Athens & The Peloponnese by Rick Steves’
Reviewed by Bridget
Ratings Explanation
Not Applicable
Synopsis
Amazing Travel Guide. Rick Steves’ travel philosophy is, “We travel all the way to Europe to enjoy differences-to become temporary locals. You’ll experience frustrations. Certain truths that we find “God-given” or “self-evident,” are suddenly not so true. One of the benefits of travel is the eye-opening realization that there are logical, civil, and even better alternatives. A willingness to go local ensures that you’ll enjoy a full does of local hospitality. A tight budget forces you to travel close to the ground, meeting and communicating with the people. Travel can make you a happier American, as well as a citizen of the world. It’s humbling to travel and find that other people don’t have the “American Dream”-they have their own dreams.”
“Democracy and mathematics. Medicine and literature. Theater and astronomy. Mythology and philosophy. All of these, and more were first thought up by a bunch of tunic-clad Greeks in a small village huddled at the base of the Acropolis. The ancient Greeks–who reached their apex in the city of Athens–have had an unmatched impact on European and American culture. For many travelers, coming to Athens is like a pilgrimage to the cradle of our civilization. This book also includes the best Greek destinations just outside the capital, including the site of the ancient oracle at Delphi, Ancient Olmpia and the Pelopponese–Greece’s heartland.”
Our family recently returned from spending two weeks in Greece. We used Rick Steves’ guide religiously as we traveled through Athens and the Pelopponese. We have found Steves’ recommendations for tourist sites, guides, lodging and food to be spot-on. We spent many hours reading this book aloud before our arrival at each upcoming destination. I appreciated reading the history synapse of each site, and especially the included self-guided tours. We arrived at Ancient Olympia early in the evening, and had only an hour to see the site. We were able to navigate our way and enjoy Ancient Olympia without any crowds. Rick Steves’ guide completely enriched our experience of Olympia and also Delphi. We especially loved his recommendation to take a vacation from sightseeing and head to Kardamyli. Kardamyli stun-gunned our travels and we spent an extra day basking in the sea and sun, dining on delicious souvlaki and salad. Priceless memory. I also love his practical approach. We were able to utilize public transportation in Athens, which saved us the headache of trying to drive the car into the city center.