If you think of a site in Greece that has lots to show you, Athens is probably going to be one of the first places that come to mind. However it isn’t just about ancient ruins and so on; there are other places to see here as well.

Take the Parnitha National Park for example. You will find this in Athens although at present it is a shadow of its former self. This is due to the fact that a fire raged through the park in 2007, and consequently the area is still trying to recover.

The area itself is actually situated on a mountain, and the area is also protected to try and assist various forms of wildlife to flourish in the area. The park will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2011, and although it will not be back to how it looked before the fire, it will still be better than it was in 2007.

One of the best reasons for visiting the park is to take advantage of the hiking trails there. If you want a different kind of Greek holiday this is the very kind you might appreciate. Strap on your walking boots and see for yourself how the landscape is fighting back after the fire. It may not be as lush as it was beforehand, but it still looks quite amazing and also gives you the same spectacular views as it always has.

Be respectful of the Parnitha National Park as well; there are countless different animals and birds here and you can never tell when you might come across them. Remember that you are venturing into their territory and even though the fire may have reduced the dynamic scenery somewhat, you are still getting the chance to walk through an amazing park.

Parnitha may not be the first place you will hear about when you talk to people about Athens and what there is to go and see there. But don’t be fooled – it is well worth a visit, especially if you want to see a different side to Athens.