Douglas Easton Travel Blog
May 06, 2009

Athens, Greece

Athens has a reputation for being dirty, smoggy, congested and unattractive. The 2000 Summer Olympics were meant to showcase the city's merits, but did little to convince the world. It is a place most visitors reward with a single day to visit the Acropolis, and then move on. On our past trips to Greece, we have done the same. It was thus with a fairly pre-conceived opinion that we arrived in Athens on our last stop before heading home to Los Angeles.

To our surprise, we soon were forced to reevaluate. On our plane's approach to land, we were treated to a magnificent panorama of Athens' rolling green hills, quaint villages and fertile farmlands. After checking into our hotel, we continued to reassess as we strolled through the delightful area surrounding chic Kolonaki Square. Many of the sumptuous mansions here belong to embassies. Delightful cafes abound, packed with Athenians sipping strong coffee and red wine.

The following morning, we breakfasted on superb Greek yogurt (thick as pudding) drizzled with honey. Thus fortified, we walked to and climbed the Acropolis to gawp at the stunning Parthenon... One can almost feel the ghost of Pericles. The Acropolis offers the ultimate view of Athens and serves as a reminder of one of mankind's greatest civilizations.

After our descent, we meandered through Plaka, the Old Town, enjoying its twisty lanes and attractive houses. Finally, we came to Monastiraki Square, where we pigged out on excellent souvlaki and Greek salad.

On the way home (working off a few bites of the souvlaki), we stopped to have a look at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, the grand old lady of Greek hotels, located on Syntagma (Constitution) Square. There we compounded our caloric naughtiness by impulsively deciding to partake of afternoon tea, replete with many evil pastries. We skipped dinner.

Athens may not be everybody's idea of a holiday destination, but it is no challenge to pass three days here enjoyably.



Past Travel Blogs:
 06/08/10
 09/24/09
 09/09/09
 09/04/09
 08/27/09
 08/09/09
 07/19/09
 04/25/09
 04/08/09
 04/02/09
 03/08/09
 03/06/09
 02/22/09
 02/10/09
 02/04/09
 02/02/09
 11/18/08
 11/12/08
 11/10/08
 11/06/08
 10/30/08
 10/20/08
 09/28/08
 09/16/08
 09/10/08
 09/03/08
 07/06/08
 05/30/08
 05/23/08
 05/11/08
 04/30/08
 04/20/08
 04/13/08
 04/08/08
 02/24/08
 02/16/08
 01/24/08
 01/08/08
 01/04/08
 01/03/08
 01/02/08
 01/01/08
 12/30/07
 12/29/07
 12/28/07
 06/01/07
 05/26/07
 05/22/07
 05/18/07
 05/04/07
 05/02/07
 04/10/07
 04/08/07
 04/03/07
 04/01/07
 03/31/07
 03/30/07
 03/26/07
 03/23/07
 03/20/07
 03/18/07
 03/13/07
 03/08/07
 02/17/07
 12/15/06
 12/13/06
 11/22/06
 11/09/06
 11/04/06
 10/30/06
 10/25/06
 10/18/06
 10/12/06
 10/06/06
 10/03/06
 09/28/06
 09/24/06
 09/17/06
 
Douglas Easton Travel (310) 657-0263 FAX (310) 657-0253 email - info@CelestielleGroup.com