ATHENS.- The Acropolis of Athens in Greece, one of the most visited ancient monuments in the world, began offering private tours for 5,000 euros (about $5,400), outside official opening hours, according to the website of the museum. patrimony Greek this Tuesday.
These visits, reserved for groups of up to five people, can be made at 7:00 a.m. or in the evening after 8:00 p.m.
“This exclusive service is only available for four groups of a maximum of five people at a time and can include a private guide” if the client so wishes, according to the Hellenic Heritage website that presents these visits under the name of The Acropolis experience.
A Russian couple on Saturday took part in the first private tour with their own guide, after official closing time, according to Greek media.
The visits
Beginning July 12—the next available date listed on the website for a private, unguided tour this Tuesday—private tours will take place on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The tour can be conducted in English, French, German, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese or Russian.
With these tours, Visitors will be able to avoid the crowds of tourists who climb up to the Parthenon, located in the historic centre of Athens, every day.
The initiative, which created controversy when it was announced last year, was due to be introduced on April 1, but the Culture Ministry told AFP that the launch had been postponed.
Patrimony
The union of Greek archaeological site guards has criticised “the way these private visits are organised, which take place without their participation,” said its president, Georgia Kondyli.
“We have no information on the organisation of these visits,” he added.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and built in the 5th century BC, the Acropolis of Athens is receiving more and more visitors, partly due to tourists arriving in the country on cruise ships.
Last year, the monument registered a record 4 million visitors, an increase of more than 31% compared to the previous year, forcing the body that manages the monument to introduce time slots.
Standard admission costs 20 euros or 30 euros if combined with other historical sites.
Source: AFP
