Friday, August 3, 2012

A Vacation in Athens

Ancient, yet avant-garde, charming Athens has been attracting tourists from all over the world for centuries. Its rich history as well as its progressive present has made it a city always on the move; a city to be admired by all. Busy Athens can be an ideal base for your holiday in Greece and besides, a vacation here need not mean having to spend too much money. You can get cheap flights to Athens from almost all major airports in the world because of its strategic location and its importance as a business center.

You can get inexpensive flight tickets to this charming historic city by just booking well in advance and taking the right deals; just keep a watch for British Airways flight deals or discounts in Air France reservations and get cheap tickets to Athens for your holidays. Check out visa requirements for Greece before you book your cheap airline ticket and make sure you have all the required documents.

Where to stay

Once your flights to Athens land at the Eleftherios Venezilos International Airport take the metro or a bus to the city center and check into your lodgings which can be anything from a backpacker’s dorm with surprisingly decent facilities to a remodeled palace depending on your budget. Wherever your stay, you can be assured of good service because hospitality is taken seriously in Greece.

What to do

The Acropolis and its surroundings is usually the first on every tourist’s list of attractions to visit in Athens. This UNESCO world heritage site is an icon of the country and is revered by the Greeks. The Parthenon, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Kerameikos and the ancient Agora are just a few buildings that together form the artistic venue of the Athens Acropolis.

The best way to explore Athens is by foot. From the Acropolis, stroll across to explore the shops and taverns near the city center and experience the Greek pace of life in the capital city. The Benaki Museum, National Art Gallery, the Hammam Baths, Hadrian’s Arch and the Panathenaic Stadium are other interesting sights that line up the tourist track in Athens.

If you are taking your kids along to Athens, take them to the Athens Planetarium and Attica zoological park where they can have fun. The Hellenic Children’s Museum, Allou Fun Park and the National Gardens are also some lovely places for family fun.

Ermou Street and Plaka are the best places for shopping; get your hands on antiques, olive oil and some lovely jewelry. Local eats in Athens are delicious and not to be missed. Try their souvlakis, mezedes, saganaki and koulouri. The Ouzo is the most popular drink here and a must try. Restaurants like Daphne’s and Kuzina are world famous and worth checking out for their authentic Greek cuisine and ambience. Athens comes alive at night; the city’s tavernas in Plaka offer traditional Greek entertainment while newer pubs and bars in Psirri and Gazi can keep you tapping away through the night.

With so much on offer, don’t dismiss Athens as just another historic tourist destination; book your flights to Athens now and experience the wonders of this city.

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