And with his guidance we learned a ton about this wonderful city! Vasilis was pretty incredible :: his personal goal (besides showing us the best sites of the city) was to stay ahead of all the tour buses (OMG there were so many!) so that we could get in and out of every stop quickly and BOY was he successful! We could definitely not have seen as much as we did if we’d opted to take a bus tour… whew!

… and to top it all off, Visilis brought us to a traditional Greek restaurant for a traditional Greek lunch and ended the day relaxing with him with drinks overlooking the harbor. It was a seriously hot day but compared to every incredible thing we did it was hardly noticeable.

Athens is a city that has so much history and because of the many places we visited here I will be giving you a lot of information. I’ll try to include links for you and even teach you a few Greek words.

TIP :: Please be sure to contact Olive Sea Travel on Facebook or Instagram and ask for Vasilis who manages the company. He is the best of the BEST!

It’s unbelievable to think that we covered all of this in One. Day. Here is a map of only SOME of the things we saw in our one-day excursion to Athens ::

The Acropolis

Many people think that the Acropolis is a structure but no, it is an area. The Acropolis means “top of the city” and is actually a rocky hill in the centre of Athens. On its flat top there are three temples: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike with the Porch of Maidens among other ruins. But first there is the Propylaea.

The Propylaea

The building of Propylaea which in Greek means “that which is before the gates” started in the year 437 and served as the entrance to Acropolis. It is made of white and grey marble and is where the treasury was kept. No one unclean was allowed to enter the Acropolis in those days. It stood then as it still does today.

The Parthenon

The Parthenon is regarded as an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece, Athenian democracy and Western civilization. It is one of the world’s greatest cultural monuments. And although the Parthenon is architecturally a temple it is not really one in the conventional sense but is regarded as the finest example of Greek architecture, by some being the most perfect Doric temple ever built.

It was dedicated to the patron saint Athena for one thousand years after which it changed hands between the Turks and Venetians due to wars, converted to a Christian church and then a mosque. Finally the government took it over and began a restoration project.

The Erechtheion

The Erechtheion is yet another ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis which was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. Its name is derived from a shrine dedicated to the Greek hero King Erichthonius, a legendary early ruler of ancient Athens.

On the south side of Erechtheion you will find the famous ::

Temple of Athena Nike

Dedicated to the goddess Athena Nike which in Greek means “victory.” The citizens worshipped the goddess in hopes of a successful outcome in the long Peloponnesian War fought against the Spartans and their allies.

Built around 420 BC the temple is the earliest fully ionic temple on Acropolis. It is a tetrastyle which means “four column” structure with a colonnaded portico at both front and rear facades in amphiprostyle designed by the architect Kallikrates. You didn’t realize you would get a lesson in architecture, did you? Surprise, surprise!

Architects excavated the temple in the 1830s and it was re-erected from remaining parts in 1836. A third reconstruction was done very recently in 2010. The main structure and columns are largely intact, minus the roof. Fragments of the sculpted frieze are exhibited in the Acropolis Museum ::

Porch of the Maidens

The famous Porch of Maidens at the Temple of Athena Nike consists of six sculpted draped female figures called “caryatids” used as supporting columns. The word comes from the Spartan city of Caryae where young women did a ring dance around an open-air statue of the goddess Artemis. Antiquity’s most famous caryatids are these six in Acropolis.

The Ancient Agora

The Ancient Agora was originally used as a commercial, assembly or residential gathering place. The most famous structures in the Ancient Agora is the Temple of Hephaestus, the Stoa of Attalos which houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora, the Library of Pantainos and the Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles ::

Temple of Hephaestus

Hephaestus was the patron god of metal working, craftsmanship and fire. There were numerous potters’ workshops and metal-working shops in the vicinity of the temple and that’s how it got its name. Built mostly of marble the temple housed the bronze statues of Athena and Hephaestus.

From the 7th century until 1834 the Temple of Hephaestus served as the Greek Orthodox church of Saint George Akamates. According to Wikipedia “the last Divine Liturgy in the temple took place on February 21, 1833, during the celebrations for the arrival of Otto in Greece. In the presence of the Athenians and of many others the bishop Talantiu Neofitos gave a speech.”

It is amazing to me how well this structure has held up over the years!

Stoa of Attalos

Stoa (“covered walkway or portico”) Attalos was built by and named after King Attalos II of Pergamon, identified as a gift to the city of Athens for the education that he received there. The ceremony of the signing of the 2003 Treaty of Accession of 10 countries (Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia,and Slovenia ) to the European Union was conducted in the Stoa of Attalos on April 16, 2003.

The Stoa of Attalos houses the Museum of the Ancient Agora whose exhibits are mostly connected with the Athenian democracy.

Library of Pantainos

Built around the same time as the Library of Celsus (135 CE) in Ephesus and the Library of Hadrian (132 CE), the design of the Library of Pantainos was different in that it is said to have been built from a converted house. It was also more than just a library :: the west and north wings were a series of rooms that were used for other purposes other than storing books, stoas the revenue of which it is said may have contributed to the maintenance of the library itself.

Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles

Dated back to the 10th century the Church of the Holy Apostles is located next to the Stoa of Attalos. It is significant in that it is the only monument in the Agora besides the Temple of Hephaestus that survived wholly intact since its foundation.

The Ancient Agora is the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora, located to the northwest of the Acropolis and bounded on the south by the hill of the Areopagus.

Areopagus

Before the 5th century BC), the Areopagus which means “rock” was the council of elders of the city. It was from this location that the Apostle Paul is said to have delivered the famous speech, “Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.” (Areopagus sermon, Acts 17:24)

It was pretty surreal for us to be standing in this place. If you look closely you will see Roydio standing on the top of the Areopagus where the Apostle Paul once stood. Gave me goosebumps.

As we walked through the Ancient Agora there were many ruins that were uncovered and not yet reconstructed. How fun would it be to put the puzzle pieces together? Well, fun for me at least. I think I must have missed my calling in life…

Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum is focused on the archaeological findings of the Acropolis. It exhibits nearly 4,000 objects in over 14,000 square meters of floor space.

Ruins below the Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum lies over the ruins of a part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens. According to Wikipedia, “Excavation has revealed two layers of modest, private roadside houses and workshops, one from the early Byzantine era and another from the classical era.”

The Parthenon Gallery

On display on the 3rd floor of the Acropolis Museum you will find the Parthenon Gallery where the story of the Panathenaic Procession is on display in direct correlation of where they would have fit together using original blocks of the frieze and cast copies of the pieces that are currently in the British Museum and the Louvre.

It is a pretty impressive display. As you walk through the gallery it’s as if you are actually walking inside the Parthenon itself.

National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum houses some of the most important artifacts from a variety of archaeological locations around Greece. It is considered one of the greatest museums in the world and contains the richest collection of artifacts from Greek antiquity worldwide.

Location :: It is situated in central Athens between Epirus Street, Bouboulinas Street and Tositsas Street while its entrance is on the Patission Street.

Temple of Olympian Zeus – Archaeological Site of Olympieion

Foundations of the Temple of Olympian Zeus were laid on the site of an ancient outdoor sanctuary dedicated to Zeus upon which an earlier temple had previously stood. After destruction 15 columns remain standing today and a 16th column lies on the ground where it fell during a storm in 1852.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone theatre structure built in 161 AD by an Athenian magnate of the same name in dedication to his wife and reconstructed in 1950.

The Odeon has been the venue for many important performances over the years. In 1957 Maria Callas performed at the Odeon as part of the Athens Festival. In May 1962 Frank Sinatra gave two Benefit concerts for the city of Athens. It was the venue for the Miss Universe 1973 pageant. Luciano Pavarotti performed at the Odeon twice, in 1991 and in 2004. The venue hosted Yanni‘s Live at the Acropolis performance in September 1993. Sting performed at the venue during his Mercury Falling Tour on May 17, 1996. Elton John performed two concerts at the venue during his Medusa Tour in 2000. In September 2010, tenor Andrea Bocelli held a concert at the Odeon to raise funds for cancer research. Other important artists who performed at the Odeon include :: Bolshoi Ballets, Diana Ross, Liza Minelli, Jethro Tull and the Foo Fighters.

Panathenaic Stadum

One of the main historic attractions of Athens the Panathenaic Stadium is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble. Originally built in a natural ravine between the two hills of Agra and Ardettoson and the site of a racecourse, it was used primarily for the Panathenaic Games with a capacity of 50,000 seats.

After being refurbished, it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896 and then again in 2004.

Arch of Hadrian

More commonly known as Hadrian’s Gate it is made of Pentelic marble, from Mt. Pentelikon and it is said that the arch was built to celebrate the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and to honor him for his many contributions to Athens.

Constitution “Syntagma” Square

Syntagma Square is the central square in Athens and the most important square of modern Athens from both a historical and social point of view, at the heart of commercial activity and Greek politics.

National Library

The National Library has 4,500 Greek manuscripts including many decrees issued by Byzantine Emporers and archives of the Greek Revolution as well as a Gospel Book attributed to the scribe Matthew and the first publication of Homer‘s epics and hymns.

Academy of Athens

The Academy of Athens’ main building is one of the major landmarks of Athens and the highest research establishment in the country. It has operated under the supervision of the Ministry of Education since 1926.

University of Athens

The University of Athens is the oldest higher education institution of the modern Greek state and the first contemporary university in the Eastern Mediterranean. Today it is one of the largest universities by enrollment in Europe with over 100,000 registered students.

Hellenic Parliament

The Parliament is the supreme democratic institution that represents the citizens through an elected body of Members of Parliament (MPs) the 300 members of which are elected for a four-year term.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A war memorial in Constitution Square this monument was dedicated to Greek soldiers killed during war and guarded by the Presidential Guard of which the changing of the guards still occurs every week. The Grand Change takes place at 11 am on Sunday mornings and involves the whole Guard with its officers and a military band all marching from the Guard Barracks to the Tomb for the Change and back. The Grand Change is a popular Sunday morning spectacle for Athenians and tourists alike.

Sotira Lykodimou Russian Orthodox Church

Also called St. Nicodemos this church built in the 11th century and now the Russian Orthodox Cathedral is the only Byzantine church with an octagonal plan. It used to incorporate a monastery before it was abandoned after destruction in 1701. A bell tower was added in the nineteenth century.

Kolonaki

Kolonaki which means “little column” is a wealthy and upscale neighborhood in central Athens, one of the capital’s leading shopping areas. In Kolonaki you will find a number of high-end boutiques from casual fashion to prestigious haute couture from Greek and international designers. One of its main shopping streets, Voukourestiou Street, is now known for its jewelry.

Fagopotio

This quaint and unassuming Greek restaurant is where Vasilis brought us to enjoy some delicious traditional food. The food was truly delicious and I loved the ambiance and typical Greek decorations.

Mount Lycabettus

Mount Lycabettus is made of limestone and can be reached by the Lycabettus Funicular, a funicular railway which climbs the hill from Kolonaki but of course we got here with Vasilis.

And what a great view of Athens and the Acropolis. I can see why it is a popular tourist destination. Vasilis brought us here to have drinks and to just relax and enjoy the view. What an amazing way to end the day.

Location map ::

Dromeas

On our way back to the ship we saw this amazing glass sculpture called “The Runner.” It is made of thousands of individual pieces of sharp, jagged glass pieces stacked atop each other to take the blurred shape of a runner in motion. It was fun to see a modern sculpture in the midst of this city filled with ruins but I would be afraid to get near it. OUCH!

Location :: Pl. Megalis tou Genous Scholis, Athens

I guess I should include a picture of our amazing tour guide Vasilis Vlahos :: please be sure to contact him if you are planning a trip to Athens. You won’t regret it!

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Ruins, ruins everywhere and the archaeological finds in this amazing city are truly in abundance! If you’re a history buff this city will overwhelm you. I couldn’t wait to learn more about this fascinating city and when I had access to my computer I spent hours and hours reviewing all of the things I’d seen to learn more in-depth information about each and every single one. OMG it really was overwhelming.

BTW I have to mention that when we got home our tour guide Vasilis friended me on Facebook! I found out he ran in the Athens Marathon. The Authentic. the next year! Anyway, he checked out Every One of the pictures I posted of our trip to Athens (and there were a LOT) and was kind enough to tag those that I had forgotten the names of! Now, THAT is customer service! Make sure you look him up at Olive Sea Travel and book him if you go! You. Will. Not. Be. Disappointed!

Well, after the amazing time we had I just knew it would happen :: Athens, you Stole My Heart! And I look forward to the day that we meet again!

Oh, and you’re welcome for the history, archeology and language lessons! It was fun researching everything so that I could pass it on to you!

The post Athens :: You “Ruined” It For All the Others! appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

Its history is so compelling when you realize that during the age of pirates the houses made of vernacular stone remained colorless for them to easily blend with the landscapes as a strategy against the pirate raids in the Aegean. And they were built in a maze-like pattern to confuse the pirates, giving the locals more time to escape. But oh what a beautiful place to get lost in.

The white paint also helps keep the houses cooler in the scorching heat. In the 60’s and 70’s a military government ordered everyone to paint their houses only the colors of the Greek flag. This rule also helped bring Greece into the limelight attracting tourists from all over the world. What a picturesque place – Greece is now known for the white houses constructed in an attractive maze along their hillsides. Read more about Greece here.

Here are 8 of my favorite things about my visit to Mykonos ::

8. Seaside bars

One of the things that make Mykonos so charming is all the little bars located in places you don’t expect. Tables outside along a white (of course) building seems unlikely to be one but this is Kastro Bar. I found it among several charming hangouts in Mykonos town. Love all the views!

7. Old Harbor Fishing boats

I loved hanging out in the harbor and watching the fishing boats come in and going out. All of the restaurants in Mykonos serve the freshest of fish these local fisherman bring in daily. The boats themselves are so colorful and make a beautiful contrast to the mostly white background of Mykonos town.

They also offer fishing expeditions and tours for those who love to fish.

6. The Churches

There are a total of between 600 and 800 churches, monasteries and chapels in Mykonos which adds up to be about one church or chapel per local family! Mykonian custom is to place the bones of dead family members in a shrine in the church. This is still practiced in modern times across the island. Perhaps this is one of the main reasons there are so many churches in Mykonos.

I visited four of these adorable churches in town or “Chora” (pronounced hora). Each is white of course but each is unique in its own way. 

Agios Charalambos

You will find Agios Charalambos just behind the windmills in the Chora sitting above the waterfront with a lovely view of the ocean and the surrounding hills.

Agia Kyriaki

Agia Kyriaki which still holds regular services throughout the year is located in the square of the same name where you will also find the public library. This large church with its tall, white walls stands out among the little shops that line the charming square.

Agios Nikolakis

One of the most picturesque churches in Mykonos Agios Nikolakis is a small antique building perched on cobbles near the port and features a beautiful blue dome.

Panagia Paraportiani

Panagia Paraportiani means “Virgin Mary standing next to the entrance door” or otherwise known as The Church of our Lady. You will find this adorable church with a little bell at the top right next to the side entrance of Castle Panigirakis in the Kastro neighborhood. Its interesting architecture and history makes this one of the most photographed churches, it is said, not just in Greece but in the world.

The really unique thing about this church is that it actually consists of five small churches that were built one on top or next to the other. The church of Agios Efstathios is the center of this complex, surrounded by the churches of Agios Anargyros, Agios Sozon and Agia Anastasia. On top of these four churches, there is the church of the Virgin Mary, which looks like a dome.

The five churches were built gradually at different times over centuries. The oldest church is Agios Anargyros which was built in the late 14th century. The other churches were built in the 16th and 17th centuries with renovations till 1920.

5. Seaside restaurant Kavos

Restaurant Kavos is set in a perfect location next to the ocean. Shielded from the winds which occur daily in Mykonos you can have a leisurely meal here and pick your own fresh fish from their fish bar. Comfortable and charming. The wait staff as throughout Europe really are not in a hurry to serve you or to give you the check so don’t be in a rush. Take your time and do as the Greek do :: relax and go with the flow. Greek time is different from what we Westerners consider for time so anyone in a hurry here is going to be frustrated by the slower pace. Five minutes might mean 15 minutes. Just allow more time for your meal, soak in the atmosphere. You will be so glad you slowed down enough to truly enjoy being in Greece!

Tip :: Gyro. I know the pronunciation has been debated. But this is what I learned :: It’s not a “hard G,” it’s not a “hero,” it’s pronounced YEE-roh and don’t forget the rolling R!

4. Little Venice

Little Venice built in the mid-18th century consists of rows of fishing houses along the waterfront, some having been converted into bars and cafes and shops, and yet another of the most popular places in Mykonos to be photographed. Originally built for rich merchants and captains the bottom floor offered direct access to the sea. The legend is that the owners were secretly pirates. 

Many artists come here to paint the picturesque coastline. Best time to visit is 9-10am to have breakfast in some of the local bakeries. Or you can come down between 5 and 7pm to enjoy a stroll through this unique spot, have a cocktail and watch the sunset in what many people consider to be one of the most romantic spots on the island.

3. Castle Panigirakis

The Castle of Panigirakis was built on the foundation of the love between Marcos Panigirakis and his wife Ismini in the 18th century, surrounded by 7.5 acres of gardens and stone walls overlooking the Aegean Sea. This historic property is protected by the Ministry of the Environment as a ‘Preservable Monument of the Pre-Industrial Period.’

Today it serves as a hotel with 5 stars across the board. With breathtaking panoramas, lavish interior and exclusive accommodation :: an oasis of tranquility and indulgence. It is also a popular spot for weddings and spectacular events. 

Rooms at the castle go for anywhere between $178 to $359 USD per nite but you would be hard-pressed to get a reservation as it is booked well in advance.

Location :: Axioti 310, Mikonos 846 00

2. Kato Mili Windmills

Located next to Little Venice, the conical white windmills capped with wood and straw, the 3-story windmills are iconic to Greece and in Mykonos there are actually 16 of them on the island but in the most famous are the five overlooking the harbor. Built in the 16th century they were primarily used to mill wheat and mostly by wealthy families. Most of the windmills face towards the north where they have the strongest winds.

Some of the windmills in Mykonos have been refurbished and restored to serve as homes and some as vaults for Mykonos’ heritage documents.

Tip :: be prepared for a little wind! Mykonos is known for its windy skies all year long and probably the reason for the windmills in the first place. But if you aren’t prepared it may just catch you off guard and sweep you off your feet!

1. The Views

The views are absolutely breathtaking. From where the windmills are to the castle to Little Venice… you have an amazing vantage point from wherever you are in Mykonos.

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What a beautiful island! We were not expecting to enjoy it here as much as we did. Quaint little beaches and shops and streets and houses in this adorable Greek town on the island of Mykonos :: it is really beautiful here! We walked all around the town, through the narrow, winding streets and alleys, all the way up to the windmills and back around to the shore. The views were incredible, waters beautiful, little white houses on the hills picturesque… I can see us coming back this way again one day!

The post Mykonos :: 8 Things That Will Bring You Back appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.