5 Day Trips to Conquer Boredom in Athens
- By Paris Childress
- Published 10/21/2011
- Travel
- Unrated
Greece’s recent financial strife and resulting tourism-sector discounts have driven the price of a holiday in Greece to within affordable levels for millions of new European tourists. But if you are planning a trip to Greece this summer and plan to fly in and out of Athens as your base, be forewarned--there is just not THAT much to do and see in Athens after a few days of sightseeing and strolling around the ancient city.
If you find yourself bored in Athens with several days left on your summer holiday, don't whittle away the rest of your precious time in your hotel room watching TV. Make the most of your remaining days in Greece, rent a car and hit the road!
We propose the following itineraries--each within a day of round-trip driving from Athens.
Day trip 1: Argolis Peloponnese (for the archaeological enthusiast)
A quintessential Classical Greece tour: cross the plain of Argos on to the archaeological sites of Mycenae, see the Ancient Epidaurus Theatre and Venetian fortress of Palamidi at the town of Nafplio with it's fortified islet of Bourtzi afloat in the middle of the bay. This trip renders the ultimate sight-seeing kaleidoscope in less than 12 hours.
Day trip 2: Metéora Monastery (for the cultural explorer)
A UNESCO World Heritage landmark, the Metéora is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. Its edifices are erected on top of rock
towers, making for a breathtaking view of the valley below. There are a number of hiking trails, pristine villages and archaeological sites in the area, as well.
Day trip 3: Marathon - Schinias - Nea Makri - Rafina (for the beach lovers)
Go kite-surfing at Oropos in the morning; visit the marble dam and ancient site of Marathon; enjoy Schinias, one of the best Attika beaches; have seafood fresh off the boat at the waterfront of Rafina.
Day Trip 4: Achaia Clauss Winery (for the wine and gourmet connoisseurs)
Drive for a degustation at hilly Patra's Achaia Clauss Winery along the panoramic Peloponnese coastline. The winery is one of the largest and oldest in Greece, its multiple labels are well-known abroad and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Day Trip 5: Costa Navarino Golf Course (for the recreational athletes)
The resort is situated in Peloponnese’s Messinia. The locale also features festivals, natural preserves, ancient remnants and peculiar cuisine. Be sure to stop by the Corinth canal for a quick photo.
If you're interested in renting a car for one of these custom Athens day trips, or another trip that you have in mind, our friends at Holiday Cars--a leading car rental broker--are offering a 10% discount on all car rentals from Athens throughout this summer.
For driving directions, stunning photos and more info about each of these destinations, we have put together a custom Google map (below) that you can use as your guide. Inside it you can find a link for the 10% discount on a car rental from Athens.
If you find yourself bored in Athens with several days left on your summer holiday, don't whittle away the rest of your precious time in your hotel room watching TV. Make the most of your remaining days in Greece, rent a car and hit the road!
We propose the following itineraries--each within a day of round-trip driving from Athens.
Day trip 1: Argolis Peloponnese (for the archaeological enthusiast)
A quintessential Classical Greece tour: cross the plain of Argos on to the archaeological sites of Mycenae, see the Ancient Epidaurus Theatre and Venetian fortress of Palamidi at the town of Nafplio with it's fortified islet of Bourtzi afloat in the middle of the bay. This trip renders the ultimate sight-seeing kaleidoscope in less than 12 hours.
Day trip 2: Metéora Monastery (for the cultural explorer)
A UNESCO World Heritage landmark, the Metéora is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to Mount Athos. Its edifices are erected on top of rock
Day trip 3: Marathon - Schinias - Nea Makri - Rafina (for the beach lovers)
Go kite-surfing at Oropos in the morning; visit the marble dam and ancient site of Marathon; enjoy Schinias, one of the best Attika beaches; have seafood fresh off the boat at the waterfront of Rafina.
Day Trip 4: Achaia Clauss Winery (for the wine and gourmet connoisseurs)
Drive for a degustation at hilly Patra's Achaia Clauss Winery along the panoramic Peloponnese coastline. The winery is one of the largest and oldest in Greece, its multiple labels are well-known abroad and attract hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Day Trip 5: Costa Navarino Golf Course (for the recreational athletes)
The resort is situated in Peloponnese’s Messinia. The locale also features festivals, natural preserves, ancient remnants and peculiar cuisine. Be sure to stop by the Corinth canal for a quick photo.
If you're interested in renting a car for one of these custom Athens day trips, or another trip that you have in mind, our friends at Holiday Cars--a leading car rental broker--are offering a 10% discount on all car rentals from Athens throughout this summer.
For driving directions, stunning photos and more info about each of these destinations, we have put together a custom Google map (below) that you can use as your guide. Inside it you can find a link for the 10% discount on a car rental from Athens.
Paris Childress
Here is a map plotting these fantastic trips. The car rental discount offer is inside the rental car icon...
View all articles by Paris Childress