Athens, Greece: National Garden

This area used to be called the Royal Garden. But in 1974, it became the National Garden - although the old name seems to persist a bit. No matter what you call it, it's something of an urban oasis.

The National Garden is right next door to the Parliament building. It checks in at 38 acres, and has a variety of winding paths that make a spring walk quite a pleasure.

The Garden was completed in 1840, and a variety of plants and animals were brought in to fill the space. The problem was that the climate wasn't a good match for some of the flowers, and it was time to try again. Even so, the Royal family enjoyed walks in the morning when the place was closed to the general public; it opened to all in the afternoon.

You can see some Roman ruins scattered on the grounds. History really is everywhere in this city.