Athens, Santorini

Informazioni sulla destinazione: Atene prende il nome dalla dea della saggezza Atena, che è celebrata dalla magnifica Acropoli, che domina la città moderna e cosmopolita che oggi è Atene. Atene è una delle città più antiche del mondo ed è il luogo di nascita della filosofia, della democrazia e del teatro occidentali. Fino ad oggi, la capitale greca rimane un importante centro culturale globale, con il suo centro storico, emblematici siti classici e musei pieni di manufatti dell'antica Grecia. L'Acropoli, coronata dall'emblematico Partenone, è stata dichiarata patrimonio mondiale dell'UNESCO. Le auto sono state bandite dal centro storico, che è diventato la strada pedonale più impressionante d'Europa. In questo parco archeologico, i visitatori vedranno la natura opposta di questa antica metropoli per poter visitare il Nuovo Museo dell'Acropoli, una moderna struttura high-tech con spazi espositivi luminosi e ariosi, così come il Museo Archeologico Nazionale, il più grande museo archeologico in Grecia costruito nel 19 ° secolo e dedicato all'antica arte greca. L'Acropoli e il Monte Licabetto, i punti più alti della città, sono usati come orientamento poiché sono visibili dalla maggior parte della Plaka, il vecchio quartiere storico. Plaka si trova sotto l'Acropoli e si estende quasi fino a Syntagma, sede del Parlamento ellenico. Per avere un assaggio dello stile di vita edonistico ateniese, visita Monastiraki, dove la gente del posto va a mangiare, bere e socializzare. La notte appartiene a Psirri, un quartiere vivace noto per i suoi bar, locali con musica dal vivo ed eccitanti locali notturni. A sud-est del centro della città, una magnifica costa offre viste da sogno sul blu brillante del Mar Egeo. Sicuramente poche capitali europee possono vantare spiagge sabbiose e acque limpide per nuotare in un accesso così facile. Pertanto, Atene offre il meglio di entrambi i mondi: una fantastica vacanza in città e pigre vacanze al mare. Gli ateniesi sono sorprendentemente amichevoli ed estroversi, e il loro entusiasmo per le piacevoli occupazioni della vita è così contagioso che anche il viaggiatore più duro dedicherà tempo a caffè infiniti e passeggiate serali, cenerà fino a tardi e si godrà la vita notturna della città, molto tempo dopo essersi addormentato nel resto d'Europa.

About the destination: 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.

About the destination: 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.