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| Travel Info |
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| Athens, Greece |
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Enjoy an Olympic Size Vacation in Athens
Many people think of Athens to be the birthplace of not only Classical Greece but of Western civilization as well. Here, in this cosmopolitan city, visitors can enjoy everything from traipsing through the Parthenon to wandering through stunning national galleries filled with works of art.
Home to nearly 4 million residents, the sprawling city of Athens is divided into numerous districts. The city itself is bordered by three mountains; Mt. Pendeli, Mt. Parnitha and Mt. Hymettos. Twelve hills provide refuge to the city and offer spectacular views of the Gulf.
Hotels & Resorts
Athens offers a wide range of accommodation options ranging from low-budget to high-class luxury resorts. Be sure to ask about possibly negotiating a discount if you consider one of the budget hotels, as this is usually quite common.
There are also a number of mid-range hotels that offer comfortable accommodations for a decent price; however, it is a good idea to book well in advance as most of these hotels are quite popular.
If you are interested in splurging on your Athens vacation, there are numerous choices including luxury hotels in the center of the city as well as seaside resorts. The Grande Bretagne Hotel is considered to be not only the best hotel in Athens but in the entire country. For spectacular seaside accommodations, consider Astir Palace; known for its fabulous beaches and even better views. The Grand Resort Lagonissi is situated on a private peninsula, offering peaceful seclusion.
Restaurants
There are plenty of dining options in Athens, from fast food, inexpensive options to upscale Mediterranean restaurants. While in Athens, be sure to treat yourself to souvlaki, a regional treat containing grilled meat and vegetables wrapped in pan bread. Souvlaki is available throughout the city, especially in the areas which are popular for tourists.
Attractions
The Acropolis is the most famous attraction in Athens and is a must see if you are planning a visit to the city. There are also many museums and galleries scattered throughout Athens, offering everything from classic Greek art and treasures to more modern collections.
Shopping is also quite popular in Athens, Kolonaki serving as one of the poshest shopping districts in the city. This district is a wonderful area to sit and people watch as well as shop for designer goods to bring home.
Dining & Nightlife
Socialization is an important part of the Greek lifestyle and this becomes quite apparent by walking down any street in Athens. Most of the entertainment districts in Athens do not even think of coming alive until at least 8pm, with the majority of the clubs not opening and livening up until around midnight. The main club district is located in the coastal region of the city; however, you will also find many clubs as well as pubs in the center of Athens.
If you are not into the clubbing scene, consider sitting in one of the popular street side coffee shops that sell the popular Greek coffee drink, frappe. This is a cold coffee drink and is served with or without milk as well as sweet or not sweet.
Historical Attractions
When most people think of the attractions in Greece, the famous ancient landmarks that are located throughout the city come to mind. To be certain, the most famous landmark in Athens is the Acropolis. There are numerous other landmarks throughout Athens as well; however, only ruins remain of many of them. Still, they provide an interesting look into ancient life. Panathianiko Stadium was once the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
Getting Around
If you are flying into Athens, you will arrive at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, which is located 17 miles east of the center of the city. From the airport, you can travel to the city through a number of options. Many visitors choose to take the metro or the suburban railway station. Either option will take you to downtown Athens where a number of hotel establishments are located. There is also a bus line that runs from the airport to the center of town. You can generally expect for the bus to take between 45 minutes and 1 ½ hours, depending on how congested traffic is at the time of day when you are traveling.
Once in the city, you will find that it is quite easy to get around Athens using public transportation. Numerous strides have been made in improving public transportation in the city in just the last decade. If you purchase what is known as an integrated ticket you have the choice of traveling by the metro as well as buses, suburban trains, trams and trolleybuses. You also have the advantage of taking unlimited transfers within a 90 minute period. Daily tickets as well as weekly tickets are also available.
Driving around Athens is certainly an option; however, most visitors will find that traffic tends to become congested easily so many visitors choose to either take public transportation or explore the many sights around Athens on foot. |
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