Attica

Attica is a prefecture in the center of southern Greece, a peninsula, which juts out into the Aegean Sea. It is home to Athens, the capital and covers about 3,800 square kilometers. Besides Athens, it also boasts of the beautiful cities Eleusis, Laurium, Marathon, Megara and Piraeus. Not to forget is a small part of the Peloponnese peninsula and the islands of Aegina, Antikythira, Hydra, Kythira, Poros, Salamis and Spetses.

The mountains of Aigaleo, Geraneia and Penteli (which are either grassy or barren from being forested), Parnitha (the tallest) and Hymettus (both of which are covered by lush forestation) divide the peninsula into the plains of Pedia, Mesogeia, and Thriasia. There are also parklands in both the southern part of Attica and in the Hymettus, Parnitha and Penteli mountains.

Its borders are unique; the Boeotia plain to the North, with the island of Euboea lying just off the north coast, the Saronic Gulf to the South and Corinth to the West. Lake Marathon is Athens' first and only large reservoir. The Cephisus River is its longest river.

The climate is inviting with its typical Mediterranean weather of hot summers and cool to mild winters in low lying areas and its plains and most of the Saronic, as well as Alpine.

Transportation - Eleven interstates, three superhighways and one opening soon connect the area, which you can travel with a vehicle from any of the several rental companies available. There are numerous ferry lines, which connect Piraeus with the islands. You will also find the Mass Transit System and Metro Proastiakos Transit System convenient.

The Parthenon is the remains of a temple to the Greek goddess Athena, the patron goddess of the ancient City of Athens. It is located on the Acropolis (literally meaning the “high city"), a hill overlooking the city of Athens, Greece. Here you will find the Acropolis Museum.

Take a leisurely stroll along the Plaka, a delightful cobblestone walkway where cars are banned for the most part. It is the perfect way to take in the essence of the Greek culture. The sights, smells and sounds, which will envelop you, will take you back to a time in the past where life was much simpler. And when the moon rises overhead, adding to the Plaka’s splendor, you will become bathed in its light.

Here you will also find the three-storied Greek Music Museum, which is one of the most important musical collections in Europe. It also has special facilities for serious musical scholars, including a 5,000-volume library. If you are feeling hungry after visiting the museum, just stop in next door to O Platanos Taverna. You’ll find it in a shaded courtyard setting under a platanos (plane tree).

If you fancy museums, then you’re in for a treat. Attica has twenty-four more besides the two we mentioned above. There are three archaeology museums, nine art museums, five history museums and five educational program museums. Two other museums are The Railway Museum and The Philatelic Museum.

As far as epicurean delights are concerned, you’ll find everything from taverns and bars, to cozy restaurants, to fine dining.

Of course you’ll need a place to stay while you’re here and there are many hotels to accommodate you. Whether your wallet determines that you reside in a smaller economically priced lodging, a grand boutique hotel with marble adorning every room or something in between, you’ll find them all waiting here for you, including two of them on the beach itself.