I am going to take the RS tour of Greece but have a full and partial day in Athens before the tour starts. The partial day ends at 2 when the tour meets for the first time. I am currently looking for a decent day trip which is something that won't be covered on the tour. There are 3 trips I am considering. The temple at Sounion (which I could do as a partial day if I take a "morning" tour), Corinth or the Daphni Monastery (there are different opinions on the net as to whether or not it is open, closed or open at very limited times.) So, if anyone has an opinion about which they enjoyed the most I would like to hear it. Are there any day tours (am already going to Delphi, Hydra, etc. on the RS tour) that I'm not considering? TIA
Posted by
OP
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
Lee, Thanks for the reply. I will be coming from Turkey so hopefully will be ready to go by the first full day in Athens. Great idea about Lycabettus Hill, sounds like something I would like to do. (Good to hear from Cottage Grove!)
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
Hi Ray- Greetings from Cottage Grove. If you're flying in all the way from PDX just before your RS tour your first day will be a blur of jet-lag, so you might want to keep it simple. A daytrip to Sounion would be best. That same evening you can go up to the summit of Lycabettus Hill using the funicular from Kolonaki Square to have a meal or a drink and watch the sunset over the city.
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1388 posts
Ray Not a day trip but a reasonable half day is the monastery of Kaisariani. The monastery itself is small but you can walk up behind onto Mount Hymettus and get great views back over Athens. There are more details here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaisariani_Monastery http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189400-d198783-Reviews-Kaisariani_Monastery_Kessariani-Athens_Attica.html You can do this by local bus, plus a 30 minute walk. The bus is the 224. You can pick this up behind the University on Acadamias. Cheers Alan
Posted by
OP
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
Again, it looks like the kind of thing I would enjoy. Thanks for the post and the links. I read and then bookmarked them!
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1388 posts
Ray Another half day trip by local bus is Elefsina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleusis It's a nice site with a pleasant little museum. It's only around 250 metres from the coast where there are some nice little tavernas for lunch. You can go by local bus A16 from Plateia Elefteria. The bus actually runs past Dafni so you could combine the two. The downside is that, while the site is good, the bus runs through a really industrial area and so the route isn't as scenic as to Sounio for example. If sites interest you can I also recommend the Keramicos in Athens. This is an interesting site with good statues and great views of the Acropolis. It's very slightly off the beaten track - about 5 minutes walk on a pedestrian path from Thisseo metro - and for some reason a lot of people miss it out. http://www.athensinfoguide.com/wtskerameikos.htm Plateia Elefteria, for the Elefsis bus, is about 5 minutes further on. Alan
Posted by
OP
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
Thanks for the super ideas and links. I can see I'll have plenty to fill my day and a half. I appreciate the more "out of the way" ideas.