Quick Getaways

Delphi

2006-02-09T05:39:00.000-08:00

Delphi is a gateway close to the Greek capital, located in the region Fokida, round to four hours far from Athens. The landscape around Delphi is of extreme beauty and every year many tourists visit it in order to admire the Greek spirit. Close to Delphi is the mount Parnassus, one of the most spectacular locations of Greece for all the lovers of winter sports and especially ice-skating.
According to the Greek myth, in Delphi is located one of the most ancient oracles, dedicated to the god of light, Apollo. The date the oracle was founded is unknown even today, though many excavation plans have occurred in the region.
The ancient Greeks visited the oracle from time to time in order to hear useful predictions for the future from the priestess Pythea. Most of the times, these predictions were enigmatic and there was not given a specific answer or advice. Pythea used to chew leaves from a certain tree named “Dafni” in order to see the future and give the correct prediction.
The oracle of Delphi eventually became a Pan-Hellenic religious and political center, reflecting its cultural beam to the whole globe. In the same region many celebrations and ceremonies for Greek athletes, heroes and gods were taking place during the ancient times.
The most significant and formal ceremony was called “Pythea”, one the four greatest celebrations for the whole Greece. In that ceremony many people from nearby countries and towns were gathered in order to take part to the feast and celebrate among others. In addition to them there were many representatives of the political and religious scene of other towns, among which the most specific were the Athenians.
Delphi is the best visit for any visitor who would like to take a small glimpse of the ancient Greek glory and see one of the most significant locations that exist close to Athens.
Take a tour in Delphi… and that memory will always stay in your minds and hearts…

by Gianna Loi

Olympia

2006-02-09T05:36:00.000-08:00

Olympia is one of the most important archaeological sites of Greece. Located at Peloponnesus, at the south of Greece, it was never an actual city, but it was considered by the ancient Greeks, as a sacred place, which was consisted mainly by temples and other devotional buildings, and also Olympia was connected with the organization of the Olympic Games.
Recent archaeological excavations have shown that the oldest buildings of Olympia are dated to the Geometric period, approximately 850-760 B.C., but the conditions, on which the first temple was established in Olympia, are not very precise. According to many historians, Olympia was one of the main places of worship of Zeus, the father of gods and people, but also place of worship of other divine beings, such as the titans Cronus and Rhea, who were believed to be the parents of Zeus.
As far as the first Olympic Games are concerned, there are many legends and stories that consider the young Pelops to be the one who first established the Olympic Games. According to those legends, he wanted to marry Hippodamia, the beautiful princess of Olympia, but to do that he had to compete and win her father, king Oenamaus at a chariot race. He managed to win the race and marry Hippodamia, with the help of the gods. In memory of that victorious event, Pelops, who later became king of Olympia, established the Olympic Games, as one of the most important religious events of that time. Olympia since then had known days of prosperity and glory, and due to the fact that it was a sacred place, the conquerors had shown great respect to the city and its buildings. But Olympia is also known for the gigantic statue of Zeus, which was made by ivory and gold. The statue was the work of Phidias, a famous sculptor, and it was so beautiful and imposing that Antipater of Sidon, considered it as one of seven wonders of the world.

by Zoe Tsalta

Mycenae

2006-02-09T05:35:00.000-08:00

Mycenae is one of the most ancient cities of Greece, located round to two hours far from Athens, in the region Argolis of Peloponnesus. The ruins of the city have great archeological interest and form one of the most famous sightseeing in Greece.
According to Greek mythology, Agamemnon, the greatest army leader in Greece, was the king of Mycenae. He had a wife, Clytemnestra, and three children, Iphigenia, Electra and Orestis. Agamemnon started the war against Troy. When he returned to Mycenae Clytemnestra and her lover, with the excuse that he had sacrificed Iphigenia to please the goddess Artemis, before the war in Troy, murdered him. To revenge his father’s death, Orestis murdered Clytemnestra and her lover. Aeschylus and Euripides have based some of their most famous tragedies to the above myth.
During Agamemnon’s reign, Mycenae was transformed to the biggest Greek city. The most spectacular monument, which still exists in the town, is the main entrance, known as “Lions’ Gate”. The name derives by a large piece of stone in a triangle shape that can be found above the gate. On the stone appear two lions facing each other. Apart from the gate, the visitors can see the ruins of the city’s acropolis, the place where the king used to stay with his family. Outside the town exists two large graves: The grave of Atreus, father of Agamemnon, and the grave of Agamemnon; two monuments constructed in an excellent architectonic point of view.
During the ancient times, crafts and arts flourished in Mycenae, forming that way the legacy for all the Greeks. Mycenae is famous for the beautiful vases, the excellent jewels and the large coins. The “Mycenaean Culture” covers a big period of time. Nowadays this place offers a great opportunity for a walk inside the Greek spirit and the visitors may have the feeling that the ancient Greeks are still hiding among the marbles…

by Dionisis Kokkaliaris

Nafplio

2006-02-09T05:33:00.000-08:00

Wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, only 2½ hours from Athens, Nafplio is the perfect destination. It is a historic city, that has determined the county’s course since 1820. One of the most important periods was the one after the liberation from the Turks; when the city was appointed capital of Greece. The first Governor of the country, Kappodistrias, was also assassinated here in 1837.
Having such a great role in modern history, Nafplio takes the visitor to a romantic stroll back in time with its preserved buildings. Don’t forget to visit the two fortresses, Akronafplia and Palamidi. The center of the old city, with its mosques and squares, offers endless delightful walks. Greece’s only ‘Worry Bead’ museum with the famous kompoloi. Most of the hotels and pensions had their role in the past, hosting embassies and other public service buildings (ΤΙΠΟΤΑ ΑΛΛΟ;).
Tip: if you’ll be staying in Nafplio book a hotel in the old city, where old buildings have been renovated and cars are forbidden.
How to get there:
By bus: From Kifissos Station in Athens, take the bus for Nafplio, there are buses leaving every two hours. Duration 3 hours. www.ktel.org
By train: From Larissa Station in Athens, take the train for Nafplio. Telephone Number 1110 (calling from Greece). www.ose.gr
For more information concerning the journey read the article “train-boats-buses” on the transportation page.

by Nikolia Apostolou