Adventure Awaits, Go Find It in Athens

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​By Maria Flouskakos

Welcome to Greece -- καλως ηρθες στην ΕΛΛΑΔΑ! (Kalos irthes stin Ellada!) 

Athens, Greece will welcome American travelers back to the beautiful country starting on May 14, 2021 with a few new rules due to Covid-19. It is important to know that all travelers entering Greece are now required to present a negative PCR test result for COVID-19, performed up to 72 hours  or present proof of the Covid-19 vaccine prior to entry to Greece.

With Covid still in the picture, it is important to stay safe and adhere to the strict new quarantine measures in place upon arrival in the country. 

To help you feel like a local during a vacation in Athens, it is important for American travelers to know these key phrases.

• Good morning --  Kalimera (Καλημέρα)
• How are you? -- ti kanis? (Τι κάνετε)
• How much does this cost? -- Póso kostízei aftó? (Πόσο κοστίζει αυτό?)
• Goodbye - yasas (γιάσα)
• Thank you -- efcharistó (ευχαριστώ)

Local residents will appreciate your effort to say basic words in Greek.

One of the biggest attractions in the country of Greece would be traveling to the city of Athens. If you are  a history fanatic, then Athens is definitely a city to check out.   Not only is Athens the capital of Greece, it also has a lot of history behind it.  

Did you know . . .

• Athens was the heart of Ancient Greece which was a powerful civilization and empire. 

 

• The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, which includes the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the colonnaded Parthenon temple. 

 

• The Acropolis Museum, along with the National Archaeological Museum, preserves sculptures, vases, jewelry and more from Ancient Greece. 

 

• The first celebration of the modern Olympic Games took place in its ancient birthplace which is Athens Greece. The Games attracted athletes from 14 nations, with the largest delegations coming from Greece, Germany, France and Great Britain.

Make sure to pack your comfortable shoes while in Athens so you can enjoy all the walking that you have ahead of you. Along with walking through the historical sights, there is also a lot of shopping that can be accomplished in Athens! In the shadow of the Acropolis and its ancient temples. 

There is a neighborhood called Plaka that has a village feel, with narrow cobblestone streets. It is surrounded with tiny shops selling jewelry, clothes and local ceramics. Do not forget to stop by a sidewalk cafe or family-run taverna to get a traditional Greek coffee called a “frappe”!

In Greece it is important to remember that the currency that they use is Euros. The rate from US dollars to Euros is that 1 Euro is equivalent to 1.19 Dollars. It slightly fluctuates each day however it is always around that ballpark. 

Traveling to Greece can be done on an affordable budget, Allen Batista Travel Inc has set up a whole seven day itinerary,  The Athens travel package includes, six nights hotel accommodations, seven breakfast daily, three lunches, luxury bus transportation, sightseeing tour activities, a one day cruise around the Greek Isles with lunch included, and a Bilingual guide in Greek and English. 

Each day is filled with a new adventure that will make your vacation worthwhile. With many different tours such as going to the Acropolis and seeing the ancient temples, to traveling to Delphi for a day, we are even offering an awesome cooking class to be hosted by a Greek Chef. Not only is this trip filled with excitement and culture, you are able to learn and take something away from this adventure. 

A trip to Athens is not complete without indulging in the delicious Greek cuisine, desserts and drinks that they have to offer.  

• ​Moussaka - an oven-bake is based on layers of sautéed aubergine, minced lamb, fried puréed tomato, onion, garlic and spices like cinnamon and allspice, a bit of potato, then a final fluffy topping of béchamel sauce and cheese
• Amygdalota - a gluten-free almond cookie 
• Ouzo - a sweet, strong alcoholic drink similar to a liqueur, which is made from the by-products of grapes after they’ve been used for wine-making. It’s then distilled into a high-proof alcoholic beverage that’s flavoured primarily with anise, which gives it a distinctive licorice taste. 

Delicious! -  Νόστιμο (NO-STEE-MO)

Currently, bars, cafes and clubs are still closed in Greece, however it is hopeful that they will be reopening soon. Masks are permitted to be worn indoors and outdoors in public. However, with Europe’s vaccination rollout and its “digital green certificates'' plan aimed at salvaging the summer tourism season, the tourism industry is feeling very optimistic about the return of international visitors. 

A city with so much culture has the potential to give you a vacation that you will never forget. You are bound to never have a dull moment when on this trip and make memories that will last a lifetime! 

We look forward to having you book this exciting Athens travel package with us!  We hope to see you in Athens Greece! ~ (Ελπίζουμε να σας δούμε στην Αθήνα)

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