Grandeurs of Greece Vacation: Acropolis, Parthenon, Olympia & Delphi

Today you will step out into the history of the city, reaching from the contemporary to the ancient. The image of the Olympics has changed partly since its inception and even since its reincarnation, but the prestige is no less striking. The Panathenaikon Stadium sits along the main road of the city just outside the center; the first stadium to hold the modern day Olympic games in 1896. The marble bleachers wrap around the field where it is easy to imagine runners and wrestlers competing, crowds cheering, and the overall boisterousness of pride for self and country that was alluring.

Along the foothill of the Acropolis you can see the pillars of the Parthenon from every angle you turn. The stairs change from stone to marble, the entrance gate, known as the Propylaea, stands proud against the open sky in the background. Once on the citadel the temples are nothing less than awe-inspiring; from their initial conception to their perseverance, they have enchanted people from around the world for millennia. The Erechtheion houses an olive tree that is said to have been a gift from Athena, for whom the city derives its name. The majority of the Caryatids, pillars that resemble women holding up a corner of the temple, are now housed in the Acropolis Museum; one is in the British Museum in London. The beauty of each stone, each sculpture, and each ionic column highlights the attention to detail and represents a true Golden Age worth remembering.

The morning rises with the gentle gleam of pink brushing along the marble of the Acropolis. Today you will venture outside of Athens to discover the great classics of Greece beginning at the ruins of Mycenae. The rock remains of the castle stand between the tapered hills that once gave the palace the power over the land and sea. Beehive tombs run along the mounds of the hillside, including one belonging to who archeologists believe was the famous Agamemnon, leader of the Grecian armies during the Peloponnesian War. A gold mask placed inside the tomb, that looked as though it had been plated to resemble the sun, was found inside of the catacomb. Within the ancient palace the Cyclopean Walls rise over the fortifications that have sunken with time. The walls are made with limestone boulders, pushed tougher roughly, giving birth to the legend that giants must have built the walls because no human could have moved the monoliths. Outside of Mycenae are the ruins of Epidaurus, home to sanctuary of the healer god, Asklepios. A quick journey through the city brings you to the edges of Olympia.

The warmth of the morning brings you to the edges of your seat, ready to jump out and explore the remains of one of the most well-known names in the world and where the first Olympics were ever held: Olympia. Within the valley of the Peloponnesus, the city was once the center for the worship of Zeus, where one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the statue of Zeus, once stood. Today the ruins of the temple stand as a reminder of the grandeur of the god of gods, along with the toll of time. The grass wraps around ancient Olympia like a tribute to the fallen splendor while the ruins continue to inspire and awe visitors. The restored ruins of Hera’s temple give a fulfilled stature to its surroundings. The columns are tall and proud; women from all over come to celebrate the goddess and her strength. As the sun drifts over the magnificence of history you will leave the ruins of Olympia behind and make your way to Delphi.

Along the slopes of Mount Parnassus you will find the city of Delphi where the famed oracle watched over the future of the Mediterranean for thousands of years. The mountaintops that undulate through the distant sky give a vibrant welcomed green to the morning. The air is sweet with earth and grass, a sumptuous blend that reminds you of the history of the world. It’s like stepping into a movie, where you can expect the ghost of the oracle to whisper counsel into your ears, spoken by the wind and heard only by those listening for it. The Athenian Treasury glistens with marble, restored and proud against the towering trees above. The metopes highlight mythological themes of Heracles and Amazonians, all while housing the Athenian offerings to the oracle. The magnificence of the ruins spans time and earth, watching over the surroundings with a power that was unheard of at the time, influencing kings and politicians, athletes and warriors. Although the counsel might be gone, the influence of the legend of the oracle over people remains.

Rising over the town of Kalambaka along the breathtaking cliffs stand the monasteries of Meteora. Whether craning your neck to see the top of the precipice where the beautiful monasteries reside or looking over the vast valley below where the city sits quietly beneath you, the foothills reach out in the distance, and the mountain peaks roll like waves through the sky. There is no better way to describe an escape to Meteora from above or below than as breathtaking. The collection of monasteries can be reached from stone steps that wind up the rocky cliffs.

Visit the monastery of Great Meteoron, the largest of collective and used a museum to commemorate the history of the area. The impressive display of buildings along the precipice make it area look almost like a Swiss chalet, instead of an Orthodox Greek Church. The interior is marked with catacombs, housing past monks, jugs of wine and produce, along with frescos that are lit by oddly shaped windows, each lens reflecting light with precision onto particular icons during precise moments in the earth’s rotation. There is never an end to the wonder of the Meteora as you make your way back into the valley and return to Athens.

Let your final full day in Greece be spent doing what you love and however the day calls to you. Whether you prefer to journey to the edges of Attica to see the impressive ruins of the Temple of Poseidon or stroll along the Plaka enjoying the vivaciousness of this ancient street, luxuriate in the lovely day. Monastiraki is a magnificent market where a variety of people, Athenians and visitors alike, tour the stands and cafes. The ancient agora is adjacent to Monastiraki, adding an hint of days past to the present modern marketplace. The contemporary square is paved in cobblestones and filled with vendors boasting all types of goods. It’s as if you have stepped away from Greece and into a bazaar where everything from shawls to shoes, and spices to pottery line the never-ending walkways.

The open square is a mixture of pastries and souvlaki, giving you the desire to have one last taste before you leave. Within the lanes of the market you can even find Stavros Melissinos; he may look like a shoemaker, because he is one; however, he is also a world renowned and celebrated poet. Maybe you’ll see how he makes his shoes or maybe you’ll see how he makes his poems; he gives an extra boost of life to the sensational vibrancy of the market.

Morning comes with a luscious rosy shine over the expanse of the city. The decadent breakfast wafts through the halls of the hotel beckoning you to have a bite. You checkout of your hotel and are taken to the airport where you will soon depart for home. Your Grecian escape has taken you through the classics of Greece, from epic poems to hanging monasteries, oracles to games. It was a journey you’ll have trouble saying goodbye to but you won’t fear; you know that Greece will always be there for when you need another escape.

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