Every country has landmarks. But what about a landmark of global importance?

Stood atop the Athenian Acropolis, the Parthenon is a reminder of the golden age of Athens; democracy, philosophy, arts and sciences all flourished in 5^th century BC, evident even to today. Fundamental to western thinking, this classical age inspired the Renaissance, the effects of which can still be felt.

But before going up and seeing the monument itself, one must learn about it to even be able to appreciate its meaning. What better place to do so, than the new Acropolis Museum.

Situated in Plaka, it’s a modern architectural marvel which stands directly opposite the classical marvel. Noah Duclos, while initially skeptical about the design, later came to appreciate it. “I thought at first that the modern architecture was very jarring compared to the ancient, but after exploring the museum and learning about how the architect designed the museum to reflect the style of the Parthenon, I was much fonder of it. […] Being right next to the Acropolis itself and with excellent views of the monument, the care that was taken to respect the past and make it accessible to the present, was remarkable.” Built to house all the ancient artefacts unearthed in the archaeological dig surrounding the Parthenon, its three floors offer a deep insight to the rich history of the area.

Amazed by the museum, the participants couldn’t be more excited as they explored, discovering new links to their heritage at every turn. Christopher Nacopoulos found that “the museum is an impressive exhibition that highlights many aspects of the history of Greece. I grew up learning about all the different art and sculptures of Greece in various Greek culture and history classes. It was very interesting to view and analyze the intricate pieces on display.”

The participants were split in to two groups for the day. While one group visited the museum, the other went on an alternative tour. How you may ask? On scooters! Thanks to Scooterize, they had a unique tour of the historical city center. Zipping around, they were astonished at the vibrancy of the metropolis.

Noah thought that “It was a bit scary to begin with! But once I got the hang of it, it was a blast!” while Christopher saw it as an opportunity, “the scooters were super fun to ride, and the quick trip featured many beautiful sites.”

Seeing Athens in this splendid summer afternoon, was an incredible experience for both participants, that got them thinking. For Noah, his expectations were met. “In some ways, it was exactly what I expected. An ancient city with so much history, but still a modern urban hub with a thriving culture. I loved it,” while Christopher compared it to other countries. “I love how Athens still has its Ancient Greek charm. Athens deceptively looks like many other European cities, but a simple turn of the head reveals the classic, detailed architecture and the ancient ruins that differentiates Athens from any other cities.”

With this first introduction to Athens out of the way, now it’s time for the real deal. Tune in tomorrow to find out about the trip to the Parthenon!

Our Scooterise tour brought us to the Panathenaic Stadium!

The New Acropolis Museum, where history meets the present.