The ship arrived in Piraeus, the port closest to Athens, early on the third morning of our Emerald Princess cruise. We booked a full-day tour called, "Ancient & Modern Athens - Zorba Style". It was a Sunday, and our bus ride into the city of Athens was less than 30 minutes. Our first stop was a short one at the Old Olympic Stadium, which was built in 1893 on the site of the original 4th century BC Olympic stadium. This marble stadium hosted the 1896 first modern Olympic Games and holds about 60,000.
Our second stop was the highlight of Athens--the Acropolis. The Acropolis towers over the city, and you quickly realize how high it is when you walk up the steep hill followed by the 80 uneven, slippery steps to the summit. We stopped for a breather along the way and just soaked up the magnificence of the site. Seeing the Parthenon and the other temples on the Acropolis is a must-see for Athens. This is evident when visiting the Acropolis as the site is crowded with dozens of different languages heard all around. Unfortunately, those with mobility problems will need to view the monuments from the foot of the hill. Our tour included about an hour and a half at the Acropolis, which was a little short for me.
We next drove to the old 19th century shopping area of Athens called the Plaka. It was fun wandering around the busy flea market and browsing the shops.
Our final stop in Athens was for a very late lunch at a Greek taverna. It was a typical Greek dinner, but way too much food for most of us. The Greek dancing and musical entertainment was fun, and some of us participated.
This excursion was a great introduction to Athens and perfect for those who love native folk singing and dancing.
