Getting into the Northern and Eastern parts of the Attica region you will witness a surprisingly rural setting. A countryside with groves, vineyards and other cultivations, woods, lakes, the Euboean Sea and plenty of ancient historic sites.
We will pick you up at 9 am at your place in Athens and drive to Marathon Lake, some 40 km North of the Greek capital. By the impressive dam, set amidst lush pine greenery, nests a cosy cafe-restaurant. We will take our first brief (20’/30′) stop here, enjoy a Greek coffee or juice, admire the scenery and take wonderful panoramic pics.
We will then hit the road again and drive (25 mins.) all the way to the Ramnous ancient site. Ramnous is a well-preserved and natural area with a multitude of ancient settlements, fortifications, temples, and theatres. We will explore its main area overlooking the Euboean Sea and dating back to the 6th century BC. The main monuments that we will view are the ruins of the Temple of Nemesis, the avenging Goddess, the fortified city-Acropolis and grave monuments scattered along the main road.
The next stop will be in Marathon, maybe the only Greek city as or even more famous than Athens, worldwide. There we will visit the Memorial Tomb of the Athenian Hoplites and the Archaeological Museum. And of course learn all the story revolving around the epic battles against the Persian invaders and the Marathon battle – the quintessential struggle for liberty, independence and democracy –, and a major landmark in the history of Western Civilization. We will, of course, run in the footsteps of the first marathon runner, Pheidipiddes, the untamed messenger that conveyed the famous “Nenikikamen” to the Athenians.
Leaving Marathon we will head to a local tavern for a delicious hearty meal, before returning home.
A comfortable outfit and sports shoes are recommended for this tour as you will walk a gravel rocky path for about a mile. Our tour leaders speak many different languages. Ancient sites and museums are occasionally undergoing renovation and other works. The visit to some parts of the sites mentioned in this tour may, therefore, be precluded.
