About a month ago I was invited to a familiarization trip organized by the Directorate of Tourism of the Region of Attica, regarding the touristic promotion of the region… in simple words, the Directorate of Tourism of the Region of Attica invited representatives of tourist agencies, journalists and travel bloggers from abroad, organizing a tour in widely known but also unknown sightseeing spots in Attica, so as to promote them abroad, and especially focusing on wine tourism and culinary tourism. Therefore, for 3 whole days we were hosted, wandered and guided in wine cellars, wineries, restaurants, museums and archaeological sites, for which I am going to share my personal experience in this post. In contrast to several others guests, this was not my first time in this part of Greece. How could it be, as I was born and raised in Athens, before, a bit older, I finally move to Thessaloniki… but it was my first time indeed visiting some of the specific places, and also the first time I had the chance to help promoting this region of my country, for which in the end it was proven that I knew relatively few about. More or less, the tourist attractions of Athens are well known worldwide and most tourists have visited the historical center and the archaeological sites… so, is there anything else in the wider vicinity of the region of Attica, except for these ancient monuments and the excursions to the nearby islands?
I was aware that Attica produces wine, but I could not possibly imagine neither the number of the vineyards, nor their high quality. Actually, Attica is the producer of the ancient variety “Savatiano”, which has won international awards. I am a wine lover and having chosen to drink only wine the last few years, I mainly preferred from north Greece, Greek islands or Peloponnese, while I was still a resident of Greece. I am not a wine expert and I prefer whatever personally satisfies my taste not what is fashionable or famous. I have to admit that I liked most of the wines I tasted during these days. Except for ‘retsina’ and the very dry red wine, which I do not fancy anyway, the rest were all exquisite! Let’s then start together this culinary and cultural trip to Attica…
At the entrance of Gikas winery (ph by Region of Attica)
First stop: Gikas Winery in Spata Attikis
A small, family-run winery, in which our guide was the sweet daughter of the owner. The story and more details you may find in the official website. We attended a very interesting guided tour in the cellar, with the barrels and the tanks and we ended up in the cobblestone living room for wine tasting and discussion with the owners and other partners winemakers, who offered their own wine products for tasting. The highlight was tasting wine directly from the tank!!! Click here for more.
The old way of the wine making
Wine tasting and chatting (ph by Region of Attica)
Greek traditional food (ph by Region of Attica)
Tasting wine directly from the tank!
The old cellar of Domaine Vassiliou
Second stop: Domaine Vassiliou in Koropi Attikis
One more family-run old winery, with a history starting in 1900s. After being guided through an amazing cellar with inox tanks and wooden barrels, we enjoyed our lunch in an equally magnificent area, accompanied of course with superb wines. More information you may find on my detailed post and in the official website.
The entrance
Interior decoration
The cellar
Our team (ph by Region of Attica)
Sunset over Cape Sounion
Afterwards, we transferred to Cape Sounion, where we admired a unique sunset over the Aegean Sea from the southernmost part of the peninsula. The Poseidon Temple comprises the most important monument of the Sounion archaeological site, as apart from its historical value, it is located at the most beautiful area of the cape with limitless view to the sea. Needless to mention that it is considered as one of the most picturesque places in Attica!!!
On our way back, we made a stop at the outskirts of Vouliagmeni lake with the famous hot springs that I only knew via the internet, but which I really hoped to visit one day.
(ph by Region of Attica)
Lake Vouliagmeni at night
A rainy day on the sacred rock of the Acropolis
Unfortunately, that day was rainy, while on the sacred rock of the Acropolis, the most popular and important attraction of the whole country. After being guided for a while around the Parthenon, the marble Temple of goddess Athena dated the 5th century BC, we descended towards the Archaeological Museum of the Acropolis, an amazing museum with findings mainly from the surrounding archaeological area. It operates for 10 years now and it considered as one of the best museums in the world!! For me, these two sights are a must-visit when staying in the capital of the country.
Afterwards, we went off to the east part of Attica, towards the Archaeological Site of Vravrona. After a beautiful route through vineyards, olive trees and pistachio trees, we were guided around the area of the Sacred Temple of Artemis and we then went on to our lunch.
Views to the Acropolis and the Parthenon temple from the Acropolis Archaeological Museum
Views to Athens from the Acropolis
The entrance to the Acropolis archaeological Museum just opposite the archaeological site
Views to Athens from the Acropolis
The Erechtheion temple on the sacred Acropolis rock. The Caryatids, the famous women sculptures are replicas of the original ones placed in the Acropolis Museum
The original Caryatids sculptures. One is missing though, it is still in the British Museum of London
The archaeological site of Vravrona (ph by Region of Attica)
The Kazba restaurant in Porto Rafti
I am not usually advertising private companies on my website, but I cannot do otherwise now… this particular restaurant was the highlight of all days. First of all, its location next to the sea and its beautiful interior decoration make the best impression from the very first moment. Afterwards, the amazing view to the small bay of Porto Rafti makes you feel like you are actually on an island. The food menu was very carefully selected, the dishes were delicious and the wines exquisite!! A magical environment to enjoy your meal or drink with extraordinary views to the sea!!
No, I am not drunk yet 😛 (ph by Region of Attica)
Delicious mussels
That was the view from my side of the table!!
With our team (ph by Region of Attica)
In the afternoon we were invited to attend a very interesting presentation of the representatives of the Region of Attica regarding the rest of the significant attractions of the area. The presentation took place in a hall in the hotel Athenaum Intercontinental we were staying at, and in the end we were given some traditional Greek products as a souvenir gift.
(ph by Region of Attica)
(ph by Region of Attica)
Olives, honey, olive oil and more
gift from the museum of Cycladic Art
Traditional dishes at the taverna “Plaka”
Personally, I do not think there is any other more beautiful spot in Athens than the Plaka neighborhood, known also as the “neighborhood of Gods”, due to its location close to the ancient sites of the city. After a short walk around the maze-like alleys of the most picturesque area of the capital, we enjoyed the delicious Greek cuisine while listening to live Greek music at the family-owned taverna “Plaka”. Tasty delicacies such as cheese croquettes, meatballs, choriatiki salad, grilled feta cheese, zucchini balls and so many more accompanied by the local retsina wine….that was an original Greek night, for sure…what did I pick as my main course?…what else but the traditional moussakas!!!
Kolokithokeftedes, tirokroketes and keftedes (zucchini balls, cheese croquettes and meatballs)
Moussakas and choriatiki salad
Baklavas and karydopita, Greek traditional desserts
Taverna “Plaka” (ph by Region of Attica)
At the terrace of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (ph by Region of Attica)
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Our last day started with an interesting visit to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, a project by Renzo Piano, the famous Italian architect. We visited the National Library and the Greek National Opera hosted in the same building and finally we went up to the Lighthouse, the highest point of the building, to admire the panoramic views from the city of Athens up to Kastella neighborhood in Piraeus. For more details about the place, you can visit its official website.
The entrance
The National Library
The National Opera
Our team in the National Opera (ph by Region of Attica)
Pyrgos Vasilissis (The Queen’s Tower Estate) at Ilion Attiki
The last winery we visited was actually the most impressive of all!!! And that’s because it is housed in the old Tower of Queen Amalia, in an enormous estate containing vineyards, olive groves, horse stables and other kinds of trees like pistachio and almond trees, as well as herbs. Following the guided tour to the vineyards and the stables where horses for games are hosted, we visited also the marvelous Tower, a national monument of the recent Greek history. To enter the tower, we had to take off our shoes and after wearing slippers we got up to the imposing first floor with the colorful wall decoration of the rooms and the special furniture. Afterwards, we had our buffet lunch and wine tasting of the winery’s biological wines. More information about the estate on my detailed post and their official webpage.
A museum totally different from the others…..
I am not a museum fan in general and my friends and followers are aware of that. With only few exceptions, I usually get bored after a while. In this museum though, I honestly could have spent my whole day and I suggest you do the same! The Museum of the Ancient Greek Technology not only it is not boring, but on the contrary, it is fascinating and intrigues the visitor with its innovative interactive exhibits! No one can imagine what’s hidden inside this historic art-nouveau building in the area of Kolonaki, the heart of Athens….The present exhibition of ancient Greek technology includes approximately 300 operating models of ancient Greek inventions (from the robot – servant of Philon to the cinema of Heron and from the automatic clock of Ktesibios to the analog computer of Antikythera), covering the period from 2000 BC until the end of the ancient Greek world. All were constructed by Kostas Kotsanas, through 25 years of extensive research and study. In simple words: finally, there is a museum where adults are allowed to play with games, actually, ancient games!! More on my detailed post and its official page.
The Art-nouveau facade
An ancient robot
An ancient telegraph
Military technology (ph by Region of Attica)
A stroll around the old town center of Athens
A visit to Attica is not complete without a stroll around the historical center of the capital, the areas of Monastiraki, Thissio and the narrow streets of Plaka. Our guided tour started from the Syntagma square, where the change of the Presidential guard of the Tsoliades takes place every hour, in front of the Greek Parliament and the Unknown Soldier Monument. A very unique and impressive ceremony dates to 1868 not to be missed by any visitor!! Later on, a short walk around the tourist center filled us with beautiful images of the local everyday life…
That 3-day tour to Attica region came to an end with a laid-back dinner at «By the glass», one of the most famous wine-bistros in Athens. We enjoyed delicious local food and fine wine in a cozy atmosphere, together with the great company of the guests and the organizers of this familiarization trip of the Greek gastronomy and culture.
I will soon share further posts about some of the above mentioned attractions. I really hope to have motivated you to discover the flavors and hidden beauties of Attica, just like I did those days!
In front of the Greek Parliament (ph by Region of Attica)
Syntagma square
Greek churches
The change of the Presidential Guard (Tsoliades) (ph by Region of Attica)
Greek souvenirs
Prayers and candles
Dinner at “By the Glass” wine-bistro. Risotto with mushrooms and truffle (top) and meatballs with pita and fried potatoes (left)
The hotel: Athenaeum Intercontinental
The 5* hotel Athenaum Intercontinental took care of our accommodation and the dinner of our first night in Athens, with a special menu accompanied by fine local wines. This award-winning hotel is located just outside the historical center of Athens, at Syngrou Ave., offering luxury accommodation in rooms with views to the Acropolis, an amazing buffet breakfast with traditional and international flavors and mostly, services of high quality.
*** I would like to thank the Directorate of Tourism of the Region of Attica for the invitation and the organization of this so interesting cultural trip, as well as the Signature travel agency for the cooperation, the organization and the perfect execution of the whole event.