And hydrofoils vie with lumbering car ferries. It housed big bronze statues of Hephaestus, the blacksmith god, and Athena, patroness of the city. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Greece. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Athens. While the Acropolis was the ceremonial showpiece, the Agora was the real heart of ancient Athens. During the Archaic period, all the parts were there, but if it decided to walk, it would walk like a monster, stiffly with no understanding of the subtle interplay between hips and shoulders. They're clad in the traditional pleated kilt and pom-pom shoes made famous by the evzones. The Golden Mean and everything. In the next order, Ionic, the capitals are decorated with understated scrolls. Because of that the priests here were actually able to astound those who came with their wise, believably divine, advice. Strolling in the footsteps of Socrates is your best opportunity to commune with the epic Greek past. The final order, Corinthian — popular later on with the Romans — features leafy capitals…boldly decorative with no apologies necessary. Rick Steves Athens Audio Tours provide humorous and insightful commentary on the art and history of many of Athen's most notable museums and historic sites. They stand amid today's bustling metropolis. Statues from this age — around 600 BC — all had the same standard features: weight spread evenly on two feet, arms rigid at the side, stiff braided hair, almond-shape eyes, high eyebrows, and the same quirky little grins. The two main attractions — the archaeological site (officially called the "Sanctuary of Apollo") and the Archaeological Museum — are about a half-mile east of the modern town of Delphi. The National Archaeological Museum is far and away the top ancient Greek art collection anywhere. Thanks for joining us. And in springtime, hikes come with fields of wildflowers. Here, with a glass of ouzo and today's catch, as the sun slowly sinks into the sea and boats become silhouettes, you drink to the beauties of a Greek lsland escape. Now, it's a hit with everyone. One of the island's greatest attractions is its total absence of cars and motorbikes. 99 to buy episode. We'll tour the must-sees of ancient Athens, including the Parthenon, Agora, and amazing National Archaeological Museum. Thanks in advance. From Piraeus boats depart for points throughout the Aegean Sea. Allow 1.5–2 hours for the site (hiking to the stadium alone is nearly a half-hour round-trip), and another 45–60 minutes for the museum. Starring: Rick Steves Directed by: Simon Griffith Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese. And tonight the place is all ours, as our enthusiastic cook welcomes us into his kitchen. As the orders evolve, they gain syllables: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian. Olympic Stadium, Hadrian's Arch, Monastiraki area Funicular up Lycabettus Hill for beautiful views of Athens to the sea. But when the Greeks won their independence from the Ottoman Turks in the early 1800s, they chose little-but-historic Athens to be their capital. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, Penny: Yeah, everything in moderation, no vices. We're catching one for a windy survey of the island and to be dropped off for a scenic hike back into town. Relax and take in a sea busy with water taxis, ferries that connect this oasis with Athens, old freighters — like castles of rust — lumbering slowly along the horizon, and cruise ships anchored as if they haven't moved in weeks. These mountain fighters battled ferociously in Greece's early 19th-century War of Independence. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. For meals, you can sit out on the shady covered side terrace above the harbor — check the chalkboard to see what's freshest today. Archaic statues all looked like cousins. Ancient Greeks celebrated the human body. Golden Age sculptors shifted weight more believably, placing their statues in a contrapposto pose — that means relaxed, with hips shifted realistically and weight resting on one foot. If it's hot or raining, do the museum first to hedge your bets for better conditions for the site. This place has been known as Constitution Square or Syntagma Square ever since. Sipping a drink here puts you right in the middle of a lively Greek scene. The word Hellenistic refers to Greek culture after its political conquest. You can do the archaeological site and the museum in either order. This episode originally aired in 2010. We will be traveling to Athens in October and are looking for hotel recommendations. Until next time, keep on travelin'. With all its traffic congestion above and nearly a million Athenians zipping smoothly underground every day, the system is a godsend. The earliest style, Doric, has flat, practical plates as capitals. Like so many great civilizations, ancient Greece peeked and then faded. The last episode in this three-part mini-series distills Rick Steves' 30 years of travel experience into 30 minutes of practical advice on how to have a fun, affordable, and culturally broadening trip to Europe. With so little of the Agora still standing, this reconstruction makes it easier to imagine the sight in its original glory. And before we know it, Leonidas has us all sitting at the table and he starts bringing in wave after wave of his fabulous dishes…. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. A fleet of taxis shuttle people to outlying hamlets and beaches. Its capital is Athens. Owner Dimitris takes his own boat out early in the morning to buy the day's best catch directly from the fishermen. Rick: So what are we cooking? The country's leading families built mansions here to be close to the king. Series: Rick Steves' Europe Athens and Side Trips. In this oasis of tranquility, nestled beneath the walls of the Acropolis, the intensity of Athens seems miles away. No individual features — everything was idealized. These flamboyant soldiers, with their distinctive strut, change at the top of each hour. Because the priests debriefed those seeking advice on the state of their homelands, Delphi became the data base of the ancient world. This stunning bronze statue, cast in 460 BC, depicts the mighty god of the sea about to hurl his trident. Rick: Here we go, the shrimp. Its main town, also called Hydra, is home to about 90 percent of the island's 3,000 residents. In both life and art, everything was to be in balance. We'll dine on fresh seafood at the fisherman's harbor in Cefalù, ponder ancient Greek greatness in Siracusa, commune with monks alive and departed in a Capuchin crypt, sleep in an olive orchard at an agriturismo, and eat our way through a classic Sicilian banquet with a famous chef. But that makes it a quiet, uncrowded spot — nestled in the shadow of the Acropolis — to wander and get a feel for the ancients. Hydra is popular with walkers, who come to explore the network of ancient paths that link the island's outlying settlements, churches, and monasteries. How to remember all these? Explore Athens! Greek architecture evolved in stages. Discover the fascinating people who once worked, shopped, and played here. Greek Hellenistic art, like Greek Hellenistic society in general, evolved beyond the aesthetics of the Golden Age. At the top of town, the humble Taverna Leonidas has been around so long it doesn't need a sign. Unlike most ancient sites, which have layer upon layer of ruins from different periods, the Acropolis we see today was started and finished within two generations — a snapshot of the Golden Age set in stone. Delphi would take all day and you only have 3. Its pocket-size harbor shelters the community's fishing boats. Dedicated to Athena and Poseidon, this was one of the most important religious buildings on the Acropolis. Rick: Spinach pie. The adjacent Erechtheion is famous for its Porch of the Caryatids, six beautiful maidens functioning as columns. Shady trees make it a breezy and restful spot. Instead, donkeys do the heavy hauling today just as they have through the centuries. We'll tour the must-sees of ancient Athens: the Parthenon, Agora, and amazing National Archaeological Museum. They arranged my transportation, and tours not only in Athens, but Aegina, Delphi, The Peloponnese region, and Sounion. We'll tour the must-sees of ancient Athens, including the Parthenon, Agora, and amazing National Archaeological Museum. If you have stayed someplace that you would recommend, I would love to hear it. And then beets. And, with a little luck, you can make a friend and be invited in — or, in this case — up onto the roof — for a pleasant chat and a cup of strong Greek coffee. It's especially worth visiting if you're traveling beyond Athens, because it displays artifacts found all around Greece, including Mycenae, Epidavros, Santorini, and Olympia — and the treasures displayed here are generally better than those remaining at the sites themselves. (2008). Green shrimp with a lemon sauce, calamari with a garlic sauce, spanakopita—spinach pie. Rick: So a balance of things. As the sun goes down, it's busy with locals and visitors alike. I'm glad I'm packing light as I hike up to my hotel. And today, in the mist of such a rich heritage, the vibrant capital of Greece still thrives. There is a special changing of the guard ceremony on Sunday morning at Syntagma Square at 11.00, with lots of extra pomp and a marching band. There's an easy blend of work-a-day commerce, fancy yachts, and lazy tourists on island time. With Rick Steves. Hydra is one of the prettiest towns in Greece. Leonidas: We cook the lamb with the roast potatoes. Crowds and weather might help you decide. Athens and Side Trips. Leonidas: Eggplant. And then beets. Today, people pour out of the city's busiest subway station into this café-filled square. All the full length Rick Steves Europe PBS Episodes that I could find. For lots more information, check out our best-selling Rick Steves' Athens & the Peloponnese guidebook — … During those pan-Hellenic (or "all-Greek") festivals, Delphi filled its theater, which seated 5,000. While the Acropolis was the center of ritual and ceremony, the agora was the beating heart of ancient Athens. At the end of the walk, prime Acropolis-view real estate is dedicated to the fine art of café sitting. Hello Select your address Best Sellers Today's Deals Electronics Gift Ideas Customer Service Books New Releases Home Computers Gift Cards Coupons Sell Leonidas and Panagiota have retired from running their restaurant. Two hundred years ago, Athens was just a humble town of about 8,000 huddled at the base of the Acropolis. Some of those first government buildings — built in the prevailing Neoclassical style — still survive today. Leonidas: Yeah the shrimps, green shrimps with the oil and lemon sauce. Athens is getting more and more people-friendly. The thriving capital of Greece sprawls out from the foot of its magnificent Acropolis. The path is flanked by the remains of Delphi's famous treasuries — monuments erected by city-states in gratitude for the oracle's advice. Once again, we see that classic Greek balance between stillness and motion. There are just two of us traveling. We'll start up there, at the historic, cultural, and literal high point of any trip to Athens — the Acropolis. You'll see the rise and fall of Greece's various civilizations: the Minoans, the Mycenaeans, those of Archaic Greece, the Classical Age, and Alexander the Great, and the Romans who came from the west. Donkeys rather than cars, the shady awnings of well-worn cafés, and memorable seaside views all combine to make it clear you found your Greek isle. Penny: Exactly. It's fast but less scenic, as the passengers are stuck inside. Flying from the states to Athens non stop. Today, the Royal Palace houses the Greek Parliament. Subjugation by the Macedonians under Phillip II and his son Alexander the Great ushered in what's known as the Hellenistic period. The evolution of Greek art from stiff to realistic to emotional would be echoed by Europe 2,000 years later: from stiff Gothic to realistic Renaissance, to emotional Baroque. I hope you enjoyed our look at Athens, the oracle of Delphi, and the romantic isle of Hydra. These Mycenaean soldiers — with their yellow-ribbon moms — are a timeless off-to-war scene, repeated every generation in the 3,000 years since. They'd pass through this imposing entryway and up to the religious heart of the city and the Parthenon. Use the HTML below. And for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat, drop by a corner gyro and souvlaki stand. Walk once around fast for a time-lapse effect, then go around again for a closer look. The must-sees of ancient Athens: the Parthenon, Agora, and National Archaeological Museum. I would try to visit the Acropolis first thing in the morning, whichever morning you choose. The Stoa of Attalos, from the second century BC, was rebuilt in modern times to house the Agora's museum. I'm Rick Steves. And today, in the mist of such a rich heritage, the vibrant capital of Greece still thrives. Published by Avalon Travel Publishing, available at www.ricksteves.com. For some 800 years, until its destruction by barbarians in AD 267, it was the hub of all commercial, political, and social life in Athens, as well as home to much of its religious life. This museum is a great way to either start or finish off your sightseeing through Greece. Rick: Here we go, the shrimp. Hydra was a Greek naval power famous for its shipbuilders. We're riding a Flying Dolphin — one of the fleet of speedy hydrofoils that zip from Athens to the islands, and from island to island. This, rather than the Parthenon, was the culmination of the Panatheniac Procession. The resulting Sanctuary of Apollo reached the height of its power between the sixth and the fourth centuries BC. After the noise of Athens, Hydra's traffic-free tranquility is a delight. No need to waste time endlessly browsing—here's the entire lineup of new movies and TV shows streaming on Netflix this month. Two hundred years ago, Athens was just a small town surrounded by big ruins, sitting on lots of history. Seeing it today is awe-inspiring but imagine how striking it must have looked when it was completed nearly 2,500 years ago — in all its carved and brilliantly painted splendor. The worst lines are caused by the bottleneck of people trying to squeeze into the site through the Propylaea gate. Rick: So she would babble and the priests would say this is wisdom from the gods. And apart from coming here to consult the oracle, the other reason was also because, like in Olympia they had the Olympic Games, here in Delphi we had the Pythian Games. Leonidas: Yeah the shrimps, green shrimps with the oil and lemon sauce. Late in the day, as the sun goes down, the white Parthenon stone gleams a creamy golden brown, and what had been a tourist war zone is suddenly peaceful. At a time when Rome was just a village, it was here in Athens that the foundations of our Western civilization were laid. Its superb harbor is surrounded by an amphitheater of rocky hills. Arrive early or late to avoid the crowds and midday heat. Penny: Correct. The high-spirited detail is astonishing, right down to the horse's dramatic head, and the concerned look on the young jockey's face. About five centuries before Christ, Athens was the center of the Western world. This is where, for 3,000 years, Athenians gathered. I would like to get off the plane go through passport control, then to the Alpha Bank at the airport (3) and then find a bathroom. While less balanced and composed, it was a more individualistic age — with more exuberant and emotional art. Other than one very well-preserved temple and a rebuilt stoa, it's a field of humble ruins. Sicily serves up a full-bodied and tasty travel experience. But Greek art evolved with its society. Leonidas: Eggplant. Cruise ships await their passengers. The sheer beauty of the statues, vases, and paintings helps bring the country's dusty ruins to life. Add the first question. View production, box office, & company info. This extraordinary collection lets you follow the sweep of Greek art history from 7000 BC to 300 AD. The Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved and most typical of all Greek temples, dates from about 400 BC. At a time when Rome was just a village, it was here that the foundations of our Western civilization were laid. For drinks, sit out front on the porch. A trove of funerary art from the royal tombs of Mycenae shows treasures from a society that thrived around 1000 years before the days of Socrates and Plato. Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora-day 1, National Archeological Museum day 2 plus walk around neighborhoods, Rick's tour? These mansions survive today as grand old hotels, embassies, and museums. The Parthenon was perhaps the finest temple in the ancient world. This Warrior Vase, from the 12th century BC, shows women gathered to wave goodbye to a group of warriors heading off to war — sporting fancy armor with duffle bags hanging from their spears. Season 5 Episode 8. Yeah, these were competitions concerning music, poetry, sport events as well. It was built in the 19th century by people from the tiny Cycladic island of Anafi. | Jun 23, 2020. We'll enjoy the magnificence of ancient Athens — marvel at the wonders of the Acropolis, savor some tasty Greek street food, and check out the premier collection of ancient Greek art. The capitals, or tops of the columns, were both functional and decorative. In the 1960s, the island became a favorite retreat for artists and writers, who still draw inspiration from its idyllic surroundings. This map is excerpted from the guidebook Rick Steves’ Greece: Athens & The Peloponnese by Rick Steves. The town stretches away from the harbor — a maze of narrow, cobbled streets, flanked by whitewashed homes. ... Athens and Side Trips. Antío. Rick: So people from all over the Greek-speaking world came here. Penny: There was a priestess inside the Temple and right underneath it there was this room where she was inhaling vapors evaporating from the ground. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. You'll see finely decorated weapons and sheaths….exquisite golden jewelry…and the delicate Vaphio gold cups — reminders of the sophistication of that 15th-century BC civilization. Agora means "gathering place," but you could call this space by any of the names we typically give to the busiest part of a city — downtown, main square, forum, piazza, marketplace, commons, and so on. And there was more to Delphi than just the oracle. So we've got the theater, we've got the stadium…. Descend into Athens' sleek and cool underground and you'll enjoy a transit system as efficient as anything in Europe. ... Athens Greece's capital, ... Athens and Side-Trips (episode) Greece’s Magnificent Monemvasia (clip) Greece’s Peloponnese (episode) Gyro means "turning" — referring to the slowly spinning round of meat — roasted pork or chicken — shaved as needed. Location and clean facility is important. It was constructed in the fifth century BC and dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena. This elegant walkway is a popular pedestrian boulevard arcing around the back of the Acropolis. We'll get more ideas for exploring the long-distance hiking trails of Europe, find out about improvements to the neighborhoods of Athens, and discover the world's… Here is their contact info: Katerina Tsitsipi Aristotelis Makris Nea Erythrea, Athens – Greece tel./fax: +0030 210-8077073 cell: +0030 6988 607866 e-mail: [email protected] Episode. wgbh GBH 2 12/10 00:29: The thriving capital of Greece sprawls out from the foot of its magnificent Acropolis. Perhaps nowhere else does the historic and cultural timeline of Europe reach so far back while being so vibrant today. The thriving capital of Greece sprawls out from the foot of its magnificent Acropolis. Penny: Zeus wanted to know where the center of the world was. Athens and Side Trips GREECE: ATHENS Athens City Walk. Today one out of every three Greeks packs into this city of about four million. At the foot of the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora (or "marketplace") sprawls out from its surviving temple. Like other hilltop sights in the ancient Greek world, Athens' Acropolis (or "high city") was both a place of worship and of refuge when under attack. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Once again, when it was first pedestrianized merchants were upset. In the extreme south of Europe is Greece. He let two eagles fly from the two opposite ends of the universe and this is where they met, here in Delphi. But in around 330 BC, Athens was conquered by the Macedonians from the north. The island's oldest and most traditional taverna was the hangout of the sponge divers a century ago. He advises us on car and taxi travel. Ancient Agora from Rick Steves Athens Audio Tours on Podchaser, aired Monday, 18th January 2016. And recently, the city has curbed pollution, cleaned up and pedestrianized the streets, spiffed up the museums, and invested in one of Europe's better public transit systems. Energized by a tasty gyro, hike to the top of the Plaka and explore the charming "village" of Anafiotika (literally "little Anafi"). Rick Steves' Europe Travel Guide | The thriving capital of Greece sprawls out from the foot of its magnificent Acropolis. We'll tour the must-sees of ancient Athens, including the Parthenon, Agora, and amazing National Archaeological Museum. Ancient Delphi, perched high on the slopes of Mt. We'll tour the must-sees of ancient Athens, including the Parthenon, Agora, and amazing National Archaeological Museum. Wherever you travel, seeing the precious artifacts in the big city museums first helps you better appreciate the historic sites out in the countryside. Or $0.00 with a Prime membership. Penny: Yeah the omphalos, yeah this wonderful place became the center of the world. I like to hang out in the windy doorway. At a time when Rome was just a village, it was here in Athens that the foundations of our Western civilization were laid. As the year comes to a close, we present the top TV shows of 2020, including "Money Heist" and "The Mandalorian. Get inspired to rediscover the world when it's safe to travel again with an episode that takes us to a number of special outdoor venues. Just a few years ago, this street was a car-clogged mess. 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