Markets, Ruins & Ancient Athens

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Explore Athens from top to bottom on this cultural tour of Athens. Wander through flea markets, window-shop for leather goods and handmade icons and explore the city’s rich ancient past. See Agora where merchants bargained in Greek and Roman times, wander past the 17th and 18th century houses of Thisson and finish at the mighty Acropolis. This is an Athens travel experience you won't forget!

Highlights:

Visit the bustling city centreand pick up souvenirs in the Monastiraki flea market on this unique Athens tour
See specialist goods on Ifaistou or Pandrossos Streets
Step back in time at the ancient Agora
Wander past 17th century houses and explore the mighty Acropolis on this ultimate Athens travel adventure

Tour style:Walking, Local Life & Culture, History & Heritage
Inclusion:

English speaking local guide

Exclusion:

Tips, foods, drinks, entrance fees

Group size:Maximum 12
Schedule details:

Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Meeting point:
Kotzia square. Pick up is in Kotzia square, in Athina Avenue between metros staions of Omonia and Monastiraki, in front of the Mayor Building. Meet in the square at the Fountain.
Start time: 9.00 AM
Finish point:
Acropolis area where you are free to enter the site for further exploration.

Additional information :

Voucher exchange details:
Please present your voucher to the local guide at the beginning of the trip.
Confirmation of booking:
Please contact Athens Urban Adventures to confirm your tour 24 hours prior to departure.
Dress standard:
In general, there are few dress restrictions in Europe and dress codes are similar to those you are used to at home. Please note though that in many churches modest dress is required; no shorts or skimpy tops are permitted.
Child policy:
Travellers must be 12 years old or older.
Language: English

Also runs from:1 Apr 2012 to 31 Mar 2013

Itinerary:

We start your local Athens tour by meeting your local guide at Ktozia Square, then head to the Mayor of Athens’ neo-classical building on Athina Street, one of the busiest in Athens.

Starting at 9 am when the city’s shops and markets are bustling with Athenians, ready for a day of business just as they have done for the past 2,000 years. You will experience the spirit of Greek life with the same commerce of food that existed thousands of years before, and a classic Athens sightseeing must.

Dive into the Athenian way of life as your guide takes you through the markets. Here you will find every Mediterranean fruit, vegetable, meat, cheese and fresh on offer. Experiencing local produce is one of the best things to do in Athens.

Filled with all these warm colours, tastes, and smells, the next stop is Monastiraki Square, the next stop on our Athens walking tour. The name of the square derives from the Greek word for monastery, in fact in the center of the square sits the Pantanassa monastery. Not far away is the 18th century Tzistarakis mosque, now a ceramics museum. The square is also home to the Adrian library, an archaic temple constructed in the Corinthian-style.

Next, we explore the square’s flea market, mingle with merchants and see ancient monuments as you uncover some Athens history. It is then off to Ifaistou or Pandrossos Streets to discover shops selling all kind of specialties such as leather sandals, hand made icons, Greek music instruments and antiquities. This is the perfect place to pick up a momento of your Athens travel experience.

The next stop on our Athens tour is the ancient Agora, where merchants were trading in Greek and Roman times. Walk through the area to Thisson passing houses from the 17th and the 18th century along the way. Thission used to be a forgotten neighborhood of Athens but in the past 10 years it has been completely renovated, with many pedestrian streets, and restored houses.

The final stop is the mighty Acropolis. Walking around the site learn about the history, and the myths, for each temple. See the Athina Nike, the Caryatides and the Parthenon, constructed in the Golden Age of Athens under Pericles.

Our Athens tour ends here where you are free to continue on your own personal exploration or the guide can give you advice on the best way to get back to your hotel.

Your trip:

This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.

Tipping:

If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid Urban Adventures destinations. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this trip

Cancellations made more than 2 days prior to travel receive a full refund
Cancellations made 2 days or less prior to travel attract a 100% cancellation fee.

Your Local Connection

Athens Urban Adventure team is more than glad to offer to its travelers their best ideas and living experience in Athens city. We have been in this city for more than 35 years with a team of different persons and generations giving a better aspect for interesting visits in the capital of Greece.

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Responsible Travel with Urban Adventures

Wherever we go in the world, we take a responsible attitude with us. That means travelling in a way which both respects and benefits local people, their culture, their economy, and their environment. Please read on for more information on our Responsible Travel policy and how you can be a responsible traveller for your entire journey.

Top 12 Responsible Travel Tips

The following tips are for your overall travel plans, not just for your time spent on an Urban Adventures tour.

Before leaving home, learn as much as possible about the countries you are visiting - the religion and culture, the local rules and values.
Learn some of the local language and don't be afraid to use it - simple pleasantries will help break the ice. Keep practicing.
Learn what's appropriate behaviour and body language. Like the concept of "saving face" in Asia or giving the thumbs up in western or central Europe.
Support locally owned businesses, hotels, restaurants, and other services. Eat local food and drink local brands and brews. Use public transport, hire a bike or walk where convenient - you'll meet local people and get to know the place. Use our local travel practices as a guideline.
Think first. It's best not to eat in restaurants, shop in stores or visit local shows, markets or zoos that promote cruelty or exploitation of endangered species.
Shop from traditional artisans and for locally made products, helping keep traditional crafts alive and favour local products over imported items. Bargain if that is a local practice, but bear in mind that a small amount to you could be extremely important to the seller.
Dress respectfully with an awareness of local standards. Dress modestly at religious sites and check what swim wear is suitable for pools and the beach.
Always ask first before photographing or videoing people. Send them back copies of photos to help make it a two-way exchange.
Be wary of giving gifts or money to beggars, children and people you have just met. Supporting the community through a local school, clinic, or development project may be more constructive.
Leave only footprints...take care of the environment as you would your own home. Take out all you take in, to areas away from the cities. Use alternatives to plastic and say 'no' to plastic bags. For cigarette butts, an empty film container makes a perfect portable container.
After returning home think how you can support programmes and organisations that are working to protect the welfare, culture and environment of where you've been lucky to visit.
Smile - The traveller who wishes to have a happy and successful trip should keep as calm, cheerful and friendly as humanly possible. And have fun!

Responsible Travel Code of Conduct

The following are Urban Adventures's key principles for operating responsible tours.

We aim to:

Use locally owned infrastructure on our tours where possible.
Spread the financial benefits amongst local people and operators.
Provide employment and leadership opportunities for local people.
Respect local customs and culture.
Provide safe tours for Urban Adventure partners, staff, and travellers.
Educate travellers and our partners about how and why we choose to travel this way.
Limit the negative impacts to daily lifestyles of local people not involved with Urban Adventures groups.
Limit the physical impact of trips in all destination communities-particularly sensitive natural and cultural environments.
Provide support to organisations and local communities visited by Urban Adventures groups.
Provide fun enjoyable trips to Urban Adventures travellers.
Provide opportunities for travellers to interact with local people.
Actively ban partners, staff and passenger participation in or endorsement of commercial sexual activities or illegal drug use on Urban Adventures tours.
Actively discourage the participation of Urban Adventures groups in activities which exploit animals - wild or domestic.
Use local partners that adhere to Urban Adventures' Responsible Travel and Local Travel principles and provide the best possible service to Urban Adventures travellers and staff.
Work to prevent the exploitation of children in tourism.
Support and encourage fair employment practices.
Give our travellers the best possible value.

For more information on how to be a responsible traveller, region-specific guidelines, and voluntourism, check out what our friends at Intrepid have to say.

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