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|  | | Athens Tour & Travel Packages | Athens represented the center of culture, and the many skeletons that spot the city are a constant reminder of the city’s incredible history. As the host of the 2004 Olympic Games, Athens once again showed the world its grandeur (the Olympics did begin in Greece after all). Any visitor going to Athens will obviously visit the Acropolis and its well-preserved marble structures, images. The city has innumerous museums and buildings (not to mention yummy Greek restaurants) to keep any visitor busy. The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is a must-see. | | Tourist Attractions | The Acropolis: This is the most famous ancient site of Athens since 5th century BC when it was built. The white Pentelic marble of the Parthenon's tower and the Acropolis can be seen from all parts of the city. The temple of Parthenon is dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Athena. The Ancient Agora: The meaning of Ancient Agora in Greek is old market. This place was previously a commercial, administrative, trade and social centre of Athens. It was here where Socrates, Sophocles and Aristotle expressed their thoughts and ideas. Today under ruins, the Ancient Agora houses a museum. Roman Agora and Tower of the Wind: The Tower of wind was built in the 1st century BC by Andronicus who was a Syrian astronomer. This white Pen telic marbled monument is octagonal in shape and was used as a compass, sun dial, weather vane and water clock. Theatre of Herodes Attic us: Built in 161 AD during the roman rule this theatre hosts the Athens Festival. The Temple of Olympian Zeus: It took 700 years to build this temple which is the largest temple of Athens. There are 17 pillars out of 104 pillars of this temple remaining today. Beaches: The south east of Athens is surrounded by numerous beaches. The most famous and visited ones are: Glyfada, Cape Sounion, Schinias, Loutsa, Marathon region, Rafina, Varkiza Beach, Kokkino Limanaki, Vouliagmeni Beach. Museum: The museums of Athens are a ideal place to spend some time in history. The National Archaeological Museum of Athens, The Acropolis Museum, Museum of the Ancient Agora (Stoat of Attalos), The Goulandris Foundation Museum of Cycladic Art, The Byzantine and Christian Museum are just a few to be named. From antique coins to remnants of the history, these museums have everything showcased. | | Shopping In Athens | Athens is a city of many contradictions. There is the ostentatious shopping area along tram route 3, the major department store near Syntagma Square called Attica, the bartering shopping streets of Monistiriaki and the locals market each Saturday on tram routes 2 and 5.In Monistiraki you will find mostly jewelers, luggage, shoes, sportswear and tourist related goods. There are also immigrants selling copy DVDs. The main goods easily found in Athens are phones, clothes, shoes and tourist related goods. | | Athens Cuisine | Eating and drinking in Athens is surely an adventure. Greek food traditionally consists of lamb, fish and olive oil and is usually highly spiced and herbs and other fragrant ingredients are common. Athens also has a wide variety of high-quality restaurants, which range from traditional, cosy tavernas to elegant and chic diners. Estiatorian are the more luxurious conservative restaurants, whereas taverna is traditionally familiar, smaller, family-run establishments. Psistaria largely offer grilled meats, whereas psarotaverna specialize in seafood dishes. | | Weather | Athens is known as one of the sunniest cities in Europe, with a semi-arid climate and low standard annual rainfall. The rain that does occur falls during the winter months, between mid-October and mid-April, usually as short, heavy showers. Summers are very hot, exacerbated by smoggy conditions, and heatwaves are common during July and August when the mercury soars to over 104°F (40ºC). Winters are mild although frost can occur and nights can be cold. The greatest time to travel to Athens is during the cooler, fine weather of spring and summer. | | Currency | The currency used in Greece is now the Euro, although credit cards are accepted in almost all major tourist areas, and Traveller's Cheques in US Dollars, Euros, and Sterling is accepted at change bureaus in hotels and banks. High street Change Bureaus tend to offer a better rate than those in banks, although this is not always the case. |
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