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ATHENS
The city of the Olympic Idea and the majestic Acropolis is the crossroads
where east meets west and home to many cultural and fashion events.
From her proud temples to the music players in the streets, this city
displays her extensive history at every turn. Weave your way from
Constitution Square to the beautiful national monuments through lush
parks surrounded by preserved Corinthian columns. The new transportation
system and pedestrian promenades efficiently interlace the antiquities,
parks and many areas rich in nightlife like Plaka, Psirri and Thissio.
Tradition, history, and modernity fuse harmoniously. Athens has become
a modern city model that other European cities wish to emulate, especially
after the 2004 Olympics. The streets have become public art museums
where one can find a sculpture exhibition along side the ancient outdoor
theater of Herodion, where festivals take place every summer, or a
contemporary photo exhibit in the metro station. The beauty, music,
art and culture and lively nightlife of Athens make Athenians proud
and delighted visitors wish they could stay longer to experience more.
While the visitor is sure to visit Plaka, there are many other charming
areas of Athens. For example: Psirri, with its boutiques, enchanting
tavernas, cafes and bars; where tiny alleys hold centuries of stories
like the rembetika-filled nights where the women who inspired the
likes of Lord Byron were coaxed from their balconies. Visit Kolonaki
to shop the designer boutiques at the Acropolis foothills or have
a coffee on the square. Places like the pine clad Lycabettus hill
with its chapel of St. George offer a panoramic view of the city,
are a visitor's must. The nearby Athens suburbs by the waterfront
are also easy to get to and a delight to visit. Athens is filled with
wondrous sights and surprises.
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Parthenon, Acropolis
Plaka Disrict
Images courtesy of the GNTO |
