Northern Greek Odyssey

About the destination: Athens is named after the goddess of wisdom, Athena, and her grandeur is celebrated by the stunning Acropolis that towers over the modern, cosmopolitan city that Athens has become. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens is the cradle of western philosophy, democracy, and theater. Today, the Greek capital continues to be a significant global hub of culture, with its historic center, iconic classical sites, and museums brimming with artifacts from ancient Greece. The Acropolis, topped by the iconic Parthenon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cars are prohibited in the historic center, which has transformed into Europe's most impressive pedestrian walkway. In this archaeological park, visitors can experience the city's contrasting nature by visiting the New Acropolis Museum, a modern, high-tech building with bright, spacious exhibition areas, and the National Archaeological Museum, Greece's largest archaeological museum dedicated to ancient Greek art. The Acropolis and Mount Lycavittos, the city's highest points, serve as landmarks as they can be seen from most locations in the Plaka, the old historical neighborhood. The Plaka is located beneath the Acropolis and extends nearly to Syntagma, the location of the Greek Parliament. For a glimpse into the indulgent Athenian lifestyle, visit Monastiraki, a popular spot for locals to eat, drink, and socialize. The nightlife belongs to Psirri, a lively neighborhood known for its bars, live music venues, and thrilling nightclubs. Southeast of the city center, a beautiful stretch of coastline offers breathtaking views of the shimmering blue Aegean Sea. Few European capitals can boast of having sandy beaches and clean swimming waters so easily accessible. Athens thus provides the best of both worlds – an exciting city break and a relaxing beach vacation. Athenians are surprisingly friendly and outgoing, and their zest for life's pleasures is so contagious that even the most reserved traveler will find themselves taking time for leisurely coffees and evening walks, dining out late, and enjoying the city's nightlife long after the rest of Europe has retired for the night.

About the destination: Athens is named after the goddess of wisdom, Athena, and her grandeur is celebrated by the stunning Acropolis that towers over the modern, cosmopolitan city that Athens has become. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens is the cradle of western philosophy, democracy, and theater. Today, the Greek capital continues to be a significant global hub of culture, with its historic center, iconic classical sites, and museums brimming with artifacts from ancient Greece. The Acropolis, topped by the iconic Parthenon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cars are prohibited in the historic center, which has transformed into Europe's most impressive pedestrian walkway. In this archaeological park, visitors can experience the city's contrasting nature by visiting the New Acropolis Museum, a modern, high-tech building with bright, spacious exhibition areas, and the National Archaeological Museum, Greece's largest archaeological museum dedicated to ancient Greek art. The Acropolis and Mount Lycavittos, the city's highest points, serve as landmarks as they can be seen from most locations in the Plaka, the old historical neighborhood. The Plaka is located beneath the Acropolis and extends nearly to Syntagma, the location of the Greek Parliament. For a glimpse into the indulgent Athenian lifestyle, visit Monastiraki, a popular spot for locals to eat, drink, and socialize. The nightlife belongs to Psirri, a lively neighborhood known for its bars, live music venues, and thrilling nightclubs. Southeast of the city center, a beautiful stretch of coastline offers breathtaking views of the shimmering blue Aegean Sea. Few European capitals can boast of having sandy beaches and clean swimming waters so easily accessible. Athens thus provides the best of both worlds – an exciting city break and a relaxing beach vacation. Athenians are surprisingly friendly and outgoing, and their zest for life's pleasures is so contagious that even the most reserved traveler will find themselves taking time for leisurely coffees and evening walks, dining out late, and enjoying the city's nightlife long after the rest of Europe has retired for the night.

About the destination: Corinth is an ancient city and former municipality in Corinthia, Peloponnese, located in south-central Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform, it has been part of the municipality of Corinth, where it serves as the seat and a municipal unit. It is the capital of Corinthia. The city was established as Nea Korinthos or New Corinth (Νέα Κόρινθος) in 1858 after an earthquake destroyed the previous settlement of Corinth, which had developed in and around the site of ancient Corinth. Situated about 78 kilometers (48 miles) west of Athens, Corinth is surrounded by the coastal townlets of Lechaio, Isthmia, Kechries, and the inland townlets of Examilia, as well as the archaeological site and village of ancient Corinth. Natural features around the city include the narrow coastal plain of Vocha, the Corinthian Gulf, the Isthmus of Corinth with its canal, the Saronic Gulf, the Oneia Mountains, and the monolithic rock of Acrocorinth, where the medieval acropolis was built.

About the destination: Mycenae is an archaeological site located near Mykines in Argolis, in the north-eastern region of Peloponnese, Greece. It is situated approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Athens; 11 kilometers (7 miles) north of Argos; and 48 kilometers (30 miles) south of Corinth. The site is 19 kilometers (12 miles) inland from the Saronic Gulf and is built on a hill that rises 900 feet (274 meters) above sea level. During the second millennium BC, Mycenae was a significant center of Greek civilization, serving as a military stronghold that dominated much of southern Greece, Crete, the Cyclades, and parts of southwest Anatolia. The period of Greek history from around 1600 BC to about 1100 BC is referred to as the Mycenaean period, named after Mycenae. At its height in 1350 BC, the citadel and lower town had a population of 30,000 and covered an area of 32 hectares. The first accurate identification of Mycenae in modern literature occurred during a survey conducted by Francesco Grimani in 1700, commissioned by the Provveditore Generale of the Kingdom of the Morea. Grimani used Pausanias's description of the Lion Gate to identify the ruins of Mycenae.

About the destination: Olympia is a city in the Peloponnese region of Greece. This was the location of the original Olympic Games. These games, which took place every four years in honor of the Greek god Zeus, continued throughout the entire Classical Age. The main sanctuary, or Altis, contained temples, altars, shrines, and public buildings for both religious and secular uses. The flame for each modern Olympic Games is still ignited in this city, using a reflection of sunlight in a parabolic mirror, and then transported by torch to the location where the games are to be held.

About the destination: Patras is Greece's third largest urban area and the regional capital of Western Greece, located in the northern Peloponnese, west of Athens. The city is situated at the foothills of Mount Panachaikon, overlooking the Gulf of Patras. The core settlement of Patras has a history that spans four millennia. During the Roman period, it became a cosmopolitan center of the eastern Mediterranean. Known as Greece's Gate to the West, Patras is a commercial hub, with its busy port serving as a key point for trade and communication with Italy and the rest of Western Europe. Every February, the city hosts one of Europe's largest and most colorful carnivals. It was named European Capital of Culture in 2006. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Rio-Antirio Bridge, officially known as the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge. • The Archaeological Museum, featuring striking architecture, including an entrance made of silver-hued titanium shaped like a flying saucer on steroids. • The Roman Odeon. • The Faro, which is the symbol of the city. The lighthouse has a café underneath it with a large television that mostly broadcasts soccer games for people to watch while enjoying a beverage of their choice. There is a playground right outside the café for children to play in. The café is next to the water, allowing visitors to sit by the windows and enjoy the waves crashing against the wall. • The Turkish hot baths. • Plateia Yioryiou (George Square). Sit at a café and take in the facades of the handsome neoclassical theater and banks on the square. • The Municipal Gallery of Patras, founded in 1988, is housed on the ground floor of the Municipal Library, beside the Old Town Hall, a location rich with historical memories.

About the destination: Delphi, an ancient city and home to the most significant Greek temple and oracle of Apollo. It was located in the region of Phocis on the steep lower slope of Mount Parnassus, approximately 6 miles (10 km) from the Gulf of Corinth. Delphi is currently a major archaeological site with well-preserved ruins. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987. The ancient Greeks regarded Delphi as the center of the world.

About the destination: Thessaloniki, one of the oldest major cities in Europe and the second largest city in Greece, spans twelve kilometers within a basin formed by low hills that overlook a bay leading into the Thermaikos Gulf. It is a bustling city and one of the most significant trade and communication hubs in the Mediterranean. The devastating fire of 1917 destroyed a significant portion of the city's historic center, and further damage was inflicted by a major earthquake in 1968. However, there are still numerous examples of the city's rich history and diverse cultures, although they are hidden amidst the post-1917 development. This mix of architecture has resulted in an incredible fusion of styles that are distinctly Thessaloniki. Roman monuments stand next to modern university campuses, modernist buildings face medieval churches, and Ottoman structures will soon top the tunnels of Thessaloniki's latest addition, the subway. The city authorities have made significant efforts to preserve the state of the cultural heritage, and it can be assumed that more will be done to ensure that it remains a permanent part of the city's landscape and that it is well explained and accessible to both locals and visitors. However, the greatness of Thessaloniki is not solely in its standing structures. This city is truly vibrant, and not just in terms of heavy traffic or extensive construction. The people here enjoy expressing themselves publicly, and it's difficult to spend time here without witnessing the authentic and indigenous culture of the city. Plateia Aristotelou hosts open-air concerts during the summer, but there are also spontaneous gatherings that provide visitors with a glimpse into the lives of ordinary Salonicians. Students often gather in front of the Rotunda to play their guitars at night, and the Roman Agora occasionally hosts plays or shows organized by various groups in the city. Every two years, this cultural blossoming takes the form of the biennale of contemporary art, a highlight of the city's artistic community's calendar. Byzantine churches, Roman constructions, Muslim buildings, modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, and stunning beaches define Thessaloniki. As the second largest city in Greece, Thessaloniki combines over 2,300 years of history with all the amenities and excitement that a modern European city can offer a visitor.