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The landscape of Greece is covered with archaeological sites that have survived the test of time. Athens is adorned by the beautiful Parthenon, a fine tribute to the aesthetic beauty that was constantly sought in the Golden Age of ancient Athens. However, it is not only Athens that contains examples of the culture and society of the ancient Greeks. There are many World Heritage arcaheological sites in Greece, all awaiting to be rediscovered time and time again by visitors from all over the world

Faistos, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Dodoni and Vergina are just a small handful of these sites.

Faistos (also Phaistos)

Located 62 km from the city of Heraklion in southern Crete, the ancient Minoan city of Faistos, dating from the 15th century B.C., was one of the richest and most powerful Minoan cities. Excavation of the remnants of the Old and New Palaces started in 1884. It was also here that the Disk of Phaistos was found - the disk is written in the Linear A script, which has yet to be deciphered.

Mycenae

Probably one of the most famous ancient sites in Greece, Mycenae was ruled by the ancient king Agamemnon, who lead the Greek forces in the war against Troy. Filled with stories of great battles, Mycenae rapidly became a powerful city, influencing the whole of the Greek world. The city's 'cyclopean' walls and massive Lion Gate were built with such large stones, the other Greeks said that they had been built by Cyclopes.

This site is a must for admirers of ancient Greek culture and mythology.

Olympia

As the name suggests, Olympia was the site where the ancient Olympic Games took place every four years. A major religious festival, the ancient Olympiad was held in honour of Zeus. The first Olympiad was reported to have taken place in 776 B.C and athletes were not only from regions throughout the Greek world, but also from from other European and African nations. They were welcomed and revered for their prowess and bravery.

The Olympic Games were such an important event in the ancient calendar, that the Peloponnesian War between the Athenians and the Spartans was brought to a halt in order for the Games to take place. Spartan and Athenian athletes competed and cheered for each other, as if they had never been at war. Once the Games finished, however, the war resumed. This spirit of internationalism and camaraderie was recently repeated in August 2004, where Greece once again hosted the Games.

Delphi

Located 180 km north of Athens, and easily accessible by car or coach, Delphi is perfect for a day trip for anyone staying in Athens. The Oracle at Delphi was the most important religious site in the ancient Greek world. Dedicated to Apollo, it was known as the Omphalos, the navel (or centre) of the world. Greeks made their way to Delphi in order to recieve sage advice from the Pythia, the female soothsayer. Intoxicated, and in a trance-like state, she would often mutter intelligeble or inomprehensible answers to questions asked of her.

The arcaheological site at Delphi is quite impressive, containing ruins of the Temple of Apollo, the Amphitheatre, the Athenian Treasury and more. The Archaeological Museum of Delphi is located next to the site, and houses the Omphalos Stone, and the famous bronze statue of the Charioteer.

Dodoni

The ancient site of Dodoni (or Dodona) is located just 22km south of the city of Ioannina in northwestern Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, the famous oracle located there murmured her prophesies from a large, sacred oak tree.

Among the ruins, one can find the Temple of Zeus and a stadium used for athletic events. There is also a large amphiteatre, which could seat 18,000 people (larger than the one at Epidaurus).

Vergina

Located in northern Greek province of Macedonia, Vergina was the seat of the powerful Macedonian kings. Excavations began in the late 19th century, and in 1977 the Royal Tombs had been discovered, miraculously unplundered and intact – this was considered to be one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century. The most impressive tomb belonged to Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great.

Apart from the Royal Tombs and a large cemetery (the Necropolis), one may also find the remains of the Palace, the Theatre and a walled acropolis.

Cultural events in Athens

Known throughout antiquity for its culture, Athens would not be Athens without a plethora of musical, theatrical, dance, art or cinema centres. Athens really comes alive in the summer where the ancient Herodion Atticus Theatre, the Lycabettus Theatre and other outdoor centres host an array of events.

So whether your idea of culture is enjoying an opera in the Megaron Music Hall, or dancing all night long under the stars at one of the beach-side clubs, Athens has something for you!

For further details and schedules of events, please check out www.culture.gr which is operated by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

The Hellenic Festival www.hellenicfestival.gr
The Festival takes place in Athens' Herodes Atticus (Herodion Theatre) and proposes 77 performances: modern and ancient theatre, ballet, opera, jazz and classical music, symphonic music and great singers etc.

The International Jazz and Blues Festival (June)
The Festival is welcomed by the Theatre of Lycabettus in Athens.

"Musical July" (July) www.hellenicfestival.gr
“Musical July”, the significant cultural institution at the Ancient Epidaurus Little Theatre. For five weekends the audience enjoys events of high aesthetics from all over Greece.

Sound and Light Performances (Sept.-Oct.)
These popular spectacles combining visual effects with music and narration are presented nightly at historic sites of archaeological importance: the Acropolis in Athens, the Palace of the Grand Masters in Rhodes and the Old Fortress in Corfu.

Maria Callas
Maria Callas, one of the most exciting opera singers of her generation, is intimately bound to Greece and Athens. Born in New York of Greek parentage, her family returned to Greece, where she attended the Athens Conservatory, studying with soprano Elvira de Hidalgo.

The Greek National Opera www.nationalopera.gr
The Greek National Opera is the only lyric theatre of Greece.

The performances of the Greek National Opera are presented in two stages: Olympia Theatre (Opera and Ballet) and Acropol Theatre (Greek Operettas, Opera for Children and young people).

Megaron - The Athens Concert Hall www.megaron.gr
Since it opened its doors to the public in 1991, the Athens Concert Hall has been regarded as one of the most comprehensive culture centres in Europe.

The Athens State Orchestra
During 110 years of its operation, the Athens State Orchestra, the main institution of Greek symphonic music history, has prepared most interesting programmes under direction of major conductors.

Orchestra of the Colours www.orchestraofcolours.gr
The Orchestra of Colours was founded in 1989 by Manos Hadjidakis. Its establishment fulfilled his vision for a first-rate orchestra dedicated to presenting interesting works not usually included in standard repertory.

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Athens public transport, metro, bus, tram

Athens Urban Transportation
Athens is located in the Prefecture of Attica and sprawls across the plain of Attica hemmed in by mountains ( i.e. Mt Aigaleo, Mt Parnitha, Mt Penteli and Mt Hymettos). The Greek capital, together with its suburbs and the neighbouring city of Piraeus, forms an integrated residential complex
(the capital's main urban planning complex) numbering about 3.5 million inhabitants.
The entire prefecture has witnessed the development of state-of-the-art transportation infrastructure catering to residents and visitors in a fast and reliable way.
Athens transportation system is good and easy.

* Buses-trolleybuses:

Bus Athens Under Athens Urban Transportation. There are following Bus numbers in Athens: starst with number 021 and ends with number 116
and trolleybuses starst with number 1 and ends with number 25
All Trolleys have Yellow coloure while Buses are Blue.
Also the stops are - yellow for Troley and Blue for buses.

Ticket price: 0,50 Euros (regular ticket)
Validity: Only for a single journey *
Where to buy : All public transport outlets , All Metro stations (Lines 2 and 3).
At 3.500 news stands
For information on city bus and electric trolleybus itineraries , as well as on timetables and tickets: (www.osasa.gr)

*Athens Metro:

( eur 0,70 Full-price ticket ) ( Athens METRO MAP )
The Athens metro consists of three lines
- Line 1 (the old Athens-Piraeus electric rail service known as ISAP tom Kiffisia via Syntagma),
- Line 2 (underground) From Ag. Antonios station to Ag. Dimitrios station (via Syntagma or Acropoli)
- Line 3 ( underground) - From Athens Airport to Syngama Square. Covering a considerable part of the Attica region. New extensions are expected in the future. Analytical route maps are displayed in every metro station.
For more information visit Attiko Metro (www.ametro.gr )

*Tram:

( eur 0,60 Full-price ticket )
The tram network connects the centre of Athens ( Syntagma Square ) to the southern (coastal) suburbs. Boasting state-of-the-art technology and modern vehicle design, it serves the following routes: - Athens-Glyfada, running through Nea Smyrni, Paleo Faliro, Alimos, Helliniko.
- Athens-Peace & Friendship Stadium (Neo Faliro), running through Nea Smyrni and Paleo Faliro and from there branching out along the coastal avenue, and
- Glyfada-Peace & Friendship Stadium via the coastal avenue and the Faliriko Delta. For more information (www.tramsa.gr)

*The Suburban Railway

Athens Suburbans Railway (Know as Proastiakos): It accommodates travel to/from Athens and the “Eleftherios Venizelos” Athens International Airport, with seven stops along the line.
Conneting Larissa station (Athens Central Railway Station) with Eleftherios Venizelos International Airporte yellow.
New line to the Corinth (84 km west of Athens), - Corinth is much closer to Athens due the new “proastiakos” (suburban) railway system. While upon completion it will connect Piraeus and its port to Athens, the airport and other large urban centres in neighbouring prefectures (Thiva, Chalkida, Loutraki). For more information( www.proastiakos.gr)

* Athens Taxi:

All taxis are yellow and equipped with a metre displaying the fare. The driver is obliged to activate the meter upon hire. From 05:00-24:00hrs Tariff 1 applies, while from 24:00-05: 00 hrs Tariff 2 comes into effect
Taxi drivers are on strike very often !!
The price Airport - Centre is cca 25 - 35 EUR

Athens' taxis are inexpensive - though you should always check the meter is set to the right tariff - but hailing one can be incredibly frustrating. To try this from the pavement, shout your destination as one passes.
If a taxi is heading your way, it might stop even if there are passengers already inside. But don't count on it. If you absolutely must be somewhere on time, a more expensive radio taxi will be safe.

*Attiki Odos Motorway - The Attiki Odos is a cutting-edge motorway in Europe linking the town of Elefsina (located in western Attica) to the “Eleftherios Venizelos” Athens International Airport (Spata, eastern Attica). Part of the Athens peripheral ring road, it circumvents Athens and offers 27 main and secondary interchanges for entrance and exit into /from the capital. To enter the motorway tolls are paid, the fare depending on vehicle category based on height and number of axes. For more information, Click here ( www.aodos.gr )

*Intercity coach service: For information on how to get to other areas in the Prefecture of Attica, Click here ( www.ktel.org ).

CAR RENTALS IN ATHENS
(Many RENT A CAR companies are situated in SYNGROU street in centre of Athens)

SWIFT CAR RENTAL - 50, Syngrou Avenue, 117 42 Athens (city centre) Tel 2109233919, 2109247006, Fax 2109227922

SIXT RENT A CAR - Athens airport, branch in the city centre - 21, Syngrou Avenue, Tel 2109220171, Fax 2109220769

24 Hours Travel Service - Car Rental Greece - 4, Karag. Servias Street (Syntagma) Tel 2103244220-1

HERTZ - 31, Viltanioti Street, 145 64 Kato Kifissia, Reservations Tel 2106264444

EUROPEAN RENT A CAR - 36, SYGROU AVE, Tel: ++30 2109233200, ++30 2109233222,

HOLIDAY AUTOS - 8, Syngrou Ave.,117 42 Athens, Tel 2109223088, 2109226102, 2109225767)

Cultural events in Athens

So whether your idea of culture is enjoying an opera in the Megaron Music Hall, or dancing all night long under the stars at one of the beach-side clubs, Athens has something for you!

For further details and schedules of events, please check out www.culture.gr/ which is operated by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.

Weather in Athens

Greece has a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and a limited amount of rainfall.

Due to the country's geographical position, its rugged relief and its distribution between the mainland and the sea, there is great variation in Greece's climate.

In summer, the dry hot days are cooled by seasonal winds called the meltemi, while mountainous regions have generally lower temperatures.

The winters are mild in lowland areas, with a minimum amount of snow and ice, yet, mountains are usually snow-covered.

Moreover, a common phenomenon is the occurrence of different climactic conditions during the same season (for instance, mild heat in coastal areas and cool temperatures in mountainous regions).

Spring and early autumn are considered by many to be the best times of year to visit Athens. The weather is remarkably pleasant and the mood of the city is filled with a natural beauty as is apparent by the abundant and fragrant jasmine that pours from the balconied neoclassical buildings.