With the Parthenon and numerous sculptures of Greece, this country is a clear winner in terms of historical architecture and art. The Greeks were pioneers in the realm of art history, the first to produce realistic sculptures of the human figure. The National Archeological Museum of Athens is one of the most famous museums in the world and showcases priceless artifacts. A must-see exhibit is the Artemision Poseidon, a sculpture made in 460 BC that was found on the ocean floor. Experts have debated whether the sculpture represents Poseidon or Zeus, but the statue is gorgeous either way.
While less famous than Greece, Turkey also has a lot to see by way of architecture and art. The beautiful Blue Mosque in Istanbul is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. The mountain of Nemrut is the site of a 62BC tomb built by King Antiochus I Theos of Turkey. The sacred place was decorated with gigantic statues of the king as well as Greek and Persian deities. Over time the heads of the figures have fallen to the ground, making for a surreal view. A popular tourist attraction is to view the scattered heads at sunset for an added ambiance.