Europe’s most ancient capital has sashayed into the new millennium in style after a decade of primping for the 2004 Olympics. Monuments and museums are refurbished, great restaurants have opened and the nightlife still swings until dawn. For a change of pace, the Saronic islands are close by, and excursions north to Thebes and Delphi are easy, while just over the Corinth Canal lies the majestic, enigmatic Peloponnese, garden of Greece and cradle of her oldest myths, where names such as Olympia, Sparta, Arcadia, Mycenae and the River Styx hover on the fine line of a dream. The authors’ intimate knowledge of southern Greece will put you on the inside track, whether you want to visit five-star attractions, relax on a beach or discover secret places out of time.

Dana Facaros, whose father is from Ikaria, started her travel-writing career in 1977 with a guide to the Greek Islands, published by Cadogan. She is one half of an inimitable writing partnership, with her husband Michael Pauls, who are widely acclaimed for their unique blend of eloquent, entertaining cultural comment and practical, discerning travel advice. To date they have over 45 Cadogan guides to their names. Dana has recently celebrated getting Greek citizenship by breaking every plate in the house. Linda Theodorou gave up teaching to live and work in Greece, and follow in the footsteps of Pausanias. She has lived in the Peloponnese for more than 28 years and has received acclaim for her in-depth knowledge of Greek myth, history and archaeology – and has never got over her love affair with the country and its people.

Softcover. 512 pages. In English.