We got up the next morning for a private tour around Athens and the Acropolis. We met our guide at a cafe at the base of the Acropolis and immediately headed up. On the way up the hill, the guide explained all kinds of details of Greek life in ancient times, and explained the purpose and use of the various ruins we passed. She was really a treasure trove of information.
After squeezing our way through the crowds to the top of the Acropolis, we were able to take in the Parthenon and the surrounding buildings. Though it is clearly not a complete structure these days, the size and precision of the stonework was still incredible. To top it off, the Acropolis has some incredible views of the surrounding city.
Once we had our fill of the monuments, we headed down the other side of the hill and got a tour of some of the oldest neighborhoods in the center of town. These had a range of architectural and artistic sights. Once again, our guide was a huge help. I don’t know how we would have found these places without her.
