2022 President's AcademyATHENS, GREECE MAY 17 – 25, 2022
Redolent with history and mythology, Athens is an affable city enlivened by bustling outdoor cafes, pedestrian streets that wind through the city’s ancient sites and its fair share of urban eccentrics. If you get into the Athenian mindset, you’ll enjoy one of the most laid-back and quirky European cities.
The city may look like a concrete jungle and with occasional bouts of smog, but beyond its noisy and chaotic veneer is an undeniable charm. The historic centre, major sites and dining and entertainment precincts are all close together making Athens a great walking city.
No visit to Athens would be complete without a visit to the Acropolis. There you’ll find the Parthenon, the largest building in the Acropolis and one of the world’s most awe-inspiring sights. It was built as a temple to Athena and is still a remarkable structure today.
In a single day, you can climb the hill of the Acropolis to wonder at the Parthenon, join the lively Athenians in Constitution Square, and then find a welcoming taverna for some spirited bizouki music, plenty of ouzo to drink, and with luck, energetic Greek dancing.
Explore the narrow streets and alleys, single-story houses, neoclassical villas, taverns and many tourist shops. Experience the traditional flea market of Monastiraki, the neighbourhood next to Plaka. Tour the National Archaeological Museum, home to a formidable collection of the world’s antiquities. Pay a visit to Agora, ancient site of the religious and political heart of Athens.
Traditional handicrafts, though sometimes expensive, are the most authentically Greek souvenirs. In Athens, Monastiraki and Plaka are the best places to purchase handcrafted goods. You’ll find ceramics, brightly coloured embroidery and wall hangings, flokati rugs and tapestries.
Just a short drive from downtown Athens, the relaxing Athens Riviera is made up of golden sandy beaches and pine-covered hills with views of the Aegean islands. A popular spot for local Athenians, it's also a great base for visitors looking to enjoy the best of both worlds - days spent exploring the ancient historical sites such as the spectacular 440BC Temple of Poseidon, and relaxed evenings with sundowners and beachside dining.
Just a 5-minute drive from Four Seasons, this natural thermal pool is known for its therapeutic properties and dramatic cliff-side setting. Soak in the warm waters, which hover in the mid-20s Celsius, or take advantage of the “natural fish spa” for some foot grooming by the local Garra Rufa fish.
At the tip of Cape Sounio – about 50 kilometres south of Four Seasons – sits the Temple of Poseidon, dating back to 440 BC, dedicated to the God of the Sea. An imposing site perched above the sea at the edge of dramatic cliffs, it’s especially beautiful at sunset when the golden light shines on the columns and the sun’s rays dip into the waters of the Aegean.
Just a 10-minute drive from Four Seasons is the Archelon Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Glyfada, offering rehabilitation to sick or injured sea turtles before releasing them back into the wild. Visit on the weekend to learn about the turtles, meet the volunteers caring for these beautiful creatures and consider making a donation to the ongoing efforts.
Located opposite the Four Seasons on the other side of the peninsula, Astir Marina was one of the first to be established in Greece and today is a preferred place to moor yachts. Come here to set sail or cruise the waters to explore nearby islands, hidden coves, snorkelling spots and diving sites.
Over the decades, Hollywood stars, musicians and politicians have all visited Astir Beach, established in 1959. Located next to Four Seasons, it's also home to the ancient Temple of Apollo Zoster.
Athens is known to be one of the sunniest cities in Europe, with a semi-arid climate and low average annual rainfall. Summers are very hot, and heat waves are common during July and August when the mercury soars to over 40ºC. Winters are mild although frost can occur, and nights can be cold. Even winter is guaranteed to be sunny. The best time to travel to Athens is during the cooler, fine weather of spring and early summer, in late April, May or early June when temperature highs are averaging between 20ºC - 28ºC.
Eating out in Athens is an adventure. From street-eating, buying Koulouri (sesame seed bread ring) from a street vendor, or Galaktoboureko (delectable custard-filled flaky pastry topped with a dusting of icing sugar), to Tyropitta (cheese pies) or souvlaki (kebabs), now known in most of Europe, one may eat a full meal just by traversing the streets. There is more to Greek food however than gyros. If you have only experienced Greek cuisine as a fast food in another country, you’re in for a treat. Athens has a wide variety of restaurants ranging from elegant to quaint. Setiatorion are the more expensive conventional restaurants; taverna are informal, family-run establishments; psistaria offer mostly grilled meats and psarotaverna specializing in seafood dishes. Overall, Greek food is healthy. Greek wines are measuring up from once producing only a lowly cousin to retsina, the resinated wine, which is an acquired but good taste. Nowadays Greek wines are becoming noticed internationally and some are very good indeed. Ouzo! Ouzo?? No need to say anything about something as Greek as ouzo is. You drink it and... start singing.
Greeks in all walks of life use evening dining as a principal source of entertainment. They dine late and enjoy open-air places. In most establishments that cater to Greek clientele, service is likely to be friendly, warm and informal.
They say the nightlife of Athens rivals that of New York, London and Paris and maybe surpasses those cities. You won’t find more restaurants, bars, discos and clubs in a smaller area than you will in Athens with the majority of the nightlife being in central areas like Psiri, Plaka, and Thission and everything else being accessible by the metro.
