A shot(by yours truly) of the ancient grounds of Acropolis seated on top of the hill at the centre of Athens. This unobstructed view can be seen from the Agora Market side of Plaka.A View of Athens City as seen when walking up the Acropolis from Plaka.
The cost of entrance to the Acropolis is about 12 euros and is good for the other sites in the area including the ancient agora, theatre of Dionysos,Kerameikos, Roman Agora, Tower of the Winds and the Temple of Olympian Zeusand is supposedly good for a week.
Walking around Plaka and the street scene at the foot of Acropolis.
A quick countryside visit to the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion, taking 2 hours bus ride, situated on top of a cliff facing the Aegean Sea. Imagine the battles of ancient times that happened on this water.
The temple overlooking Aegean sea
Acropolis Museum is also a must visit ideally before climbing up the Acropolis grounds. The museum keeps and preserves all the original statues and carvings of the Acropolis site, including the famous Caryatids as shown below. Entrance fee to the museum only costs 5 Euros.
The original caryatid statues, protected inside the museum. The statues on site are replicas.
The Acropolis Museum at night.X95 Bus to and from the Airport, costing 11 Euros per way.Athens International Airport
Greek Street food was something I really looked forward during my trip to Europe. Apart from the interesting fusion of Italian cheese and spices with Middle Eastern influences, Greek street food is always served heavy, filling and cheap! Bumawi ako ng lamon sa Greece kasi mahal yung pagkain sa iba.The pizza and gelato in Italy were also great, but are just too mainstream, Lol.
Anyways, here’s my list of the street finds around Athens that should never be missed.
The Souvlaki is probably the most common Greek food you can basically find anywhere. This fast food is mainly grilled meat (could be pork, lamb, chicken or fish) wrapped in pita with all the greek spices in tzatsiki (yogurt)sauce. It is somewhat their version of shawarma, except that the greek bread is thicker and more chewy. Souvlaki is a heavy street food (big enough like around 8″ long, and priced at only around 3 Euro with Coke.
Here is a personal favourite, the Moussaka. This one is somewhat the Greek’s version of Lasagna. Layers of sautéed aubergine(mini eggplant), minced meat, fried pureed tomato, onion, garlic and spices like cinnamon, potato, cheese topping and béchamel sauce
Anything with Greek Feta Cheese is amazing. Here is literally a Slab of Feta Cheese topping a salad dish, like around 10 cm thick. Generous!
Lachmatzoun is an ancient greek style rolled pizza. Also a popular street dish.
Lachmatzoun is an ancient greek style rolled pizza. also a popular street food. The brown part shown is spicedLminced lamb meat.
lightly salted and grilled Lamb ribs, perfectly paired with cuscus. This was around 9 Euros, good for two.
Other Street food around the city…
Greek Yogurt with Walnut and Honey. Must not miss!Anything with cheese is good in Greecepastries and brittles and other stuff related to BaklavaThe Mythos Beer for the win! Mild and crisp, this is my 2nd fave beer in Europe (next to 10% Tyskie of Poland)Although not originally from Athens, Leonidas coffee is also a great bev, and cheap as well. only 1.50 Euro for this iced frappe. You’ll never find coffee as cheap as that in France or Italy.
A great view of Athens Agora Market, which has long been the center of trade for the Greeks, since Time B.C.
Here’s a brief Photoblog on how is spent my visit to the Vatican. As advised, I joined a 3 hour small group tour to the Vatican Museum and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. The tour ended inside St. Peter’s Basilica, and I was able to stay inside the church for the 5 PM mass.
A scene when the pope speaks to the people on a Sunday afternoon. The window at the top floor with a red fabric is where the Pope Stands
The Vatican Facade is undoubtedly the grandest Church I’ve seen in Europe
The Vatican Guards in full outfitMoments after the massNo Photoshop has been done with this shot. The ray of light shown is real, bringing an ethereal feel as it enters the dome openings.
The sunlight shines on a statue of St. Peter
The Basilica Dome
The winding stairway to reach the high point of the Basilica Dome. 7 Euros to enter this secluded area
The stone statues of saints as seen from the dome. These statues are around 8 to 10 feet tall
View of the Vatican as from the Basilica Dome
Ancient World Map Tapestry, as part of the Vatican’s Treasure collection
Intricate vaulted ceiling details inside the Vatican
Tapestry Art Piece
Marble sculpture inside the Vatican Museum
A Sphynx from Egypt, carved from solid granite block
Centuries-old water fountains are found everywhere inside the Vatican that are safe for drinking. With our Tour Guide from Maximus Inc.At the Vatican Museum lobby with my group, waiting for our queue to start. Outside the lobby were people in line under the heat of the sun, waiting for their turn to get in. Sobrang hassle if you buy tickets on your own.
Avoiding the long lines, I opt to book my ticket to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel via Maximus Tours online for 45 Euro. They were the cheapest I’ve found online with good reviews. a 25 Euro is required for DP (with proper documentations sent to your email) and the remaining 20 Euro was personally paid to the tour group head positioned just outside the Museum entrance before the start of tour.
Indeed the queue to enter the museum was overwhelming the time I got there, which was a Friday afternoon, around 1pm. As such, It was an advantage that I joined a group to enter. The Ticket to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel alone may only cost you 20 Euro; But still, joining a group tour is a better choice, as the tour guide has lots of fun trivia and intrigues to share, apart from the church’s history down the line. The Tour ends inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Entering St. Peter’s Basilica is free, because it is a functioning church for the Catholic believers.
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