Category: Land package

Athens – City Circus Hostel details

On By MerrileeIn Accommodations Land Package, Athens - Circus City Hostel, Athens, Greece

Address: 16 Sarri St., Athens

Metro station: Monastraki

District: Psyri (near Monastraki Square)

Phone: +30-213-02-37-24-4

Email: info@citycircus.gr

Web address: www.CityCircus.gr

DIRECTIONS

City Circus is conveniently located just 250m from two central metro stations (Monastiraki & Thission), with direct and frequent service to both the airport and the port of Piraeus. 

From the airport: 
TAXI: For a fixed price you can grab a cab which will get you downtown in about an hour depending on traffic. 

BUS: Alternatively, you can use the X95 AIRPORT EXPRESS bus line, which will take you to central Syntagma station perhaps faster than a taxi. This is the only service from and to the airport that runs on a 24-hour basis (EUR6), so if you arrive too early (or too late) it might be your only option. From Syntagma, you can either get on a cab for a short ride of approx. EUR8 or walk down Ermou str. and arrive at Monastiraki square.

METRO: This is the fastest way to get to the City Center. A direct service runs from 6:33 until 23:33 and takes 42min to get to Monastiraki, which is the nearest Metro station to City Circus. Follow the exit to Athinas str. and once at ground level make a right turn for a few meters until you get at Ermou Street (the main Monastiraki square should be in front of you). Turn right to Ermou and then right again at Miaouli str., a few meters down the road. Keep walking on Miaouli str until you see a small square full of restaurants in front of you. Follow the left bend of the street and head on to Agion Anargyron Street, which is a pedestrian way. At the end of it, after about 200m, you will arrive at Sarri Street. Turn right and you will see City Circus on your left hand side, number 16.

From Piraeus port: 
TAXI, it will cost you around EUR30 and you’ll arrive in about 30′ depending on traffic. 

METRO : You can also use line 1 (GREEN) of the Metro and stop at Monastraki station. Follow directions above.

FACILITIES

24 hour reception, Free Wi-Fi,| Air-conditioning, Luggage storage service, Wash & dry service, Roof garden with Acropolis view, Bed linens, Towels for rent

Favorite Links

On By MerrileeIn Athens, Greece, Favorite LInks

Each posting in this blog has many links that are not copied here. Below are a few links that may or may not be posted in other areas of this blog, but are of particular interest, especially in Greece, in general, and in the Athens area. See separate postings in this blog for many other links specific to each posting, such as “Athens – Monastraki & The Plaka”, “Athens – Museums & Ruins”, and “Accommodations Land Package”

Greece in general

Greece history as per Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Greece

Finding organized tours – www.GetYourGuide.com

Free walking tours – www.Guruwalk.com

Hellenic Heritage – https://www.hh.gr/en/

Athens Area

Athens Visitors Guide – http://www.thisisathens.org

Public Transportation – http://www.thisisathens.org/getting-around/public-transportation-metro-bus-tram

Metro system – lines, maps, price  www.greeka.com/attica/athens/transportations/athens-metro-system/ To get between the Airport and Monastraki (the Metro stop where our accommodations are located) by Metro, see the Metro map in this link. Find the end of one of the lines that says “Airport”. Follow this line to the city and find the stop “Monastraki” This direct line will take about 40 minutes with no Metro change of lines.

Athens City Pass – http://www.turbopass.com/en/athens/athens-city-pass

Pireaus (port of Athens)

http://www.thisisathens.org/neighbourhoods/piraeus-guide

http://www.getyourguide.com/en-gb/piraeus-l759/

Cruise

Cruise link – www.royalcaribbean.com/itinerary/7-night-greek-isles-cyprus-cruise-from-athens-piraeus-on-brilliance-BR07M817?country=USA&currencyCode=USD&sailDate=2026-10-05

Other

Currency converter – http://www.xe.com/en-us/currencyconverter/

ASCSA website – www.ASCSA.us

Athens Activities – Land Package

On By MerrileeIn Athens Activities - Land Package, Athens, Greece, Land package

Athens

Central Municipal Market – between Monastraki & Omonia Square http://www.greeka.com/attica/athens/sightseeing/central-municipal-market/

http://www.thisisathens.org/shopping/athens-central-food-market  (15 minute walk from our accommodations)

Lykavittos Hill – (same metro stop as Byzantine & Christian Museum) https://www.lycabettushill.com Highest point in Athens with 360 views. Take cablecar. At top is whitewashed Church of St. George from 1870. Cafe on top

Hammam – Al Hammam Traditional Baths in the Plaka – www.alhammam.gr The meaning of Hammam in Arabic is bathhouse. Enjoy everything this Turkish bathhouse has to offer. Views of the Acropolis can be enjoyed while relaxing on the deck.

Changing of the guard (the “Evzone’s”) – hourly in front of the Parliament building at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Syndagma Square. A ceremonial change of guards takes place every Sunday at 11am along with a marching band – https://changing-guard.com/changing-guard-worldwide/athens-greece.html

Flea Market in The Plaka and off Monastraki Square (see separate posting for Monastraki & Plaka)

Walking street off Syndagma Square (Ermu St.) – where fun, inner city life of the locals abounds – shops, cafes, Greek ruins underground, buskers

Mars Hill near Acropolis entrance (short, easy climb) http://www.areopagushillathens.com/en    https://landlifetravel.com/landmark/areopagus-hill-of-athens/   The Areopagus (hill) continued to function in Roman times. It was then that the Apostle Paul delivered his famous speech about the identity of “the Unknown God.” , according to the biblical account (Acts 17)

Piraeus (port of Athens)

Piraeus is the main port city of Athens, and the largest port in Greece. (see “Favorite Links” posting on this blog for activities in Pireaus area) The Central Port (Kantharos) is where our cruise liner will be moored, and it is where ferries come and go to the Greek Islands. We will take the ferry from here to the island of Aegina. The metro stop next to the ferry landing is “Piraeus”

Beaches – Following are a couple of suggestions on how to get to the nearby beaches around Voula, the Athens Riviera Coastal Market:

1) Athens coastal tram (blue line #3) from Syndagma Square to Piraeus and along a scenic coastal route to Voula (here are two marinas there and lots of restaurants lined along the coastline) Tram website – www.tramsa.gr

2) Metro from Athens to Elinikon stop in Piraeus, then bus #122 along the coast

Athens area

Hop On Hop Off bus – Open top, sightseeing tours on double-decker bus, with commentated route – www.CitySightseeing.gr Note: There are several other trolley/tour companies that do similar things

Laiki Agora (weekly farmer’s market) -Find locations and days of the week on these sites. In the area of Piraeus, they are on Wednesdays in Piraeus, Thursdays in Glifada & Voula  www.thisisathens.org/shopping/farmers-markets-athenshttps://athenscentre.gr/laiki-agora-local-greek-farmers-market/

Day-by-Day & Hourly Land Package Schedule

On By MerrileeIn Accommodations Land Package, Aegina, Greece, Athens - Monastraki & The Plaka, Athens - Museums & Ruins, Athens, Greece, Delphi, Greece, Land package, Land Package Schedule day-by-day, Land Package Schedule Summarized

This posting is of our daily/hourly schedule of activities while we are on the road during our Greece Land Package tour, September 29-October 5. It will be updated regularly, so check back often!

Sept. 28 (Monday) – Pre-arrival day in Athens – overnight Athens (updated 9/12/26)

Morning – Six persons will arrive at the airport throughout the moring and leave their luggage before check in at their accommodations in Monastraki. Merrilee and Lee will be available to assist with this process. Any people present in the morning hours will be encouraged to explore Monastraki square and surrounding streets until our afternoon plans begin. .

Lunchtime – Souvlaki place in Monastraki Square

Early Afternoon – Board a Get On Get Off Bus in Monastraki Square with a 24 hour ticket until close to dinnertime. Those arriving after our departure will connect with us later in the day.

Dinnertime – Dinner together in a charming, lively traditional Greek restaurant in Monastraki area.

Sept. 29 (Tuesday) – Arrival day in Athens for anyone who didn’t arrive the previous day (one day early) – all will spend the day in Athens – overnight Athens (updated 9/12/26)

Enjoy the Get On Get Off bus visiting some of the stops we missed the day before. Get dropped off by this bus at the Acropolis in the early afternoon and visit the Acropolis.

Lunch – We will dine at a restaurant in the vicinity of the Acropolis (The Plaka).

Late afternoon – Visit the Acropolis Museum

Dinnertime – Dinner together in a charming, lively traditional Greek restaurant in The Plaka

Sept. 30 (Wednesday) – Athens (all day) – overnight Athens  (updated 9/12/26)

Morning – Visit Athens Municipal market.

11am – Syndagma Square – Changing of the Guard at the Paliament building & Ermu Walking street

Afternoon – Visit a couple of museums of your choice, or enjoy a Turkish bath at a Hammum, or climb a few blocks to a cable car and visit Lykavittos, the highest hill in Athens with viewing terrace.

Dinnertime – Dinner together in a charming, lively traditional Greek restaurant in Psirri (the vicinity of our accommodations)

 

Oct. 1 (Thursday) – Delphi (all day)- overnight Athens

WORK IN PROGRESS

Oct. 2 (Friday) – Athens/Aegina Island (half day each) – overnight Aegina Island

WORK IN PROGRESS

Oct. 3 (Saturday) – Aegina Island (all day)– overnight Aegina Island

WORK IN PROGRESS

Oct. 4 (Sunday) – Aegina Island/Athens (half day each) – overnight Athens

WORK IN PROGRESS

Oct. 5 (Monday) – Athens/board ship (half day each) – overnight on board cruise ship

WORK IN PROGRESS

For quick reference, following is a brief outline of our Greece land package schedule from September 29- October 4 (5 days, 6 nights)

Athens – 3 nights – 2 full days, 2 half days

Delphi – day trip

Aegina Island – 2 nights, one day

For more details about some of the above places mentioned, including helpful links, visit separate postings in this blog in the column to the right.

Updated by Merrilee 9/26/26

Athens – Museums & Ruins

On By MerrileeIn Athens - Museums & Ruins, Athens, Greece, Land package

Monastraki

*Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds -www.hh.gr/en/destinations/roman-agora-athens/

*Hadrian’s Library – http://www.thisisathens.org/antiquities/hadrians-library

*Ancient Agora & museum – http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/eh355.jsp?obj_id=2485#_=_

Museum of Modern Greek Culture (NMEP) – http://www.melt.gr/en

– – Mosque in Monastraki square – exhibition of the history of the Museum – annex of the Museum of Modern Greek Culture

– – Folk Art Museum: Man & Tools – annex of the Museum of Modern Greek Culture

Acropolis Area

*Acropolis – Acropolis ticket can get you into a few other museums free – http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/3/gh351.jsp?obj_id=2384

* Acropolis Museum – http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en

*Temple of Olympian Zeus – http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=12863

*Hadrian’s Arch -http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=1794

*Theatre of Dionysos – http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=10341

*Mars Hill – path close to Acropolis entrance

Plaka Area

Greek Folk Art & Tradition – http://www.melt.gr

North of Omonia Square

*National Archeological Museum – exhibit: Mycenaen Kingdom Revealed – www.namuseum.gr/

Kolonaki Area (near Syndagma Square – north)

*Museum of Cycladic Art (Next to Benaki Museum)– http://www.cycladic.gr

*Benaki Museum of Greek Culture – http://www.benaki.org/index.php?option=com_buildings&view=building&id=1&Itemid=134&lang=el

*Byzantine & Christian Museum – http://www.ByzaintineMuseum.gr

*National War Museum – https://warmuseum.gr/

National Museum of Contemporary Art www.emst.gr/

National Gallery – www.nationalgallery.gr/

Near Syndagma Square (south)

National Historical Museum – Specializes in War of Independence – housed in old Parliament building – http://www.nhmuseum.gr

Pantrati, Athens

*Olympic Stadium (Panathenaic) The stadium of the first modern Olympic games – http://www.panathenaicstadium.gr/

Kifisia (northern Athens)

National Museum of Natural History Goulandris – http://www.gnhm.gr/

Pireaus (port)

Hellenic Maritime Museum – http://www.hmmuseum.gr

* Highly recommended

Hop On Hop Off bus

Open top sightseeing bus (red bus) – www.CitySightseeing.gr

Suggestions

– Get on bus in Monastraki Square

– Decide in advance what stops you want to make in one day (24 hour ticket) or two days (48 hour ticket)

Highly Recommended Stops Follow

Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Archeological Museum, 3 museums (Benaki Museum, War Museum, Museum of Cycladic Art), National Gallery, Syndagma Square (Paliament), Central Market, Temple of Zeus, Ancient Olympic Stadium

Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

On By MerrileeIn Delphi, Greece, Land package
In the 6th century BC, Delphi was the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.  It was a sacred precinct in central Greece and the seat of the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the classical world.
Visit Delphi on a day trip from Athens – Thursday, October 1st

Delphi is a two hour bus ride from Athens. We are considering several options for visiting Delphi on our day trip. Some include bus and tour guide, others bus, tour guide and tickets. Lunch is generally not included (see my comments below about lunch in the town of Delphi)

www.Getyourguilde.com/gotours

Delphi including tickets – www.getyourguide.com/delphi-l116/entry-tickets-tc123/

www.delphi-tours.com

The charming town of the same name lies on the opposite side of the road where the ancient ruins of Delphi are located. Here we will find delightful places to eat lunch, do a bit of interesting shopping, and enjoy sweeping views of Pliestos Valley and the Gulf of Corinth. The valley is covered with historic olive groves that produce Greek olives.

Helpful links

UNESCO website about Delphi as a World Heritage Site – http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/393

Ancient Delphi: the Center of the Universe Explained – www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK8FAtkSdjc  (This is an outstanding video with a great overview of Delphi)

Land Package Schedule Summarized

On By MerrileeIn Accommodations Land Package, Aegina, Greece, Athens - Monastraki & The Plaka, Athens, Greece, Delphi, Greece, Land package, Land Package Schedule day-by-day, Land Package Schedule Summarized

Explore Athens

Sept. 29, 30 (full days) & Oct. 4/5 (half days)

Visit Greek ruins (including the Acropolis), cafes, traditional Greek restaurants with live Greek music, a hammam (Turkish spa), museums (the Acropolis Museum among many outstanding others), changing of the guards, Athens Public Market. Go shopping (flea market and walking streets), take a jump in the Mediterrean Sea in Pireaus (the harbor of Athens).  We may take a “Hop On Hop Off” tour bus one day to cover the territory!

– The Acropolis, Mars Hill and Acropolis Museum

– Syndagma Square and changing of the Guards at the Parliament building – hourly or 11am daily for full program  https://athenslover.com/syntagma-square.html

– Walking street off Syndagma Square – shops, cafes, Greek ruins underground, buskers

– Monastraki where we will be staying

– Museum of Ancient Agora (Greek ruins)

– Hadrians Library (Greek ruins)

– Traditional Hammam (Turkish spa) over-looking the Acropolis

– Museums (choose one or two)

– Beaches of Pireaus (port of Athens) – for those who simply want a beach!!!-

Visit Delphi (day trip)

Unesco World Heritage Site https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/393/

Thursday, Oct. 1

Take a day tour with our group via www.Getyourguilde.com – $50 includes bus & guide; not including lunch and entrance fees – two hour bus ride each way

Explore Aegina Island

Oct. 2 & 3 (two nights/one day)

Aegina Island is one hour boat ride from Pireaus ($44 round trip)

– Take a boat to Aegina Island in afternoon, enjoy Aegina Town in the evening

– Join us on an organized full day tour of Aegina Island (approx. $75/person)

– Explore Aegina the last morning; take a boat to Athens in the afternoon

Accommodations (for quick reference)

Athens

L’Avventura Hotel Athens (Sept. 29, 30 & Oct. 1)

City Circus Hostel Athens (Oct. 4)

Aegina Island

Aphrodite Art Hotel, Aegina Town (Oct. 2 & 3)

Aphrodite Art Hotel – Aegina

Visit special separate postings in this blog, which are listed in the column to the right, for more information and links on the above

Travel Reference Suggestions

On By MerrileeIn Land package, Travel Reference Suggestions

Suggested Travel Books

Lonely Planet – the best travel book series for the independent traveler. They publish separate books on Athens, Cyprus, and Greece   http://www.lonelyPlanet.com

Fudors – especially for Bodrum, Turkey, where our cruise ship will stop. http://www.Amazon.com

Rick Steves – https://store.ricksteves.com/collections/guidebooks

Rough Guide – www.roughguides.com

Eye Witness Travel – “Top 10 Greek Islands” – great for Santorini, Rhodes and mykonos where our cruise ship will stop.  www.Amazon.com

Rick Steves video travel publications and a video publication narrated by Liam Neeson

Ancient ruins of Greece – http://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=lkYDL_frEXw&t=2m05

Art of Ancient Greece – https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/greece-art

Video on Athens and Side Trips

www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/athens-and-side-trips

Video on the Greek Islands: Santorini, Mykonos & Rhodes

www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/greek-islands

Video on Athens and the Greek Islands with Nicki Valchou

www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/travel-classes/monday-night-travel/greece

Cruising the Mediterranean with Rick Steves  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dqrOSk-Wyk&t=1794s

The Greeks, Crucible of Civilization narrated by Liam Neeson  www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz7ebSkY2_8

Recommended Greek Phrase Books

Lonely Planet

Berlitz

On the Road

Free Walking tours:  http://www.Guru.com

Organizing a tour:  http://www.GetYourGuide.com

Merrilee’s Solo Greek Adventures

Read about some of Merrilee’s solo Greek adventures in her travel blog

www.zellnertravel2015.wordpress.com/category/greece/

Aegina island

On By MerrileeIn Aegina, Greece, Land package

Aegina Island is a unique, historic island near Athens. It is renowned for its clean seas, picturesque villages, significant cultural and archaeological monuments, and Aegina pistachios. The island was a crossroads of civilisations and trade since antiquity It was one of the most important city-states of the classical era.

Highlights

Temple of Apollo & Archeological Museum of Aegina

http://www.greeka.com/saronic/aegina/sightseeing/aegina-temple-of-apollo/

http://www.greeka.com/saronic/aegina/sightseeing/archaeological-museum/

The temple of Apollo

Also known as Kolona, meaning column, because just one column remains today from this ancient construction. The hill of Kolona is also known for the prehistoric settlement that had once flourished there, being one of the most significant of its time, and you can still see the remains of houses dating back to the Late Neolithic Period. During the 7th century, it began to house the Acropolis of the island.

The Archeological Museum of Aegina

Located in a modern building near the archaeological site of Kolona, the remains of the ancient temple of Apollo. The museum houses findings from all ancient sites on the island. Visitors can see parts of ancient columns, funerary styles, old vases, archaic inscriptions, and marble statues.

Temple of Aphia

http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=535

www.youtube.com/watch?v=he9didaROGE

One of the most well preserved temples in Greece nestled inland on the island of Aegina with a comanding view of the sea. Dating back to around 500 BC, this majestic Doric temple stands as a testament to ancient Greece’s architectural and artistic achievements.

Island day tour with local guide and private van (approx. $75/person)

Temple of Aphaia – one hour

Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery – 30 minutes

Aya Marina town – 30 minutes

Palio Chora, abandoned midevil town – one hour hike

Perdika town – lunch (1 hour +)

Mesagros – visit pottery shop, if open

Marathonas Beach – one hour swim

Pistacio Farm – 1 hour

Aegina Town – things to do

Temple of Apollo & Archeological Museum of Aegina

Folklore Museum

Tower of Markellos

Stroll the boardwalk along the bustling waterfront & buy fresh fruit off colorful Greek fishing boats

Buy, eat, and learn about pistacio

Waterfront dining

Fish market

Ride a horse carriage

Helpful links

http://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/saronic-islands/aegina/

https://greeceunfiltered.com/day-trip-to-aegina/

www.aeginagreece.com/aegina-island/videos/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegina

Greece Travel Guide – Aegina Island www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwAFfIdCKX8

Folklore Museum of Aegina – https://laografiko.gr/online/

Tower of Markellos – http://www.greeka.com/saronic/aegina/sightseeing/tower-markellos/

Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Monastery http://www.aeginagreece.com/aegina-island/greece/agios-nektarios-church-monastery/

Aegina Town from Temple of Apollo
Abandoned midevil settlement of Paliachora
Aphrodite Art Hotel, Aegina Town
Temple of Apollo, Aegina Town

Accommodations Land Package

On By MerrileeIn Accommodations Land Package, Land package

Greece Land Package – September 29-October 5, 2026

Our group is booked into the accommodations listed below during the Greece land package (September 29-Oct. 4 (check out Oct. 5 for cruise ship accommodations on this night))  All of you should have received your confirmations by email for the nights indicated in Athens. You will not be receiving a formal confirmation at the Aphrodite Hotel, Aegina Town, Aegina –  just assume you will be getting the same room configuration there as you are getting in Athens (ie. twin or private).  All of you are booked on Aegina Island for the nights of October 2 & 3.

_______________________

ATHENS (also spelled Athena) – our Athens accommodations are both located in Monastraki (for informaiton about this historic part of Athens, see separate posting in this blog titled “Athens – Monastraki and The Plaka”)

1) L’Avventura Hotel Athens  – www.lavventura.gr

Directions to/from the Airport – www.lavventura.gr/hotel/contact

Address: Avliton 6-8, Monastraki, Athens 

Our group is booked here on the nights of Sept. 29, 30 & Oct. 1

2) City Circus Hostel Athens – www.Citycircus.gr

Directions to/from the Airport – https://www.citycircus.gr/drop_us_line

Address:  16 Saari Street, Monastraki, Athens

Our group is booked here on the night of Oct. 4th

Metro system – lines, maps, price  www.greeka.com/attica/athens/transportations/athens-metro-system/ To get between the Airport and Monastraki (the Metro stop where our accommodations are located) by Metro, see the Metro map in this link. Find the end of one of the lines that says “Airport”. Follow this line to the city and find the stop “Monastraki” This direct line will take about 40 minutes with no Metro change of lines.

______________________

AEGINA ISLAND (also spelled Egina) 

Aphrodite Art Hotel, Aegina Town

https://aphroditearthotel.com/accommodation/

Phone: +30 – 22979-29000

Address:  Kanari 20, Aegina Town, Aegina

Our group is booked here the nights of Oct. 2 & 3

www.guestreservations.com/aphrodite-art-hotel-aegina/booking

Aphrodite Art Hotel, Aegina Town, Aegina

Greek Isles and Cyprus Cruise – October 5-12, 2026

Visit the following link for accommodations and other information about our cruise:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/itinerary/7-night-greek-isles-cyprus-cruise-from-athens-piraeus-on-brilliance-BR07M817?country=USA&currencyCode=USD&sailDate=2026-10-05