Mythology Tour of Athens

On the way to your hotel, you’ll already notice all of the history surrounding you in the form of monuments and museums. Take your time exploring before getting plenty of sleep for the rest of your adventure.

The Acropolis is the highest point in Athens, and many important buildings are located there. Athena used to preside over the Parthenon in the form of a colossal statue that was almost 40 feet tall and was made of gold and ivory. The statue has not survived, but Athena still has a small temple on the Acropolis called the Temple of Athena Nike. Make sure to check out the other sites at the Acropolis as well, like the Theater of Dionysus, the first theater ever constructed. After your visit, enjoy a traditional Greek meal at a local restaurant.

After a scenic drive to Sounio, you’ll tour the temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea. Despite Poseidon’s tumultuous temper, this temple is very serene with a beautiful view of the Aegean Sea. Next, you’ll travel to Kape Beach, tucked away from all the crowds. If you visit in September through December, it should be warm enough for you to swim!

This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading to the neighborhood of Plaka. Tour the shops and markets and take in the live entertainment — something Dionysus would approve of! Then make your way back downtown to spend some time outside an Athens refugee camp holding over 1,500 migrants. A camp leader will greet you and talk to your group about the refugee situation in Greece. Spend the day aiding the camp in their efforts to create lasting, sustainable change for these refugees.

To start the day, you’ll spend some time teaching refugees English in partnership with Love and Serve without Borders. Even having little conversations will help the students practice. Next, tour two temples tied to mythology: the Temple of Olympian Zeus and and the Temple of Hephaestus.

Visit the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle of Delphi used to give her prophecies, which she claims were inspired by Apollo. Although you can no longer receive a prediction about your future, it’s still worth the trip. Once you’re done, you’ll receive a guided tour of the Delphi Archaeological Museum, which houses artifacts excavated from the Oracle.

Get up early and take some time taking a look at the sites you’ve visited, especially the Acropolis on its hill. Enjoy a traditional Greek breakfast like pastries or feta, veggies, and eggs. And on the plane home, maybe start a book of Greek myths, so you can always remember your travels.