Hadrian's Gate

Climbing down from the Acropolis, taking a look back, there was the final major sight to see on the three-weeks-plus trip from Rome. At the bottom, near the hotel, a small park area is gated by Hadrian's Gate. Our final day on the trip finished at Hadrian's Gate, and our final day in Rome had included a visit to Hadrian's burial place in Rome. Another circle closed before one final great dinner and a long flight home. Thanks to Trafalgar Tours and Princess Cruise Line for the two segments of our trip of a lifetime!

The Upward Trail

The climb up to the top of the Acropolis is quite a workout, well worth the effort. Here we see some sights on the upward climb, which is on a winding partially hard surfaced staircase and trail.

Finally, Athens

We had landed in Rome, unquestioned center of civilization twenty centuries ago. We had bus tours all over Northern Italy for more than a week. We boarded ship and set sail for the Holy Land. We had visited Galilee and Nazareth and Jerusalem and Bethlehem. We had trekked into the Sahara Desert to see the ancient Pyramids. We had stopped at beautiful Santorini. And finally we disembarked in Athens with but one day left on the long journey, so of course we headed for the Acropolis.

At the foot of the huge hill was a classic Greek Theatre, and I love to notice that the special seat for one of the priests of Dionysus is the best-preserved portion of the theatre. And then for the climb up the hill and to the other side of the massive wall.