Athens

Scott and I have made an annual habit of taking a week off and traveling somewhere in Europe. This year, we decided on a cruise which included some Greek islands, Sicily, and Malta. Our cruise departed from Athens and we took an extra full day to relax and enjoy the city beforehand.

We began our day with a "leisurely" two mile stroll from our hotel though the streets of Athens to the Acropolis. Our walk tool us past the Panathenaic Stadium (the old Olympic Stadium). 

Looking across the ruins of the ancient Agora to the Acropolis I realized that we still had a bit of a walk ahead of us.....

A long walk and an up hill climb brought us to a final set of stairs. Consider the effort it must have taken to get all of that stone to the top of the Acropolis!

From the Acropolis the views over Athens are incredible!

After walking around on the Acropolis, we began our descent through the Agora. This area, the center of ancient Athens, was used for a variety of things and included government buildings as well as a market. 

Dating from the late 10th century, The Church of the Holy Apostles is one of the few remaining intact structures.

  

The Temple of Hephaestus sits on a hilltop overlooking the Agora.

We eventually made our way through the Agora and out into the Plaka. This area of Athens is renowned for its markets, shops, and cafes. 

Before we set out for the day we asked about a nice place for dinner. Our requirements included good food and a nice view. We think they did a pretty nice job for us!