Patmos, Greece

Since John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelations here Patmos - the "Jerusalem of the Aegean" - is hallowed ground, with hundreds of churches that attest to the fact. One of the island's chief attractions is the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John is said to have lived during his exile. The other is the Monastery of St. John, adorned with frescoes dating back to the 12th century. Some of the more popular secular activities revolve around the island's lovely beaches shaded by tamarisk trees and walking Patmos' many country trails, which are often donkey paths.