April Marshall

Athens Local Food Tour

I was able to spend 2 1/2 days in Athens before embarking on the Enchanted Princess for a Mediterranean Cruise.  While in Athens, I was able to dive in to a local food tour.  Tasting and experiencing the Greek cuisine and visiting their cafes and restaurants was well worth the time.  We sampled food at six different restaurants like Ta Matakia and Smak. Lukumades (dessert) was my favorite place. I also enjoyed walked around all the cafes at night with perfect weather, lights strung across their roofs I accidentally ran across another amazing and beautiful place called Ellys. Decorated with shades of pink flowers, the smell of fresh baked macaroons and an aperol spritz and pink cappucino to finish off the evening.  For fun, we visited Lil Kook's. This place served amazing drinks and desserts and was decorated for Halloween while we were there.  The decorations in and out of restaurant and the streets are decorated seasonally with different themes.

Tour of Athens Monuments

I was also able to have an amazing tour guide names Nikos who was extremely knowledgeable of all the Greek mythology and historical monuments and facts.  He also knew all the short cuts and ends and outs of Athens.  He spoke English very clearly and had a fun personality.  He took us to his wife's cafe shop called Piazza Cafe and bought us a coffee where we met his son who was working in the family business.  We toured the original Olympic Stadium called Panathenaic Stadium which was all made of marble and was constructed in 1886 in honor of Olympia. Games were held every four years.  We then we to Hadrian's Gate and to the Temple of Zeus (father of all gods).  Hadrians Gate/Arch is a monumental gateway, resembling a Roman triumphal arch on the East side of the city leading into the Temple of Zeus.  Although the temple was destroyed, it was hard to imagine how the heavy pieces of marble were stacked so high  when it was built in the 6th century. The intricate designs in the marble was beautiful. It was a former colossal temple dedicated to the Olympian Zeus. Construction started in the 6th century and wasn't finished til the 2n century AD. At one point, the temple had 104 colossal columns making it the largest temple in Greece and the largest cult statues in the ancient world. It was destroyed by barbarians in an invasion in 267AD.

We then headed to the Acroplis which most people mistakenly think the Acropolis is a monument.  It is the hill or mountain that the Parthenon which was dedicated to Goddess of Athena, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Erechteion, Temple of Nike are built on.  The Parthenon was the temple dedicated to the goddess of Athena. It was built between 421-406BC during the High classical period and the simplest of the classical Greek architecture. It was made of 21,650 tons of white marble in a perfect rectangular position. It took approximately 10 years to build. Being on top of the Acropolis, it provided the military with a clear views of the land and sea.  The Parthenon was destroyed  by a Venetian bomb during the 1687 capture of Acropolis. The Erechteion which is also called the Temple of Athena Polias dedicated to Athena. Construction stated in 421 BC and was completed in 406 BC. This tour was by far my favorite site to see.   Odeon of Heroes Atticus was a three story Roman theater. It holds approximately 5000 people.  The theater was dedicated to the god of Dionysus which was the god of wine.  Dionysia was the festival to the god of wine and during this time, three plays would be performed and there was a competition to see which play was the best.  The theater still hold classical theater performances and concerts.  Nikos ,then took us to the Roman Agora which was the old open air market area where people would set up their goods to sell and trade.  It was built of marble around 27-17 BC. The Agora was also used for political gatherings, to conduct business, watch performers and listen to famous philosophers. In Greek, the word Agora means to gather together.  

Nikos then took us to Syntagman Square where the Parliament was.  We stood outside and watched the changing of the guards, which is an elite group of soldiers who stand at the Tomb of the Uknown Soldier and in front of the Presidential Mansion. The guards change every hour daily. They are called Tsoliades and are a special unit of the Hellenic Army.  Their uniform and march are very interesting. They wear a handmade kilt or Foustanella which has 400 pleats which represent the number of years Greece was under Turkish control.

Lets say there was a lot of walking in Athens.  We probably walked 5-7 miles a day. It is imperative to wear very good walking shoes.  So, if you have the opportunity to go to Athens, I would plan a good three days to tour.  Don't plan to go in the summer time.  Wait til October or November for the temperatures to cool down.  Pack your bags and fly in to Athens and explore the cuisine, friendly people and Greek mythology.