| Have you ever been to the land of Athena? Come | | | | Dionysus Theatre, the Stills of Olympian Zeus, the |
| join us on our tour to Athena. We begin the tour at | | | | Roman Agora, the Greek Agora and the Keramikos. |
| your luxurious Grande Bretagne Hotel. From your | | | | The Museum of Cycladic art and The Benaki Museum |
| balcony, you can see The Changing of the Guard | | | | and the National Archaeological Museum are also quite |
| which takes place in front of the Parliament. It is quite a | | | | significant. How about the Kallimarmaro Stadium? It |
| unique show! Fifty two National Guardsmen (in white | | | | was originally made out of marble. The Marathon |
| uniforms) accompanied by a marching band, walk | | | | runners of the 2004 Olympics ended their journeys in |
| down the street. From the identical vantage pointe you | | | | this stadium. Can you imagine what it would be like to |
| can view the Changing of the Guard whic is in front of | | | | sit in the stands of this stadium? Let's go in and sit! |
| the Unknown Soldier's monument. This is a wonderful | | | | In addition, did you know that there is a monument |
| event to witness on Sundays! I have seen this event | | | | across from the Hilton Hotel? Another important |
| countless times. The King George Palace also stands | | | | monument we will see is the Marathon man which is |
| across from the Parliament. This hotel can be seen | | | | made of fiber glass and is located across from the |
| with a similar vantage point, but the Grande Bretagne | | | | hotel. The "Marathon Man" was built in dedication to the |
| Hotel is a bit more regal in appearance. In addition, the | | | | Greek soldier Philidippides who in 490 BC ran from the |
| national gardens are across the street at the | | | | town of Marathon to Athens (about 26 miles) to |
| Syntagma Square which is where Athenians take a | | | | announce that the Persians had been defeated. He |
| walk and relax during the summer days. | | | | shouted "Nenikikamen" which means "We won" in |
| The real estate areas of these properties are called | | | | ancient Greek and then he collapsed of exhaustion |
| Herodou Atticou which is the most expensive in | | | | and died. |
| Athens. Impressive views of the Acropolis will be seen | | | | After visiting the above venues, we will visit |
| on top of a beautiful hill with the city of Athens as a | | | | Lycabettus Hill, passing through the Kolani Square |
| backdrop. Do you enjoy taking photos? This is | | | | which is in the Soho area of Athens. Athenians gather |
| definitely the spot. Let us go to the entrance of the | | | | in this square to have Greek coffee and chat in the |
| Acropolis and tour the Parthenon (constitutes a | | | | nearby cafes. It also has some of the best shopping |
| masterpiece of architecture that is renowned | | | | stores of known fashion designers. The drive up |
| worldwide), and the Temple of Athens Nike, and other | | | | Lycabettus Hill is the tallest hill in Athens. It reaches 277 |
| fascinating and historic sites on the "Sacred Rock" | | | | meters and on its peak lays a small white Greek |
| overlooking the city of Athens. Did you know that the | | | | Orthodox Church of St. George which was built in |
| Acropolis was for many centuries the most important | | | | 1852. Near the Greek Orthodox Church stands the St. |
| religious centre of the city of Athens? The | | | | George Lycabettus is another luxury property. This is |
| archeological sites are universal symbols connected | | | | another photo opportunity! We then head to the Plaka |
| with the birth of democracy. And did you also know | | | | area where you can spend more time shopping and |
| that Athens received its name because of Athena | | | | eating. According to a recent theory, the Plaka owes |
| who as become the goddess of wisdom and peace in | | | | its name to the large stone slab found in the area of |
| ancient times? Obviously there is much to see and | | | | the Church of St. Alexandria. Plus, the best eatery is |
| ponder about in Athens, especially The New Acropolis | | | | on the top of a hill, called the Csarda Taverna. |
| Museum is housed on the grounds of the Acropolis | | | | After spending some more time in the Plaka, we travel |
| and is one of the best museums in the world. This new | | | | to the outskirts of Athens towards Cape Sounion |
| museum is set in a characteristic neoclassical building. It | | | | along the coastline of Athens. Before reaching Cape |
| contains recently a refurbished collection of ancient | | | | Sounion, we will stop at Lake Vouliagmeni which |
| Greek art and artifacts including more details about the | | | | stands at 40 centimeter in elevation and its water |
| goddess of Athena. This is a must see! You will be | | | | maintains a constant 2.4 degrees year-round Celsius |
| amazed at these antiquities. | | | | temperature. Due to the healing properties in the water, |
| We also won't let you miss the other sites: The | | | | the Athenians swim here all year round. |