What is your role and where are you based?
I’m the lastminute.com.au Accommodation Market Manager for Greece, Turkey and Netherlands, based in our London office. Before I started with lastminute.com.au I worked in hotels and museums! Now I dedicate my free time to travelling a lot, and thanks to my job (lucky I know), I was invited to visit Athens this year by the Greek Tourism Board office 🙂
Indeed, I am Spanish born, but I’ve been away from home since 2005! I still keep my Mediterranean culture wherever I go: I speak fast and loud, love drinking red wine, have late dinners (at 10pm!) and of course party until sunrise, hehe. I guess the things I miss the most from Spain are the sunshine, my family and friends and my mum’s food.
Where did this trip take you and why?
This trip to Athens was a combination of business and pleasure. The City of Athens invited myself and other tour operators to get to know the city and all the activities they have to offer. I decided to extend my stay for eight days in order to visit some of my hotels and travel around Greece over the weekend. Luckily for me, some of my contacts gave me an insider’s tour so I got to see hidden roof terraces with Acropolis views, outdoors late night bars and the best cocktail bar in town!
I love Athens and its Mediterranean Culture! As soon as spring arrives, everyone flows out to the dozens of cafes, terraces, bars, restaurants until late hours at night.
The food is amazing! Think olive oil, as a base for everything with plenty of vegetables, chesses, fishes and meat. Don’t miss the wine either. Specially the white wine and of course the liquors such Ouzo or Mastika.
Culture & History! We are looking at almost 3000 years of history; follow the traces of Ancient Greece, Romans, Byzantine times, Venetians and Ottomans.
A visit of the Parthenon and Acropolis is a must
Book a tour around the Agora; stroll around Plaka, Monasteriki and Psirri areas
Contemplate the Temple of Zeus
Seat at Kallimarmaro, the 1896 Stadium for the first Modern Olympic games
Learn about the Parthenon and the parade to the goddess Athina represented in the freeze at the New Acropolis Museum
Of course, don’t forget that Athens is by the seaside, so just take the tram to the coast and your towel and lie down in one of the Aegean beaches near Alimos, Glyfada and Voula.
Where did you stay? Tell us about it
I was lucky enough to stay at different hotels, but I have to highlight my favourites:
St George Lycabettus
Location: Located in the safest and most popular neighbourhood in central Athens, the Kolonaki area, the hotel is close to shops, bars & restaurants.
Vibe: The rooms at this five-star hotel are nice but the views are better (see the picture below , that was the view from room). The service is excellent with great attention to detail.
Food: The best selling point for me was the Bar and restaurant , Le Grande Balcon, located on the sixth floor with views over the city. Enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast with that view was priceless.
Other facilities: They also have a gym and roof terrace swimming poolopen in summer, free for guests, and Spa facilities.
O&B Athens Boutique HotelLocation: Excellent location in the very centre, one minute walk from metro station. Walking distance to Monastiriki, Plaka area, Psirri, surrounded by bars and restaurants, and very close to Agora and Acropolis.
Vibe: The hotel is very chic and trendy. With only 22 stylishly decorated rooms, it feels exclusive. Very comfortable, spacious bathroom with luxury toiletries and the staff were extremely friendly – I really appreciated such personal treament.
Food: Love their focus on organic.
What are your favourite restaurants in Athens?
Orizones Restaurant – Located at the top of the Lycabettus Hill. Take the teleferic to get up tere and enjoy the views!
Michelin starred Restaurant Varoulko – We enjoyed a five course tasting menu plus dessert! Another spot with great views.
Zappio – Located next to the Zappeion Palace, where the Greece’s European Community membership treaty was signed in 1979, we were welcomed by the owner Anna Gilly who looked after us and served us different Greek starters and salads with olives, aubergine, feta cheese, peppers and an excellent white wine.
Nice n Easy, Café and Bio Restaurant – Quirky and super healthy food, with great quality meats and varied and rich salads. Great value.
The Westin Athens, Astir Palace Resort Restaurant – Excellent and well presented Greek cuisine. If you want to find out where the Hollywood stars hide when they come to Athens this is the place! A peninsula with villas, marina, private beaches and not one but three luxury hotels!
What about bars?
Fancy some drinks? Start in one of the outdoors bars in Thission area (Agios Asomaton) and then simply go around the Plaka area, or join the locals in one of the bars at Psirri. Or for a very special and unique cocktail go to Bar 42, Kolokotronis 3. If you’re up for a big night. Athens is well known for its clubs and night life.
Any shopping tips?
Go to the Monastiriki flea market on Sundays, where you will find mostly jewellery, luggage, shoes, sportswear and souvenirs. (And stop for a coffee at the A for Athens).
For clothes and shoes go to pedestrian Ermou Street or popular Athinas Street or if you’re looking for something more exclusive, head to the high street shops in Kolonaki neighbourhood.
What is your best travel tip for visiting Athens?
Make sure you take enough time to explore Athens and its surrounds. I went on a day cruise to the Saronic islands: Hydra, Poros and Aegina.
Look at the food they served us on the boat!
And I reserved another day to travel around Peloponnese: Corinth, Mycenae , Napflio and Epidavros, where the old Greek and Roman theatre featured in the picture below survived after 2500 years.
