Athens- A too Short Break

The Plaka, particularly in the evenings is a vibey, fun place to stroll and eat.

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The Location of this hotel is superb. Literally just down the hill from the Acropolis and maybe 800metres from the start of the Plaka, and about the same distance to the Temple of Olympian Zeuss. It is neverthless on a quiet street and traffic noise was not a problem.

The rooms are well appointed with good firm beds, air conditioning and a well stocked (and reasonably priced) mini-bar.

Our room on the fifth floor had a wide balcony and a view of the Acropolis.

Unfortunately there is no restaurant (other than the basic buffet breakfast), but it is handy to the sights and staff are friendly and helpful.

Nothing, you have seen or read or heard can really convey the majesty of this place. From the moment you see it from the base of the hill it inspires you.

It is impossible to walk up the slick Marble steps of the Propylaia, and into the courtyard without wondering what feet have gone before you.

Even with a skeleton of scaffolding the Parthenon is bigger, and more impressive than I imagined it. It is worth considering that the greater portion of the damage to the structure was done as recently as the 17th century, when the Venetians tried to take the city from the Turks.

Take a minute to consider the 'Elgin marbles' too, if you have seen them in the British Museum, how much better would they look here.

The Erechthion, to the north of the Parthenon is much in much better condition. It is supposedly on the site where Poseiden and Athena contested for the city. Athena won. The Carytids (the statues of the woman holding up the porch) are replicas though. The originals are in the Musuem, though one is in Britain (Lord Elgin again).

The Far eastern side of the Acropolis, behind the Parthenon offers magnificent views of Athens towards Lykavitos Hill. Indeed the Acropolis commands a fine 360 degree view of the city.

The Acropolis is open from 8.00am to 8.30pm. We went at about 5.30 in the evening. While still hot, it was not oppressive and there were certainly not the hordes of people clambering for a view we had been told to expect.

A ticket to the Acropolis and also to most of the other archeological sights is 12 euro. It is not date stamped and can be used over the course of a number of days.

Take water because water at the snack Bar inside the fence is exorbitantly expensive.

Watch your step, the paths and stairs can be slippery.

The Plaka is a tourist area, and like tourist areas anywhere in the world there is more than enough souvenir shops. T-shirts, calendars, postcards and dolls are available at almost every second store. This is Athens though and there are also any number of stores offering cheap reproduction of greek art, statues and pottery. Between the tourist shops though there are a few gems offering more substanbtial fair, including a number of original galleries, shops selling Flokati rugs and craft and antique stores. It is possible to wander and browse at your own pace too, without being accosted by tourist touts.

In the evenings, starting at around 7.00pm, the Plaka starts to come alive as a restaurant area, with the taverna's and cafe's all offering al-fresco dining. There can be few better ways to spend a summer evening than people watching from a table in the plaka. Greek wine is cheap and most of the tavernas offer an extensive and inexpensive array of dishes. You would have to be pretty hungry to not get change from 15 euro per person (including wine). It is similar food wherever you eat though so feel free to choose for location.

Children are adored too, so parents needn't feel self conscious.

The Theatre of Dionysus is within the Grounds of the Acropolis at the bottom of the hill on the eastern side. It is a classic amphithatre, apparently the oldest theatre in Athens. The acrved reliefs behind the stage area are particularly interesting.

Just North of the Acropolis and west of the Plaka is the Roman Agora. It is not as large or as evocative as the ancient agora but has the tower of the winds built in the 1st cebtury BC to house a hydraulic clock. The Agora was paved by the emporer Hadrian.

Travel a little further west and you get to the ancient Agora. This was the market and meeting place of ancient Athens, where Socrates taught and Pericles issued proclamations. It is hard not to feel just a little of that history here though the structures are all but destroyed. The Ancient Agora is also home to magnificently preserved.the temple of Hephaestus.