The Acropolis, Athens— Photo: Variety Cruises

This optional two-day pre-trip to Greece's capital city provides an excellent complement to our ship-based exploration of the Peloponnese. While Athens today is clearly Greece's largest and most important city, it was also the wealthiest and most influential city state in classical times (fourth through sixth centuries B.C.).

Our program combines visits to two of the country's most important and revered archaeological sites, with two half-day birding field trips to destinations north and east of the city.

For first-time visitors, a trip to Athens is highlighted by the pilgrimage to the Acropolis, the most instantly recognizable landmark in Greece. We will spend our first afternoon at the ancient hilltop citadel meandering among the remains of the magnificent structures for which the site is so justly famous. A guided interpreted walk will allow us to learn about the timeless monuments constructed to honor the Olympian gods worshipped by the ancient Greeks. Our time here will allow for a visit to the Theatre of Dionysus Eleutheris, which is considered the first theatre in Greece. On our second afternoon we'll make our way to the Agora, the primary site of public assembly in ancient Athens and the center of administrative, judicial, and social activity during the classic era, including during the times of Socrates and Plato.

Complementing our focus on the remarkable historical sites, we'll travel away from the city on two consecutive mornings in pursuit of Greece's varied birdlife. Our first morning out will see us moving due north from Athens to the slopes of Mt. Parnitha, a 5,000 ft. mountain with national park designation, in search of resident and migrant landbirds. Among the possibilities are Alpine and Common swifts, House Martin, Blue and Great tits, Blue Rock-Thrush, Whinchat, Blackcap, Willow and Sardinian warblers, and European Greenfinch.

On our final morning we will head northeast of the city to the vicinity of Marathon to visit a low-lying coastal area in search of waterbirds and dry-country landbirds. Little Egret, Gray Heron, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Kestrel, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed and Common Ringed plovers, Common Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Common Sandpiper, Ruff, Yellow-legged Gull, and European Bee-eater are all species that occur in the region. An added bonus is a visit to the famous site where the Athenian army defeated the Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C.