High above Athens, Greece, on the Acropolis, the iconic Parthenon shimmers in that fabled Greek light. Nowhere else in this noisy, modern city do the ancient Greeks speak to us as clearly as they do through its soaring lines. Its seemingly straight lines are actually concave; the columns subtly narrow and tilt imperceptibly inward, creating an optical illusion that draws your eyes heavenward. Athens is a city to be savored.
Just as the Parthenon is not exactly as it seems, neither is Athens. It holds some of the most important antiquities of ancient civilization and produced some of the greatest philosophers not just of their times, but in history. At the same time, this intellectual and philosophical capital’s economic problems recently threatened the economic pillars of the European Union--and not for the first time.
It’s hard to pinpoint the one thing that makes Athens so attractive. It’s not just a museum or an olive tree or a local tavern; it’s a vibrant and contemporary city. The three-acre pedestrian mall in the city’s historic center lies in the shadow of the Acropolis. Hadrian’s Arch; the theater of Dionysus, where works by Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus and Aristophanes were performed; and the new Acropolis Museum are just some of what you’ll see here. Then there’s the Plaka neighborhood, whose houses date back to the 19th century, as well as Byzantine architecture and some remnants of the Ottoman period. Then there’s Monastiraki, a characteristic area of “old” Athens.
Some of Athens most beautiful neoclassical buildings are downtown, the district centered on the two main squares of Syntagma and Omonia. For shopping, there’s the pedestrian-friendly Ermou, the street that’s the heart of Athens’ main shopping district and its 2,500 shops. There’s haute couture in Kolonaki and a glimpse of the hustle and bustle of everyday life for Athenians in the glass-and-steel Central Market, where vendor stalls are filled with fresh fruit, nuts and seafood straight from the Aegean.
Athens is for food lovers, whether it’s Michelin-star restaurants serving Mediterranean cuisine or casual restaurants serving spit-roasted souvlaki. Tavernas in the historic Plaka and Monastiraki districts serve Greek classics such as moussaka and lamb.
Athens and its outskirts are linked by a web of bus and trolley lines. Taxis are also available. You can get into Athens from the airport by taxi or metro; there are also several bus services. Spring and early summer are the best time to visit, avoid the heat and crowds of July and August. As with most urban destinations, travel smart and be aware of pickpockets.
The broad variety of romantic destinations around the world appeals to different couples, each in its own way. Greece, with its craggy interiors and open stretches of deep turquoise sea, represent the wild shores of love. This is a land of satyrs and nymphs, plate-smashing singers and serene...Read More
For some, the Czech Republic is synonymous with a foaming mug of beer, since the country is home to three major beer-producing cities: Pilsen, in western Bohemia; Budejovice, in southern Bohemia; and Prague.
Pilsen is the home of Urquell Pilsner, whose ubiquitous green-and-yellow...Read More
The keystone of a great journey is the diversity of the experience. Too many days on even the nicest beach or exploring museums without end leaves travelers with a feeling of “ho hum.” Croatia is one of those destinations that is so diverse, you will find yourself engaged in...Read More
Where would you go if you wanted to visit a Central European destination with well-preserved landmarks, a prominent place in European history, cultural diversity, unhurried provincial charms and easy accessibility? A great choice is Krakow, Poland, which just happened to be one of the...Read More
Set on a limestone cliff overlooking the Gulf of Finland, the ancient city of Tallinn, Estonia, is a picture-postcard destination with one of the best-preserved old towns in Europe.
The Old Town is so historic, it’s been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a port and...Read More
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Hotel Grande Bretagne
Hotel
While staying at the Grade Bretagne you are welcomed by breathtaking views of the famed Acropolis, the Parthenon, Regal Constitution Square and Parliament, lush Lycabettus hill and the original Olympic Stadium. During your stay you can escape from the every day stresses and pamper yourself with an oil massage, venture up to the GB Roof Garden for some champagne and a spectacular view as the sun sets or make your way down to The Cellar where there are 3,000 different wines for you to sample.
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Golden Tulip Electra Palace Hotel Athens
Hotel
The Electra Palace is a five star property that has been completely remodeled, refurbished and expanded. This hotel is a unique combination of aristocrat and traditional architecture of Plaka and offers the luxury of the facilities and services of a five star hotel. Electra Palace is located in the heart of Athens in the shadow of the Acropolis. It has 150 rooms scattered through out seven floors.
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Art Hotel
Hotel
The Art hotel is a new elegant boutique style hotel with a four star rating. The hotel is located in a renovated neoclassical building from 1930. Art hotel is located right in the center of Athens and is within walking distance from the national archaeological museum and Omonoia Square. This hotel is easily accessible by various means of public transportation.
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Fresh Hotel
Hotel
This hotel is a fresh breath of air for visitors coming to explore what Athens has to offer. The Fresh Hotel is trendy, chic and stylish. With it’s soundproofed rooms decorated with simple lines and vivid colors the Fresh Hotel is the perfect oasis to escape from the noise and crowds of the streets. There are 133 guestrooms ranging from standard to suites and even executive rooms. Cool off in the rooftop swimming pool or sample cuisine from one of the three restaurants located at the Fresh Hotel, Magenta Restaurant, the Orange Bar and the Air Lounge Pool Bar.
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AVA Hotel Athens
Hotel
The AVA Hotel Athens is a four star boutique style hotel with high quality apartments and suites. It is located in Plaka the most prestigious and exclusive area in Athens. It’s right in the middle of the Historic district. AVA is only a few steps away from the Parthenon, the Temple of Zues, Hadrian Arch and other monuments of Greek Civilization.
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Temple of Olympian Zues
Attraction
The Temple of Olympian Zues was originally started in 6th century BC. It is the largest temple in Greece comprised of 104 marble columns. It was started to produce public favor for the tyrant ruler Peisistratos. The structure was not completed until 2nd century AD and only 15 of the magnificent columns standing 56 feet high remain standing today. Radiating in the sunlight and sparkling in the night, The Temple of Olympian Zues is on the top ten list of must see attractions in Athens.
Athens Walking Tours
Attraction
Take an exciting three hour foot excursion around Athens and learn about the city from a team of experienced personable guides. The tours, which are conducted in English, German and Greek, are available in five different packages including a trip through history, the best of Athens, an overview of the National Archaeological Museum, Ancient Agora; which is a walk through a large flea market and the Benaki Museum, which highlights ancient Greek civilization. The tours are low in cost and available in private and special language forums.(more)
Deste Foundation
Attraction
Focusing on the relationship between contemporary art and contemporary culture, the Deste Foundation established in 1983 by international art collector Daki Joannou, showcases work created by surfacing and seasoned artists. The foundation hopes to be host to original concepts like the Panic Room, which is a collection of hung drawings by such Greek artists as Georgia Sagri, Christiana Soulou and Jiannis Varelas. Visitors can stop at the gallery between 10am and 8pm Monday through Saturday.(more)
Athens City Museum
Attraction
The museum consisting of two buildings connected by a covered bridge is home to paintings, engravings, sculptures, furniture and relics of Greek life that represents the evolution of Athens since the Frankish era. The first building, a romantic mansion, served as a home to the first King of Greece and his wife. Today, it holds personal objects from the royal couple's life. The added building has representative art from Athens 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.(more)
Museum of the Ancient Agora
Attraction
Located in the Stoa of Attalos, the signature trait of the museum is that each exhibit is closely related to the Athenian Democracy. The Stoa of Attalos was discovered during an archaeological dig and was later reconstructed to hold treasures from Agora. There are numbers of priceless collections at the museum including clay, bronze, bone and ivory objects (6th century B.C. - 3rd century A.D.); coins and pottery (6th century B.C. - 6th century A.D.); and inscriptions (5th century B.C. - 2nd century A.D.).