OVERVIEW: View some of the most famous sites the city has to offer and visit the National Archaeological Museum.
HIGHLIGHTS: On a panoramic tour, drive past the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the National Gardens, the National Library, Panathenaic Stadium, and Parliament Building. Tour the Archeological Museum, a treasure house of ancient masterpieces gathered from excavations throughout Greece.
NOTES: Guests must be able to walk approx. 1 mile over even surfaces with 20 - 50 steps. Flash photography and large bags are not permitted in the museum. At the end of the tour, there will be an optional drop-off in Athens for independent shopping and you will make your way back to the ship.
Overview:
View some of the most famous sites the city has to offer and visit the National Archaeological Museum, a treasure house of ancient masterpieces gathered from excavations throughout Greece.
Highlights:
-Panoramic tour: View the highlights from the coach including the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, Panathenaic Stadium
-National Archeological Museum: Tour the outstanding collection of masterpieces gathered from excavations throughout Greece
Full Description:
Depart from the pier and drive to Athens where your coach will enter the city center along Syngrou Avenue. You will ride past some of the famous sites including the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the largest Corinthian style temple in Greece. You will see how Hadrian's Arch separates the old and new Roman towns. Other sights on your tour include the National Gardens, the National Library and Parliament Building, formerly the Royal Palace. You’ll see the Panathenaic Stadium, site of the first modern Olympics held in 1896.
You will visit the National Archaeological Museum, an unrivaled treasure house containing an outstanding collection of masterpieces gathered from excavations throughout Greece. The museum's main divisions include the prehistoric period, the Mycenae age, sculpture from the Archaic to the Hellenistic periods, and pottery from the Geometric period. A few of the museum's most important exhibits are the bronze statue of Poseidon, the head of Hygeia, the bronze "Jockey-Boy" of Artemision, the Golden mask of "Agamemnon" and the Minoan-style frescoes from Thira (Santorini). Before your return back to the port, you will have the opportunity to take photos of the Acropolis from the pedestrian zone.
Depending on ship's scheduled departure time, at the tour's conclusion, you will have the option of returning to the port with the coach or being dropped in Athens for independent shopping. Should you choose to stay in town, you will need to make your way back to the ship in Piraeus at your leisure and own expense.
What to Bring:
-You should always take your SeaPass card (provided onboard ship) and photo identification when in port
-You will need Euros and/or credit cards for any purchases as foreign currencies are not accepted.
-Camera
What to Wear:
-Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Important Notes:
-Guests must be able to walk approximately 1 mile over even surfaces with 20 - 50 steps in the museum.
-Flash photography, large handbags and backpacks are not permitted in the National Archaeological Museum.
-On Mondays, the National Archaeological Museum does not open until 12:00 pm.
-Due to the extensive renovations and necessary closures of different sections of the museum, the exhibits visited may vary between groups/coaches.
