Escape the hustle and bustle of Athens for the day on a half-day tour to Cape Sounion, and marvel at the shimmering ruins of the Temple of Poseidon on the tip of the Attica peninsula. Travel by air-conditioned minivan, and soak up the scenery of the coastal road through the picturesque Riviera. Get wonderful views of the rugged cliffs and hidden beaches of the Saronic Gulf. Upon arrival at Cape Sounion - the southernmost tip of the Attica promontory, overlooking the Aegean Sea – see the marble columns of the Temple of Poseidon, built by the Ancient Greeks in honor of the God of the Sea. Climb the hill to the temple, where the shining white pillars are framed by spectacular views of the Aegean and coast. Inspect the elegant Doric columns as your guide explains the temple’s long history, and its huge importance as a place of worship and vantage point for the Greeks keen on controlling the shipping lanes to Athens. Imagine the devotees who once prayed and made sacrifices here. Listen to the legends that surround the temple. Your guide will point out the graffiti carved into the temple by the Romantic poet, Lord Byron in the early 1800s. Then, savor the views that stretch across the Aegean; on a clear day you can see as far as the Peloponnese! Purchase some snacks and drinks (own expense) from the nearby café. Then, transfer back to Athens by private minivan for your hotel drop off.