Day 2: The Acropolis of Athens
The group gathered early in the lobby for our first tour. The walk was short from the hotel, the path leading up, steep. After getting situated with our whispers, we were introduced to our morning guide, the paramount matriarch of Greek guides, Mamma Faye!
She shared the fascinating history of the site as we slowly ascended. The Acropolis, meaning “high city” is one of the seven hills of Athens and has been a site of significance for centuries. It’s had different functions over the years, seen wars, battles, and now millions of tourists. We were taken aback by the impressive size and design of the Parthenon. We admired the temples, ruins and vast views of the city below.
The weather was perfect. Low 70s, some clouds and a slight breeze. The site was a hike up and down, with some slippery marble steps, and uneven, rocky ground. We managed to work up a great sweat! Lots of people. At the end of our trip, Mamma Faye said the line to get in was 3 hrs. Athens eventually limited the number of visitors each day. Sometimes being a landmark has drawbacks.
The Acropolis Museum
This was the highlight of the day! The museum has an abundant collection of remarkable artifacts from the site of the Acropolis. The building is modern, well thought out, the displays are flooded with natural light. We have a lot of Lego sets in our house, so seeing a detailed Lego model of the Acropolis was a delight!
Mamma Faye guided us, communicating valuable information about the artifacts and sculptures. She is passionate about Greek history and sharing her knowledge with others! That passion moves you and keeps you engaged.
Free Afternoon and Evening
We attempted the museum cafe, but it was too busy. Tour members suggested a great, quick, gyro shop in the Plaka. Lifesavers! They were our first Greek pitas. Delicious and unbelievably affordable. We crammed ourselves at a tiny table and savored the events of the morning.
After refueling, we strolled through the Plaka. Then back to the hotel for some relaxation and to elevate our feet. For dinner, we reveled in another meal at the Hotel’s rooftop restaurant. The food and setting was just as impressive as the first night!