Welcome to Athens, the historical capital of Europe. Welcome to the birthplace of democracy, the arts, science, and philosophy in western civilization. The Homes of Plato, Socrates, Pericles, Euripides, Sophocles, and Aeschylus. Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities. Its recorded history spans around 3.400 years and it has been inhabited since the 11th millennium B.C. E. Today, under the shadow of the Parthenon, the contemporary urban scenery of the sprawling city reflects its exciting history, its multi-cultural modern personality, as well as its infrastructure, and facilities. The perfect Mediterranean climate with the legendary Greek sunlight; the unique combination of glorious history with modern urban innovation; the coexistence of great culture with astonishing natural beauty; the high standard of hotel accommodation; modern means of transportation such as the cutting-edge modern metro; the vibrant rhythm of life; the wide choice of opportunities for shopping, dining, and nightlife; and, of course, the warmth of the Athenians themselves feature Athens as the ideal all-year-round city break destination. The city of Parthenon is an open-air museum. A large part of the town’s historic center has been converted into a 3-kilometer pedestrian zone, one of the largest in Europe. It leads to the major archaeological sites (“archaeological parks”), reconstructing—to a large degree—the ancient landscape. Either on foot or by bike, the ‘’Grande Promenade’’ around the Acropolis is an unforgettable journey through history.