DESTINATIONS GREECE & CYPRUS |ATHENS


CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Athens cityscape panorama from mountain Hymettus; National Garden of Athens; Agistri PICTURES: Shutterstock/CoinUp, Isidoros Andronos


traditional taverna at the Kalopoula ravine beauty spot and the fresco- covered Byzantine Kaisariani monastery are all enriching stops. Budding naturalists will find something fulfilling on the jaunt, too, with ever-elusive bats sleeping in the mountain’s many caves. There’ll soon be even more to sweeten the deal for nature lovers: a new app that maps 100km of hiking and biking trails is currently in development in Hymettus, which will make it even easier for international


visitors to explore the mountain. Book it: Responsible Travel’s six- day Mountain Biking Holiday in Greece, from £635, has the option to add extra nights in a family-run hotel in Athens, so your clients can continue their cycling adventures along the 100km of biking and walking trails on Hymettus. Includes breakfast, but excludes flights. responsibletravel.com


FILOPAPPOU HILL For nature enthusiasts who aren’t in the mood for a strenuous hike, but do want to take in awe- inspiring views over Athens, the Acropolis and the Aegean, suggest Filopappou Hill, opposite the


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Acropolis’ main entrance. Here, the urban sprawl quickly disappears from view and the sound of crickets replaces cars. More than 100 species of bird, including indigenous peregrine falcons, live in this area. The start of every Filopappou meander begins with a peek inside a former prison built into the hillside, rumoured to have kept Socrates captive before his trial in 399BC. Then, the path forks: turning right means travelling through low- lying trees to the Pnyx, the ancient Athenian version of parliament. Turning left through the cypress trees leads to the pinnacle of the hill, where city panoramas are framed


by a towering Roman monument. Book it: Abercrombie & Kent’s eight-night tour of the Peloponnese includes two full days in Athens, giving your clients plenty of time to explore the Acropolis and Filopappou. Prices start from £1,450 including five-star B&B accommodation, but not flights. abercrombiekent.co.uk


NATIONAL GARDEN OF ATHENS Formerly the garden of the Greek royal family, this little Eden next


to Syntagma Square is ideal for a quick dose of natural beauty, as the Athenians who come here for their morning jogs or lunch breaks will attest. The 38-acre site is a mix of perfectly symmetrical flowerbed gardens and areas of semi-wild woodland filled with swaying Washington palms and brightly blooming oleanders. There are 519 types of flora cultivated here and plenty of opportunities to see mother nature in all her glory, from arches covered with roses in spring to avenues filled with golden leaves in autumn. It’s not just the green-thumbed who’ll love the National Gardens: the main lake is home to a charming colony of ducks and Cretan goats, who jostle for the attention of laughing children, and the terrapins that call a nearby fountain home provide hours of entertainment as


they swim, amble and munch. Book it: Cox & Kings’ 11-night Heart of Ancient Greece tour places your clients in the Electra Hotel, a few steps from the National Garden. Prices start from £2,395, including flights and four to five-star B&B accommodation. coxandkings.co.uk


AGISTRI


Looking for a Greek island paradise to sell to fans of The Durrells? Agistri, a wildlife-filled Saronic isle, might be just the ticket. The hydrofoil zips into the sleepy island in just one hour from Piraeus harbour, and upon disembarking, adventure awaits. Aromatic pine forests cover the entire island, and adorable peacocks, bunnies and squirrels roam. Deviating from the main trails is likely to lead to a surprise natural marvel, from the crystalline cove of Mariza to the marshy lake Aponisos. This, the southernmost tip of the island, is best known for its tranquil beach and Total Wipeout- style inflatable play equipment, but for an experience that forms a true connection with nature, your clients can rent a horse and explore the unspoilt island in the most romantic


way possible. Book it: As part of a five-night family holiday package (£1,406), Sunvil offers an excursion that visits three Saronic islands: Agistri, Aegina and uninhabited Moni. Price includes flights and B&B accommodation in the three-star Acropolis Museum Hotel. sunvil.co.uk TW


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