Viator Travel Blog

Two seasons, two routes, two destinations, with one basic idea: get to the Greek Islands for some sun. Specifically – the Cyclades, the archipelago closest to Athens, which includes some major holiday destinations.

Flying in the high season, ferrying in the off season (or shoulder, as it is sometimes known): I selflessly undertook both of these trips to determine the ideal Aegean getaway based on weather, price and availability as well as the more elusive qualities which define a great holiday. Here are the results.

The Mother City, as Cape Town is nicknamed, may be the Western Cape’s main draw and there’s plenty to see and do here to keep you busy for days. But with Table Mountain in your rear view, head out to explore these excellent day trip destinations from Cape Town.

Barracks, a water tower, a brewery, a power station, a postal and telegraph center, a tobacco factory, a bank, a slaughterhouse. What do they have in common? Well in the Spanish capital of Madrid, these functional buildings have all been reconditioned to enjoy a fruitful afterlife as cultural centers.

Include them in your Madrid itinerary and you’ll not only encounter some hugely impressive feats of architectural repurposing and a wide range of artistic offerings, you may also discover neighborhoods you wouldn’t otherwise visit. Grab a cheap ticket for the excellent subway service and spend some time getting to know some of Europe’s most exciting cultural spaces in six easy stops from north to south.

You can find Greek islands with more frenetic nightlife, more secluded getaways, resorts where the needle on the chi-chi-meter reaches further into the red. But few are as well-connected as Paros while offering such a great value for money and enough variety–beaches, churches, bars, classical ruins, restaurants–to satisfy everyone. Throw in plucky little neighbor Antiparos and you have two islands for the price of one. And who doesn’t like getting something for free?

With soaring daytime temperatures for about half the year, Athenians – like Madrileños – have turned night to day and their bars and restaurants inside out to make the most of the comparative cool of the evening. You won’t want to miss the buzz of the Greek capital by night, so after a day of kicking through ancient stones and shuffling through museums, consider a disco nap before you head out again.