Athens, Greece
Finally, to Greece! My mother's side of the family is Greek, and I have always wanted to travel to my heritage homeland. As a little girl I remember hearing my Grandpa Booth speak Greek on the phone to family members and was memorized by the language. The family tree shows that we were goat herders from Sparta. Although we do not have time to visit Sparta, I do believe I will feel at home in Greece. Greeks are stereotypically known for being deeply passionate, hospitable, and fiercely proud of their heritage. They are frequently characterized as highly expressive, loud, and family-oriented people who are hard-working and love to socialize and debate. That absolutely tracks with the Booth side of the family! Although we cannot visit Sparta, we will be visiting Athens.
Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history that goes back over 5,000 years. People have lived in the area since the Neolithic period, but it really rose to fame in ancient times. According to legend, the city was named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, after she won a contest against Poseidon by offering the people an olive tree.
By the 8th century BC, Athens had grown into a major city-state. It became one of the first places to experiment with democracy in the 5th century BC under leaders like Cleisthenes and later Pericles. This was Athens’ Golden Age. The city produced some of history’s greatest thinkers including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, playwrights Sophocles and Aristophanes, and built incredible monuments like the Parthenon on the Acropolis. Athens also led the Greek resistance against the Persian invasions, winning famous battles at Marathon and Salamis.
After its golden age, Athens was conquered by Alexander the Great’s Macedonia, then by the Romans in 86 BC. The Romans actually admired Greek culture and left many of the monuments standing. During the Byzantine or Eastern Roman period, Athens became less important politically but remained a center of learning. In 1458, the Ottomans took control and ruled for nearly 400 years. They turned the Parthenon into a mosque and even used it to store gunpowder, which led to it being badly damaged when it exploded in 1687 during a Venetian attack.
In the 19th century, the Greeks fought for independence from the Ottomans. Athens was liberated in 1821–1833 and was chosen as the capital of the new Kingdom of Greece in 1834, even though it was then a small town with only about 4,000 people.
The city grew rapidly in the 20th century, especially after World War II and during the Greek economic boom. The 2004 Olympics brought huge modernization, new infrastructure, and a fresh wave of pride to the city. Today, Athens is a lively mix of ancient glory and modern chaos. It is the home of 3 million people, incredible ruins everywhere, amazing food, and Mediterranean energy.
THINGS TO DO
Acropolis & Parthenon Iconic ancient citadel with the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Temple of Athena Nike.
Acropolis Museum Modern museum displaying artifacts from the Acropolis with stunning views of the site.
Ancient Agora & Temple of Hephaestus Well-preserved ancient marketplace and one of Greece's best-preserved Doric temples.
National Archaeological Museum Greece's premier museum with treasures like the Antikythera Mechanism and gold masks.
Temple of Olympian Zeus & Hadrian's Arch Massive columns from one of the largest ancient temples.
Plaka Neighborhood Charming old district with neoclassical houses, tavernas, shops, and street performers.
Monastiraki Square & Flea Market Bustling square with Acropolis views, street food, and Sunday flea market for antiques/vintage. Fun, vibrant, and full of energy.
Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon (day trip) Stunning seaside temple with epic sunset views over the Aegean.
Anafiotika Hidden Cycladic-style whitewashed village on the Acropolis slopes.
Philopappou Hill Hilly park with trails, ancient ruins, and panoramic Acropolis views.
First Cemetery of Athens Historic 19th-century cemetery with ornate tombs and neoclassical sculptures.
Kerameikos Ancient Cemetery Largest ancient cemetery with tombs and stelae.
