Rethymnon

There's plenty of ambiance in Crete’s third-largest city (after Heraklion and Chania), where contrasting Venetian and Ottoman architectural styles are on full display in its Old Town. Two points of interest are the 16th-century Venetian Loggia, an ancient building that served as the town forum, and Fortezza, a citadel constructed atop Paleokastro Hill. On hot summer days, it helps that there’s a sandy beach nearby, so bring along swimsuits to enjoy a dip. Or cool down by finding a Greek taverna serving local Cretan cuisine, known for its seafood, olive oil and fresh herbs.