Athens, Greece port of call sample Tours & Shore Excursions with Princess Cruises.

	Best Of Athens Tour

WHAT YOU VISIT
Acropolis - The Acropolis dominates the Athenian landscape. Your guided walking tour begins with a walk up steep steps through the Propylea, which extends 150 feet across the western face of the Acropolis. Beyond the Propylea, on the highest point of the Acropolis, stands the Parthenon, which was dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena. The white pentelic marble temple was built 446 - 437 B.C. Beyond the Parthenon, lies the Erectheion, a temple honoring Athena and the sea god Poseidon. The graceful Porch of the Caryatids features columns of marble maidens supporting the roof of the temple.
National Archaeological Museum - This treasure trove of Greece, is filled with important archaeological finds from all over Greece. You will have the opportunity to marvel at the perfection, presence and power of the bronze statue of Poseidon along with a plethora of gold items such as the Mask of Agamemnon, the Greek Commander-in-Chief during the Trojan War.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Old Olympic Stadium - Traffic and conditions permitting, a brief stop will be made at the marble stadium which was built to host the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. During the 2004 Olympic Games, it was used for both for the finish of the marathon and Archery.
SHOPPING IN THE PLAKA
There will be approximately an hour of free time to browse through Athens’ famous shopping district. The cobbled pedestrian lanes are lined with shops, boutiques, souvenir stands, jewelry stores and flea market stalls offering a wide variety of items.
LUNCH
A delicious lunch with wine will be served during your excursion.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Board your motorcoach for the approximately 30- to 40-minute drive to the heart of Athens. Your narrated drive passes a host of major sites, including Hadrian’s Arch, the statue of Lord Byron, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square, the former Royal Palace, the National Gardens, the Academy and the University Library.

	The Acropolis, Plaka & Temple Of Poseidon Tour

WHAT YOU VISIT
Acropolis - The Acropolis dominates the Athenian landscape. Your guided walking tour begins with a walk up steep steps through the Propylea, which extends 150 feet across the western face of the Acropolis. Beyond the Propylea, on the highest point of the Acropolis, stands the Parthenon, which was dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena. The white pentelic marble temple was built 446 - 437 B.C. Beyond the Parthenon, lies the Erectheion, a temple honoring Athena and the sea god Poseidon. The graceful Porch of the Caryatids features columns of marble maidens supporting the roof of the temple.
Temple of Poseidon - Your guide escorts you up the rocky path and low steps to this 5th-century B.C. temple dedicated to the sea god. Built on a cliff on Cape Sounion, the temple overlooks the Aegean. The changing light and crashing waves create an extraordinary scene that once inspired Lord Byron.
LUNCH
A delicious lunch with wine will be served during your excursion.
SHOPPING
Plaka - There will be approximately an hour of free time to browse through Athens’ famous shopping district. The cobbled pedestrian lanes are lined with shops, boutiques, souvenir stands, jewelry stores and flea market stalls offering a wide variety of items.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Old Olympic Stadium - Traffic and conditions permitting, a brief stop will be made at the marble stadium which was built to host the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. During the 2004 Olympic Games, it was used for both for the finish of the marathon and Archery.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Board your motorcoach for the approximately 30- to 40-minute drive to the heart of Athens. Your narrated drive passes a host of major sites, including Hadrian’s Arch, the statue of Lord Byron, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square, the former Royal Palace, the National Gardens, the Academy and the University Library. On the drive down Attica’s rugged western coast, you will take in views of rocky coves and the deep-blue Saronic Gulf, as you make your way to Cape Sounion.

	A Walking Tour Of Ancient Athens

WHAT YOU VISIT
Acropolis - The Acropolis dominates the Athenian landscape. Your guided walking tour begins with a walk up steep steps through the Propylea, which extends 150 feet across the western face of the Acropolis. Beyond the Propylea, on the highest point of the Acropolis, stands the Parthenon, which was dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena. The white pentelic marble temple was built 446 - 437 B.C. Beyond the Parthenon, lies the Erectheion, a temple honoring Athena and the sea god Poseidon. The graceful Porch of the Caryatids features columns of marble maidens supporting the roof of the temple.
Temple of Olympian Zeus - Just behind Hadrian’s Arch which seperates Classical from Roman Athens, lie the remains of the largest Temple of Antiquity. Dedicated to the King and Father of the Gods, Zeus - it took a mammoth 700 years to complete.
Ancient Agora - Located at the base of the Acropolis, this was once a sprawling market and public meeting place.
Stoa of Attalus Museum - This small museum houses many of the artefacts from the Agora such as vases, coins, sculptures and statues. Interestingly the Stoa began as a marble colonnaded arcade built by Attalus II King of Pergamon and was reconstructed by the American Archaeological Society in the 1950’s.
Thission Temple - Perched high on a hill, the temple creates an impressive scene as it overlooks the once thriving Agora below. The perfectly preserved Doric Temple was dedicated to the Gods Hephaestus and Athena and was later converted to a Christian Chapel and remained so till only 150 years ago.
YEVMA (GREEK LUNCH)
A delicious Greek lunch with wine will be served after your visit of the Acropolis area.
FREE TIME FOR SHOPPING
A short time will be allocated to pick up a souvenir of your visit from the small local vendors or just lounge and purchase a refreshment in the area near the Ancient Agora of Athens.
WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Board your motorcoach for the approximately 30- to 40-minute drive to the heart of Athens. Your narrated drive passes a host of major sites, including Hadrian’s Arch, the statue of Lord Byron, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square, the former Royal Palace, the National Gardens, the Academy and the University Library.