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THE CITY OF ATHENS IN GREECE
I don't want to spend too much time on the City of Athens. It is not my favorite destination and it is after all not an island, but because a lot of people fly to Athens and start and end their holidays there I wanted to put a little bit of information about Athens on my web site. Athens is large and it's vibrant and off course the city has all the historic sights and monuments that everybody wants to see. On the other hand you could also say that some parts of it are too busy and crowded, noisy and smelly and polluted from the numerous cars that drive around in the city. If you want to go there to check out the Acropolis and the other Greek masterpieces and you want to visit the National Museum than do so, but my advice would be to stay only a couple of days, two or maybe three and then head for an island. Athens has interesting sights but little peace and quiet. You will find most things are more expensive than on the Greek islands: anything from food to a hotel, you pay extra here. If you want to book a hotel in Athens though than don't try to save your money but go for something good and close to the Acropolis. This area around the Acropolis is actually the nicest part of Athens with less traffic and more authentic buildings. This ancient heart of the city is now surrounded by lots of modern concrete buildings where the 4 million inhabitants of the city live. In short: it has nothing in common with the Greek islands, it just has the sights. When I am there I often wonder why all these people want to live all together in such an ugly city, when they have such a beautiful rest of the country and so many beautiful islands. Yes I know: they all have their job here.... Athens is built in a valley surrounded by hills, making it very hot in the summertime, because unlike on most of the islands there is not much wind here. |
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Ava Hotel Apartments and Suites, Plaka, Athens - very high reviews, close to the sights of Athens AVA is a boutique Hotel situated at Plaka, the most prestigious and exclusive area in Athens in the middle of the Historical Centre. It was renovated in 2004. AVA is at the foot of the Acropolis hill, just a few steps away from the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian Arch. Combining a personalised service and privacy with the quality amenities of an exclusive hotel, AVA Hotel offers suites and apartments from 32 to 55 m˛. AVA Apartments and Suites are an ideal base for a short or long-term stay. AVAs friendly and professional staff team is available 24-hours a day and they are extremely happy to help with any requests you may have. Within a 10-minute walk you can reach the Constitution Square (Syntagma), the Greek Parliament and Athens exclusive shopping areas of Ermou and Kolonaki. The AVA Hotel, offers a number of comfortable and spacious Apartments & Suites; all attractively decorated, with high quality furnishings, wall to wall carpeting, balconies or verandas with magnificent views, noiseless central air-conditioning, central heating and deluxe spacious bathrooms. Being self contained our Apartments & Suites are ideal for a pleasant short or long stay in Athens. Check availability and prices & book the Ava Hotel Apartments and Suites in Athens - click here |
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Athens Gate Hotel, Athens - high reviews, central location This fully renovated hotel combines a prestigious location in the historic heart of Athens with modern comforts and state-of-the-art facilities. The Athens Gate Hotel rests under the Acropolis, just 100 metres from the new Acropolis museum. It is also opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus and on the doorstep of the historical Plaka area, offering unparalleled views of the whole of Athens. The Hotel is located in the historic district of Athens, exactly opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Gate which was constructed by the Athenians to welcome the Roman emperor Adrianos (Hadrian). Very easy to access, the hotel is located 500 meters from the Acropolis and 100 meters from the New Acropolis Museum. The Constitution (Syntagma) Square, and the commercial center of Athens are, also, only 500 meters away. The view of the city from the hotel's Roof Garden is possibly the best in the whole of Athens. The hotel was fully renovated in 2007. It's style is modern and simple, as befits the area. The hotel has 7 floors, a roof garden bar and a la carte restaurant, a lobby bar-cafeteria and a cozy area with fireplace in the lobby. It has 99 rooms of which 60 have a Queen bed , 38 are twin bedded rooms and a junior suite with Jacuzzi bath tub and shower. All the front rooms have a view of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the 7th floor back rooms have a view of the Parthenon ( Acropolis). All rooms are equipped with a 27” lcd tv, mini bar, in room safe,hair dryer, direct dial phones, individual temperature control, high speed G6 internet connectivity, some offering bath tubs and some shower. Wi fi connection is available in public areas . Smoking and non smoking floors are available (for how is the question...). There is a meeting room and reception area in the lobby . Check availability and prices & book the Athens Gate Hotel in Athens - click here FOR ALL THE HOTELS, STUDIOS AND APARTMENTS IN ATHENS CLICK HERE |
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Carolina Hotel, Athens - cheapest option in the Plaka district (near the Acropolis) - good reviews Conveniently located by Athens’ shopping district and within walking distance to all the tourist attractions, Hotel Carolina offers clean and comfortable accommodation with complimentary buffet breakfast. The hotel has been renovated in 2004. Hotel Carolina provides accommodation in a variety of sizes to suit the needs of couples or groups. Each room is clean and spacious with modern comforts. Guests can enjoy their breakfast in the hotel’s café, which also serves a variety of drinks. There is also an internet access point available at the café. The prime location of Carolina, close to Plaka, allows guests to be in walking distance to the Acropolis, the National Gardens and the Parliament House. It is also next to Ermou Street, which is the main shopping district. Just a 5-minute walk to Monastiraki and Syntagma metro stations provides easy access to the rest of this historic city. Check availability and prices & book the Athens Gate Hotel in Athens - click here |
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PIRAEUS, GREECE - THE FERRY HARBOUR NEAR ATHENS - Ferry tickets.
Piraeus is the main port of Athens and has been so since ancient times. It once was a town of its own, but has now been reduced to a suburb of the Greek capital. Piraeus lies 8 kilometer southwest of the old Acropolis and most of the Greek ferries start their journey here. Piraeus is quite a large affair, and "unromantic" compared to the idyllic islands, but is is also unavoidable to reach a lot of the destinations. Since it can be chaotic it is not a bad idea to plan a little bit ahead and roughly know what you want to do and where you want to go. Piraeus has three harbours of which the "Great Harbour" on the western side is the largest one. Here all the large car and passenger ferries depart, as well as the hydrofoils to Aegina. Half a kilometer east of this harbour over a hill lies the harbour of Zea, which is mainly a yacht marina, but also the starting point for the hydrofoils and catamarans to the Saronic islands. The last port is called Flisvos, 7 kilometer east of Zea, and is a harbour for excursion boats. Because Piraeus is a commercial town with mainly shipping offices and banks and there are not that many tourist facilities like hotels and restaurants, it is wise to make reservations at a hotel, especially if you arrive late in the evening or in high season and you have to stay here overnight in order to wait for your ferry to depart. During high season rooms tend to be booked out quickly and prices go up, leaving you less or no choice at all. Most of the ferries are more or less grouped according to the islandgroup they go to and most have a regular berth (although this sometimes changes). To be sure you will find your ferry it is wise to always be there some 30 minutes before the departure time. International tickets should be bought as early as possible to avoid disappointment. All international ferries leave from the southern side of the harbour. Also if you travel with a car or if you travel in the high season and want to travel on a special ferry (for instance a very fast one) than maybe it is wise to reserve a ticket ahead. The airport is connected to Pireaus by metro (metro 3, change at Monastiraki station to metro 3 - 60 minutes), by bus or by taxi. For the Cycladic island destinations of Andros, Tinos, Mykonos and Paros it is wiser to travel from the smaller harbour of Rafina. |
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Piraeus Hotels - Hotel Faros 1 - well priced, good reviews, close to the port Hotel Faros 1 in Piraeus, is a recently renovated (2007) hotel that guarantees a flawless service and a pleasant staying. It is situated just a few steps from the center of town, near the port and with immediate access to the public transportation (so close to the metro station). From the hotel you can go by feet to the picturesque Pasalimani and Mikrolimano. The hotel, fully renovated, offers all the modern comforts, such as Internet with adsl for speed. The environment, warm and friendly, together with our loyal staff, offers to the travelers personal service and accommodation. The hotel has got 46 rooms. All of our rooms have got a personal bathroom, air condition, central heating, color TV, telephone and internet access with adsl line. There is a tour desk in the reception where you can make your reservations to the greek islands and we can solve any question you have. THere is a 24 hours reception, a bar and a breakfast bar. Check availability and prices & book Hotel Faros 1 in Pireaus CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE HOTELS, STUDIOS AND APARTMENTS IN PIRAEUS CLICK HERE |
Hans Huisman 2009, www.angelfire.com/super2/greece