Tour 20 + 21 - Athens 2025
Athens for the patrons of a Swiss institution
Why contemporary art in Athens?
Athens, the cradle of Western culture has more to offer than only the Acropolis and souvlaki. The metropolis at the Eastern border of Europe has turned in the last years into a hotspot of contemporary art. Despite the severe financial problems that brought the development of the country to a halt the will to live and the joy of the Greeks remained unstoppable.
The biggest push in contemporary art came unexpectedly with the financial crisis which lasted from 2009 till 2018. The government collapsed and so did the biggest part of the private sector. Only shortly before, from 2000 till 2007 Greece experienced a new period of financial well-being due to big amounts of foreign capital flooding in. That’s when a considerable part of society started to discover the world outside of Greece. Young Greeks and especially artists returned from trips, studies and residences in Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid with new ideas and inspiration. After the first shock they denied the crisis to rule their lives. They decided to take the lead and started low budget art projects, exhibitions and festivals. Since the world was looking towards Greece this updraft did not remain unnoticed.
In 2017 Documenta, the world’s most significant exhibition for contemporary art held its opening reception for the first time outside of Germany: in Athens! By then it was already no secret anymore and the word spread quickly: Athens is the new Berlin.
Itinerary
Day 1
Meeting at Dexameni Square. Walk to the cable car station in Kolonaki that leads up to Lycabettus Hill. While enjoying the grand view over the city, introduction to the history of Athens (pointing to the respective landmarks Acropolis, Philopappos, Pnyx, Pireas and Salamis) and bridging towards modern times (Greek Revolution, the modern city, the 20th century historical events, the ancient and the old Olympics, the recent financial crisis and the rebirth of the young art scene that led to the documenta14 exhibition).
Walking down Lycabettus Hill and enjoy refreshments and appetizers with a stunning view over the city and the Saronic gulf. From there it's only a short walk to Syntagma Square and the hotels.
Dinner at the rooftop of a nearby design hotel with a view to the Acropolis.
Day 2
Early wake-up and bus ride to the Acropolis where a native Swiss-German speaking guide shows us the epitome of classical Greece and Athens.
Coffee break in a nearby iconic restaurant and then walk to the Pnyx, which served as the official meeting place for the Athenian democratic assembly.
Visit of the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum nearby with a guided tour by Mrs. Lalaounis herself.
Lunch nearby and then guided tour in Swiss-German to the Acropolis Museum.
On the way back we visit three important art galleries and art foundations.
Dinner at one of the finest seafood restaurants in town.
Day 3
Guided walk through the Psyrri neighbourhood where the graffiti movement started - about 45 minutes. At Metaxourgiou we will visit one of the most active, international gallery that is housed in an old ice-cream-factory.
Bus transfer to the home and private collection of one of the most emblematic art collections in greece.
Bus transfer to the Takis Foundation where we have a private lunch the admidst amidst the works of Takis. Afterwards guided tour through the exhibition.
Bus transfer to the George Economou Collection, a private colletion with a focus on early twentieth-century European art that has expanded to include an important holding of postwar and contemporary art.
On the way back to the hotel we pass by the US-Embassy, Megaron Concert Hall and the Hilton Hotel. All three historic and architectural buildings with a story to tell.
The evening is free to relax and to enjoy the amenities of the hotel.
Day 4
Walking tour to three little Byzantine gems in the city. Then bus transfer to the national contemporary art museum EMST. Guided tour by the director of the museum.
Bus transfer to the yacht port of Mikrolimano where we have lunch at a Michelin-awarded seafood restaurant overlooking the sea.
Bus transfer to the warehouse area of Pireas, the port of Athens, where two galleries show international positions.
Bus transfer to the Stavros Niarchos Cultral Center. Guided tour through the National Opera and Library, built by Renzo Piano.
Bus transfer back to the hotel and after a short rest, light dinner in a nearby wine bar.
Day 5
Check-out hotel and then short walk to the Parliament square where we watch the Changing of the Guard.
Afterwards guided tour through the Cycladic Museum and the Benaki Museum. Two landmarks in the art world of Athens.
Light lunch on the roofterrace of the Benaki Museum.
Bus transfer to the airport.
Meeting at Dexameni Square. Walk to the cable car station in Kolonaki that leads up to Lycabettus Hill. While enjoying the grand view over the city, introduction to the history of Athens (pointing to the respective landmarks Acropolis, Philopappos, Pnyx, Pireas and Salamis) and bridging towards modern times (Greek Revolution, the modern city, the 20th century historical events, the ancient and the old Olympics, the recent financial crisis and the rebirth of the young art scene that led to the documenta14 exhibition).
Walking down Lycabettus Hill and enjoy refreshments and appetizers with a stunning view over the city and the Saronic gulf. From there it's only a short walk to Syntagma Square and the hotels.
Dinner at the rooftop of a nearby design hotel with a view to the Acropolis.
Day 2
Early wake-up and bus ride to the Acropolis where a native Swiss-German speaking guide shows us the epitome of classical Greece and Athens.
Coffee break in a nearby iconic restaurant and then walk to the Pnyx, which served as the official meeting place for the Athenian democratic assembly.
Visit of the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum nearby with a guided tour by Mrs. Lalaounis herself.
Lunch nearby and then guided tour in Swiss-German to the Acropolis Museum.
On the way back we visit three important art galleries and art foundations.
Dinner at one of the finest seafood restaurants in town.
Day 3
Guided walk through the Psyrri neighbourhood where the graffiti movement started - about 45 minutes. At Metaxourgiou we will visit one of the most active, international gallery that is housed in an old ice-cream-factory.
Bus transfer to the home and private collection of one of the most emblematic art collections in greece.
Bus transfer to the Takis Foundation where we have a private lunch the admidst amidst the works of Takis. Afterwards guided tour through the exhibition.
Bus transfer to the George Economou Collection, a private colletion with a focus on early twentieth-century European art that has expanded to include an important holding of postwar and contemporary art.
On the way back to the hotel we pass by the US-Embassy, Megaron Concert Hall and the Hilton Hotel. All three historic and architectural buildings with a story to tell.
The evening is free to relax and to enjoy the amenities of the hotel.
Day 4
Walking tour to three little Byzantine gems in the city. Then bus transfer to the national contemporary art museum EMST. Guided tour by the director of the museum.
Bus transfer to the yacht port of Mikrolimano where we have lunch at a Michelin-awarded seafood restaurant overlooking the sea.
Bus transfer to the warehouse area of Pireas, the port of Athens, where two galleries show international positions.
Bus transfer to the Stavros Niarchos Cultral Center. Guided tour through the National Opera and Library, built by Renzo Piano.
Bus transfer back to the hotel and after a short rest, light dinner in a nearby wine bar.
Day 5
Check-out hotel and then short walk to the Parliament square where we watch the Changing of the Guard.
Afterwards guided tour through the Cycladic Museum and the Benaki Museum. Two landmarks in the art world of Athens.
Light lunch on the roofterrace of the Benaki Museum.
Bus transfer to the airport.
Services included
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
Tour languages: Swiss-German, German or English
Each tour is custom made to meet your profile
Price: Flat rate per day (8hrs) EUR 450 (1-6 persons)
Price: Flat rate per day for groups upon request
Registration: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
Transfers by taxi, bus, boat or other means
Entry tickets to museums and sites
Official guide to the archaeological sites
All meals and beverages
Flight to Athens
Accommodation in Athens
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
In the last twenty years as managing director of the Swiss gallery widmertheodoridis, I have developed an extensive professional network in the gallery business. By presenting and organising more than 120 exhibitions and more than twenty national and international art fairs I have gained a sound knowledge of the contemporary art world. On behalf of widmertheodoridis I have developed art tours, lectures and art education workshops. Since 2015 widmertheodoridis has been doing business in Greece and can rely on a extensive network of contacts with local artists, galleries, museums and curators. My art tours have started in 2017 in Athens and have also included Berlin, Paris and Venice–from two to twenty participants. In the meantime these art tours have become my main activity and passion.
widmertheodoridis is co-operating with Travel Coach Thedda Tsoukala www.oohmygreece.com
Tour languages: Swiss-German, German or English
Each tour is custom made to meet your profile
Price: Flat rate per day (8hrs) EUR 450 (1-6 persons)
Price: Flat rate per day for groups upon request
Registration: jordan@0010.ch
Not included:
Transfers by taxi, bus, boat or other means
Entry tickets to museums and sites
Official guide to the archaeological sites
All meals and beverages
Flight to Athens
Accommodation in Athens
Tour host: Jordanis Theodoridis
In the last twenty years as managing director of the Swiss gallery widmertheodoridis, I have developed an extensive professional network in the gallery business. By presenting and organising more than 120 exhibitions and more than twenty national and international art fairs I have gained a sound knowledge of the contemporary art world. On behalf of widmertheodoridis I have developed art tours, lectures and art education workshops. Since 2015 widmertheodoridis has been doing business in Greece and can rely on a extensive network of contacts with local artists, galleries, museums and curators. My art tours have started in 2017 in Athens and have also included Berlin, Paris and Venice–from two to twenty participants. In the meantime these art tours have become my main activity and passion.
widmertheodoridis is co-operating with Travel Coach Thedda Tsoukala www.oohmygreece.com