ATHENS 2020: FREE DAY TO EXPLORE! Google Maps is your friend! Use it to navigate your free day.

PLAKA Stroll through the beautiful, oldest neighborhood in located under the . While largely residential, there are hundreds of shops from kitschy tourist to the workshops of some really great artisans. There are an assortment of restaurants and cafes where you can sit outside almost year-round. Motor vehicles aren’t allowed on the winding streets. • Travel Time: Car: 10 minutes | Public Transportation: 15 minutes | Walk: 28 minutes • Address: Adrianou 24, Athina 105 55, • Directions: Head south on Mpoumpoulinas toward Stournari, turn left on Stournari, turn right onto Soultani, turn right onto Themistokleous, turn right onto Eleytherioy Venizeloy/Omonoia/Panepistimiou and arrive at the Omonia rail station. Take the M2 (ΑΝΘΟΥΠΟΛΗ - ΣΤ.ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ) 3 stops (~4 minutes) to Acropoli. Take the stairs and head northeast toward Makrigianni, turn left onto Makrigianni, continue onto Vyronos, Vyronos turns slightly left and becomes Sellei, turn right onto Thespidos, turn left onto Adrianou and you’ll arrive.

ANCIENT OF ATHENS Located northwest of the Acropolis, the was once a marketplace and civic center. People gathered here to browse all kinds of commodities. It was also a place to meet and talk about politics, business, current events and the nature of the universe and divine. used to lecture here and the democracy can be traced to this spot. • Cost: 8 - 12€ (must purchase an Acropolis ticket for the archaeological areas) • Travel Time: Car: 15 minutes | Public Transportation: 15 minutes | Walk: 25 minutes • Address: Adrianou 24, Athina 105 55, Greece • Directions: Head south on Mpoumpoulinas toward Stournari, turn left on Stournari, turn right onto Soultani, turn right onto Themistokleous, turn right onto Eleytherioy Venizeloy/Omonoia/Panepistimiou and arrive at the Omonia rail station. Take the M1 (ΚΗΦΙΣΙΑ – ΠΕΙΡΑΙΑΣ) nonstop (~2 minutes) to Metro. Get out and head northwest on Ifestou toward Nisou, turn left onto Kinetou, turn right onto Adrianou, and turn left to arrive.

ERECHTHEION The was constructed between 421 and 406 B.C. as a place for Athenians to worship Erechtheus, the mythical king of Athens, and various Greek gods. Though smaller than the , this structure features a frieze made of Eleusinian gray stone, multiple sculptures (known as caryatids) and other unique details, making it one of the Acropolis' most eye-catching buildings. It is located just north of the Parthenon within the Acropolis complex. • Cost: 20 - 30€ (must purchase an Acropolis ticket)

THE NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL For visitors who love art exhibitions, the National Archaeological Museum is a must-see in Greece and it’s located just 3 minutes from the hotel. You won't find a better collection of , jewelry – and the Antikythira Device, a 2000-year-old computer found in the shipwreck off the island of Antikithira will have you wondering just how advanced those ancient Greeks actually were. • Cost: 10€

ATHENS NATIONAL GARDEN The National Garden is home to 7,000 trees, 40,000 bushes and other plants, making up 519 species and varieties. You’ll find a famous sun dial situated at the main entrance and six lakes within the Garden. The Garden is accessible from seven entrances.

MOUNT LYCABETTUS For gorgeous sunsets and an amazing panoramic view of Athens, is an incredible adventure. As the highest point in Athens, it allows visitors to see all across the basin and the . A little cafe here will serve up a fantastic dinner. To start the hike, visitors go up the path that begins at the end of Aristippou Street in .

TASTE ! Create your own Greek food tour trying an array of notable Greek dishes and enjoying a freddo or frappe from a café to start! • - Dish made from meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie • - - or potato-based dish, often including ground meat • - Small pieces of meat and sometimes grilled on a skewer • - of dry white beans, oil, and vegetables • Magiritsa - Soup made from lamb • Horiatiki Salata – Greek • – Fried, yellow hard appetizer • Fava – Creamy starter for your bread made of yellow split peas • Tomatokeftedes – Fried balls • – Spinach pie