Athens is neither the beginning, nor the end. Athens is everywhere. In every point on the map. And every point on the map is in Athens. Because Athens is the centre of all the centres in the world.

Everything is concentrated within her. She is the city of the Olympic Idea, the city of artists, cultural channel, scientific centre, East and West for each voyager, the crossroads of every major event for the active, the fashion that is in for avid sophisticates, the Parthenon of all and for all.

Artistic happenings, festivals, conventions, athletic competitions, celebrations, entertainment events choose Athens, prefer Athens as their venue.  Athens is The City. But even more it is the Pole... of attraction for all.

The modern city of Athens
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A monument over which a guard of honour keeps vigil The 1100 am changing of the guard on sundays is a picturesque small ceremony.

The Greek House of Parliaments. This is a neoclassical building overlooking the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Formerly used as the residential palace of Greece's first king, Otto (1832-1862), it houses since 1933 the Greek Parliament. Adjoining the building is the National Garden stretching as far as the Zappeion Exhibition and Congress Hall, which stands in its own park.

The Lycabettus (Licavitos) Hill. Clad in pinewoods and crowned by the picturesque white chapel of St. George the hill provides a fine panoramic view over the entire city. There is a restaurant and pastryshop on the top. Access is by funicular or footpath.

Sintagma Square. Below the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier stretches the most central square in Athens lined by a large number of pastryshops, which are usually filled with a lively crowd of Athenians and foreigners.

The Plaka. It is the oldest and most picturesque quarter in Athens spreading around the Acropolis. Winding, narrow alleys are flanked by single storey houses set next to elegant mansions. There are also several small tavern as and nightclubs as well as shops selling popular arts and crafts. Combined, they make Plaka one of the most attractive corners of Athens.

Monastiraki. This is in reality an extension of Plaka. It is the part of the city with the greatest number of antique dealers and gift shops of every kind.

Iliou Melathron. Formerly the home of the celebrated archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in Athens and stands at the upper end of Panepistimiou St. On the same street a little further down, are the neoclassical buildings of the Academy, the University and the National Library. Technical University in Patission St. is in the same style of architecture

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