In planning excursions for a July 2025 cruise (just completed) I identified the local Athens guide Effie Perperi in Rick Steve’s “Greece: Athens and the Peloponnese”. I communicated with Effie several times both by phone and email prior to our trip. She made helpful recommendations relative to the pre-purchase of tickets for several of the sites we were to visit and even pre-arranged round-trip transportation for us from the cruise ship.
Effie greeted us at the Acropolis Museum with a warm welcome and proceeded to engage us in a walk to the top of the Acropolis while describing the 3,000-year journey back to the daily life of the ancient Athenians. We barely noticed the steep climb passing the Theater of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, where the great tradition of theater in Western civilization began. Effie’s account of the naming of Athens and historic battles that shaped the culture of the Greek world was mesmerizing. The stony pathway to the top revealed the spectacular windswept vistas of greater Athens while her commentary awakened our appreciation of the legendary myths of the Greek gods and goddesses.
Having gained an understanding of the Acropolis and its four main monuments, Effie continued our informative tour in the Acropolis Museum to explore relics and reliefs from the hilltop temples. We then enjoyed an entertaining walk through the winding streets and bazaars of Athens “Old Town” on our way to the ancient Agora. Effie brought to life this center of political and commercial life in ancient Athens.
Throughout the tour, my wife and I were both impressed and enlightened by our guide, as she integrated her wealth of knowledge into one glorious day in Athens. Thank you, Rick Steves, for this stellar recommendation, and thank you, Effie Perperi, for a highlight adventure.
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