As fall sets in, the colours become bright and vibrant, the weather seems to suddenly take a turn for the better (we had a horrible summer), and it reminds me of lazy summer days. Which is why I think Athens is the perfect choice for a featured destination!
The weather always seems to be beautiful in Athens, with nothing but sunshine and and the occasional breeze off the Mediterranean Sea.
Athens is a remarkable city, and one of the oldest on the planet. It was once the major power of the known world, and much of modern Western civilization was built upon its principles and social graces.
Over the millenia, Athens has continued to grow, evolve and expand to a burgeoning metropolis of more than 3 million people.
Athens For Miles
Although the city is huge and expansive, you would never know it by walking and touring around. There are always people milling about, and with so many outdoor cafes, charming streets, and public squares, it's easy to think of yourself as being in a small community.
Changing of The Guard: Constitution Square
Of course one of the most important reasons for visiting Athens is the architecture and history of the city. After all, this is one of the places where civilization as we know it started. There are many interesting sites to visit.
The Acropolis is arguably one of the most visited sites in the world. It can get very busy throughout the day, but I assure you it is worth it. This site has some of the best kept ancient buildings in all of Greece. And the government has been working continuously to restore much of the damage.
The Acropolis
Another great site to visit is the Ancient Agora and the Roman Agora, which are located next to each other. They are in an area of the city called Monastiraki, and the local metro has a stop right there. Make sure to tour the whole area of Monastiraki, as there are literally dozens of great restaurants and lots of shopping for the ladies. (Remember to barter with the shop keepers while shopping.)
Ruins in Monastiraki
Other great sites to see are The Temple of Olympian Zeus, The Archeological Museum, and more. Infact, there are so many museums that it would be difficult to see them all in only one week.
The people in Athens tend to be very friendly, and most of them speak a fair amount of English, especially in the more tourist areas. Though they often seem to look at Americans (or Amerikani, as they say) with a certain amount of amusement. They really don't seem to want to make the distinction between Canadians or Americans though. If you are from North America, you will be considered "Amerikani".
The Greek have a much different way of life than we do in Canada and the US. Their culture is very much driven by family. Greeks tend to live at home with their parents until they marry, and family is the most important aspect of their lives. While the Greeks work hard, work seems to be more of an afterthought to many of them. Simply a means of maintaining their lifestyle, rather than an important area of focus. Upon talking to many of the locals, they seem to have a more positive outlook on life and enjoy themselves more frequently than we do.
It is true that the city looks old. The WHOLE city looks that way. But the insides of buildings are well maintained and it's part of Athens' charm. I especially recommend going to the bar on top of the Intercontinental Hotel at night to get a great view of the city. It's truly spectacular.
A trip to Europe is simply not complete until one visits Athens. I think after you've been there, you tend to look at life a bit differently. I know it made me re-examine what is truly important in life.
Happy Travels.
No comments:
Post a Comment