Mediterranean Escape

Having waited impatiently for an English summer that was never to be, Jessica Au from NEWSWEEK's London bureau skipped town to find solace and sunshine in Greece. Starting out in the somewhat smoggy capital, Athens, she went on to explore the handful of blindingly bright islands that make up the Greek Cyclades. Here are her favorite spots from the Mediterranean:

Sights: Athens

While the streets of Plaka (near the Acropolis) typically swarm with tourists, Athenians in the know head straight to Kolonaki, an area of swanky boutiques, galleries, and cool cafés. Museums worth visiting here include the Benaki, (www.benaki.gr), with its huge range of artworks, or the Museum of Cycladic Art (www.cycladic-m.gr), which houses a private collection of ancient Aegean artifacts. Spend the afternoon at Filion Café (34 Skoufa Street) drinking frappés (pronounced frah-PEHs) the way the locals do: slowly and over hot gossip. From Kolonaki make your way up to the city's highest peak, Lykavittos Hill, where on a clear day you can see all the way to the Peloponnesus. For those who don't have the stamina to make the climb, the funicular railway at the foot of the hill (on Ploutarchou Street) is a quick and easy alternative.

Night on the Town: Mykonos

Jackie Onassis first brought A-list glamour to Mykonos in the 1960s, and the island remains a magnet for the international jet set. The Hora (or Old Town), a dazzling jumble of sugar-cube houses, turquoise shutters and clusters of bougainvillea,  comes alive after dark. Enjoy a cocktail under the stars at Caprice Bar in the Little Venice section of Mykonos (22890 26083). The soundtrack varies from bongos and beats to classic '80s anthems in this wacky boutique tavern by the sea. For prime people watching, move on to the Belvedere Hotel (www.belvederehotel.com) and sip saketinis at the Sunset Saké Bar and Lounge. The chilled sakes served in tall bamboo pitchers are potent but certainly get the party started.

Pick of the Islands: Pano Koufonisi