Athens Day Tour & Restaurant Lunch

21 Nov Athens Day Tour & Restaurant Lunch

Free pick up / drop off hotel service!!

Duration: 10 hours 

Tour Description

Welcome to Greece, the land of gods and goddesses!! Athens, its enchanting capital, is the city with the most glorious history in the world; a city worshipped by gods and people.

Athens has always been a birthplace for civilization. It is the city where democracy was born, as well as most of the wise men of the ancient times. The most important civilization of the ancient world, flourished in Athens and, relives, through some of the world’s most formidable edifices.

Drive to Panathinaikon Stadium, cradle of the first, modern Olympics in 1896 (short stop). Pass by the Prime’s Ministers residence (Ex Royal Palace), the National Garden, the House of Parliament and the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones with the traditional Greek uniform.

Continue, passing by the Hadrian’s Arc, St. Paul’s Church, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Schlieman’s House (Numismatic Museum), the Catholic Cathedral, the Academy, the University, the National Library, the Old Parliament, the Constitution Square, the Russian Orthodox Church.

Further, visit the Acropolis hill of Athens, to admire the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and, finally «the harmony between material and spirit», the monument that «puts order in the mind», the Parthenon.

The Parthenon, dedicated to goddess Athena, is one of the greatest architectural wonders of the world, demonstrating the advanced state of ancient Greek culture. Coming down from the Acropolis Hill, take a visit to the New Acropolis Museum, hosting artefacts from the Golden Age of Athens.

Lunch in local restaurant and, continue by driving along the coastal road, by the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza (the so called “Attica Riviera zone”), towards Cape Sounion; a promontory, located at the southernmost tip of Attica peninsula.

According to the legend, Cape Sounion is the spot where Aegeus, king of Athens, leapt to his death off the cliff, thus giving his name to the Aegean Sea. The story goes that Aegeus, anxiously looking out from Sounion, despaired when he saw a black sail on his son Theseus’ ship, returning from Crete. This led him to believe that his son had been killed in his contest with the dreaded Minotaur in Crete.

In Cape Sounio, visit also the temple of Poseidon; the Greek god of the sea, who, in a maritime country like Greece, was bound to occupy a high position in the divine hierarchy (in power, Poseidon was considered second only to Zeus).

Poseidon’s temple at Cape Sounion, was a venue where mariners and, also, entire cities or states, could propitiate Poseidon, by making animal sacrifice, or leaving gifts. Upon finishing the visit, drive back to the hotel, in Athens.

§§ Tour price: 88 € per adult / 63 € per child (up to 12 years old)

## Operating time: Departure at 08:30 – Return at 18:30

## Operating summer schedule only: Daily (01 Apr. – 31 Oct. 2023)