Days 3-5: Athens

Day 3 (May 1):  

Since today is a national holiday (Labor Day) there are public transportation strikes and key attractions, like the Parthenon, are closed. So we used this cold and somewhat rainy day to just wander around and get over jet lag.

After having a late breakfast at a nearby bakery, we walked around the neighborhood.

We then headed to see some attractions from the outside, including the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

We wanted to visit the Phallatorium, but it was closed, so we walked to the Arch of Hadrion

and then to the temple of Olympia Zeus.

We then walked to Zappeion Hall, and looked at the courtyard

and the decorated dome.

From there, we walked through the National Gardens to Syntagma Square to watch changing of the guard.

On the way back to the hotel, we walked through the Plaka neighborhood. We planned to have a late lunch there, but it was really busy and getting colder, windy, and starting to rain.

Church of Panagia Kapnikarea

One of the few calm streets in Plaka.

We were really tired, so we had an earlyish (7:30 pm) dinner at a nearby bistro.

Day 4 (May 2):  

After breakfast today, we took a break from the crowds and walked on trails on Philopappos Hill.

Near the base of the hill, we viewed the "prison of Socrates"

and then walked to the Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris.

We were a bit sore from travel and all the walking, so we got massages then had a late lunch near the south entrance to the Acropolis. After lunch, we got in line for our 6 pm ticket time.

Propylaea (on the Acropolis)

Parthenon 

Erechtheion (on the Acropolis)

Greek flag at top of Acropolis 

Odeon of Herodes Atticus (view from the Acropolis). The green hill in the right side of the background is Philopappos Hill.

Greek salad at dinner

Feta in crispy phyllo dough, with honey

Giaourtlou kebab (with part eaten)

Day 5 (May 3):  

Today we slept in and had a relaxing morning at our hotel before taking a taxi to Piraeus, where we boarded our cruise.