Private Full-day Athens and Temple of Poseidon Tour

Overlooking Syntagma Square, it was originally the royal palace of King Otto and Queen Amalia, the first monarchs of Greece. Designed in the neoclassical style by Friedrich von Gartner, the palace was completed in 1843. It was used as the Royal Residence until 1924 and, since 1934, has housed the Greek Parliament. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a monument in honor of the servicemen who fell in the struggle for Greek Independence, is located in the forecourt of the building. The Tomb is guarded by the Presidential Guard(‘Evzones’) in traditional dress, whose intricately orchestrated changing of the guard at the turn of the hour attracts many visitors, who also take the opportunity to feed the ubiquitous flocks of pigeons.

The National Library is the leading custodian and administrator of the Hellenic intellectual reserve. It was founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias in 1829 and its course is parallel to the history of the Greek state. It is reached via an impressive sculpted marble staircase.

The Athens Academy is flanked by imposing statues of Apollo and Athena on either side, while the impressive frescoes at its entrance depict the myth of Prometheus. The Academy of Athens is an intellectual institution with the aim of cultivating and promoting Science, Literature, and the Fine Arts, as well as scientific research and study.

Set on a site covering 30,000 sq.m., the Acropolis of Athens is a perfect example of how ancient architecture was adapted to a natural site to form what has become a model worldwide and down the ages. It was the ancient city's most important religious center its monuments,(the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea -the monumental entrance to the Acropolis- and the small temple of Athena Nike) has become an important symbol of ancient Greece’s bequest to Europe and the world. Finally, we will see the Erechtheion with the famous Karyatidis and the Propylaea.

Construction of the temple began in the 6th century BC under the tyrants Hippias and Hipparchos, at the site of the ruins of an earlier temple built by their father, the tyrant Peisistratus. The Temple stood unfinished throughout the ‘Golden Century’ of Athens and was only completed by Roman governor Hadrian, known as the ‘Philhellene’, in 132AD. The Temple was huge by ancient standards, rivaling other colossal famous Temples such as the Heraion in Samos, and featured a large gold and ivory statue of Zeus in its cella. Today, only fifteen of its original 104 columns are still standing. A sixteenth column lies on the ground, where it fell during a storm in the 19th century.

A stadium existed on this site from as early as the 4th century BC, when it was used for the mystical Ceremonies held for the Panathenaic Festival in honor of Athena, patron-goddess of the City of Athens. Roman governor Hadrian had also constructed a stadium at this site, where gladiatorial contests and shows were put on for the Athenian public. The ancient stadium was completely restored - as an exact replica of the ancient original - in the late 19th-century, in order to host the first modern Olympiad in 1896. During the Athens Olympic Games of 2004, this gleaming white Pentelic-marble stadium provided the venue for the archery event as well as for the the culmination of the marathon run: since then, the Athens Marathon has also finished inside the stadium (and this year’s event, to be held on November 12, is no exception). Visitors can walk up to the stadium but are not allowed to enter its grounds. Unless you are completing a marathon...

Lake Vouliagmeni is a mineral spa that is reported to have many healing properties for such ailments as dermatological diseases, neuralgia, headaches, disfiguring arthritis, etc. It is about 50cm above sea level and, as a result, constantly overflows. It is full of such minerals as potassium, natrium, lithium, calcium, chloride, and iodine - well known for giving relief to muscle problems. The lake is recognized as a wonder of nature because of its unique appearance and surroundings. Scientific research have shown that millions of years ago, where the lake is now, there was a large cave with aa lot of hot springs. Eventually, the high temperature and moisture of these springs caused the roof to collapse. The lake is surrounded by beach chairs and umbrellas and there is a cafe-bar-restaurant too. It is also excellent for swimming – except for therapy - for pleasure as well. During the summer period, the lake offers hot spring baths, hydrotherapy, and physiotherapy.

Cape Sounion, best renowned for the temple of Poseidon (the god of the sea in Greek mythology), is a roughly shaped headland leading to the gently-sloping site of the temple, up to 60m high. It is located about 69km southeast of Athens, at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula. Popular for its panoramic view over the Aegean Sea and its sunset as well, the site is easily accessible by car, following the scenic west coast road from Athens which passes through numerous upscale residential districts and resorts, such as Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza. There is also a scheduled bus service to Sounion from Omonia Square. The surrounding region has been included among the 10 National parks of Greece. To the east are the islets of Makronissos (ancient Helena) and Patroclus, and to the south the larger islands of Kea and Kithnos.