cruise |
Athens |
|||
images: getty; awl images |
Clockwise from top left: Hummus, chickpea and tomato in Attica region; cat in Anafiotika, Athens; Monastiraki Square and Acropolis, Athens; Plaka neighborhood, Athens |
With two full nights in the Greek capital, there’ s plenty of time to get under the skin of Athens. All roads lead toward the Acropolis, topped by the pillars of the Parthenon— a temple built in the fifth century B. C. E. and dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Athena.
The Acropolis is the symbol of the city( and indeed the Greek nation), and you could spend all day there. Begin with a visit to the site in the morning, followed by an afternoon spent admiring the captivating finds in the modern Acropolis Museum— head to the cafe for panoramic views of the Parthenon and a cooling iced frappe.
The second day could be spent soaking up the historic, Cycladic-style districts of Plaka
|
and Anafiotika and tasting your way around Athens’ tavernas. Or, use the time to dive deeper into the Greek mainland.
A two-hour drive, passing through Mount Parnassus, leads to the ancient site of Delphi. It teeters at the edge of a verdant river valley, and it’ s where ancient kings and warriors would come to consult with the Pythia, an oracle whose prophecies could make or break even the most important decisions. The city was once considered the center of the world, so there’ s a lot to explore among the cypress trees; the UNESCO World Heritage Site hosts a wealth of archaeological treasures including a stadium, gymnasium and a 5,000-seat theater.
|
fall 2025 • 67 |