The Amazing Theatre of Epidaurus

Those who are deeply interested in the arts must go and see Epidaurus, the most famous theatre in ancient Greece.  Whether you grew up with a strong arts appreciation or you are only a casual consumer, I would recommend you take the Epidaurus Tour from Athens Greece by way of Mycenae, which was once described as a “city rich in gold.” This is also where the Golden Mask of Agamemnon was unearthed.  The tour will take you through the Lion Gate and up to Agamemnon’s Royal Palace in Mycenae.

You will begin your trip by driving along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf, passing by the well-known Corinth Canal.    Then you will continue on until you reach Mycenae, where you will receive a guided tour of the ruins which mark the destruction of the city. Mycenae is the most important archaeological site on the mainland and is located in the northeastern Peloponnese.  It was once one of the major centers of Greek civilization and a military stronghold that covered much of the southeastern part of Greece.  

Mycenae - Epidaurus Tour from Athens Greece

Mycenae - Epidaurus Tour from Athens Greece

 During the afternoon you will visit Epidaurus, which is a favorite stopping point on the trip.  This theatre is known for its incredible acoustics and its symmetry and beauty.  In the theatre, it is said that you can hear unamplified spoken word no matter where in the 15,000 seats you sit.  This is a testament to the sophistication of Greek technical knowledge which was way before its time.  Take this tour and you will embark on a journey through history that is unlike any other.  The historical and archaeological insights you will take away from this trip are priceless, and in my book this does a wonderful job of sharing a piece of history with us.

More on this tour can be found at www.AthensTours.net

Posted under Athens Tours, European Tours, Greece Tours, Sightseeing, Things To Do, Transportation, Travel

Cruise from Athens to Hydra, Poros & Aegina

For a day of island hopping, book a place on the Hydra, Poros & Aegina Cruise Departing from Athens, Greece where you will travel to three drastically different Greek islands. This is a worthwhile trip for those who want to get a taste of island life without booking accommodation on each island.

Hydra, one of the Saronic Islands in Greece, is located between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Motor vehicles are not allowed on the island except for the garbage trucks, so tourists and locals travel by foot, horse, donkey, and water taxi. On this tour you will see the island on foot as you enjoy some free time to look through the shops, take a swim, or just explore the town, known simply as Hydra port. It is made up of a crescent-shaped harbor surrounded by commercial establishments like restaurants, galleries, markets, and shops. You will notice that a large number of the visitors in the area are from Athens.

Next up on the tour is a short trip to the island of Poros, which is a small Greek island-pair in the southern portion of the Saronic Gulf. It is located about 32 miles south of Piraeus and its surface area is only about 12 miles. The two islands that make up Poros are Sphairia to the south and Kalaureia to the north. Poros is an area with rich vegetation and a mountainous landscape, and it is a popular resort for short vacations.

Finally, before heading back to Athens you will reach Aegina, where you can opt to take an excursion to the Temple of Aphaia for an extra cost or you can make your way to the main town. This is the largest of the Saronic Islands and is the closest to Attica. It is also a popular summer resort spot and a second home to many Athenians.

The total time allotted for the tour is 10 hours, and it is well worth it. You will enjoy getting a feel for the differences between each island and getting to wander around town and see how the locals live.  Visit www.athenstours.net for more information on this and other tours and activities.

Posted under Greece Tours, Sightseeing, Things To Do, Transportation, Travel

Greece, Past and Present

The historically influential country of Greece has a lot to offer in the way of culture, architecture, and landscape.  Greece has given birth to many a philosopher, explorer, and athlete, and it is no surprise that the first modern Olympics were held there.  If you choose Greece as your next vacation destination, you will be in for a true adventure that takes you through the colorful history of its most well-known cities as well as some you might not have known about before. 

No trip to Greece would be complete without a stop in Athens, Greece’s capital city.  As one of the world’s oldest cities, Athens holds a history of around 3400 years, and that is just the history that has been recorded.  In the past, Athens stood as an influential city-state and center for learning.  Education, philosophy, and the arts were strongly emphasized, as the city housed Aristotle’s Lyceum and Plato’s Academy.  There are many other significant figures who hailed from Athens, including Socrates, Sophocles, and Pericles.  In addition to its heavily philosophical background, it is also considered to be the birthplace of democracy.

The Athens by Night Bus Tour is a fantastic way to get yourself better oriented to the city, and seeing Athens at night is something not to be missed.  The architecture tells you a powerful story as you make your way by bus through the illuminated streets and take in a view of the Piraeus and Zea ports, which play an important role in Greece’s shipping industry.  The trip continues with a journey down the coastline for some more amazing views of the area. 

Upon your return to Athens, you will stop in the Plaka district, which is the oldest part of the city.  This section is easy to navigate on foot, as it is closed to cars and other automobiles.  This is a great opportunity for those who have grown so accustomed to the busy and congested streets that they do not often get a chance to walk around and explore in peace.

If you have seen Athens and are ready for your next adventure, check out the Delphi Full Day Tour.  It leaves from Athens, so you will not have far to go if you are staying in the city.  The archeological site of Delphi is a must-see, as it is the site of the most important oracle in the classical Greek realm - the Delphic oracle.  It is also the major worship site of Apollo and was the location of the Pythian Games - the predecessor of the modern-day Olympic Games.

With any option that you choose, you will have access to a knowledgeable tour guide who is ready to help you get your bearings and get the most out of your tour.  There is a lot to see in Greece, and you will be happy that you have someone there to break it all down for you and show you the most important highlights.   

Before you venture out to the great country of Greece, take a look at www.toursingreece.net for some great ideas for how to optimize your time in this beautiful area.

Posted under Delphi Tours, Greece Tours, Night Tours, Sightseeing, Things To Do, Transportation, Travel

Tours of Ancient Corinth

Corinth, a city whose wealth once rivaled that of Athens and Thebes, started to be destroyed by the Turkish forces during the Greek War of Independence from 1821-1830.  In 1858, Ancient Corinth was totally destroyed by an earthquake and the new city was founded on the coast of the Gulf of Corinth.  It is now the second largest city in the periphery of Peloponnese behind Kalamata.

For a look back at the ancient city, take the Ancient Corinth Tour Departing from Athens, Greece.  The tour travels west along the coast before reaching the Corinth Canal, which carries ship traffic between the western Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea.  Here you will pause and take in the sights before taking a short drive to the ancient town of Corinth where you will check out the remains of Apollo’s Temple and the Agora, or marketplace, which served as an open assembly place for the Greek city-states. 

Ancient Corinth was the home of St. Paul the Apostle for two years, and while he was there he wrote the 1st and 2ndThessalonians.  Corinth is mentioned numerous times in the Bible and it is interesting to see exactly where some well-known biblical passages were originally recorded.  After a stop in Ancient Corinth, you will stop briefly at the ancient port of Kechreai, which is mentioned in the books of Acts and Romans.

This tour is a necessity for history buffs and those interested in religion and spirituality.  It is also a great opportunity for a relaxing day of sightseeing and picture-taking.  Lasting 5 hours, this tour will take you back to Athens in time to grab your own lunch and get on with the rest of your day.

Posted under Greece Tours, Sightseeing, Things To Do, Transportation, Travel