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Athens Holidays for Going Greek in Style
Athens has to be seen to be believed
All too often ignored in the rush to get to the Greek Islands, Athens really should be thought of as a destination in itself, either as a city break or as part of a longer trip to Greece. You can now enjoy a state-of-the-art subway system, newly built motorways. Because there are now signs in English everywhere, it’s easy to get around the pleasant streets and pristine parks of Athens. It seems a far cry from the days when it was known mostly for traffic congestion and smog! Of course, people come here for the ancient sites – from the Acropolis to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. With its perfect climate and delightful restaurants, you should make Athens a focal point of your next Greek holiday.
It is only when you view the city from the top of the Acropolis that you really appreciate the sheer scale of Athens. This bustling capital city really has to be seen to be believed and that is true of its attractions too.
In the past, Athens has been viewed as a centre point for arts and philosophy and with it being the home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum it’s easy to see why. Although the city has seen many changes over the years it still retains its original reputation and of course because of its rich history, holidays to Athens have become a favourite for last minute city breaks.
Since the classical era, Athens has quickly developed into a modern business centre for Greece and indeed, the European Union. But what is evident in the city is a real mix of old and new; because here, there are ancient monuments nestled in amongst the modern developments and this is why so many tourists choose to go on holidays to Athens. There are Roman and Byzantine monuments as well as a few Ottoman monuments which really allow tourists an insight into the fascinating history of the city.
As well as being an important city for history and architecture, Athens has also seen huge improvements to its modern amenities in recent years. The Olympic Games were held in Athens in 2004 after the city was the host for the first modern day Olympic Games in 1896.
A mere 108 years after the original games were held, Athens welcomed back the international event and with it, came a sprucing up of the city. Improvements to Athens included a new airport, new roads and a better transport system. The historical sites also received some attention and several of the city’s museums were upgraded. It was a makeover which made the most of what Athens has to offer and transformed the city into a hotspot as more and more people saw the beauty of holidays in Athens.
Think of holidays to Athens and images of the Acropolis and Parthenon are what immediately spring to mind. And while these are truly stunning and not to be missed, there is so much more to Athens holidays than many people think. Once you have managed to absorb the history of the city and appreciate the ancient monuments that are dotted around, it’s time to appreciate the city as a whole. Enjoy the perfect blend of old and new that it has to offer and make the most of the cosmopolitan hustle and bustle while trying to get your head around the mind boggling history.
Attractions in Athens
With a history stretching back 3000 years, it’s no surprise that this city is full to the brim with historical sites but when taking advantage of holidays in Athens it is difficult to know where to begin.
The Acropolis and the Parthenon are an absolute must during holidays to Athens. Many visitors find it difficult to comprehend the history of the Parthenon as its construction began in 447BC. The Parthenon is a temple of Athena the Greek goddess who, it was believed, protected the people of Athens and an entire day can be spent here taking in the history and admiring the beautiful sculptures too.
The most important museum to visit in Athens is the National Archaeological Museum where artefacts spanning over 5000 years can be found. It’s a great way to put some of the rich history of the city into perspective.
Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon is another popular spot for tourists on their holidays in Athens. But there’s something extra special in this attraction because it is also a favourite with locals too. It is perhaps the peace and serenity that you can experience here as well as the beautiful views of the sea and the magnificent sunsets which make this spot a particular favourite.
Athens Weather
For sun worshipers, Athens holidays are a dream because the city enjoys some really long hot summers. Athens is surrounded by mountains and it is this location which contributes to its high temperatures. Temperatures reach a peak in July, often hitting around 30 degrees and they normally only start to fall in October.
Eating in Athens
Finding some traditional Greek food in Athens is no problem as there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. The best way to experience the Greek way of eating is by ordering a meze meal. This consists of a selection of dishes designed to be shared by the whole table. The dishes often include salads, fish, olives, hummus and pita breads.
Transport in Athens
Athens runs an effective metro system as well as an over ground electric railway. To help locals get in and out of the city, there is also a tram system which covers many of the city’s suburbs.
Things not to miss on your Athens holidays
1.Visit the original Olympic Stadium which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
2. Just 30 minutes away from the city centre is the seaport of Athens. Piraeus allows you to temporarily escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre and relax by the sea with some delicious seafood.
3. Athens has a wealth of theatrical stages totalling around 150. This is more than any other city in the world so many visitors decide to catch some theatre while they are on their holidays in Athens.
4. Take advantage of the fabulous shopping in the capital. With a range of department stores, shoppers are spoiled for choice but for the real Athens shopping experience, nothing beats the choice and atmosphere of Monastiraki which is the flea market area.
12/03/10 - Grab a Hotel Deal in Athens - Prices for Today Only!
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Athens has to be seen to be believed