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Athens - City of the Gods
There’s a quaint beauty
in and about Athens that you’ll only find in equally rare, ancient places in
the world. Everything about it reminds you that this amazing city has
withstood centuries of change that it indeed almost literally was the birth
of modern man.
Of Gods And Legends...
If you’re a history buff, seeing the subject of your fantasies looming
before your eyes will surely be a dream come true. The amazing temples
dedicated to the Gods of old, eons ago are still there albeit in ruins. Some
of the churches in the city which were built during the medieval times also
stand on what used to be sacred ground. All these you can find around the
area of Athens known as the Plaka- the oldest, most historic section of the
city.
The name ‘Athens’, used since Pre-Greek times, is traditionally believed to
have been derived from Athena the Goddess of War. It’s only fitting then
that a visit to this city should include a visit of her temples as well as
the ruins of other temples dedicated to the old Greek Gods. The Acropolis
(‘sacred rock’) and its monuments- The Parthenon and the Temple of Athena
Nike (‘Nike’ meaning ‘Victory’ in Greek) to name a few- are among those
dedicated to the city’s patron goddess. However, there are also equally
interesting temples dedicated to the other ancient gods.
One such temple is The Temple of Olympian Zeus or the Olympieion. Once the
largest temple in Greece, it was built in honour of Zeus, king of the Gods.
Its remains are located in the centre of Athens. Most of it has been
destroyed, taken apart over the centuries including for quarrying, but this
huge structure is still an amazing sight.
.... Knick-knacks And Souvenirs...
Besides temple-hunting another way of getting a whiff of the original Athens
is by visiting the rest of Plaka. You can walk about safely on foot as the
roads have been closed to most vehicles, although motorcycles, and
occasionally delivery trucks, are allowed to pass through.
 If you’re looking to shop in that area then you should head for the nearby
Monastiraki Flea Market, with its array of touristy stuff. Souvenirs and
knick-knacks can be found here in abundance, at pretty low prices. If you
want to experience the authentic ‘flea market’, then go on a weekend when
stalls will also be opened up in addition to the shops there.
The Monastiraki is a hub of activity especially on weekends, when it is packed
with locals and tourists alike. It is a delightful way to spend your time,
although you might want to go there before noon to avoid getting stuck in
the crowd.
You could also explore Ermou, where the Tsakalof, one of the most expensive
streets in the world is, besides the eight-storey Eleftheroudakis bookshop-
bookworm heaven!
 ...And
Getting A Tan...
Be prepared, too, as Greece, being a Mediterranean country, is more sultry
than most of its European sisters. If you’re traveling in the summertime
especially, you may want to make sure you have sunscreen and wear loose,
comfortable clothing, besides plan your day trips to avoid getting burnt.
And if you want a break from walking about and want to just soak in the
Mediterranean sun, a quick trip to the beach would be the perfect thing to
do. You could visit any of the free beaches dotting the coastline, or if
you’re into something a little more luxurious, you could go for the organised beaches which offer other entertainment as well, from food to
massages and even extreme activities.
The Grand Beach Lagonissi, Vouliagmeni
Beach and Asteria seaside are among the beaches which offer such facilities.
 And when hungry- fear not, Greek food is so varied that there’s surely
something to suit your palate. Be sure to try as much as you can- Greek food
is renown for being fresh, light and tasty, a unique and completely healthy
meal for the diet-conscious.
Bon Apetit! Or, as they would say in Greece - Kali órexi!
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