The city of Athens was once the haven of philosophers,politicians and priests. Even to this day, the love of learning and piety is evident in Athens' abundance of museums and churches. There are far more things to see and do in Athens than the famous international monuments, so to make the best out of your vacation time, learn what else there is to do in this time-honored city.
The hauntingly majestic country of Greece
helped to shape our modern world, and well deserves its high position on the
pedestal of greatness next to Egypt
and Rome. The Greek language was
revered for thousands of years, the Greek structure of politics greatly
emulated. Temples that defied time
itself achieved immortal historical importance. The very name of Athens
conjures images of the stark white columns of the Parthenon, and the mystic
mythological grandeur that still cloaks the region.
For those who have decided to take a trip to the city named for the Greek
goddess Athena, the Parthenon is just one destination on the well-rounded
sightseeing journey. Many monuments to Greek ingenuity remain and are visited
by people from all around the world each year.
When did the great country of Greece
begin?
In ancient times, Greece
was not a country but a conglomeration of small city-states. Each state had its
own identity, such as Athens, the
philosophical state, and Sparta,
the state steeped in warfare and training. To this day, names such as Socrates,
Plato and Hippocrates (The Hippocratic Oath is still used by doctors) have
endured into our modern civilization. The term "Spartan" has come to
mean sparse, strict, and relentless. Without Greece's
contributions, many countries would not have the model of civilization that
they possess today. The ancient Greeks believed in engineering huge monuments
to their pantheon of gods, and used such timeless materials that many of their
achievements still stand.
Arrival and orientation
So now you are here. You've gotten your VISA updated, and have gone through
all necessary precautions. The plane has landed at Athens
and you are ready to begin your adventure in the mythical land
of Hercules. What should you see
first? What monuments should you not miss in the precious amount of time you
are allowed here? Will there be time to see it all?
Neighborhoods
Athens is divided into several
different neighborhoods, which can make navigating difficult. It is best to
find a local guide or tour company to point you in the right direction. Once
the mazes of neighborhoods have been carefully mapped out, the following
attractions are some of what you can expect to see.