Walking Athens

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Explore the city's major sites by foot on this Athens walking tour. Begin in Syntagma Square and see the Evzones hard at work. Then head to the Acropolis before a spot of window shopping in the Plaka area, and enjoying some of the cool things to do in Athens. Finish by exploring Hadrian’s Arch, the Temple of Jupiter and the Panathinaikos Marble stadium.

Highlights:

See the uniquely dress Evzones on this Athens tour
Explore bustling pedestrian streets
Travel by metro to see ancient sites
Experience ancient Greece with a guide at the Acropolis
Explore Hadrian’s Arch
Visit the home of the first Olympics
Finish your Athens tour shopping in Plaka

Tour style:Walking, Market visits, Local Life & Culture, Public Transportation, History & Heritage
Inclusion:

English speaking guide

Exclusion:

Tips, drink, lunch, transport, entrance fees

Group size:Maximum 12
Schedule details:

Duration: 2.5 - 3 hours
Meeting point:
Syntagma Square, (at the exit of Syntagma metro station), in the middle of of the square, at the fountain.
Start time: 8.45 AM
Finish point:
Plaka area.

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:

Start this historical Athens walking tour by meeting your local guide in Syntagma Square, the most important and crowded square in Athens. Around the square, you will find impressive neo-classical buildings. The best known is the Grande Bretagne, once a royal palace but these days a luxury hotel which has housed everyone from Churchill to Madonna.

At the upper end of the square see the Evzones, the guards of the Constitution, and the tomb of the unknown soldier. The Evzones are traditionally dressed with 17th and 18th century clothes: an impressive white skirt, red hat and an old rifle. The changing of the guard happens every hour and we’ll be sure to see the spectacle as it a must on the Athens things to do list!

Jumping on the metro and travelling to Monastiraki is the next local adventure on our Athens tour. Travelling between these stations is like stepping back in time; both have exposed ancient ruins behind glass, discovered during the excavations for the metro system.

Walk from the station as you get ready to experience some Athens sightseeing wonders as we make our way around the walls of Ancient Acropolis through the Ancient Agora. Learn about the history, and the myths, for each temple and receive explanations about the Athina Nike, the Caryatides and the Parthenon, constructed in the Golden Age of Athens under Pericles.

Afterwards, explore the Plaka area. Shop for souvenirs along Adriannou Street and stop at an ouzo shop to taste the Greek national drink. All taverns in Greece sell ouzo and here you’ll see different types from all over the country, made in many different ways. You’ll also see shops that specialize in olive oil, sponges, icons, leather sandals or bags - something you won't experience on other Athens tours.

Continue walking to Diogenis Square, under the impressive wall of the Acropolis. See Hadrian’s Arch, built in honor of one of the most glorified Roman emperors. Directly behind it you can see the ruins of the Jupiter (Zeus) temple as you taste and feel the history of Athens.

Pass by the National Garden and Zappeion, to arrive at the Panathinaiko Stadium. Made of white marble it was here that the first Olympic games took place and where the 2004 Olympic marathon ended.

Finally admire some of the more modern architecture as we continue our Athens sightseeing tour. Learn how well known foreign architects built and designed neo-classical residences during the 18th and 19th century and see how they sit next to ancient Grecian sites.

The Athens walking tour comes to an end in the Plaka area where you are free to continue your own personal exploration or the guide can give you advice on how 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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