CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN GREECE
LINK:
A very useful site to this area is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on Central Greece
Columbus' Alternative Columbus' excellent pages to Greece
Books on the botanical and animal matters can be found by clicking on the "triffid".
Then we have a "picture book page too.
The area of Central Greece (Sterea Elladha) is best known for the ancient site of Delphi on the northern coast of the gulf of Corinth. Here sat the oracle, an elderly priestess who, with the help of the inhalation of fumes, which came from a chasm below where she sat, was able to answer questions from travellers. A priest interpreted her possibly hallucinogenic induced answers into verse and the traveller went away probably much confused.
Museums and sites: Amphissa, ancient fortification Cave of Nymph Koroneia (Agia Triada, Boiotia) Chaironeia Site Chaironeia Archaeological Museum Distomon Archaeological Collection Galaxidi Archaeological Collection Glas, Boiotia, Mycenaean acropolis Gynaikokastro - Ancient Proerna (Phthiotis) Korsiai, Boiotia, ancient acropolis Kreusis, Boiotia, ancient acropolis Lilaia, Phocis, ancient fortification Mendenitsa, castle (Phthiotis) Panopeus, Boiotia, ancient acropolis Siphai, Boiotia, ancient acropolis Thebes Site Thespiai, Boiotia, Valley of the Muses
Books Its probably better to get a general guide to Greece (See below), to this area though this is rather nice on Delphi
Delphi: Myth and History, The Archaeological site, The Museum. Splendid archaeological site to Delphi, published in Greece by Toubis, who now bring out some wonderful publications. Or as a travelogue you won't get better than this
The
Companion Guide to Greece by Brian de Jongh. General book to Mainland Greece but it deserves to be included
in all areas of these mainland pages as it is by far the most thorough guide to mainland
areas
Map
Central Greece 1:250,000 published by Road Editions). Really good, detailed map despite its scale.
A couple of Links
A very useful site to this area is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on the Peloponnese
"The Theatrical Experience of a Lifetime"
For a chance for you to take part in a Greek Play at the ancient city of Epidaurus, click on the logo.
The Peloponnese looks like a three fingered, one thumbed (the Argolid) hand, severed from the body of mainland Greece by the Corinth Canal. From here came the earliest form of Greek Writing (Linear B); the palaces of Agamemnon at Mycenae and Nestor at Pylos. Menelaus, (Helen of Troy's Husband) king of Sparta had his palace at Argos. Greece's first capital after the war of independence 1821-1830 was at (Nauplion), a beautiful city on the eastern side of the Peloponnese. Mystras, a ruined Byzantine citadel, is thoroughly worth visiting and with the beach life of places like Tolon to the quiet walks on the Mani Peninsular, there is something for everybody here. Andrew and Patricia stayed at the Hotel 'Byron' in Nauplion for three days and absolutely adored it. Simply holidays. 598, Chiswick Avenue, London W4 Tel (Crete:) 020 8894-4462 include the Hotel Byron amongst their options. Below are a few museums and sites from the Greek Ministy of Culture's site.
Museums: 
Chora Archaeological Museum (Messenia) Corinth (Ancient) Gytheion Archaeological Museum Lykosoura Archaeological Museum Mavromati Archaeological Museum Mavromati Archaeological Museum Tripolis Archaeological Museum
Sites
Alepotrypa at Diros Cave Amyklaion and Sanctuary of Apollo Amyklaios Ano Englianos, Mycenaean palace (Messenia) Apollo Deiradiotes at Argos (Sanctuary of) Artemis Orthia, Sparta Sanctuary of Athena Oxyderkes at Argos (Sanctuary of) Kalamakia' Cave Lykosoura, Sanctuary of Despoina
Books
GREECE
:THE PELOPONNESE by Dana FACAROS and Linda THEODOROU .
An excellent new walking guide to the southern Pelopponese, in the Sunflower series, is now available. Written by Michael Cullen
Mani by Patrick Leigh (Fermor). is wonderful travelogue to the Mani Peninsula by a writer who has spent many years in Greece and now lives there. Splendid stuff.
The Mani: "A Guide to the villages, Towers and Churches of the mani peninsula together with the background history, traditions and culture of this fascinating region of Greece." Very useful guide book to the Mani peninsula of the Peloponnese. A few b/w line drawings illustrate the text and 5 maps preface110 pages of text plus index.
The Last Word: Women, Death and Divination in Inner Mani C. Nadia
Serematakis
The
Companion Guide to Greece by Brian de Jongh. General book to Mainland Greece but it deserves to be included
in all areas of these mainland pages as it is by far the most thorough guide to mainland
areas
Sparta and Laconia: A Regional History -1300 to 32 BC by Paul Cartledge (2nd edition). An expertly written history of Sparta and Laconia, covering close to a millenium of hisoty. 354 pages including index. Here to show that we have a thousand or so books on history etc, but also a very readable history of two of the most important Peloponnesian city states.
Map:
The Peloponnese 1:250,000 (Road Edition) map is my favourite.
Map of Taygetos: 1-50,000. Excellent map to Taygetos, including the gorge, which comes with an index and a brief guide to the area and a small map of Sparta.
Map of Parnonas 1-50,000. Similar format to the map above includes guide and index and the same little map of Sparta.
LINKS:
An excellent-loooking guide to Athens and her environs can be found by clicking the above logo.
A very useful site to this area is that of United-Hellas, with information on the hotels as well as practical information on Attica
Not everybody's ideal holiday destination, Athens however has many charms to offer the visitor. From the Parthenon to Piraeus, there's something for everybody here. Unfortunately, the city centre is highly polluted due to Athens' geographical setting - it's surrounded by mountains - and the car-culture, which, despite governmental efforts, remains by far the most popular mode of transport for even the shortest of journeys. That said, the public transport system (especially the buses) is very efficient. The tube links up with most of the major sites and the new lines are superb; from Piraeus in the south you can get to the Acropolis (Monistaraki station), Omonia Square, the Archaeological museum (Victoria Station), Athens has become far more navigable since the new line opened. Day-trips to Sounion and the Saronic Islands (especially Aegina but definitely not Salamina) are easily achieved and certainly worth the effort.
Take a guided tour of Athens with "Athenian Days" . Athenian Days offers lectures and presentations on ancient and modern Greek life to large and small groups, conducts talks and guided tours of antiquities in Athens for small groups, particularly travellers on short break holidays to Athens, and offers a hosting and entertainment service for Athens-based businesses with short stay business guests to host.
The All New Singing and Dancing "Attiko Metro":
Click on the map to enlarge. Once there place your curser over the map and click on the box that will appear to get an even larger version.
Climate: unless you enjoy extreme heat and high levels of pollution, avoid July and August (though, as there is a mass exodus during August when Athenians flee to the countryside or to the islands for their vacations, there is less pollution than July). September and June are also very hot and for most not a time to be in a city. April, May and October can be variable, and are probably the ideal months for those who can cope with the heat but don't need it as a prerequisite. November, December, January, February and up to a degree, March are the rainy months, and boy, can it rain!!
Places to see: One of the greatest museums in the world is the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. You'll also want to visit the new museum (once it opens) of the Acropolis as well as the Acropolis itself. Below are a few museums and sites from Athens and environs taken from the Greek Ministry of Culture's site 'Odysseus' with permission! Odysseus
Museums of Athens and Attica:
Agora Museum (Stoa of Attalos) (folk art etc. this site is, at present, all Greek to you! The English language version is 'coming soon') 'Brauron Archaeological Museum Centre for the study of Traditional Pottery Centre for the Acropolis Studies Cycladic Art Museum - N.P. Goulandris Foundation Engravings and Graphic Arts Museum Gallery of the Municipality of Athens Goulandris Museum of Natural History Jewellery Museum of Ilias Lalaounis Marathon Archaeological Museum Museum of the History of the Greek Costume (Lyceum Club) National Archaeological Museum THE Archaeological museum National Bank Museum-Art Collection Zygomalas Museum (Aulon, Attica)
Sites - Athens and Attica:
Acropolis of Athens, South Slope ; Amphiareion at Oropos (Attica) ; Cave of Prophet Elias (Attica) Sounion, Sanctuary of Poseidon and Athena Greek-o-file. Very enthusiastic company bringing you all the latest gen on Greece including cookery, places of interest, new books etc for a small subscription fee (£15.00 at the time of writing). Greek National Tourist Organisation
BOOKS
Lonely Planet Guide to Athens by David Willett and Kim Wildman. A very nice city guide to Athens
The Blue Guide to Athens by Robin Barber. Excellent archaeological/historical guide book to the city of Athens
Athens: The City of Intellect and Democracy (Myth and History) Very nicely illustrated guidre to the cultural side of Athens. 160 pages with colour photos and maps.
Athens and Attica Today and Yesterday. A 77 page, full colour guide to Athens and her environs. Great photos as we are coming to expect from the publisher Toubis
A Guide to rural Attica by Robin Barber. The author of the Rough Guide to Greece has published this indespensable guide to Athens and Attica.Small 8vo, spirally bound with 215 pages plus a fold out map at the rear, there are a few plans inside but it is mostly textual. This is not the pretties book in the world but never judge a book by its cover; if you are interested in archaeology or history this is a must-have book, besides if the author had spent the money on design, this book would be at least twice this price.
Athens by Neighbourhood by David Shugart with photographs by Yiorgos Karahalis. A very nice pictorial guide to Athens, covering all areas of life. While the pictures are very good the text stands up in its own right and is eminently readable.
Peloponnese/Athens 96 page guide plus map of the Peloponnese, the first 20 pages of which are on Athens. The Saronic islands also get a mention.
Athens for less. Advertised as the "guidebook that pays for itself in one day" this is a handly, colourful little guide to Athens which includes a fold out map. The byline refers to the vochers at the rear which enables the reader to take a friend to a number of museums on a 2 for the price of one basis. Can't be bad, especially if you plan to have a cultural visit.
I shall finish of this section of books with 3 titles that are archeaological or historical as we have one of the world's largest selections in this area, though they shall not be on the site until mid 2003
The Law in Classical Athens by Douglas M MacDowell. Excellent historical examination of the law in the classical period. . Not a travel book but if you are interested in what made the Ancient Greeks tick, you may wish to take this with you.
The Archaeology of Athens by John M Camp. Splendid archaeological study of Athens
Athens: The City Beneath the City. Marvellous book on the discoveries found when the new metro line carved its way under this ever so ancient city.
MAPS
Eurocity map to Athens. Good map to Athens, though as with all maps this only goes a square mile or so out from the centre
Attica Egina and Salamina. Road Edition map to the environs of Athens 1-50,000. Very useful if you are travelling around Athens or over to Aegina or Salamina, showing all the major roads in and out of the city. Definately NOT a street map of Athens, more of an A-Z of the her environs.
General Books on
Mainland Greece
This link will
take you to our page of general books on Mainland Greece. Titles specific to an area of
Greece are found below the description of that area
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