ATHENS – GREECE

Athens is a bustling modern city uniquely blending the old with the new. World class, award winning, fine dining restaurants mingle with traditional tavernas serving home-style cooking. The sound of international music is just as common as the local and of course the famous Greek nightlife is second to none.

Walk through traditional villages, where donkey’s are still used as transport, or visit the unique resorts where Porsche’s, Mercedes and other deluxe vehicles abound.

Find yourself a deserted little beach where you can be alone with nature or enjoy large popular beaches where everything from jet skis to paragliding is available.

Dine in a small little eatery, visit an award-winning restaurant (a number of restaurants can boast Michelin stars) or dance away the hours in the all night bars.

The Acropolis – the sacred rock. For thousands of years the Acropolis has been the symbol of Athens, the sacred rock, the link that connects the magnificent ancient civilization with the modern. The Acropolis and its monuments, its history are the pride and glory of this city, the envy of all other cities in the world. This is the crowning glory of Athens.

• The Parthenon: If the Acropolis is the crown of Athens, here is the jewel of that crown. This unique masterpiece has stood the test of time. Taking 15 years to complete it was dedicated to the goddess Athena and housed a 12m high ivory and gold statue of the goddess. Over the centuries it has been used as a church, a mosque and an arsenal during which time it was severely damaged. It was during the Venetian siege that the Acropolis was bombarded with cannon-fire. The Turks were using the temple as an arsenal. One cannon ball entered and blew up the ammunition inside, demolishing the roof, the inner structure and 14 of the outer columns. Up till then the Parthenon was almost intact. The next destruction came with the removal of its famous friezes known as the Parthenon marbles by Lord Elgin.
• The Propylaea: This is the glorious entrance to the Acropolis and its monuments constructed between 437 and 432 BC.
• The Temple of Athena Nike: The temple was erected south of the Propylaea about 420BC to commemorate the victories of the Greeks over the Persians. The location of the temple is unique in that a temple has been located on that exact spot since prehistoric times.
• The Erechtheion: Built in 420 BC on the part of the Acropolis held to be the most sacred, where the goddess Athena caused her most sacred emblem, the olive tree to sprout. The south porch columns are in the form of maidens (Caryatids).
• The Theatre of Dionyssos: Located at the foot of the Acropolis, the Dionyssos is the oldest of all known theatres in the world. It is estimated that the theatre could accommodate 17,000 spectators. Little remains today.
• The Odeon of Herodes Atticus: Today referred to simply as the Herodion, it was built in 161 by Atticus Herodes to honor his dead wife. The theatre is widely used today, especially for the Athens Festival that takes place every summer. Famous performers who have appeared at the Herodion include: Pavarotti, Sinatra, Dame Margot Fontaine, Nana Mouskouri to name just a few.
• The Acropolis Museum: The museum houses priceless finds including: the calf bearer – a statue of a bearded youth of the 6th century BC carrying a calf on his shoulders, the Korres, the statues of young women offered to Athena – no two are the same, the Caryatids, the statues of beautiful priestess used to support the roof of the Erechtheion and of course sculptures from the decoration of the Parthenon.

The Ancient Agora: Agora means market or shopping area, but in ancient times the Agora was not only the commercial centre of the city, it was its political, cultural and religious one as well. Administrative buildings, temples, courts of law and public services were all located here. This is where the Athenians gathered on a daily basis not only to buy and sell their goods, but also to learn the news, criticise the government, exchange views of gossip. Monuments to view:

• The Theseion: The best-preserved temple of ancient times, built in 449 BC – it has a similar appearance to the Parthenon to the unknowing eye.
• The Stoa of Attalos: This two-storey building dating back to 159 BC is believed to have been an ancient shopping centre housing 21 shops on each floor.
• The Roman Agora: A single architectural complex consisting of a vast rectangular court surrounded by colonnades. Its arcades used to house various shops. To the north of the building was situated the library built by Hadrian. To the east is the Tower of the Winds, built in the 1st century BC, this octagonal structure served as a water clock, compass and weather vane.

The National Gardens: Open from dawn to dusk. An oasis in the middle of the city, it consists of an area of almost 40 acres, full of flowers, plants, bushes and trees from all over the world. Five hundred different varieties of plants under a canopy of trees. Originally designed to be the garden of the Royal Palace you can wander along the pathways, listen to birds, sit on a bench and relax, or relax in its café.

Lycabettus Hill: The highest hill in Athens, don’t miss the spectacular view of the Acropolis, and indeed the whole society. A quick way to escape the city in the heart of the city. It’s not just the view, but the pine trees and cypresses and little wooden benches and narrow pathways. Also there is the open-air theatre with performances that attract music and theatre lovers during the summer months. And there’s more, the beautiful white church of Ayios Georgios, right at its peak, and to relax a wonderful café restaurant. For the energetic, walk up the hill, for those wishing a less strenuous approach to its peak, drive to the parking area half way up the mountain and then walk the short distance to the top, OR use the wonderful teleferique that travels up/down through the mountain.

Plaka and Monastiraki: Plaka is the oldest and most picturesque area of Athens. Walk through Plaka and you will be delighted by the beauty of the neo-classical colours of its houses, their architecture, the elegance and the atmosphere of the area. Plaka is a labyrinth but part of the joy of being there is temporarily (and it is only temporarily) losing your way in this exciting maze. Its main street, Andrianou Street, is a shopper’s paradise, with everything from jewellery and artwork to postcards and trinkets for sale. Plaka also has an abundance of Byzantine churches. Monastiraki was and part of it still is the flea market area of Plaka. Once two completely separate areas they have grown and extended joining and complimenting each other. It is fun to visit the many antique shops in the area even sit in on an auction, or simply find yourself in Avysinias Square picking up little used knick-knack, who knows you might find something rare and priceless.

Syntagma Square:

Commonly referred to as the centre of the city, an ideal place to meet, it is the centre of all activity. Literally translated Syntagma means Constitution, the name being given to the square because of the House of Parliament. The front of the Parliament building houses the Tomb of the unknown soldier which is guarded by the Evzones (the elite Presidential Guard) with their tunics and pompom shoes.

From Syntagma you can commence your shopping expedition to:

• Ermou Street – this Pedestrian walk way with its side streets leading to all the corners of the shopping area of Athens
• Plaka and Monastiraki are just a short walk through Ermou Street
• Kolonaki – The most fashionable area of down town Athens. Here designer clothes and boutiques abound. A must do in Kolonaki is to have a cup of coffee (or other beverages) in one of the coffee shops in Kolonaki square. This is a prerequisite for trendy Athenians and foreign visitors alike, with the main down town shops, Plaka, Monastiraki and even Kolonaki – the trendy area of down town Athens