G R E E C E
This trip to Greece was part of our first wedding aniversary along with Turkey. We arrived in Athens on Olympic Airways. Athens, the birthplace of Democracy, is a fascinating city and is a must for anybody interseted in the ancient world. Traveling there gives one a better insight and understanding of the great ancient Greek civilization.
Athens
The Parthenon
Here we are standing on the Acropolis in front of the Parthenon. The Acropolis, an ancient fortified citadel, with the Parthenon, its temple dedicated to the godess Athena was built under the direction of Pericles from 447-432 B.C.. The Parthenon was designed with exceptional detail. In order to keep the temple from having a flat appearance it was created in such a way that it bulged in the center having columns and walls that leaned inwards, this gave it a much greater asthetic appeal. The purpose of this grand structure was to house the once great statue of the godess Athena which has been lost to history. Ther are many other sites to see on the Acropolis including a museum displaying decorations that once adorned the exterior of the temple including some that still have paint on them.


Athens Gate Hotel
Pictured here was the place we stayed. The Athens Gate Hotel is convenietly located across from the Temple of Zeus while being an easy walk to the Plaka shoping district, the oldest and most characteristic neighborhhod in Athens, and in close proximity to many of the historic sites and attractions. The rooms were clean and comfortable at this 3-star hotel and the resonable room rate good for budget travellers included an American style buffet breakfast. The rooftop restaurant only open for dinner has spectacular views like the one below of the Acropolis and the Parthenon.








Hotel view of Acropolis

View of Athens from Acropolis

Archeon Gefsis
We went to this restaurant on our aniversary on October 2nd. The restaurant is known for it's atomsphere, it even has an ancient bed(thats more used now for a kodak moment), The meal includes a ceramic chalis of sweet Greek wine served by waiters and waitresses in period clothing. We had stuffed slices of pork, filled with plums in dark juice accompanied by artichokes and fresh pea puree, but don't expect a fork to eat with, at this restaurant they offer only spoons and knives like the ancient greeks used. We also ordered a Prassaea (Green Salad) with cabbage, garden racket, celery, asparagus, eggs with pine kernels, nuts, vegetable bulbs, raisins and pomegranate and both grape and pear juices that are served mixed with ground ice. The meal was outsatndingly delicious and the meat was tender.

Daytrip outside Athens
We took a day trip out of Athens to visit several sites which included Mycenae, the Bay of Nauplia, the theater of Epidaurus, and the Corinth Canal.
Mycenae, Greece
The Ancient city of Mycenae was one of the sites (see Turkey page) discovered by the famed Archeologist Heinrich Schliemann. Mycenae was surrounded by cyclopian walls entered through the famous Lion's Gate. It was one of the sites made famous in Homer's Iliad in which the king of Mycenae, Agamemnon, was said to have ruled.
This is the view looking towards the lions gate, the entrance to the once mighty city of Mycenae. Through the gate are located the Royal Tombs and the Palace of Mycenae. The steps to the palace are worn smooth and are very slippery so good walking shoes would be helpful. Click on the picture for a closer view of the Lions Gate.

We are standing in the location where the palace once stood. In the background are the mountains that some say resembles King Agamemnon lying on his back.


This is the famous theater at Epidaurus which is still in use today. It was designed for natural accustics, enabling the perfomance to be heard throughout the theater long before the invention of electronic speakers. After climbing to the top, somebody down at the bottom demonstrated by tearing papers and dropping coins which could easily be heard as if standing at the same level.


Be sure to visit our main page and sign our guestbook, and while there, travel to our other pages to explore additional historic locations.

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