Rick Steves Tour First Stop: Athens!
Before we get started with the details of our day in Athens and the rest of our tour, we should probably answer the question - why a Rick Steves tour? There are definitely some distinguishing features that really appeal to us:
- Small friendly group - yet a full sized bus = lots of room on the bus!
- Friendly, knowledgeable local guides.
- Local restaurants (instead of touristy ones) featuring local foods.
- Small, family run, centrally located hotels with fantastic breakfasts (included).
- Of course - our knowledgeable and friendly guide David along with Aine his assistant!
- A great balance between free time and group time.
- Half of the dinners are with the group and half on our own. This allows for choice and flexibility in dining.
- All tour excursions are included and no tipping required – it's an all inclusive tour.
- Our bus driver, Thanasis was very much a part of the group.
- Everything is planned out perfectly (e.g. arriving at the Acropolis early before tour buses, thus avoiding crowds, as pictured above).
- Perfect weather!! Well, okay, we can't give them credit for that, but on this trip we did have perfect sunny weather everyday!
Acropolis of Athens - The Parthenon & More
After a satisfying early morning breakfast we met up with the gang for our first excursion! The Acropolis of Athens (the name of the actual hill), with its main feature The Parthenon on top! Early morning before any crowd had a chance to gather, we mounted the steps and strolled the marbled pathways together on this glorious sunny day anxious to get as close as possible to this landmark of history. With no cruise ships docked in the harbour, we had a non-crowded tour with our confident guide Faye Georgiou. The main monuments of the Acropolis were built starting in 500 BC and include the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia and the temple of Athena Nike. There are many interesting things we learned, but one fact we found most interesting was that the damaged Parthenon we see today was pretty much intact from the 500 BC right up to 1687 AD. During the Turkish/Venetian war of that year, the Ottoman Turks were using the Parthenon for storing gunpowder. The Venetians were attacking from the Hill of Philopappus. One mortar round took a direct hit on the Parthenon, which exploded the gunpowder resulting in severe damage to it.
Fortunately since that time, significant restoration has and continues to take place, resulting in the still partially damaged Parthenon we see today. After an informative tour of the Parthenon (dedicated to the Goddess of Athena) and the other monuments, we wandered around photographing these magnificent monuments of antiquity. We then descended to the modern Parthenon Museum where we learned more of the rich history of Ancient Greece with Faye. The reconstruction of the Parthenon piedmont and frieze on the third floor with its authentic adornments was very impressive. Of course there is so much that can be said, but to find out more you'll just have to take the tour for yourself!
Fortunately since that time, significant restoration has and continues to take place, resulting in the still partially damaged Parthenon we see today. After an informative tour of the Parthenon (dedicated to the Goddess of Athena) and the other monuments, we wandered around photographing these magnificent monuments of antiquity. We then descended to the modern Parthenon Museum where we learned more of the rich history of Ancient Greece with Faye. The reconstruction of the Parthenon piedmont and frieze on the third floor with its authentic adornments was very impressive. Of course there is so much that can be said, but to find out more you'll just have to take the tour for yourself!
Athens Free Time
We then welcomed the free time as we were ready for a lunch break and really wanted to continue our conversation with the young man at the restaurant we met two days before. He was thrilled we had returned to have lunch. We further learned that he works 11 hours a day standing in front of the restaurant trying to entice tourists to make his restaurant the one of choice. Once again, he reiterated how thankful he was for the work, as the unemployment rate in Greece was sky high. His name was Tassos! It was becoming clear to us already that Greeks were living in a very challenging economy, where a work-life balance was compromised as the people were desperate to meet the needs of their families. Yes, we heard at home about the Greek financial crisis, but now we were seeing with our own eyes how it affected the dear Greek people in their everyday lives.
After lunch we went for a walk to Filopappos Hill, opposite the Acropolis. Its pine-clad slopes proved to be a relaxing place for an easy stroll. From here we had excellent views of Athens and the Aegean Sea, and some of the very best vantage points for photographing the Acropolis. In 115 AD, a monument dedicated to the exiled Roman Prince Gaius Julius Antichus Philopappos of Commagene (region in ancient Armenia) was erected on top of the hill. Afterwards, we relaxed with fancy drinks in a "cool" hotel-top restaurant overlooking the Acropolis and later joined up with some tour members for dinner at a local sidewalk café. A great day!
After lunch we went for a walk to Filopappos Hill, opposite the Acropolis. Its pine-clad slopes proved to be a relaxing place for an easy stroll. From here we had excellent views of Athens and the Aegean Sea, and some of the very best vantage points for photographing the Acropolis. In 115 AD, a monument dedicated to the exiled Roman Prince Gaius Julius Antichus Philopappos of Commagene (region in ancient Armenia) was erected on top of the hill. Afterwards, we relaxed with fancy drinks in a "cool" hotel-top restaurant overlooking the Acropolis and later joined up with some tour members for dinner at a local sidewalk café. A great day!