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Day 0: Arriving Early
Day 0: Arriving Early
We don't count today as a day since we arrived in Athens a day early to get over our jet lag before the trip began, but it's something we always do.
After checking in at our hotel, we walked around the building to get some cash from an ATM and a few snacks from a small shop. We ate dinner at the rooftop restaurant of the Hera Hotel where we were staying and had a stunning view of the Parthenon from our table. Somehow, it just didn't seem real. We even ran into Brenda, a traveler from our last trip to Scandinavia with Rick Steves. It looks like we'll have a familiar face on this tour!
Flying Into Athens
Flying Into Athens
Our Home in Athens
Our Home in Athens
Magical Views
Magical Views
Day 1: Athens
Day 1: Athens
Before meeting our group in the evening, we set out to explore Athens on our own.
We visited the Arch of Hadrian, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Mount Lycabettus, and the Panathenaic Stadium, the first modern Olympic Stadium. It’s the only stadium in the world build totally of marble.
After grabbing some coffee, walked through the national gardens of Athens. One stop in the garden was the Zappeion Magaron where we saw a fire exhibit.
At 6:00, we met our group, got our buddies, shared a glass of wine over orientation, and had our group welcome supper. And surprise! Another familiar face. Our guide was Iris who had also been our guide on our GAS trip. Small world!
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Temple of Olympian Zeus
We explored the ancient ruins around our hotel.
We can fit!
We can fit!
We crammed into a taxi for a tour of town.
Abby with an Athens Flair
Abby with an Athens Flair
The views from Mount Lycabettus were amazing!
Day 2: More Athens
Day 2: More Athens
Today was a busy day in Athens! We headed to the Acropolis first thing in the morning and met our guide Fay. She was a 74 year-old-woman who has been guiding for Rick Steves for 51 years! She made lots of jokes about her age and was delightful to listen to. We even found out that the teaches some university classes in our home state of Minnesota! What’s are the odds of that?
We learned about the history of the Acropolis (the collection of buildings and ruins) and the Parthenon (the largest building on the site). After our tour of the acropolis ruins, we went to the new museum which was nearby. The top floor is a scale replica of the Parthenon with original pieces as well as reconstructions of some of the art to display it in a location similar to where it was originally placed.
After our tour ended, we grabbed some food in the café on site. Then we took our ticket and toured the excavation site that lies under the museum. It’s so impressive how much plumbing and engineering went into these original sites. These people were smart!
Pam and I headed out to watch the changing of the guard. Since it was Sunday, the guards wore their fancy uniforms. The exchange involved a slow and deliberate sequence of movements, and the soldiers needed to demonstrate timing and balance to make the choreography work. The change begins at the top of every hour in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier that is in front of the parliament building.
Following the changing of the guard, we walked down some shop-filled streets featuring street musicians and lots of food places. We discovered quite a few more areas of ruins along the way as well as new and interesting views of the acropolis. As it got dark, we made our way to the sunset lookout that Iris had recommended. It was a little early for sunset, but we still were treated with a beautiful night sky and a view of the acropolis with no city buildings in view. We did a LOT of walking today. Our feet were tired but our hearts were full.
Up to the Acropolis
Up to the Acropolis
At the Parthenon
At the Parthenon
Changing of the Guard
Changing of the Guard
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