Athens is the city of the Olympic Idea, the city of artists, cultural channel scientific centre, East and West for each voyager, the crossroads of every major event for the active, the fashion that is in for avid sophisticates, the Parthenon, of all and for all.

Athens has much to offer: near-constant sunshine, access to sandy beaches and idyllic islands, and of course that first stunning view of the Acropolis.

Today is a modern city, alive and on the go. Modern, but romantic as well, with busy streets and squares, shop windows a riot of colors, as well as little alleys in quiet, peaceful neighborhoods such as Plaka and Mets.In the countless shops, the visitor will find whatever he may need. In the tavernas and restaurants he can enjoy any taste sensation, in the nightclubs, pubs, discos, and bars he can drink and dance the night away.

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PIRAEUS

Piraeus is Greece's third largest city in terms of population and its biggest port. It was first settled in the time of Themistocles, when the Long Walls were built (478 BC), the town being laid out to the plans of the architect Hippodamus. It gained considerably in importance when Athens became a naval power. The ancient harbours of Piraeus were Zea and Munichia.

Zea, now called Pasalimani, is one of the largest marinas in the Mediterranean. Munichia, also known as Mikrolimano or Tourkolimano, is a pretty little harbour with yachts and fishing-boats and ringed with fish tavernas. Above Mikrolimano is the Kastella hill, much mentioned in popular song, with its houses in the traditional style and a panoramic view. On its top is the Church of the Prophet Elijah, with the Veakeio Theatre, well known for its summer performances, nearby.

The commercial harbour of Piraeus is one of the most important in the Mediterranean. The city itself with its suburbs is an industrial zone of particular importance for the Greek economy, but its centre nevertheless has broad streets, spacious squares, tree-lined avenues, and parks.

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SARONIC ISLANDS (Aegina - Hydra - Poros)

Aegina island located only 17,5 nautical miles from Piraeus is the ideal place for weekend or a daily cruise but and a favourite summer resort.

Just 6.5 km. from the port, opposite the monastery of Agios Nektarios, there is a low hill covered with the ruins of the abandoned city of Palaiohora. This was the capital of the island from the 9th to early 19th century. Crowning the summit are the remnants of the medieval castle where the population sought refuge during pirate raids. In its heyday, Palaiohora could survive, many with memorable wall paintings.

Another interesting landmark is the monastery of the Virgin Chryssoleontissa on the road to Marathon. Dating from 1600, this monastery is built in a style reminiscent of the fortified monasteries of Mount Athos.The church possesses a splendid carved iconostasis.

Apart from antiquities, the island has much to offer in the way of sandy beaches for sun worshippers and swimming enthusiasts, along with delightful fishing villages, and a richly varied landscape.

South of the capital is the seaside village of Marathon, followed by the fishing port of Perdika (9 km.). From Perdika small boats ferry visitors to the picturesque islets of Angistri and Moni, ideal spots for enjoying nature, solitude and relaxing pursuits.
The most popular resorts on the Aegina island are Agia Marina, Souvala, and Perdika.

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Hydra a barren, rocky island has become a cosmopolitan artists's centre in recent years.

For artists and art lovers generally, Ydra is both meeting place and showplace.The galleries scattered throughout the port offer somethink more than carefree relaxion by the sea.

The town which is the centre of the whole island, is built amphitheatrically, around the port. It looks glamorous like an art-paint, with grey, white and blue colours above the blue of the sea, an exemplar of architectonics and aesthetics. Right and left from the entrance of the port, there are the parapets with the canons, which protected the city.

On the island you will enjoy romantic walk in the narrows, graphical, paved alleys. Generally, Hydra is famous for the calm life is offers to the visitors in the day, but also for the intense, cosmopolitan life, in the night. Bar, pub, disco, with foreign-Greek music and reverly till the morning.

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Poros (55km (31 nautical miles) SW of Piraeus ) shares the gentle, rolling landscape of the adjacent Peloponnesian coastline, and has several good beaches, some decent tavernas, and a lively summer nightlife.

As someone once said, "Geography is destiny": Poros (the word means "straits" or "ford") is separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow channel only 370 meters wide. This makes the island so easy to reach from the mainland that weekending Athenians and many tourists flock here each summer. In fact, there's a car ferry across the straits almost every 20 minutes in summer--which means there are a lot of cars here.

If you wish, you can use the island as a base for visiting the nearby attractions on the mainland, including Epidaurus, ancient Troezen (modern Trizina), and the lemon groves of Limonodassos. In a long day trip, you can visit Nafplion (Nafplio), Mycenae, and Tiryns.

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