Athens.... WOW!! What can I say?!? I've fallen in love with the place. Of course I've done the sightseeing (Yeaaaaah, I got to be a tourist for the day!!) but living here is a distinct passion. Novel places to explore, multitudes of different districts to discover, unfamiliar experiences to prevail, new people to meet and exposure to the true city life.
My sightseeing photo's:
The one and the only, Acropolis of Athens! The first thing on my to do list. An experience I'll never forget. It's not just the history in the ancient ruins that blows you away but also the superior views. The Acropolis is part of the European Cultural Heritage, it consists of several ancient buildings that have valuable architectural and historical significance, the Parthenon being the most famous which is shown in the picture below.
The Erechtheion is another popular structure of the Acropolis. On this photo the Porch of the Caryatids or the Porch of the Maidens is visible. Mount Lykavittos is also peaking through in the background.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus is an amphitheatre situated on the outskirts of the Acropolis. Nowadays it's used to host many theatrical and musical events. Various Greek artists have performed here, such as Maria Callas, Nana Mouskouri and Mikis Theodorakis. A few international performers have also entertained the crowds, with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, Sting and Elton John.
One of my favourite photo's. Acropolis by night. The view is astounding, it looks so beautiful lit up by the surrounding lights. I took this picture from a bar in Monastiraki called A for Athens.
This photo was taken from the rooftop of a hotel in Metaxourgeio... A fabulous and breathtaking view by night!! The Acropolis in all it's glory!!
Another place on my to do list was the Temple of Olympian Zeus. I had drove past it too many times to not go and see it, just to admire it's size. Standing beneath the columns looking up at them make you feel so small, in comparison a mouse beside an elephant.
Found only about 700 metres from the centre of Athens (Syndagma), the Arch of Hadrian (or Hadrian's Gate to Greeks) is based just in front of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. I enjoyed a lovely stroll here and sat for about half an hour just staring at it.
The next buildings in my photo group are places I pass on my daily outings, which are based on Panepistimiou Street. These distinguishable buildings are the University, the Academy and the National Library (I don't have photo's of this one).
Any day I'm feeling down and have the need to just get out, I come here. This is the main entrance to the National Gardens. Walking around these serene gardens gives you the essence of being elsewhere, not in the middle of the busy bustling streets of Athens.
Just after visiting the National Gardens, if you exit the park you end up at the Zappeion. This is a huge building which is used these days as a conference and exhibition center in Athens.
Here's the National Archeological Museum of Greece, I haven't actually been inside myself but from what I have researched online it is supposed to be one of the best museums in Europe. I've put it on my list of things to do.
I still enjoy days roaming around the city, looking for places and sights I haven't seen. Athens is a huge city, there's always something new and exciting to discover. This weekend I visited Flisvos Marina and Glyfada by tram, hoping to scout out the beaches.
Flisvos Marina
When you're a tourist in the city you live in you tend to look at places in a different way. This weekend I visited the Temple of Poseidon. It was a lovely sunny and warm day so it was the perfect chance to venture out. It took us a little over an hour to get there from the centre of Athens, but it was definitely worth the drive. Fantastic views from all around and on the journey down. I can say it's not as magnificent as Acropolis and the Parthenon although my photos turned out great.
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