Athens- A too Short Break

Take some time. Give yourself a chance to wander a little. Athens is a warm child friendly city. It will come as no surprise that the Acropolis is a must see, every bit as awe inspiring as you would expect. The 'lesser' archeological sites like the roman and ancient agora and theatre of dionysus are also worth visiting though, and offer sufficent solitude for quiet contemplation.

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

Quick Tips:

Greece is hot, Athens is very hot, and it is a dry baking heat. Take a hat, carry lots of water and consider taking in some of the exposed sights (like the Acropolis) in the evening. Greece is a very good place to travel with children. They are fussed over and their foibles are more than tolerated.

Best Way To Get Around:

We had been warned by everyone about Greek taxi drivers and so had pre-arranged transfers to and from the Airport and ferry. Once at our hotel, and allowing for lots of water it was possible to get around most of the major areas on foot.

The above price is for a triple room, with Bed and Breakfast.

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.

I realise that this review is probably largely redundant. There would be very few visitors to Athens who would not intend to see the Acropolis for themselves. There would be even fewer who would be swayed one way or the other by a review of this type, but I still feel obliged to submit my thoughts.

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 the name given to the tangle of narrow streets and pedestrian ways between the acropolis and Syntagma square.

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.

Aside from the Parthenon and Erechtion on the top of the Acropolis, Athens has a number of Lesser know, and less spectacular Historical Sites that are well worth seeing. A muti site ticket to rhe acropolis and other sites costs 12 euro for adults.

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.