Athens, Santorini

Sobre o destino: Atenas é nomeada após a deusa da sabedoria Atena, que é celebrada pela magnífica Acrópole, que tem vista para a cidade moderna e cosmopolita que é hoje Atenas. Atenas é uma das cidades mais antigas do mundo e é o berço da filosofia, democracia e teatro ocidentais. Até hoje, a capital grega continua a ser um importante centro global de cultura, com o seu centro histórico, locais clássicos emblemáticos e museus cheios de artefatos da Grécia antiga. A Acrópole, coroada pelo emblemático Partenon, foi declarada Patrimônio Mundial da UNESCO. Os carros foram banidos do centro histórico, que se tornou a rua de pedestres mais impressionante da Europa. Neste parque arqueológico, os visitantes verão a natureza oposta desta antiga metrópole para poder visitar o Novo Museu da Acrópole, uma moderna estrutura de alta tecnologia com espaços de exposição luminosos e arejados, bem como o Museu Arqueológico Nacional, o maior museu arqueológico da Grécia construído no século 19 e dedicado à arte grega antiga. A Acrópole e o Monte Lycabettus, os pontos mais altos da cidade, são usados como orientação, uma vez que são visíveis a partir da maior parte de Plaka, o antigo bairro histórico. Plaka está localizada sob a Acrópole e se estende quase até Syntagma, sede do Parlamento Helênico. Para ter um gostinho do modo de vida ateniense hedonista, visite Monastiraki, onde os moradores locais vão comer, beber e se misturar. A noite pertence a Psirri, um bairro animado conhecido por seus bares, locais de música ao vivo e casas noturnas emocionantes. A sudeste do centro da cidade, uma magnífica costa oferece vistas de sonho sobre o azul brilhante do Mar Egeu. Certamente poucas capitais europeias podem reivindicar praias arenosas e águas claras para nadar em tão fácil acesso. Portanto, Atenas oferece o melhor dos dois mundos - uma fantástica pausa na cidade, bem como férias de praia preguiçosas. Os atenienses são surpreendentemente amigáveis e extrovertidos, e seu entusiasmo pelas atividades agradáveis da vida é tão contagiante que até mesmo o viajante mais difícil dedicará tempo a cafés intermináveis e passeios noturnos, jante até tarde e aproveitará a vida noturna da cidade, muito depois de adormecer no resto da Europa.

Sobre o destino: Formed by the massive volcanic eruption which gave rise to the Atlantis legend, Santorini is the most striking island in the Aegean. The island is actually the outer rim of a sunken volcano, its entire eastern coast is a succession of small towns perched on high hills. Fira is the island’s dramatically situated capital. Perched on the cliffs, overlooking the sea, the town of Fira shares with the Parthenon the fame of the best known images of Greece. The narrow streets are filled with souvenir shops, lovely boutiques and a lot of jewellery shops. It has two beautiful churches, the Greek Orthodox and the Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist. It also has a small local museum. Nightlife in Fira is also quite lively with good restaurants and bars, plus a few nightclubs. The city is a spectacle in itself, with a climax at sunset. Another great place to enjoy the sunset is the town of Ia, a small village clinging to the rocky point of land at the northern tip of the island, 300m above the sea. The beaches in Santorini are much different than other beaches in Greece due to their special geographical features. Red and black volcanic pebbles lay the shores of Santorini beaches and steep cliffs provide a picturesque ambience. The most famous of Santorini beaches is the Red beach, while particularly popular are Perissa, Kamari and Perivolos. Santorini is a truly wonderful destination. The siting of some of its major towns along the clifftop rim of the caldera is one of the most spectacularly lovely sights in the world. The buildings seem to defy gravity in the way they cling to the cliffs and are stacked one on top of the other like so many sugar cubes. The sandy, multicoloured beaches are simply the icing on the cake.

Sobre o destino: Athens takes its name after the goddess of wisdom Athena, who is celebrated by the magnificent Acropolis, which overlooks the modern, cosmopolitan city that Athens is today. Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities and it is the birthplace of western philosophy, democracy and theater. Up to this date, the Greek capital remains a major worldwide centre of culture, with its historic centre, iconic classical sites and museums filled with ancient Greece artefacts. The Acropolis, crowned by the emblematic Parthenon, has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cars were banned from the historic centre, which has become the most striking pedestrian promenade in Europe. In this archeological Park, visitors will witness the contrasting nature of this ancient metropolis being able to visit the New Acropolis Museum, a high-tech modern structure with light and airy exhibition spaces as well as the National Archaeological Museum, the largest archeological museum in Greece built in the 19th century and devoted to ancient Greek art. The Acropolis and Mount Lycavittos, the city’s highest points, are used as orientation since they are visible from most places in the Plaka, the old historical neighborhood. The Plaka is under the Acropolis and stretches almost to Syntagma, home of to the Greek Parliament. For a taste of the hedonistic Athenian lifestyle one should visit Monastiraki, where locals go to eat, drink and mingle. The night time belongs to Psirri, a vibrant neighbourhood known for its bars, live music venues and exciting nightclubs. Southeast of the city centre, a glorious stretch of coast affords dreamy views over the glistening blue Aegean Sea. Surely few European capitals can claim sandy beaches and clean water for swimming within such easy access. Athens therefore offers the best of both worlds – a fantastic city break as well as a lazy beach holiday. Athenians are surprisingly friendly and outgoing and their enthusiasm for life’s pleasurable pursuits is so infectious that even the stiffest traveler will take time out for endless coffees and evening strolls, dine out until late and enjoy the city’s nightlife, long after the rest of Europe has gone to bed.