Athens

Excursion: Best Of Athens
Make the most of your time with a comprehensive full-day tour that takes in the city's major sights, from the Parthenon to the Plaka. WHAT YOU VISIT Acropolis - The Acropolis dominates the Athenian landscape. Your guided walking tour begins with a walk up steep steps through the Propylea, which extends 150-feet across the western face of the Acropolis. Adjacent to the entrance stands the Temple of Athena Nike (or Wingless Victory). Beyond the Propylea, on the highest point of the Acropolis, stands the Parthenon. Dedicated to the Virgin Athena, the white pentelic marble temple was built 447-437 BC. Beyond the Parthenon lies the Erectheion, a temple honoring Athena and the sea god Poseidon. The graceful Porch of the Caryatids features columns of marble maidens supporting the roof of the temple. Agora - Once the sprawling market and public meeting center of Athens, the Agora is situated at the base of the Acropolis. As your guide takes you on a walking tour of the vast ancient ruins you can almost picture Socrates and Plato teaching, Pericles and the rest of the Politicians debating amongst the merchants and bustling crowds. Remains of temples, statues, columns and friezes surround you as you learn of the social patterns of ancient Athens. Thisson Temple - Perched high on a hill the temple creates an impressive scene as it overlooks the once thriving Agora below. The virtually perfectly preserved Doric Temple was dedicated to the Gods Hephaetus and Athena and was later converted to a Christian Chapel and remained so until only 150 years ago. Stoa of Attalos Museum - This small museum houses many of the artifacts from the Agora such as vases, coins, sculptures and statues. Interestingly the Stoa began as a marble colonnaded arcade built by Attalos II King of Pergamon and was reconstructed by the American Archaeological Society in the 1950's. PHOTO OPPORTUNITY Olympic Stadium - The marble stadium was built to host the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. SHOPPING Plaka - Enjoy approximately an hour of free time in Athens' famous shopping district. The cobbled pedestrian lanes are lined with shops, boutiques, souvenir stands, jewelry stores and flea market stalls offering a wide variety of items. LUNCH Enjoy a delicious lunch with wine during your excursion. WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY Board your motorcoach for the approximately 30 to 40-minute drive to the heart of Athens. Your narrated drive passes a host of major sites, including Hadrian's Arch, the statue of Lord Byron, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square, the former Royal Palace, the National Gardens, the Academy and the University Library.