This tour is a combination of Athens’s most important sites and the popular half day excursion to the canal of Corinth and the ancient (Biblical) Corinth.
We start the tour by visiting the so called “sacred rock”, The Acropolis. Here you will see the Parthenon that was dedicated to goddess Athena (Parthenos), Propylea, the monumental entrance to the sacred area, the temple of Athena Nike which was dedicated to Athena-Nike (Victory) the Erechtheion with its famous female figures-statues the Caryatides or Maidens dedicated to both goddess Athena and god Poseidon. The Odeum of Herodus Atticus and the ruins of the first theatre in the whole world the Theatre of Dionysus and finally the Areopagus (Mars Hill).
We will proceed to the Temple of Olympian Zeus (visit) and then to Panathenaic or Kallimarmaro Stadium which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 (short visit). We will drive by the Prime Minister’s Residence (Maximou Mansion), the former Royal Palace, today the Presidential Palace and the House of Parliament with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (short stop so as to watch the changing of the guards). We continue our tour by driving up to the highest point of Athens, the Lycabettus Hill (the best 360 degree panoramic view of Athens).
Leaving Lycabettus Hill we’ll drive out of the city along the scenic coastal road, towards the West. Our first stop, after approximately one hour, is the Corinth Canal. There we’ll make a short stop, enough to see the Canal, (approximately 6 km long connecting the Aegean with the Ionian Sea), take photos and visit the local cafeteria. Twenty minutes later we’ll arrive at the small town of Ancient Corinth.
This is the major stop of our tour, where we’ll visit the archaeological site, with the unique monolithic Temple of Apollo (one of the oldest in Greece, 585 B.C.) the Bema where St. Paul preached and the Archaeological Museum of Corinth. Afterwards we can have a relaxing stroll in the pedestrian part of the town, stop to enjoy a cup of coffee or do some shopping.
Finally, before heading back to Athens we’ll visit Acrocorinth, where in the Temple of Aphrodite, (Goddess of Love) the famous sacred “eteres”served their Goddess. (For more information about this you will have to ask me in person!). An imposing fortress was later built in the site. The fortress was successively taken over by the Byzantines, the Franks, the Venetians and finally the Turks. Extensive ruins remain from this fortress.
Duration approximately 8 hours
All my tours are private (vehicle reserved exclusively for you) and flexible. It is always up to you to modify the suggested itinerary according to your personal preferences, even during the tour, if feasible.
