SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
Walking Around Athens
I think one of the defining moments of my 2022 Greece trip
was visiting the Acropolis and its Museum, and seeing the Parthenon.
The Acropolis Museum was one of the most beautiful and impressive museums I’ve ever been to. The building itself and the displays were beautiful but just viewing archaeological findings from the Acropolis was just unbelievable.
We did a walking guided tour of the Museum and the Acropolis with Dorina, she was so knowledgeable and friendly which made a huge difference in our experience. Dorina told us in depth about the history of the Acropolis and Athens, and we also got to hear about Ancient Greek myths and figures. I’ve always been a big fan of Ancient Greek mythology, so it was so interesting to hear about it incorporated with archaeological findings. There was so much to learn!
There was a section in the Museum (the Archaic Acropolis Gallery) where you aren’t allowed to take any photos but I don’t think photos would have given it any justice. That particular morning, I remember the sun brightly shining into a wide room with high-ceilings, grey pillars and a bounty of different sculptural dedications made from marble covering the area. It was spacious and airy, and the gallery was immersive in a sense that all of these statues seemed simultaneously and ironically alive but frozen. It was truly a special experience walking through.
The Acropolis Museum was one of the most beautiful and impressive museums I’ve ever been to. The building itself and the displays were beautiful but just viewing archaeological findings from the Acropolis was just unbelievable.
We did a walking guided tour of the Museum and the Acropolis with Dorina, she was so knowledgeable and friendly which made a huge difference in our experience. Dorina told us in depth about the history of the Acropolis and Athens, and we also got to hear about Ancient Greek myths and figures. I’ve always been a big fan of Ancient Greek mythology, so it was so interesting to hear about it incorporated with archaeological findings. There was so much to learn!
There was a section in the Museum (the Archaic Acropolis Gallery) where you aren’t allowed to take any photos but I don’t think photos would have given it any justice. That particular morning, I remember the sun brightly shining into a wide room with high-ceilings, grey pillars and a bounty of different sculptural dedications made from marble covering the area. It was spacious and airy, and the gallery was immersive in a sense that all of these statues seemed simultaneously and ironically alive but frozen. It was truly a special experience walking through.
Walking around Plaka
After the Acropolis, we met up with another guide, Katerina, who took us around the Plaka district in Athens for a walking tour. Plaka is a wonderful neighbourhood just next to the Acropolis. Katerina was exuburant and funny, and she took us around the neighbourhood, taught us Greek at a taberna where we stopped by for a late lunch, shared gossip with us about the people who live in the area and brought us to her friends’ shops in the area.
After the Acropolis, we met up with another guide, Katerina, who took us around the Plaka district in Athens for a walking tour. Plaka is a wonderful neighbourhood just next to the Acropolis. Katerina was exuburant and funny, and she took us around the neighbourhood, taught us Greek at a taberna where we stopped by for a late lunch, shared gossip with us about the people who live in the area and brought us to her friends’ shops in the area.
Walking around Athens
Places of interest:
Places of interest:
- Monastiraki
- Syntagma Square
- The Naxos Apothecary, it has its basis in homeopathic remedies and offers natural fragrance and personal care. I wanted to buy everything and have tea upstairs but we were running late to lunch. The flagship store in Athens was just so lovely!
- Politeia Bookstore
Day-trip from Athens
Whilst in Athens, we also managed to make it out to Corinth, Epidaurus and Napflio for a day-trip. Our tour guide’s name was also Katerina!
Taking us around the Archaeological Site of the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus, Katerina showed us the Ancient Theatre, which is considered to be the best preserved ancient theatre, and demonstrated its perfectly intact acoustics. The Sanctuary is dedicated to Asclepius, the Ancient Greek God of Medicine, who carried a serpent-entwined staff which has since been adopted as a symbol of medicine and healthcare. The Sanctuary was famously known as an ideal healing place where treating ailments was holistically approached. Treatments aligned physical and mental health, and included medicine, baths, power from the Gods, the arts (hence the theatre) amongst other treatments all administered amongst beautiful and mild natural landscapes.
Whilst in Athens, we also managed to make it out to Corinth, Epidaurus and Napflio for a day-trip. Our tour guide’s name was also Katerina!
Taking us around the Archaeological Site of the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus, Katerina showed us the Ancient Theatre, which is considered to be the best preserved ancient theatre, and demonstrated its perfectly intact acoustics. The Sanctuary is dedicated to Asclepius, the Ancient Greek God of Medicine, who carried a serpent-entwined staff which has since been adopted as a symbol of medicine and healthcare. The Sanctuary was famously known as an ideal healing place where treating ailments was holistically approached. Treatments aligned physical and mental health, and included medicine, baths, power from the Gods, the arts (hence the theatre) amongst other treatments all administered amongst beautiful and mild natural landscapes.
Nafplio
Nafplio is a beautiful coastal town and the perfect place to walk around slowly. We had lunch at a cute taberna outdoors, visited the local bookshop, and said hi to the town’s dogs and cats.
Nafplio is a beautiful coastal town and the perfect place to walk around slowly. We had lunch at a cute taberna outdoors, visited the local bookshop, and said hi to the town’s dogs and cats.
NB:
- A big shout out to our tour guides, the two Katerinas and Dorina, plus our driver Dionisis who honestly made the whole trip easy and fascinating with their generosity, knowledge and hospitality.
- Also, thank you Shiraki for providing really good Japanese food in Athens, you saved us when we were in need!!
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