| p>Quick Tips/Suggestions: | | | | souvenirs. You're not really going to see all that many |
| If you're going to enjoy yourself in Athens, you better | | | | locals here, at least proportionally to the thousands of |
| get in shape and bring comfortable walking shoes and | | | | tourists passing by every minute. And by Goddess, |
| plenty of water. Most of the famous sites in the city | | | | don't forget to bring a map! Plaka is a labyrinth, a |
| require either walking uphill, or walking along a stony | | | | network of streets that all look alike. |
| path. And beware of the marble stairs, wherever you | | | | There are plenty of places to eat in Plaka, but most of |
| go: they are dreadfully slippery! | | | | the fancy looking ones tend to be terribly costly and |
| I took a city bus tour on my first day in Athens and it | | | | don't really offer that good of the local fare. Little |
| was worth the money. The tour included the Acropolis, | | | | take-out places or little restaurants are the best bet for |
| and took in the region of to the Olympic Stadium, | | | | food there. Their gyros might grease the wrapper, but |
| Syntagma Square, Zeus' Temple and other important | | | | they taste fine and you'll have money left over for |
| tourist sites. It was a nice way to make introduction to | | | | those souvenirs. |
| the city and plan out the rest of my trip. | | | | One thing I discovered when buying souvenirs in Plaka, |
| How about the food? Modest neighborhood | | | | that the price of the item is almost never the price |
| restaurants are your best bet. They dish up | | | | you'll pay if you play your cards right. In some stores, |
| inexpensive, delicious and truly local fare. Fancier | | | | the owners will tell you right away 'Today discount 20 |
| restaurants in spots like Plaka are expensive, and | | | | percent' or 'More you buy, bigger discount'. But as a |
| you're more likely to see fried chicken on the menu, | | | | general rule, you should barter. You're stupid if you |
| than a gyro or souvlaki. And a word of warning: go | | | | don't, because you'll simply overpay for everything. |
| easy on the OUZO! That stuff goes down way too | | | | Everyone bargains here, both locals and tourists. And if |
| easy, and after finishing half a bottle with dinner, I slept | | | | the store owner is reluctant to make a deal, put down |
| for 12 hours and had a hangover the next day. | | | | the stuff you're looking at and say you'll look |
| Where to stay? Hotels and hostels are plentiful in | | | | somewhere else. They will most likely change their |
| Athens. Rooms do get booked up during high season - | | | | tune and offer you money off right away! |
| so book early. Quality and standards may vary just like | | | | National Archaeological Museum of Athens |
| any other destination. Location and price should be you | | | | If you're going to see any museum on your trip to |
| main priorities. A good website for client reviews is For | | | | Athens, see this one. It is the largest and most inspiring |
| good deals on a range of Athens hotels and other | | | | archeological museum in Greece. Even the building |
| Greece hotels check out Cybertravel Network's | | | | itself is quite something to look at. The museum has |
| Greece website at | | | | quite a few different exhibits, but obviously the most |
| How to Get Around: | | | | interesting ones are the Greek pottery and sculpture, |
| Athens has allegedly more taxi cabs per capita than | | | | which also happen to take up most of the space. |
| any other city in the world. Having said that, the fact is, | | | | There are also exhibits of Egyptian arts and prehistoric |
| it's almost not possible to hail down an empty one | | | | and bronze age artifacts. |
| during the rush hour. Often a cab will slow down and | | | | The Museum is easily reached by various buses from |
| pull up to a curb and cabbie will ask 'Pou?,' which | | | | any point in the city. It's huge and can easily take up a |
| means 'where.' Just yell out where you want to go to | | | | whole day, but dissimilar to Louvre in Paris, this |
| (in Greek preferably), and if you're fortunate it will be | | | | museum contains such a diversity of things, that I |
| on his way. I can't say anything in good faith about the | | | | found it very easy to spend several hours there |
| truthfulness of cabbies in Athens. I took a cab three | | | | without getting weary of admiring the pieces. |
| times, and twice I got ripped off, so make your own | | | | One final note, even though the Type of Museum |
| conclusions. | | | | states it's an Art Museum, it really is a mixture of an |
| In my view the best way to get around Athens is by | | | | Art/History/Culture Museum. I want to make that clear, |
| bus or trolley. The tickets are not expensive and | | | | so I don't frighten away art-unconscious people. |
| available at kiosks along any street. Just make sure | | | | National Gardens |
| you cancel the ticket in a ticket machine immediately | | | | National Gardens, which are accessible behind the |
| after you enter the bus or a trolley. There are plenty | | | | Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, offer a nice escape |
| of ticket controllers around to catch you if you travel | | | | from all the hustle and the bustle of the city. Looking at |
| without a ticket, or if you forget to stamp it. | | | | the crowds present, I have a feeling they are a trendy |
| Things to see in and around Athens: | | | | hang-out spot for the locals. This is a nice place to |
| Acropolis | | | | take a leisurely walk or eat a brown-bag lunch. In the |
| The Acropolis is Athens' most recognizable, | | | | heart of the park there is a neoclassical structure |
| breathtaking and astounding site. The Acropolis is in | | | | called Zappion, which I've been told is used for |
| fact the name of the hill upon which there are three | | | | important political and cultural events (a security guard |
| main temples: Parthenon, Erechteion and Temple of | | | | told me Greece's entry into European Union was |
| Athena Nike; as well as the Acropolis Museum and | | | | signed here). It's quite an eye-catching structure worth |
| Propylaea, which was the original entrance to the | | | | checking out if you appreciate architecture. |
| Acropolis. | | | | It is also a fine place to talk to the locals if you so |
| Being a fan of archeology and Greek classical studies, | | | | desire. I stopped at a pretzel stand run by a Kurdish |
| I was absolutely enthralled by the place. The total size | | | | immigrant and immediately got into a discussion about |
| of the Parthenon is extraordinary, when you | | | | the fate of the Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan (who |
| comprehend it was built 2,500 years ago. The museum | | | | was being incarcerated at the time by Turkey). Not |
| houses artifacts found in the temples on the Acropolis, | | | | that I spoke any Kurdish or Greek, or the stand owner |
| which were put there to avoid weather damage. | | | | any English, but amazingly enough using hand-gestures, |
| Acropolises is a hill, and a pretty steep one, so take | | | | and a combination of English, Greek, German and a |
| good quality walking shoes and bottled water with you | | | | word 'caput', we somehow came to an understanding |
| when you go. And take careful steps, because the | | | | that he was a goner and we both supported his |
| marble steps are very slippery. I introduced myself to | | | | cause. Afterwards, I was promptly ripped off for a |
| the marble the hard way: face first, and let me tell you: | | | | pretzel, but... it was for a good cause. |
| it's not an enjoyable experience. | | | | Constitution Square |
| On the path to the Acropolis there are many souvenir | | | | Syntagma (Constitution) Square is centrally positioned |
| peddlers that sell postcards, papyrus drawings and | | | | in Athens and a pretty good starting point for tourists. |
| other trinkets. They sell the same type and quality of | | | | There are banks here where you can exchange |
| souvenirs as the museum gift shop but at half the | | | | money, travel agencies where you could pick up |
| price. I recommend loading up on souvenirs from them | | | | information on what to see in Athens or book a bus |
| on the way out of Acropolis. | | | | tour and some rather luxurious hotels. |
| Temple of Olympian Zeus | | | | Top tourist attraction in the Square is the Tomb of the |
| The temple is one of the only two remaining parts on | | | | Unknown Soldier which is watched over by guards |
| the Olympieion site. The utter size of this monument is | | | | wearing EVZONE costumes, which is the customary |
| incredible! There is only a few of the original Corinthian | | | | male Greek costume comprising of a white skirt and |
| columns left of the original 104! This is an ideal site to sit | | | | shirt, red vest and hat and shoes with pompons. They |
| down on a sunny day with a gyro in your hand and | | | | look rather attractive! The best time to see the |
| just admire its beauty. | | | | changing of the guards is Sundays at noon, when the |
| Interesting fact about the Temple of Olympian Zeus is | | | | big service takes place. I believe that the early event |
| that it took almost 700 years to construct. It was | | | | starts at around 11 or 11:30 am, when a battalion of |
| started in 515 BC by Peristratos and completed in 125 | | | | soldiers starts marching down the street with a military |
| AD by Roman emperor Hadrian. | | | | band playing. When they approach the Tomb, they |
| Close to the Temple, on Amalias Avenue you can | | | | stop in a systematic fashion, wait until noon, then the |
| take a closer look at the other remaining monument - | | | | ceremony of changing of the guards begins. It's really |
| Hadrian's Arch, built a few years later by the same | | | | quite interesting as there is so much custom and |
| emperor. During my visit it was all covered in | | | | ceremony involved. The soldiers take these long |
| cellophane for reconstruction, so wasn't very inspiring. | | | | careful steps: I was amazed to see how they keep |
| The Agoras - Ancient and Roman | | | | their balance while standing on one leg. |
| Ancient Agora (Arkhaia Agora) was the gathering | | | | There isn't much else to see in Syntagma Square itself, |
| place of the ancient Athenians. It's hard to tell now, | | | | but from here you'll have easy access to the National |
| considering almost nothing is left from the original | | | | Gardens, as well as Plaka and Omounia Square. |
| structures. Hephaisteion (Temple of Hephaistos) is the | | | | Somehow, my every day in Athens started and ended |
| exception. It's quite a monument and probably the best | | | | here. |
| conserved of all Greek temples in Athens. Stoa of | | | | Three Island Cruise |
| Attalos, which was entirely reconstructed, houses the | | | | This was well worth the time and money. I booked the |
| museum of Ancient Agora and is a resting place for | | | | cruise through Cybertravel Network one of about a |
| most of the artifacts found here. | | | | dozen travel agencies offering the identical tour (later I |
| Roman Agora (Romaiki Agora) is situated near the | | | | found out many tour agencies use the same boat, |
| other one. It is much smaller, and a much younger site | | | | which can carry several hundred people). It was very |
| than Ancient Agora. A couple of interesting things to | | | | well planned: in the early morning a van picked me up |
| see here are a Turkish mosque: Fethiye Djami, and | | | | from the hotel and dropped me off where |
| Tower of the Winds. | | | | air-conditioned coaches took us to the harbor. From |
| I marked this site as Recommended, not Highly | | | | there, it was a couple hours of sailing to our first port |
| Recommended because unless you have a real | | | | of call: Hydra. What a magnificent, laid-back small |
| interest in archeology or history, you might simply get | | | | place! White houses, red roofs, blue water and the sky, |
| fed up here. There isn't as much to see, besides the | | | | about 25 Celsius... and that's in Feburary! Shopper's |
| Hephaisteion, because most of the monuments are | | | | paradise of course with souvenir shops everywhere. |
| almost completely ruined. But if you are a history | | | | We moved on to Poros, during which time lunch was |
| archeology buff, have an extra day, or happen to get | | | | served on board. Poros, wasn't as tranquil as Hydra to |
| bored in Plaka, than by all means stop here and do a | | | | me. It was more commercialized, reminded me a bit of |
| little exploring. | | | | Honolulu, Hawaii. But it was a nice place to grab a bowl |
| Panathenaic Stadium | | | | of ice cream and just lounge a bit on the harbor. From |
| Panathenaic Stadium was the site of the first modern | | | | there we moved to Aegina and were offered to pay |
| Olympic Games in 1896. Its name, Panathinaikon, | | | | for an optional bus tour on Aegina to the Temple of |
| stands for "All Athenians Stadium". It has been | | | | Aphaia. |
| reconstructed in the place of the original stadium. This | | | | The bus tour was well worth the money. Temple of |
| stadium is one of those places that just give you a | | | | Aphaia at Aegina is very well preserved and an |
| good quality feeling inside. You're welcome to run laps | | | | outstanding site to take a look at. Aegina is also a very |
| around it, or to take a look at marble slabs | | | | good place to purchase pistachio nuts: there are |
| documenting all the modern Olympic Games. At the | | | | vendors all over the place, so pick up a bag or two on |
| front of the stadium is a statue of the Discus Thrower. | | | | the way out! |
| Kerameikos Cemetery | | | | The cruise back was very laid back. There was on |
| This one was quite a stunner! Traditionally I was used | | | | board entertainment: live band, comedian, Greek folk |
| to cemeteries being rather solemn places where | | | | dancing etc. I chose to just kick back with a bottle of |
| people come to worship or recollect. Not Kerameikos. | | | | Retsina (Greek wine) and watch the display which |
| In fact, judging by people sitting on gravestones, or lying | | | | was quite pleasurable. Upon arrival, the coaches |
| around in bikinis getting a tan, you'd hardly know it's a | | | | dropped everyone off back at their hotels. |
| cemetery. But you can't fault anyone; no one has been | | | | Dealing with Athenians |
| buried here for over thousand years. | | | | Athenians (or perhaps Greeks) are a one of a kind |
| So against my original feelings, I'd have to suggest this | | | | type of people. Very talkative, not inhibited and most of |
| site as a nice relaxation place: a place to sit down and | | | | all very curious. Now, of course these are my opinions |
| read a book, stretch your legs and relax or just get a | | | | and they are highly personal to what I have |
| tan. Oh... there is a museum here as well that exhibits | | | | experienced, so anyone who disagrees with this view |
| some burial items, gravestones, urns etc. | | | | should bear this in mind. |
| The Ruins of Delphi | | | | This mannerism has proven rather out of the ordinary |
| A visit to Delphi site is an absolute must for any history | | | | on many occasions. Almost everyday, I went to the |
| buff. Plan a whole day for the trip as it is around three | | | | same small family-owned restaurant in Kifissias called |
| hours away by bus or car. | | | | 'Ta Salona'. Besides having good quality food, it also |
| The Temple of Apollo is the main pull of the site. This | | | | had very curious owner. Every night, we'd sit down |
| magnificently preserved temple is where Pythia, the | | | | over a bottle of Greek beer 'Mythos' or a glass of |
| High Priestess of Apollo would be asked to predict the | | | | ouzo (killer stuff!) and discuss where I come from, life in |
| future, and in return she would give very inexplicable | | | | Athens, food, drink... etc. It really made for enjoyable |
| answers (and they weren't always good). | | | | evenings. |
| The Theatre of the sanctuary and The Stadium are | | | | Another example of this extrovert nature freaked me |
| located higher up on the site (approximately 10 minutes | | | | out a little bit. On a couple occasions while walking in |
| walk). Not quite as eye-catching, and can be avoided | | | | the Plaka, I asked a person walking by what time was |
| by those for whom the climb proves too much. | | | | it, or how to get somewhere and after receiving the |
| And of course you cannot miss the Archaeological | | | | answer, the person said 'You want to go to bar, drink |
| Museum of Delphi, which houses the valuable artifacts | | | | ouzo?' Now... I'm sure there is nothing wrong with |
| found at the site. And fortunately it is situated at the | | | | asking someone to go drink with you, but it took me |
| base of the site, so no climbing is necessary. | | | | aback a little bit. Coming from the US, I was feeling that |
| Plaka | | | | if I accepted an offer like this from a complete |
| Plaka is the tourist's heaven. It's very similar to Paris' | | | | stranger, I'd probably end up in a biker-bar, arm |
| Montmarte district. There are hundreds if not | | | | wrestling with a 300 pound guy called 'Bulldog'. A British |
| thousands of modest souvenir stores, taverns, liquor | | | | woman I met couple days earlier on a cruise to the |
| stores, small churches and open air stands where you | | | | islands told me that she was approached a couple of |
| can buy everything from produce to ceramic vases to | | | | times on the street by complete strangers either |
| olive oil soap. It's a place you have to visit on your last | | | | asking her out on a date or making remarks like 'She's |
| day in Athens when you want to load up on cheap | | | | tall! I bet she's real good'. |