Italy/Greece Trip Day 5 – Athens

The photo above is of Hadrian’s Arch. Hadrian, as Roman Emperor decided to finish the Temple of Zeus, which was started 500 years earlier!

The first thing I did this morning was to take a 6 a.m. run through a part of Athens. And like running through Sorrento at that time of day, the city is all rolled up. A very different look than during the middle of the day. See photo. 

After breakfast, we toured the city. First, we enjoyed a bus tour of the Constitution Square with the House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus with Hadrian’s Arch, the Old Olympic Stadium (built for the first modern Olympics which took place in Athens in 1896), and the Neoclassical Buildings of Athens.

We then went to the world-renowned Acropolis to see the Propylaea, the Erechtheum and the incredible Parthenon. We also visited Mars Hill, where Paul delivered his ingenious speech on the “Unknown God” (Acts 17). 

Elizabeth and I then split off from the group to view the Agora, have lunch and shop on the famous street of Pandrossou street. The Agora is the ancient center of the economic and public life of the city and is where Paul preached to the skeptical Athenians. 

After lunch and shopping, I had a massage and relaxed until dinner. Dinner was amazing at a local family owned restaurant with seven Greek dishes served, including tasty lamb, which I never eat. 

We set sail tomorrow for the Greek Isles starting from Athens with our stop – Mykonos.