|
 |
|
|
Greece,
Attica
Attica: -
Attica is characterised by calm beaches, and the pinewoods and thyme-covered slopes of Mount Parnes, Hymettus and Pentelico.
ATHENS: The city of Athens is dominated by the flat-topped hill of the Acropolis, site of the 2400-year-old Parthenon, one of the most famous classical monuments in the world (which is beautifully lit at night by a mass of coloured lights), the Theatre of Dionysus, the Doric Temple of Hephaistos, the Hadrian's Arch, and the waterclock (Tower of the
Winds). On the far side of the Acropolis is the restored Odeon of
Herodes Atticus, a superb theatre in which the open-air performances of the International Athens Festival are held from June to September. The ruins of the civic, political and commercial centre of the Ancient Agora can be visited, as can the reconstructed Hellenistic Stoa of Attalos, which houses the Agora Museum. Most artefacts are displayed in the National Archaeological Museum on Patission Street. The centre of Athens has many modern shops, restaurants, international-class hotels and nightclubs. The old quarter of the town, Plaka, which spreads around the Acropolis, is picturesque with its famed flea market, small tavernas, craft shops and narrow winding alleys. The excavations of the Library of Hadrian can be observed from Pandrossou street. The Piraeus, lying at the innermost point of the Saronic Gulf just outside Athens, is the main port of the town and there are a number of good fish restaurants. From here ferries leave regularly for the islands and other points along the coast. An electric train service connects Athens and Piraeus.
SOUTHWARDS ALONG THE WEST COASTLINE: The Apollo Coast is one of the best developed tourist areas, stretching from Piraeus as far as Cape Sounio at the southern tip of the promontory. Marinas, well-appointed swimming beaches, small bays, modern hotel complexes, rented flats, numerous tavernas specialising in seafood, luxury-class restaurants and nightclubs are all attractions of the area. Here, crowning the Cape Sounio, 69km (43 miles) from Athens, is a towering promontory which dominates the landscape for miles around. Here the superb ruins of the Temple
of Poseidon, surrounded by steep access paths. Other resorts (and their distance from Athens) include: Paleo Faliro (8km/5 miles), Alimos (11km/7 miles), Glifada (17km/11 miles), Voula (18.5km/11.5 miles), Kavouri (23km/14 miles), Vouliagmeni (24km/15 miles), Vouliagmeni
Lake (a natural lake with medicinal waters, set in beautiful surroundings) (26km/16 miles), Varkiza (28km/17 miles), Lagonissi (40km/25 miles) and Anavissos (51km/32 miles).
NORTHWARDS AROUND THE GULF OF CORINTH: Kineta (55km/34 miles from Athens), a coastal resort with an extensive beach, lies on the Saronic Gulf and can be reached on the Old Corinth road. Porto Germeno (73km/45 miles from Athens), Psatha (67km/42 miles) and Alepohori (61km/38 miles) are typical Attic villages, set in thick pinewoods and bordering on the Gulf of Corinth. Sheltered bays provide excellent swimming. Accommodation is available and there are numerous restaurants specialising in seafood dishes.
THE EAST COAST OF ATTICA: Stretching from Cape Sounio to Skala Oropou, there is a succession of resorts, set amid pinewoods. These include (all distances are from Athens) Lavrio (52km/32 miles), Porto Rafti (38km/24 miles), Loutsa (30km/19 miles), Rafina (28km/17 miles), Mati (29km/18 miles), Agios Andreas (31km/19 miles), Nea Makri (33km/21 miles), Schinias (44km/27 miles), Agia Marina (47km/29 miles) and Agii Apostoli (44km/27 miles). In general, there is a wide choice of hotels, rooms to rent, restaurants and tavernas.
THE SARONIC GULF AND ISLANDS: The Saronic Gulf stretches from the Attica coastline to the Peloponnese shores. The best-known islands here are Aegina, Salamis, Poros, Hydra,
Spetses, Dokos, Spetsopoula and the islets of Angistri and Moni. Information about fares can be obtained from Piraeus Central Port Authority (tel: (1) 422 6000). One-day cruises to the islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra leave daily throughout the year from Flisvos Marina at Paleo Faliro.
Aegina (Egina) is a favourite among holidaymakers for its excellent beaches, clear seas and fine climate. The terrain is flat and cycling is popular. Other means of transport are buses, taxis and horsedrawn carriages. There are beauty spots and beaches at Plakakia, Agia Marina, Faros and Marathonas.
Angistri and Moni are two small wooded islands which offer opportunities for excursions.
Salamis enjoys a frequent shuttle service from nearby Piraeus and from Perama by motor-sailing vessels (called caiques) across the Straits. The island has good roads and a network of bus and taxi services. At Eandio there are the remains of ancient Telamon. Sandy beaches line the shores of the resorts at Kaki Vigla, Moulki, Kanakia and Peristeria. There are few large hotels.
Methana, jutting out from the Peloponnese peninsula, is renowned for its medieval springs at Methana town and modernised hydrotherapy installations run by the Greek/Hellenic National Tourist Organisation. Methana attracts a large number of visitors every year.
Poros is a thickly-wooded island lying just off the Peloponnese mainland township of Galatas. It is made up of two islands, linked by a narrow neck of land: Kalavria and Sphaeria on which the town of Poros is built. Ferries leave for the mainland where there is a famous lemon grove and the remains of ancient Trizina, the legendary birthplace of Theseus. Sandy beaches, at Askeli and Neorio, are also accessible by ferry.
Hydra is a cosmopolitan island offering an active nightlife. Resorts with good beaches are at Kamina, Molos, Palamida, Bisti and Mandraki and the sea cave of Bariami has been converted into a swimming pool; many beaches are more easily reached by boat. The island does not allow any motorised transport. There is only a small number of hotel rooms and most visitors hire or own their accommodation. A large (closed) monastery is centred at the highest point of the island.
Spetses lies at the southern extremity of the Saronic Gulf. It has long been a holiday resort and has good hotels and a variety of entertainment facilities. Seaside resorts include Zogeria, Agia Marina, Agia Anangiri and Agia Pasaskevi.
|
|
