We arrived in Athens late at night after long flights and rose early on the morning of the 15th to start exploring. As we would be touring the Acropolis in depth later on our visit we are only viewing it from a distance for now but it's quite the spectacular sight and right now feels a bit like candy in a candy store that we are not allowed to taste. Will make it more exciting when we do go to the site. For our first day in Athens we did a walking tour using the Rick Steeves guide and it worked out perfectly.
We started the walk at Syntagma Square which is dominated by the Parliament buildings. From there we set off down Ermou Street which was turned into a pedestrian street in 2000 with many of the stores housed in impressive neoclassical mansions. Along the way were three Greek Orthodox churches built in the 11th century which we visited. Amazing to see the wonderful architecture. We also visited the cathedral built in 1842. A stroll down Agia street was quite different than anything we had seen before as many on the street were Ortodox clerics and all the stores sold religious paraphernalia and religious robes. Further on we explored the atmospheric twisty lanes of old Athens in the Plaka. We visited the Arch of Hadrian built in AD 131 to celebrate the completion of the Temple of Olympian Zeus which had taken 700 years to complete and whose ruins we also viewed. We stopped along the way to marvel at the Lysicrates Monument which was erected in 334 BC. We took a delightful stroll through the Anafiotika which is an area below the Acropolis built by the people of Anafi. Narrow paths wind past small higgledy-piggledy homes lined with flowers and doted with dozing cats. Eventually the pathway winds back down a hill past a delightful church before heading down to the Roman forum. On our way down we passed a delightful little cafe where the owner seeing the Rick Steves book in Eric's hand encouraged us to join him for lunch stating he was on page 272. Good decision. Finished the afternoon viewing the tower of winds and the Library of Hadrian ruins which were built in the second century AD. The history here is simply overwhelming. A wonderful Greek tasting menu and drinks at a bar overlooking the Acropolis rounded off a wonderful day.
Our second morning in Athens we spent with a professional photographer from Flytographer having a photo shoot done at various sites around the old city. Jury is out on the results until we get them but it was a lot of fun. We then boarded the Windstar to start our next adventure.
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The Acropolis from our hotel
Can't wait until we get up close
Old Greek Orthodox Churches are dotted through the old town
Remains of the Temple of Olympiam Zeus which is the largest ancient temple in mainland Greece begun in the late sixth century BC
Arch of Hadrian built in AD 131
This elegant marble monument was built in 334 BC. Unbelievable!
The winding lanes built by the people of Aanafi
Wonderful contrast of greenery with the stark white walls
Enjoying our first Greek meal at a small cafe that spilled out onto the walkway. The moussaka was delicious as was the wine.
Ruins of the Library of Hadrian
Beautiful flowers spill from the rooftops.
Narrow pedestrian streets are lined with shops selling everything from the necessities to the tacky.
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