waterfront tavernas, where the strains of live rembetiko music mingle with the aromas of local mezedes. Hike to the Agios Ioannis Chapel, perched dramatically on a 100-meter-high rocky outcrop (famous from Mamma Mia!), and wander cobblestone streets steeped in romance. Bask in the cinematic beauty of Kastani Beach or escape to the serene seclusion of Hovolo. Explore trails winding through pine-covered hills, dive along cliff walls, swim through underwater caves, or take a boat to nearby Alonissos and its cluster of 22 uninhabited islets.

Live out your movie moment on the cinematic beaches of Skiathos, the intensely green island with over 60 beaches made famous by the movie Mamma Mia!. For a little seaside sparkle, head to Koukounaries beach, considered one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, or lounge on Lalaria, famous for its picturesque stone arch carved from time and tides. Its wildly beautiful landscape includes pine forests with nesting black and white swans as well as a "magic forest" with centuries-old trees and aromatic herbs. But there is nothing more inviting than its beautiful clear-blue water. As the sun sets, dive into a world of Greek wines and watch the golden light reflect the island's welcoming bohemian spirit.

Istanbul pulses with layered history along the liquid boundary dividing Europe and Asia. From the domes of its mosques to buzzy bazaars, the city excels at presenting one marvel after another. Watch whirling dervishes spin; pause at Süleymaniye Mosque, a testament to Ottoman grandeur; venture to the Galataport district for grand design. Cross the Bosphorus Bridge to the city's Asian side where the Beylerbeyi Palace, the "Lord of Lords" manor, shines. The sleepless city elevates nightlife to art: late cocktails, savory bites, dancing till dawn. Istanbul never sits still.