GREECE - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 289

both modern and ancient, is rich in Greek history, from Alexander the Great down
through Roman rule. Patras, port city and scene of the most spectacular carnival
in Greece, is still another place to see on the Peloponnese. Piraeus, main port of
Athens, provides culinary delights from the surrounding sea.
An InterCity train between Athens and Larissa provides an opportunity to spend
several hours in Larissa during a day excursion out of Athens. Depart Athens at
0718, arrive in Larissa at 1120 on IC 50, and depart at 1801 on train 591 to arrive
back in Athens by 2212. Or depart Larissa at 1926 on IC 61 for arrival in Athens at
2324. Although the IC 61 does not haul a restaurant car, there are beverages and
some food available. Also, you will find an abundance of cafes and patisseries on
the town square. Larissa, the “citadel,” is the capital of Thessaly, and for a time it
was the home of Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine.
Day Excursion to
Argos (Arghos)
Oldest Greek Town
Depart from Athens Peloponnese Bus Station
Distance by Train: 89 miles (144 km)
Average Train Time: 3 hours
City Dialing Code: 751
Argos does not have a tourist information office. Neither does it have a tourist po-
lice office such as one finds in many of the smaller towns throughout Greece. But
these absences present no great hardship, for most of its sights are within the city
limits. The area must be the birthplace of all Greeks who have ever worked in the
United States as waiters. We met two of them by just standing on a corner and
looking perplexed.
The railway station is about a kilometer from the town square in Argos. To reach
the town square on foot, walk straight out of the station to the main road, where a
road sign points to the right in the direction of town. Taxis are available for a nom-
inal fare.
For sightseeing, orient yourself with the church in the town square. From its front
door, you can reach the Argos museum by crossing the street, turning left, and
proceeding to the first cross street, where you then turn right. The museum is half