It has been a while I was thinking of writing on this wonderful city of Athens, Greece. I was here back in 2006 and had pictures but could not find, so there is only one and will dare do a post for Athens for the old times’ sake!! Another of my life’s trails and now in my blog. Hope you enjoy it as I.
First a bit on the country of Greece. Mostly the text taken from wikipedia fyi
Greece officially the Hellenic Republic , and is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to the northeast. The Aegean Sea lies to the east of the mainland, the Ionian Sea to the west, the Cretan Sea and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Greece has the longest coastline on the Mediterranean Basin , and the 11th longest coastline in the world; featuring many islands, of which 227 are inhabited.
Greece is considered the cradle of Western civilization, being the birthplace of democracy, western philosophy, western literature, historiography, political science, major scientific and mathematical principles, theatre and the Olympic Games. Greece one of the most visited countries in Europe in the recent years.
The Greece tourist board: https://www.visitgreece.gr/
Now let me give some info on Athens again mostly from wikipedia as would be unfair to tell my story from so many years back.
Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world’s oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years , and its earliest human presence starting somewhere between the 11C and 7C BC. It was a center for the arts, learning and philosophy, and the home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum. It is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, largely because of its cultural and political impact on the European continent, particularly Ancient Rome.
The heritage of the classical era is still evident in the city, represented by ancient monuments and works of art, the most famous of all being the Parthenon, considered a key landmark of early Western civilization. The city also retains Roman and Byzantine monuments, as well as a smaller number of Ottoman monuments, while its historical urban core features elements of continuity through its millennia of history. The oldest known human presence in Athens is the Cave of Schist, which has been dated to between the 11C and 7C BC. Athens has been continuously inhabited for at least 5,000 years. Athens is built around a number of hills. Lycabettus is one of the tallest hills of the city proper and provides a view of the entire Attica Basin The Cephissus river, the Ilisos and the Eridanos stream are the historical rivers of Athens.
Some of the most interesting areas me think are the Omonoia Square, the oldest square in Athens. It is surrounded by hotels and fast food outlets, and contains a metro station, named Omonia station. Syntagma Square,(Constitution Square), is the capital’s central and largest square, lying adjacent to the Greek Parliament (the former Royal Palace) and the city’s most notable hotels. At Ermou Street, an approximately one km-long (.6 mile) pedestrian road connecting Syntagma Square to Monastiraki, is a consumer paradise for both locals and tourists.
Plaka, lying just beneath the Acropolis, is famous for its plentiful neoclassical architecture, making up one of the most scenic districts of the city. It remains a prime tourist destination with tavernas, live performances and street salesmen. Nearby Monastiraki, for its part, is known for its string of small shops and markets, as well as its crowded flea market and tavernas specialising in souvlaki. Another district known for its student-crammed, stylish cafés is Theseum or Thission, lying just west of Monastiraki. Thission is home to the ancient Temple of Hephaestus, standing atop a small hill. This area also has a picturesque 11C Byzantine church, as well as a 15C Ottoman mosque. Kolonaki is the area at the base of Lycabettus hill, full of boutiques catering to well-heeled customers by day, and bars and more fashionable restaurants by night, with galleries and museums. This is often regarded as one of the more prestigious areas of the capital. Exarcheia located north of Kolonaki, often regarded as the city’s anarchist scene and as a student quarter with cafés, bars and bookshops. Exarcheia is home to the Athens Polytechnic and the National Archaeological Museum.
The Athens International Airport (ATH), locally Eleftherios Venizelos is located near the town of Spata,some 35 km (22 mi) from Athens. The airport is served by the Metro, the suburban rail, buses to Piraeus port, Athens’ City Center/downtown, Liosion and Kifisos Intercity bus stations and Elliniko metro’s line 2 southern terminal, and also taxis. I came in by Nantes, Roissy CDG and this airport and then took taxi to hotels from which I did my walks except taxi to the restaurant below.
The Athens Metropolitan Area in particular is served by some of the most modern and efficient transport infrastructure in Europe, such as the Athens International Airport, the privately run A6 (Attiki Odos) highway network and the expanded Athens Metro system.
The Athens tourist office: https://destination.thisisathens.org/en
A useful private Athens tourist webpage: https://www.thisisathens.org/
As for the memories of my visit in about 2006 to Athens.
I stayed at the Athenateum IHG hotel with a wonderful experience of pampering and good company. Located within 3 km from the Acropolis and close to Metro stations and the business district of Athens, the Athenaeum Intercontinental features award-winning restaurants, a spa centre and a 24-hour gym. The spacious, elegant rooms include marble bathrooms and a seating area. Featuring wooden furnishings, soft colours and carpets. The restaurant located on the 10th floor, offering spectacular views of the Parthenon and the city of Athens. The scenic Old Town of Athens, Plaka, is just 1.5 km away. Ermou shopping area is within 2 km. Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is at 23 km.
The IHG on the Athenaeum hotel: https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/fr/fr/athens/athha/hoteldetail
The official Athenaeum hotel webpage: https://athenaeumgrand.com.gr/portal/
Other than the hotel facilities ,and some quick snacks on the streets around the hotel, I remember went to a fancy resto recommended by taxi from the hotel. You’ll find Strofi in an old mid-war mansion at the foothills of the Acropolis, in the surrounding and elegant suburb of Thissio. The restois at 25 Rovertou Galli. This is the restaurant I had dinner and with view of the Acropolis with a Greek dance show and on which I received the paperweight of Alexander the Great as souvenir of the visit. I am sure many years ago but believe it was this one. Webpage: https://www.strofi.gr/en/
There you go folks, I had to have it in my blog for the old times’s sake of my travels and Athens ,Greece was one of them. Hope you enjoy it and do feel free to tell me your stories on Athens and if know the restaurant!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 