Page 112 - BLUE INK 2018

BLUE GUIDE

Best of

Athens

12 things not to miss

By Despoina Sampson

1. A walk along the pedestrianized Dionysiou magnificent backdrop – a true treasure of wave”. At number 7 of the sophisticated
Areopagitou Street. This is one of the Attica – this rare geological phenomenon Emmanouil Benaki Street, taf offers
most attractive parts of the city, like a living, wins over the visitor right from the start. consumers the option of choosing their own
open-air museum. Get off the subway at the These brackish waters, constantly renewed taste profile and learning more about their
pedestrianized Makrygianni Street exit and by the sea as well as underground mineral favorite beverage.
start walking upwards between Acropolis and springs at a depth of 50 m to100 m, are rich 6. Climbing on Athens’s highest point, the top
the Parthenon on one side and magnificent in minerals and salts and, in combination of Mount Lycabettus, which offers truly
stately homes and public buildings of the with the high water temperatures, promote spectacular panoramic views. Gaze around the
19th and 20th centuries on the other in this overall wellness. This is the perfect setting for city and spot all iconic buildings, the Parthenon,
privileged Athenian neighborhood. Don’t an evening cocktail by the illuminated rock in and nearby islands Aegina and Salamina.
forget to visit the Acropolis Museum and a natural landscape of rare acoustics. (http:// 7. A guided tour by excellent professionals in
the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and keep www.limnivouliagmenis.gr/) the National Archaeological Museum of 09
walking up the street which, from a point 4. A walk around the Stavros Niarchos Park Athens. It is worth investing in the knowledge
onwards, is named Apostolou Pavlou. at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural of a special guide to show you around the
2. The magic of watching a movie in an Center. If you visit with your children, this is an rooms with the most prominent exhibits. This Photos: Shutterstock, Stavros Niarchos Park ©SNFCC_Yiorgis Yerolymbos, National Opera-Carmen ©Stefanos Byzantine & Christian Museum. (http://www. at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, on the small museums and classified buildings make
open-air theater in special corners of the city: ideal place for carefree play. The alleys leading season you could admire the sculpted figures, byzantinemuseum.gr/el/) Museum of Cycladic southwestern slope of the Athenian Acropolis. up the most charming walk. Avoid the really
archaeological sites, parks, squares, beaches to the park’s interior are lined with tall pines; at the colourful vases, the ornate jewels and the Art. Don’t forget to visit the Museum of Cycladic Carmen in the shadow of the Acropolis, a hot early afternoon hours.
– but also in some of the loveliest Athenian the center, the Great Lawn is the perfect venue samples of ancient cosmetics at the “Countless Art for the rich tour of ancient Greek art. This National Opera production, directed by British 11. One of the bike rides offered by the City of
museums that are turned into summer cinemas for concerts, festivals and movies. Discover the Faces of Beauty” exhibition. A beautiful journey central Athenian museum has yet another ace Artistic Director Stephen Langridge of the Athens Technopolis with one of the 10 public
with free entrance. Throughout the summer, Mediterranean Garden with Greek endemic from the Neolithic period to late antiquity, with up its sleeve for these days: George Condo’s Gothenburg Opera with Anita Rachvelishvili bicycles provided by the pilot AthensBikes
grab a seat in the parks and courtyards of plants such as cistus, sage, thyme, oregano, 340 objects and products of experimental first major solo museum exhibition in Greece. in the role of Carmen and Pavel Černoch and sharing service in Athens. Discover the
Athenian museums, in theatres and beaches, lavender, and rosemary. The top of the hill archaeology. http://www.namuseum.gr/ He is considered one of the most interesting Dimitris Paksoglou playing Don José is a must. city and its major sights with an air of green
and enjoy on the big screen renditions of offers a panoramic view of the sea to the 8. A light snack in the gardens and atriums of artists of his generation - along with Basquiat, http://greekfestival.gr/gr/venues/view/odeio- supremacy. (http://athens.easybike.gr/el/)
literary works for cinema of “Remains of the west and the Acropolis to the east, as well as the city’s museums. In addition to the atrium of Haring and Koons. At the exhibition “George irodou-attikou. 12. Shopping at one of the most sophisticated
Day” and “Fight Club” to “The Long Day Closes” the Park and the Agora between the National the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, Condo at Cycladic”, we will see paintings, 10. An afternoon stroll with your children suburbs of Athens, Kifissia. In collaboration
and “Lord of the Flies”. (Athens Open Air Film Library and the National Opera. (https://www. you can relax in the café of the Numismatic sculptures and drawings covering a 40-year around Plaka just before sunset. The with several businesses in the region, Life
Festival, 4/6-29/8, www.aoaff.gr) snfcc.org/?lang=el) Museum (http://www.enma.gr/ht/index.htm), artistic journey that explore the human figure atmosphere of an old neighborhood, plenty Gallery athens gives its privileged guests the
3. A visit to Lake Vouliagmeni at the 5. A top-quality espresso in one of the first the Museum of Cycladic Art (https://www. and the many facets of the self hiden within. of monuments, a view to the Acropolis, very opportunity to do their shopping from a list of
heart of the Athenian Riviera. Set against a shops to become part of the “third coffee cycladic.gr/) or the café-bistro Ilissia at the 9. An event of the Athens & Epidaurus Festival few cars, traditional cafés and souvenir shops, selected stores.

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