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Love your photos of Athens! Looks like your wonderful walking tour took you to places that many tourists don't go to. Such as the Plateia Mitropoleos, Zappeion Megaron, and Church of Kapnikarea. They are all so beautiful. I do remember walking past the Church of Kapnikarea, but for some reason we didn't go inside. A missed opportunity.
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Looking forward to more of your report and wonderful photos!
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You took full advantage of that walking tour. Looks fabulous!
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I'm so glad you decided to write a TR! Love the descriptions and your photos. You know I'm taking notes, we'll be there in Sept.
We spent a couple of nights (1 full day) in Milan last year, and your photos brought back nice memories. In Greece, we'll have a very similar itinerary as yours, although not 100% the same. I can't seem to fit in Messene, so we'll just have to accept that we can't see it all. Waiting for more TR. |
Thanks, all! I appreciate the kind words and your acknowledgements!
KarenWoo and shelemm, we've frequently done the "pay what you wish tours" in cities and have often found them surprisingly good. This one was outstanding - we really got a good flavor of the various sites. While a \ guide might've enhanced our visit to the Acropolis, we felt we had enough of an overview of Athens, with a particular emphasis on the Olympics, and really felt satisfied with this tour. francebuound, thank you, too, for following! |
Acropolis
And then there’s the Acropolis… we can’t go to Athens and NOT visit the Acropolis. It was both amazing and a bit sad at the same time - what a remarkable site this once was! It’s still impressive, yet so much work is being done, it’s almost like walking through a construction site! Much more is roped off than when we visited in 2011. And yet…it still has a power and a magic. The Acropolis, or “highest point” of the “city”, is an ancient citadel on a rocky hill in Athens, and contains several ancient buildings, the most famous of these is the Parthenon. The Acropolis was constructed under Pericles during the 5th century BC. We traveled at the end of April and visited the Acropolis in the early evening so we had no trouble buying tickets at the ticket booth and it wasn’t very crowded. We didn’t go to the Acropolis museum this time around as we’d visited on our last trip, but I highly recommend it if you haven’t been. |
Acropolis
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a3a1b9f07b.jpg The Theatre of Dionysus on the slope of the Acropolis Hill https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...95c9eb5734.jpg Statue of Menander, an ancient Greek dramatist, beside the Theatre of Dionysus https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2d7ea0e7a9.jpg View looking over the theater https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2a32257e5f.jpg An ancient among the ancients https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...e104d7f52f.jpg Well, not that ancient! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...12ba01476d.jpg Another view https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4fea2be8a1.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...eacd1d5772.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...5a181f1e58.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...be29b475ca.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f6f3e2e392.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ad35e0905a.jpg |
Acropolis 2
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0af881358c.jpg Looking toward Mount Lycabettus, its summit is the highest point in central Athens https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...fac56ad6a2.jpg You can't have too many views of the Parthenon! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...74dcf498e2.jpg And another view https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...02fc1d31c7.jpg And still another view https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ecabfb883c.jpg A closeup of a few of the Caryatids on the porch of the Erechtheion, the temple dedicated to Athena https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8e02a3743b.jpg The ancient olive tree, which is alleged to have been planted by Athena, and represents peace, prosperity, and wisdom https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6598a05a67.jpg Some ancient Greeks we met on our visit to the Acropolis! They were rehearsing for a show that would be presented in the theater that evening https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...505a2b4b48.jpg Walking beside the Acropolis |
A Sunday kind of day in Athens…
After a slow start to our day, we eventually left our charming Airbnb and wandered through the Plaka and on to the Monistiraki Flea market. Nothing grabbed us but it was still fun to poke around the stalls. From there, we hailed a taxi and drove up Lycabettus Hill - and even after we were driven as far as we could go, there was still a bit of a hike to the top of the hill. But worth it! Great views from the top, including the Acropolis (and sadly, my “good” iPhone doesn’t take such great long distance shots). We walked (and walked!) down the hill where we explored a bit of the Benaki Museum, enjoying the ancient artifacts (though getting a bit too tired to fully absorb ourselves in the entire museum) before we headed back, stopping at a great food fair and got lots of wonderful nibbles (and no photos!). Finally, we headed back and are resting our aching feet at our sweet and comfy Airbnb. |
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Walking toward Monastiraki https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...237fa10dd7.jpg On our walk to Monastiraki https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3a59b162a1.jpg Monastiraki Square https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6209e3d948.jpg Flea Market - so much fun to wander! https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...1979ba4d8c.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...552c744a39.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...8be8afe716.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...da067fc704.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...85a43a7e6f.jpg |
Mount Lycabettus
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...abed0eb702.jpg Even after the taxi dropped us off, we had a long walk to the top of the hill https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0f42ef53a6.jpg A view from the walk up https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...237f060129.jpg The Church of Agios Georgios (St. George) on the top of Mt. Lycabetetus dates to 1870 https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cc5e49082b.jpg The view from the top - and now we get to see the Acropolis from Mt. Lycabettus! https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...98a263561f.jpg A small restaurant and cafe - a great place to sit and relax and enjoy the view https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...cbb5d253c6.jpg From the Benaki Museum - a lovely, small museum, though we were too tired to fully appreciate it by the time we got here |
Our last full day in Athens....
Our last full day in Athens - tomorrow, we’re off to begin our journey around the Peloponnesian peninsula. Weather is perfect - sunny, 70s (F, that is!) and today, a fun meander and a museum. We’re moving at a leisurely pace, and having been to Athens before, we don’t feel compelled to see every site, but rather, head to one place and wander through an area.We started out by the very central Hadrian’s Arch, returned to the Zappeion Hall, the building that was built for the first modern Olympics, and continued to the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games were held in 1896. We then walked to the nearby Goulandris Foundation museum, enjoying the wonderful modern and contemporary art. It’s a lovely museum - very manageable and not busy at all. Sorry, no photos of the art, but you can see their collection on their website: https://goulandris.gr/en/# We had a fabulous lunch at the nearby Mavrato Provati, a very popular place that serves Greek food with a contemporary flair - highly recommend! The prices are very reasonable and the food is excellent - and different from the usual fare. I didn’t take notes, so the specifics are lacking, but believe me, it was a standout. So, if you do go to Athens, this is a must! Reservations are recommended but we arrived just as they were setting up so they welcomed us. Did I mention how friendly they are? We then passed the Presidential Palace, walked through the National Gardens again (a lovely place, filled with the sound of birdsong and lush foliage and flowers), passing Syntagma Square and continued along the commercial stretch, Ermou, where we found Minnie & Mickey Mouse greeting passers-by! We continued on, passing more churches, till we came to the Central Market (lots of meat! lots of fish!). We stopped to pick up some pastries (aren’t vacations great? A good excuse to eat all those things we don’t normally eat!), rounding it out at an older market, the Roman Agora! And then back to our cute Airbnb. |
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Arch of Hadrian https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2ca26f7db4.jpg The top of the Acropolis as seen through the Arch of Hadrian https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ca0ac2fc99.jpg The church right next door to the Goulandris Foundation museum https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f09e23f72f.jpg The interior of the Goulandris Foundation museum (well, I do like the graphic image even if it doesn't show you anything about the museum!) https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...17dd2d4122.jpg We were in Athens shortly before Orthodox Easter and there were plenty of Easter eggs and rabbits in the bakeries! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a2a8a57168.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...81ab820b3c.jpg Minnie & Mickey on Ermou Street https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...f9c4151a63.jpg A church along the way https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7308764015.jpg The large Central market - known for its fish and other local products https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4feea19613.jpg The large Central market - known for its fish and other local products https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...ce11ac5869.jpg The large Central market - known for its fish and other local products https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6d5c9b133f.jpg By the Roman Agora https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...603ac87f82.jpg Roman Agora remains https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6284bdfd21.jpg Contrasts! Roman Agora with view of church |
Another great report is in the making. I always enjoyed reading your report and also admire your photos.
I visited Greece in 2019, and your photos bring back a lot of my fond memories. I will be following along your journey in Greece. |
70 degree temps and clear blue skies, perfect weather for touring Athens, and you sure have “the eye” for a great photo! Thanks for making the effort to do a report as others (including me) will surely gain ideas and inspiration!
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To repeat what francebound said, you certainly had perfect weather for sightseeing. We were in Athens in late May, and temps were already in the 90's. The Acropolis was very hot, and we needed a break after our guided tour and bought lemonade and found shade to help us cool off.
I especially love your photos of the Theater of Dionysius - the close up and the view from higher up. Gives one an excellent idea of what the theater looks like. We also enjoyed exploring the flea market in Monastiraki and exploring the Athens Central Market. I remember the floor was very wet from the vendors spraying water on their fish and shellfish, and also from the melting ice. I had read somewhere to be sure to wear closed shoes (no sandals) in the fish market. All your photos are so beautiful, and I love reminiscing about our trip! |
Chertor, thanks so much! I’m glad this TR is bringing back good memories for you!
francebound, the weather in Athens was perfect when we were there! I know it was brutallly hot a short time later, but we were lucky there. Thank you for your kind words! KarenWoo, once again, thanks so much for your sweet words! If it weren’t for you, I probably wouldn’t even be doing this TR! And you’ll be happy to see the next stop on the trip - Nafplio. That was a wonderful stop and I used your TR for a lot of our planning, too!😉 |
Athens AirBnB
Live in Style Under the Acropolis Ruins https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1208210...b-7a4580f7e445 Once again, I want to share the link and say how much we liked staying here. Great location, comfortable apartment, very accessible host. It's on the ground floor (up a few steps) but we found it to be very safe. There's also good a/c and heat. We actually needed the heat for the mornings! https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c1f404a490.jpg Bright and airy living room https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...14f9fea87f.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...256bb42c18.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...3410927c84.jpg Good kitchen - had sugar and a few other basics https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...9cb31759fa.jpg Comfortable bed https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...db558f1f7d.jpg Small outdoor area - not conducive to sitting outside but I was able to do a small hand wash while we were there |
Originally Posted by KarenWoo
(Post 17587638)
Travel_Nerd, if you haven't put Mystras on your itinerary yet, I highly recommend that you do so. Mystras is spectacular, and is my favorite of all the ruins that we saw. I could easily return. We were also very impressed with Mycenae and Epidaurus.
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Ditto to Mystras! And Mycenae and Epidavros!
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