In my last post, I walked through the day to day travel plan for touring Athens, the first destination of this Grecian Odyssey. But there is so much more to Greece than just Athens! This post covers Corinth, Argolida, Epidaurus, Olympia, and Delphi.
On your way to Corinth, you can visit the Temple of Poseidon located at Cape Sounion. Personally, this was my favorite out of the several temples in Greece. The temple, placed at the top of a hill with the crystal blue Mediterranean sea in the backdrop, the sound of waves crashing, a slight cool breeze, and the salty smell of the sea creates an awe-inspiring experience that engages all the senses.
When you finally arrive in Corinth, be sure to check out the Corinth Canal. The canal is is 300 ft above sea level and even deeper to allow ships to pass through. Even though it is not wide, the canal is impressive due to its depth and length. However, if you possess a fear of heights, this may be a pitstop to skip. After that, continue on your way to Argolida.
Once in Argolida, you can venture to Epidaraus, an ancient Greek theater known for its outstanding acoustics and being able to house thousands of people in its stadium-like seating.The theatre was designed to allow audience members in the highest row to be able to hear a whisper on the stage; this is truly something you have to experience to believe. Then, you can pretend to be part of the Mycenaean civilization by adventuring through the ancient fortress or palace atop yet another hill. This historical site is known for its legends, famous rulers such as Agamemnon, and strategic location. Also, be sure to take a picture at the Lion's Gate of Mycenae and enter the chilling, extravagant tomb of Agamemnon.
After Argolida, the next stop is Olympia, the birthplace of the olympics. To some, this archeological site may appear to be graveyard of crumbling columns which requires more imagination than observation. However, this was one of my favorite attractions because of the incredible architecture and historical significance. Here, you can gaze at what is left of the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Hera. There is evidence of ancient architectural genius in the fact that the columns and arches are still standing after centuries of time. One can also come close to the very place where the first flame was ignited to initiate the first Olympics in Greece. To this day, the Olympic Torch is always lit in Olympia several months before it is finally relayed to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Finally, your tour of Olympia would not be complete without racing on the ancient stadium track, which is a large rectangular field unlike the oval tracks of today. Of course, this site includes the Olympia Museum, which had an unusual amount of cute stray cats wandering around when I visited.
If you've ever wanted to journey to the center of the earth, then Delphi is the place you've been waiting for. That's right, Delphi was regarded as the center of the world due to a myth and the fact that it's the center of Greece. This site is located at a higher altitude, but the views are absolutely worth the hike; you feel as if you are at the top of the world, not the center. Once you finally reach the top, you will be greeted by the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of Athenians, an ancient theatre and stadium, and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronea. You many be tired of museums, but the Delphi Museum was very modern and the air-conditioning saved me from a heat stroke.
Hopefully, this post opened your eyes to the wonderful historical attractions in Greece besides Athens. See you again in my next post!