Greece

It takes no more than a few hours to realize that Athens is a city of dramatic juxtapositions, in which archaeological sites lie adjacent to steel-and-glass office complexes. Residents joke that you don't want to dig too deep here or you might uncover a lost ruin and find your house taken over by a museum. This dichotomy between the ancient and the new is alluring. So is the scenery. The land is dotted with cypress groves, vineyards, and olive trees; carved into gentle bays or dramatic coves bordered with startling white sand; or articulated into hills and mountains that plunge into the sea. Indeed, you can't travel far across the land without encountering the sea, or far across the sea without encountering one of the roughly 2,000 islands. This natural beauty, combined with plentiful archaeological treasures, make Greece a truly rewarding destination.