| SS-06 Cultural Tour Of Athens |
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Duration: 4 ½ hours
Your tour today is an introduction to the splendour of the Golden Age of Athens as well as the modern city, host of the 2004 Olympic Games. You will visit the Acropolis where the Parthenon is built, symbol of classical architecture. The entrance to the top of the hill is through the Propylea, the 'gates' through which the Pan Athenean processions used to enter the city. Built totally of white marble and covering an area of 50 meters across the whole western front of the Acropolis, the Parthenon is the major temple of the Acropolis. Next to it are the Temple of Athena Nike also known as the 'Wingless Victory' and the smaller Temple of Erechthion with its sculptured young maidens supporting the roof of the porch. From the top of the Acropolis you will also be able to admire the ancient theatre of Herodus Atticus with its remarkable acoustics. Leaving the Acropolis your tour will take you by the tomb of the unknown soldier, guarded by the 'evzones' dressed in their traditional costume, the Parliament, the Presidential Palace and the Pan Athenean Stadium where the first Olympics of modern times were held in 1896. The whole stadium is built of pure white marble. You will then drive past the Library, the Academy and the University, three buildings representing 19th century architecture blended with the classical influence. Passing by Omonia Square, the commercial centre of the city you will arrive at the Archaeological Museum, home to the cultural legacy of Europe. Here you will admire the bronze statue of Poseidon, the child from Marathon and the young man from Antikithira both of pure white marble, the cups of Vafio with scenes of bull fights made of pure gold and the world's first calculator dating to the 2nd century AD, containing 32 cog wheels, used to calculate the moon's phases and other astronomical phenomena.
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Notes:
Guests are advised to wear comfortable shoes and to have hats with them, as they will be exposed to the sun for a considerable length of time. Handicapped passengers may join the tour but will have to remain at the base of the Acropolis.
The itinerary of this tour may vary depending on the traffic conditions prevailing that day.
Transportation : Deluxe air-conditioned coaches, mini-vans or private cars depending on the number of participants.
Guiding : Multilingual Licensed Guides
Minimum participation: No Minimum
Maximum participation : Unlimited
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