The Acropolis was a bit of a main character last summer – after staff members went on strike in protest of working in 45C heat and the site announced it’d be launching much stricter rules on visitor entry, there was plenty going on at Greece’s most popular attraction.
And ahead of the summer season, it’s been flung back into the limelight. That’s because the Greek culture ministry is reportedly planning to introduce private out-of-hours tours of the Acropolis and the Parthenon, for no less than €5,000. Say what?
Yep, if you and up to four friends have ridiculously deep pockets and are keen to see this marvel of ancient Greek innovation without us normies wandering around, you could soon be in with a chance.
These proposed tours would be for groups of no more than five, for two hours either before or after the 8am - 8pm opening times.
The tourist rules introduced last year were to limit the damage to this magnificent site, and these exclusive mega-money-making tours apparently are to do the same. In fact, the Hellenic Organisation of Cultural Resources Development (which is linked with the Greek culture ministry) thinks the initiative could raise up to €40,000 a day, to help protect other cultural sites. However, the move has been branded by some as elitist and unfair.
The Acropolis isn’t the first attraction to offer private viewing if you ask nicely (and pay generously). According to the Telegraph, there are out-of-hours tours of sites such as the Vatican Museums in Rome, the Luxor Temple in Egypt and St Mark’s Basilica in Venice for those who fork out a little (or a lot) extra.
Time Out’s take
These tours have only just been proposed and are yet to be confirmed. But if they do go ahead, not only are they highly exclusive, it’s a hefty price to pay for some tourist-free selfies – ever heard of Photoshop, guys?
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