Presided over by hotels that run bars for young beachgoers, the Paradise action is nonstop. Visitors here can enjoy the building's fine interiors, a wide-ranging collection of artifacts, and the highlight of the entire palace: its fantastically detailed floor mosaics. From Athens, we sail into the Aegean Sea. While extremely arid, the stony countryside of Mykonos — complete with whitewashed churches and staggering views — is a delight for a quick road trip. Or, the Luther program is available free at Youtube–search rick steves luther.) For islands not covered by this book I simply looked on YouTube to get a great idea of the feel and look of those places. It's the perfect companion to the Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese guidebook! Local guides like Penny Kolomvotsou brings these ancient and mythic events to life. Today, people pour out of the city's busiest subway station into this café-filled square. Rick: These salads look delicious. see our FAQ. The famed statue called the "Colossus of Rhodes" once towered above the city. Observe the peaceful rhythm of daily life. Subtle interplay between hips and shoulders. Agios Sostis, an old hippie beach at the north end of the island, has none of the thumping party energy of Paradise Beach. The island of Rhodes, while arid, is fun to explore. The Easter greeting here in Greece, “Kalo Pascha,” literally means “good passing” — a passing from sadness (the Crucifixion) to happiness (the Resurrection). Twelve new episodes include Portugal (Lisbon and the country's heartland), the … Imagine Delos in its heyday — a booming center of trade: streets lined with 3,000 shops where you could buy just about anything. People would journey here from all over the known world to seek wisdom from the gods on vital affairs of state. Rick: This is a healthy diet. Instead, donkeys do the heavy hauling today just as they have through the centuries. Energized by a tasty gyro, hike to the top of the Plaka and explore the charming "village" of Anafiotika (literally "little Anafi"). Delos ranked right up there with Olympia, Athens, and Delphi. It was the site of the oracle of Apollo, god of the sun. At a time when Rome was just a village, it was here that the foundations of our Western civilization were laid. Weave through narrow paths lined with flowers, and dotted with cats dozing in the sunshine. Dimitris: Well, we have here a Greek salad and a Santorini salad. Posted by Nigel. This time I thought I'd take you on a little cruise. The bazaar-like back lanes are a delight to wander, and the main shopping drag still feels a bit like a Turkish bazaar. For some 800 years, starting in the sixth century BC, this was the hub of commercial, political, and social life. Tour Account — View and manage tour details. see our FAQ. And there was more to Delphi than just the oracle. Excursions also include scenic views from the bus, and the stress-free efficiency of getting smoothly from point to point. The flow of people into the sprawling city continues, and four million people — roughly one out of every three Greeks — call Athens home. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Those paying for the cruise line's excursion get off the ship first, and head for an alternative port — where buses and guides await. Our ship functions as our floating hotel, and takes us effortlessly from port to port as we settle into the relaxing tempo of an Aegean holiday. The knights then retreated hundreds of miles west to the island of Malta, where they built an even more fortified headquarters. 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. This Colossus of Rhodes was one of the "seven wonders" of the ancient world. See the Travel Details above for recommendations highlighted in bold, excerpted from Rick's guidebooks. The earliest style, Doric, has flat, practical plates as capitals. And with Dimitris, I know exactly what I'm eating. In fact, these archaic statues were named simply kouros (meaning "boy"), or kore (meaning "girl"). The king gave a balcony from this speech. So, they honored Helios by building a colossal statue. 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. Keeping my eye on the clock, I hop the cable car back down to the old port, where our ship's shuttle, or tender, awaits. In the 20th century, with an influx of refugees and industrialization luring workers in from the countryside, the population of Athens exploded. And it packed as many as 7,000 sports fans into its stadium. After a 90-minute ride, Athens is a world away, and we pull into the isle of Hydra. You must have cookies enabled to use the Rick Steves Travel Store. Once again, we see that classic Greek balance between stillness and motion. ​Dimitris: This is the Mediterranean diet. In 1309, the Knights of St. John claimed Rhodes as their headquarters and transformed it into a bustling, highly fortified European city governed by their "Grand Master.". Athens and Side-Trips - Video - Rick Steves' Europe For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, see our FAQ . Cruise ships await their passengers. Ancient Greek treasures include the Poseidon of Artemision. For 2,500 years, a hill-capping acropolis has overlooked the town. Now, it's a hit with everyone. The four major monuments — the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaea, and Temple of Athena Nike — were built as a coherent ensemble (c. 450–400 BC). Today, inviting whitewashed villages seem to crowd its dramatic ridges as if jostling to enjoy the views. While there are lots of Greek islands to visit, we're dropping in on just three classics. He recently explored Greece's most important archaeological locations for his show, "Rick Steves' Europe," and acquainted us with the country's profound heritage. Lindos is the most beautiful town on the island. And today, in the midst of all this rich heritage, the vibrant capital of Greece still thrives. Strolling in the footsteps of Socrates is your best opportunity to commune with the epic Greek past. Some of those first government buildings — built in the prevailing Neoclassical style — still survive today. He let two eagles fly from the two opposite ends of the universe and this is where they met, here in Delphi. While pricey, if two couples split the cost, enjoying the services of a private guide can cost about the same as the cruise line's bus tour. Other than one very well-preserved temple and a rebuilt stoa, it's a field of humble ruins. The dazzling white-washed town of Lindos, originally a wealthy maritime center because of its harbor, is now totally overrun by tourists. Today, the Royal Palace houses the Greek Parliament. It’s great traveling in Greece during the shoulder season — the days are lovely and warm (not hot) and the crowds are few. Antonis: You can still drink if you want. May 30, 2016 - Explore Sandra Kent's board "Rick Steves" on Pinterest. 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. Just a few years ago, this street was a car-clogged mess. I'm Rick Steves. Get the most out of every day and dollar with Rick Steves Greece & Turkey guidebooks, Snapshot guides and Pocket travel guides Sure, there's nothing culturally broadening about this — in fact, the only thing broadening about all this lazy time on ship with unlimited food and drink is the effect it might have on your waistline. The real attraction here is the beaches. 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. Wear good shoes, and bring sun protection and plenty of water. Nope! The island's main city, also called Rhodes, was one of the great cities of antiquity. The difference with the local salad is that we use the local tomatoes, the cherry tomatoes, the local cucumbers, and instead of the feta cheese, we use the goat cheese, and we add the capers and the caper leaves. Exploring each island under the reliable sun, we'll compare beaches from the ultimate party beach…to quieter, more idyllic hideaways. Travel with Rick on this video guide to Athens, Greece and find out what to do on your next trip. This place has been known as Constitution Square or Syntagma Square ever since. The oracle became so influential that no great leader would make a major decision without first sending emissaries to consult the oracle. We'll tour ancient ruins, trace the vestiges of the Crusaders, sample rustic cuisine, savor classic Greek-island views, and compare beaches — from the ultimate party beach to idyllic quiet hideaways. Little survives from the classical agora. And tonight the place is all ours, as our enthusiastic cook welcomes us into his kitchen. Here are a few more photos from my recent TV shoot in Greece — one of several countries included in my upcoming Rick Steves’ European Easter public television special.. In the morning, we'll be in Santorini. Honeymooners find the B&B of their dreams…and savor breakfast in unforgettable settings. These Mycenaean soldiers — with their yellow-ribbon moms — are a timeless off-to-war scene, repeated every generation in the 3,000 years since. Rome: Back-Street Riches - YouTube Rick Steves European tours and vacations feature the best value and travel experience around. Of its hundreds of islands, we'll visit three: Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes. From Piraeus boats depart for points throughout the Aegean Sea. The Aegean Sea offers the quintessence of Mediterranean island charm. And I love the way the blue and white of the townscape seems inspired by the colors of the Greek flag. Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. Strategically set with natural harbors flanking an easy-to-fortify pinnacle, its history goes back long before Christ. They claim the soldiers' outfits have 400 pleats — one for each miserable year of Turkish occupation (and don't you forget it). Should I get Rick's Pocket Athens guide in addition to this Greece guidebook? In fact, Socrates spent much of his life right here preaching the virtues of "nothing in excess," and urging those around him to "know thyself.". The Italians rebuilt it in the 20th century as an over-the-top imagining of a medieval fortress that scarcely resembles its original self — but in some ways, that makes it even more interesting to tour. It's the epitome of a Greek island town: a busy breakwater, fine little beach, and inviting lanes. We'll tour the must-sees of ancient Athens: the Parthenon, Agora, and amazing National Archaeological Museum. Click here for more information on how to enable cookies. 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. 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