ONE (1) DAY – ATHENS & CAPE SOUNION - PRIVATE TOUR:

Begin with the world renowned Acropolis with its many monuments atop its rocky base, including the Parthenon, the Propylae, the Temple of Athena Nik, The Erechtheion with its Porch of Maidens.
Visit The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of Parliament House on Constitution Square, the Panathenian Stadium (site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896). You will see vistas of the Presidential Palace (ex Royal Palace), government buildings, and elegant homes.
Continue along Panepistimiou Avenue to view the Catholic Cathedral, the "Neoclassical Trilogy," (Academy of Athens, University of Athens, National Library) then drive by Omonia Square.

Visit Temple of Olympian Zeus and Adrian's arch - Take a walk through Plaka (old Athens) and stop for shopping and lunch.
After lunch, leave Athens for a wonderful drive along the scenic coastal road which affords a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf passing through some of Athens' most beautiful suburbs (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varzika) to Cape Sounion, here you will experience one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world and on a clear day you can see at least seven islands.
Cape Sounio was an important sanctuary during the Greek Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods. There are two sanctuaries present on the cape: the sanctuary of Poseidon and the sanctuary of Athena; two gods that were held in high esteem by the ancient Athenians. The ruins as we see today are the result of the renovations that took place during the 5th century B.C., and replaced a succession of buildings that date back to the archaic period. Lord Byron carved his name in the marble of one of the columns in 1810. He set an unfortunate precedent for graffiti at the temple, which is now covered in scrawled signatures and initials.
The location of Cape Sounion at the tip of Attica rendered it as a location of strategic military importance, and thus it was fortified with a mighty wall and guarded constantly by a garrison which ensured that the shipping lanes to Athens remained open
According to legend, Cape Sounion is the spot where Aegeus, an archaic figure in the founding myth of Athens. The "goat-man" who was next to Poseidon and one of the possible fathers to Theseus, one of the kings of Athens, leapt to his death from here, thus giving his name to the Aegean Sea.
The story goes that Aegeus, anxiously looking out from Cape Sounion, despaired when he saw a black sail on his son's (Theseus) ship, returning from Crete. This led him to believe that his son had been killed in his contest with the dreaded Minotaur, a monster that was half man and half bull. The Minotaur was confined by its owner, King Minos of Crete, in a specially designed labyrinth. Every year, the Athenians were forced to send 7 boys and 7 girls to Minos as tribute. These youths were placed in the labyrinth to be devoured by the Minotaur. Theseus had volunteered to go with the third tribute and attempt to slay the beast. He had agreed with his father that if he survived the contest, he would hoist a white sail. In fact, Theseus had overcome and slain the Minotaur but tragically had simply forgotten about the white sail.
Names: Temple of Poseidon - Dates: 444 BC Size - Temple floor area: 13.47 x 31.12 m
Hours: Daily 10am-sunset - Temple entry fee: 4.00 €
Below the temple is a small bay with the Hotel Aegean and two nice little fish taverns
Ilias Tavern & Akrogialli Tavern – also below the temple a lovely coffee shop: NAOS
Our private sightseeing will end at your hotel late in the afternoon.

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