Without the Greeks, there would be no Western civilisation. Huge parts of the knowledge we take for granted today are thanks to the ancient civilisation founded in this small corner of the Mediterranean 3,000 years ago. It is no understatement: Athens is where the modern world was born.

While many holidaymakers treat Athens as only a stop-over en route to the islands, Greece's capital city remains a repository for its cultural treasures and the very core of its identity.

Visit Athens, and the remnants of the Greek Empire scattered all over the city make it easy to imagine these fathers of civilisation who once occupied the Ancient Agora, the social and commercial centre of the Athens.

It is on the Acropolis, the ancient hill fort that rises above modern day Athens, that you'll find the most spectacular remains. The Parthenon, the Temple to Athena Nike and the Erechtheion are all located here and together they create one of the most spectacular and memorable backdrops of any city in the world.