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Only a few cities in the world can rival Athens in historical significance. It’s a land full of historical landmarks and has played a pivotal role in developing Western civilisation. Indeed, Athens is a marvellous city to explore, giving you plenty of things to enjoy. If you’re travelling to Greece soon and want to spend some time in Athens, here are some of the best things to do in this incredible ancient city.

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Explore the Acropolis

 

Your visit to Greece will not be complete without a visit to the Acropolis, the most significant symbol of Ancient Greece. Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, and the Acropolis has been rising in the city for more than 2,500 years. As one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels, the Acropolis is one of those sights you should not miss in Athens.

As the symbol of democracy, the Parthenon is the most famous ancient ruin in the Acropolis. It dominates the hill of the Acropolis, dating back to the 5th Century BC. Aside from the Parthenon, you will find many other archaeological wonders in the Acropolis, such as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre and the Temple of Athena Nike, built in honour of the goddess Athena and the Nike Goddess. 

The other temples worth exploring in the Acropolis are the Erechtheion Temple, Propylea Temple of Nike, the sanctuary of Asclepius, and the Dionysus Theatre. Make sure you also visit the Acropolis Museum, which houses ancient relics and artefacts, including those discovered on the hill. Head to the top-floor glass atrium, where you’ll find the Parthenon frieze.

Walk through Plaka

 

The historic neighbourhood of Plaka lies in the centre of Athens and is full of great attractions to explore, including those with significant historical value. Strolling in its beautiful, cobbled stone streets is something you should not miss in Athens.

Also called the “Neighbourhood of the Gods,” Plaka lies at the north-eastern slope of the Acropolis and stretches towards Syntagma Square. The pedestrian-friendly street is home to a plethora of souvenir stalls, tavernas, and cafes. You will also come across many historical sites, including ancient houses and churches dating back to the 11th Century. Shopping is a fun activity in Plaka. It is the perfect place to visit if you want to buy some souvenirs. Check out the shops selling hand-painted icons, antiques, wood carvings, and other crafts made by the local artists of Athens.

Hit the Beach 

 

If you’re visiting Athens in summer, you should visit one of its beaches, where you can enjoy sunbathing or swimming. The Greek capital is home to beautiful sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, with most of them easily accessible from the city centre.

Vravrona Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Athens and is only 7 miles from the airport. With some of Athens budget friendly hotels nearby, this makes it a convenient place to stay. It’s worth visiting if you have several hours to kill before taking your next flight. The beach is also near the sanctuary of goddess Artemis, so you might as well check this archaeological site when going to this beach. 

If you want to experience ultimate luxury on your beach holiday in Athens, check out Astir Beach, which lies in the suburb of Vouliagmeni. Offering a range of superb services, including free Wi-Fi and comfortable sun loungers, Astir Beach is an ideal spot for a relaxing beach holiday in Athens. However, all these luxurious amenities come with a price. You will have to pay 80 euros per pair of sun loungers, and it’s twice the price if it’s a weekend.

If you have worked out some appetite after a day of exploring Plaka, grab a seat at one of the tavernas along Kydatheneon and Adrianou streets. These are the main pedestrian roads and where you’ll find some of the best eateries in Athens, serving authentic Greek food.

Climb Mount Lycabettus

 

At 277 metres tall, Lycabettus Hill is Athen’s highest point and where you can enjoy the city’s most panoramic views. Getting to the top requires walking via a circular path, which is a test of endurance, but the breathtaking views will make your efforts well worth it.

If you don’t want to take the rigorous climb, you can opt for the funicular, which will take you to the top in less than five minutes and run every 30 minutes. But since the funicular operates inside a tunnel, you can’t enjoy the magnificent views as you climb to the top of the hill. The best time to climb Lycabettus Hill is during sunset when Athens looks even more magnificent as the temples in the Acropolis are illuminated.

Once you get to the top of Lycabettus Hill, you will find the beautiful white church of Agios Georgios. There’s a viewing platform in front of the church, where you can marvel at Athens’ sprawling views, stretching out into the vast Aegean Sea. You will also find an upscale restaurant called Orizontes restaurant, which has spectacular views, especially at night. Since it’s a popular restaurant, a reservation is required when dining at this restaurant.

Hit the Night Life of Psiri

 

If you want to experience the vibrant nightlife of Athens, head to the neighbourhood of Psiri. It’s one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods but has a less touristy feel than the more popular Plaka. But when night time comes, the neighbourhood is transformed into a bustling district with bars, clubs, and restaurants coming to life.

Designated as the nightlife district of Athens, Psiri is the go-to area for wild parties. Some bars and nightclubs have the music turned up very loud. There is a wide range of bars and restaurants in the area, from the Ouzo bars serving mezes with alcoholic drinks to the traditional tavernas.

If you find the neighbourhood very noisy, you can look for quieter spots further along the street. There are also excellent restaurants in Psiri that serve traditional Greek specialities and some international dishes. There’s also an area in the neighbourhood lined with stalls selling local arts and crafts, souvenir items, and many other things.

 

The right gaming experience makes life a lot more fun-filled. Arcade games offer the perfect gaming experience for many people across various age groups. Adults love these games as it brings back fond memories of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Teenagers and kids as well do not feel left out as arcade games are very entertaining and challenging. This is why it is not unusual to see some of them frequent game parlors, shopping malls, amusement arcades, and other places where these games can be played.

But how about bringing the fun to your basement or any other part of your home? Fortunately, this is possible as arcade cabinets for such purposes are sold. However, the right one has to guarantee optimal gaming experience and value for money spent purchasing it. To this end, this article will discuss how to purchase the right arcade cabinet for home use.

Picking the Right Arcade Cabinet for Home Gaming

For the record, these games can be played across various platforms. However, some people insist on playing them on a traditional arcade cabinet and this is quite understandable. It is about the amazing feel of playing this way, among other reasons.

As a result, it is of utmost importance that something that delivers to expectation is purchased. To this end, here are some tips for picking the right one for an optimal home gaming experience:

Work with Your Budget

There is a wide margin between the cheapest and most expensive arcade cabinets. For example, the least expensive option found on a very reputable platform was a few hundred short of a thousand dollars. Conversely, the most expensive option on the same platform went for close to 9000 dollars.

Of course, it is only logical that the more expensive option has more to offer. For this reason, it is highly suggested that you commit a reasonable amount to getting this gaming equipment.

However, you do not have to break the bank to do this. Just have a reasonable amount set as your budget and get something that fits right into your budget.

Game Selection

This is conveniently one of the most important considerations (if not the most important one). There are various games and you are not likely to have a cabinet that allows you to play every one of them. This is especially because of the huge differences between some of these games.

As a result, you need to come to terms with the games that you want. Then, this information should influence your choice. By the way, some of the arcade games that you may be considering could include:

• Fighting – Such as Street Fighter II, Tekken, and Mortal Kombat
• Racing – Daytona USA, OutRun, Cruis’n USA, and Initial D
• Classic Arcade – Donkey Kong, Galaga, Centipede, Frogger, and Pac-Man
• Puzzle – Puzzle Bobble, Puyo Puyo, Tetris, and Columns
• Music & Rhythm – Guitar Hero, Beatmania, Dance Dance Revolution, and Pump It Up
• Sports – Virtua Tennis, NBA Jam, Foosball, and NFL Blitz
• Beat ‘em Up – Area 51, Time Crisis, and Metal Slug
• Redemption – Claw Machines, Skee-Ball, and Coin Pushers

These are just a few as we can go on mentioning others. For more information on arcade games, you can visit: https://en.wikipedia.org.

Get the Right Size

Some arcade cabinets can be quite massive. This is why you need to consider available space when making your choice. You do not want to get something that would not fit into the room that it is supposed to be stationed in.

Durability

Getting something durable is a necessity. Your purchase cannot be considered worth it if you end up with something that will get damaged too soon. Checking out the materials used to make the arcade cabinet is important for this reason.

Control Panel

The games are usually played using a control mechanism. For example, this could be a trackball or a joystick, depending on the kind that you get and the games offered. You should get something with a befitting control panel. It should also have the right amount of control buttons.

Multi-Player Possibility

It is strongly advised that you opt for gaming equipment that enables a multiplayer experience. This makes it easier for people to bond and increasingly have a great time playing together.

For example, racing games such as Initial D do not have to be against the system. It could be two or more players competing.

Warranty

The right purchase must offer a reasonable warranty. This is to be certain that the seller has your best interest at heart. You can read this article for more on the need to get something that has a warranty.

Conclusion

Arcade games offer optimal gaming experiences for a high level of competition and entertainment. This is particularly true when they are played via an arcade cabinet. Fortunately, you can have one for yourself and enjoy the numerous benefits.

However, you need to get the right one. Tips on how to do this have been shared here and should influence your decision when you choose to get one.

Mountain vacations in the French Alps give you an adrenaline rush like no other, with so many sports to enjoy, especially during winter. However, solo trips up the mountain in a foreign land may not be a great idea. You may benefit from choosing an experienced tour guide to take you through the best routes and breathtaking sceneries in the mountains. 

How to Choose the Right Tour Guide?

Many travel agencies offer touring services. Below are some tips to help you choose a reliable tour guide: 

Find Out Their Specialization 

Some travel companies like https://www.feepourvous.com/en/ offer all-around services to tourists. However, it would help if you asked which specific activities their guides provide. In the French Alps, the most popular fun activities are snowboarding, skiing, and mountain climbing. The things they offer have to match your plans for your vacation. Apart from fun activities, you also need to consider additional services such as accommodation, transportation, and concierge services. Your best bet would be to go for a tour company that offers all-inclusive services. 

Ask for Credentials

Touring the mountains isn’t as easy as you think. A guide should have professional certifications that prove their qualification for the services they intend to provide. Companies that offer tour guiding services in the French Alps usually need a French Mountain Guide Association (UIAGM/IFMGA) certification. As you look through the certificates, you should also ask for client testimonials. Don’t just rely on what they are showing you; look for unbiased reviews online. 

Do They Communicate Efficiently?

It goes without saying that communication is vital. First, you must find out if the person guiding you speaks English. Things will get awkward in the mountains if you don’t speak the same language, especially during an emergency. Speaking English isn’t the only consideration for effective communication. Your tour guide also needs to have good interpersonal skills. 

Conclusion 

A vacation to the French Alps will allow you to create lifelong memories. However, high-risk sports on the mountain can be dangerous. By relying on a tour guide, you will be protecting yourself and your loved ones.

Being just a short trip across the Channel, France is a place that most of us have visited at one point or another. But the country has an enormous amount to offer beyond the Eiffel Tower, Mont Blanc and Disneyland. If you want to see all of what France is about, you’ll need to head off the beaten track. Let’s take a look at a few underappreciated gems you might consider.

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Parisian Flea Markets

Visitors to the capital are understandably drawn by the same few tourist-beset places. But if you’ve visited Paris a few times before, you might have exhausted the main sports – and even if you haven’t, it’s worth venturing into the lesser-known neighbourhoods like Puces de St Ouen, where you’ll find one of the capital’s several flea markets. There are unique bargains to be found by those willing to look for them!

Amiens Cathedral

The Gothic movement in the 13th century saw a series of enormous churches constructed, including this one in Picardy. Amiens Cathedral is among the most intact buildings from the period, and the largest churches in the country. It’s remained in good shape throughout its lifetime, escaping major damage during the wars of the 20th century. While Notre Damme is undergoing repairs, why not take a trip out into the countryside to see some of France’s other major churches?

Holidaying in the Pyrenees

If you’d prefer an active holiday, then a trip to the Pyrenees would be strong contender. Camping holidays in France represent an affordable way to see the country, and they’ll let you enjoy all of the gorgeous weather and natural beauty that the south has to offer.

Millau Viaduct

The Millau Viaduct is a relatively recent addition to France’s already-impressive range of tourist attractions. It’s the tallest cable-stayed bridge in the world, and will take you from Beziers to Clermont-Ferrand. Driving across the span, you’ll feel a lot like you’ve taken flight – but there’s also a visitor’s centre for real fans of civil engineering to stop off and marvel at this unique structure.

Tarascon Castle

Europe has a long history of conflict, and boasts more than its fair share of castles. The castle in Tarascon ranks among the most beautiful, thanks to its combination of sheer walls and round turrets. It even has a drawbridge. Tarascon is less appreciated than the more famous French fairy tale castle, Carcassonne, and thus you won’t need to deal with quite the same volume of crowds here.

St Malo Walls

If you’re heading to St. Malo, then a guided tour of the walls should be considered an absolute must. You’ll get spectacular views of the sea and the town itself, all the way around the route. The walls have been constructed piecemeal over more than eight-hundred years, so you’ll get a fantastic cross-section of France’s architectural heritage.

So many of us, when travelling to London, choose to disembark at the iconic King’s Cross Station. Not only because it is centrally located, but because there is so much to see and do in the general area. But if you think you’ve seen everything that King’s Cross has to offer then you are gravely  mistaken, as the hidden Kings Cross gems below will prove.

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Grain Store – A restaurant spearheaded by the award-winning chef Bruno Loubet, this delightful eatery and cocktail bar has been converted from a dilapidated industrial space into a thriving and brilliantly bright modern dining experience. The real draw is the main menu, but for those who don’t want to splash out, the all-day treats menu is wealthy with options for under £10.

Northdown – It might only have been open for a couple of years, but this humble little space named for its location on Northdown Street is one of the best spots for up-and-coming comedy in the city. The space is also often used as a private function room or rehearsal space and has hosted some truly remarkable shows.

Platform 9 3/4 – Ok, this might not be a particularly ‘hidden’ gem but it’s certainly worth a mention for Harry Potter fans. Accompanied by a very ambitious gift shop, this fake platform in King’s Cross Station, complete with disappearing trolley, is perhaps one of the most famous photo opportunities in London so prepare to do some queuing! If you’ve arrived in London on a train travelling to Kings Cross then you owe yourself to at least check on the size of the line.

Meltdown – The only bar in London officially dedicated to eSports, if you’re a gamer or have ever been a gamer then this bar on Caledonian Road is definitely for you. Enjoy a gaming themed cocktail whilst you pummel your friends on classic arcade games or challenge the hardcore to a round of something a little more involving at one of the battle desks.

The Wellcome Collection – A quirky museum dedicated exclusively to medicine that offers a range of interesting curios that detail the journey of medicine through the ages. The museum and bonafide Kings Cross hidden gem is named for Henry Wellcome, the philanthropist who  explored the world in the latter years of 19th century stockpiling bizarre oddities from across the world. The collection contains items such as Napoleon’s toothbrush.

The House of Illustration – Founded by renowned Roald Dahl illustrator Quentin Blake, this is the only gallery in the UK dedicated specifically and exclusively to illustrated works. For artists and cartoonists, this is truly an experience that shouldn’t be passed over.

The British Library – Finally, no journey to Kings Cross would be complete without a trip to the British Museum on Euston Road. So much more than just a library, the building, which is famous for its menacing statue of Sir Isaac Newton, is constantly unveiling exciting new exhibitions that should bewitch and enrapture anyone who has ever read a book!