Athens tour description;
On this panoramic tour, which involves sightseeing from the motor coach, you will pass the Arch of Hadrian, the statue of Lord Byron, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which took 700 years to complete. Continuing on towards Constitution Square, view the former Royal Palace where the Evzones National Guard keep watch in their traditional costume over the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

See the all-marble Olympic Stadium built for the modern Olympic Games in 1896. Pass by the National Gardens and drive along University Street, whose numerous neo-Classical buildings include the University and the Library. You will stop to snap a few photos at the foot of the Acropolis.

I am writing this while sitting in the Crows Nest. I am at what is called a “Sail Away Party.” Our ship is literally backing away from Piraeus as I write. Sunset took place just five minutes ago.

Piraeus is the port adjacent to Athens. I learned today that Athens is one of the ten oldest cities in the world. There are many places where building is interrupted due to archeological discoveries.

I have one positive and one negative observation about Athens. The positive observation is that virtually every roof has solar water heaters. The negative observation is that virtually every wall has graffiti.

Mary and I took the Panoramic Tour which only made a couple of stops where we got off for pictures and shopping. There were historic ruins to see but they were crowded by other ordinary buildings. Our tour guide said that pollution is rapidly destroying edifices which have lasted twenty-five centuries. Measures are being taken to preserve ancient ruins but Greece is facing big financial challenges right now.

I would recommend the “Hop on/Hop Off Tour” to anybody visiting Athens. The buses are handicapped accessible. Tourists are able to travel to a variety of locations including the wealthiest areas of Athens.

The day ended with a special folk performance in The Queens Lounge. A talented group of local musicians and dancers did a fabulous job of entertaining us with traditional Greek dances. The women wore colorful dresses while the men wore traditional white outfits that looked like women’s tennis dresses. (I knew these had to be traditional and sure enough, the guards of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior wear the same costumes.) When the entertainment was almost over, the dancers came into the audience and invited us to join with them dancing on the stage. For me personally, this was the highlight of the evening. I joined the dancers and fellow passengers with the dance I call “Zorba the Greek.” What fun!