Athens, once the capital of the ancient world and the center of civilization, today is a modern cosmopolitan capital busting with life. It is crowned by the 2500 years old Parthenon proudly resting on the peak on the beautiful hill of Acropolis - the most celebrated antiquity and a noble relic of the city's legacy.

Athens has become an indisputable symbol of humanity and has been imprinted in everyone's conscience as the city of thought and philosophy, the center of cultural development and artistic achievement.

In the past, Athens represented a "necessary" pilgrimage for all scholars. Today this cosmopolitan center welcomes millions of visitors annually, who flock its streets, restaurants, shops, resorts and beaches, in an attempt to take part in its history, admire its countless monuments, experience its vitality, bake in its sun, and enjoy its traditional hospitality. A mere wander around the city takes one across Byzantine churches, ultra-modern buildings, green parks, museums and archeological sites.

Athens is the ideal destination for a city break, with fine Mediterranean climate, plenty of sunshine and a fascinating multitude of things to do and places to visit. The old Plaka area with its maze of streets full of lively tavernas and bars by night, the traditional flea market at nearby Monastiraki and the change of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Parliament Square, is a must for all visitors. Kolonaki Square with its smart fashionable boutiques and coffee shops, the Hill of Lycabettos for breathtaking views of the city and romantic sunsets, is a sensation.

Athens is also a city famous for its culinary pleasures, offering everything from traditional Greek cuisine and entertainment at 'bouzouki tavernas', to gastronomic delights at elegant restaurants serving international cuisine in Glyfada and Pendeli to fresh seafood restaurants in Piraeus.

As the bright sun begins to set, the city's lifestyle switches to a unique nightlife rhythm. With its traditional taverns, with Greek dancers, and a cuisine that is made even more unique by the setting, whether one dines in deluxe restaurants, or to the sounds of modern night-clubs and traditional bouzouki-restaurants the city is alive and fun never stops till daylight.

Athens is well known for its vibrant nightlife. The city offers entertainment to suite all tastes; from fashionable discos, bars and clubs playing the latest sounds of pop and rock, to sophisticated classical concerts and opera at the Megaro Mousikis, to casino outings at the Mont Parnes casino.

The words, spoken by the great Greek poet, Kostis Palamas, "Athens, gem of the earth's ring...", were in no way an exaggeration. This is the famous Greek capital, home to over 4,000,000 inhabitants with a history centuries old, a real megalopolis built on the southeastern tip of Europe.