Athens

When you think of Athens, does the word “youthful” come to mind?

It should! As the birthplace of modern Western civilization, sprawling Athens has enough neoclassical buildings to keep you busy for a week. But go beyond the Parthenon and you’ll discover a more youthful side to the city with new art galleries, languid café culture and outdoor cinemas.

Today, Athens offers way more than relics of antiquity and quick routes to the Greek Islands — though we wouldn’t cross those off the to-do list just yet, either.