The Westin Athens Astir Palace Beach Resort, Athens

The Other Athens

Advantages: fun, charming and diverting city with plenty of interesting things to see and do; great variety of bars and restaurants
Disadvantages: has some shonky areas, may bring you to spend more than you'd like

since been challenged. Why you would want to, I don't know, but it would make for an interesting mediation and negotiation session. As far as accommodation goes, there is an enormous Holiday Inn in the centre of town - if you can't find a room here, you're struggling. But even if they are full, for whatever reason, there are still a few variously scary motels and hotels scattered around. Being a city where the focus is on living rather than touring, the selection may be limited, but it's not a resort town, so if you're after five-star luxury, you're better off somewhere a bit fancier and less student-oriented. The Holiday Inn we stayed at was perfectly adequate - comfortable, reasonable-sized rooms, without being ornate. It's pretty much the standard motel room you'd find anywhere. Not terrific, but not bad either. Athens is ...

adamsputnik 05.06.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Athens

Athens - Haven't You Grown Since I Saw You Last?

Advantages: Vibrant, cheap excellent public transport. Famous historic sites. Eating out
Disadvantages: Not as 'Greek' as it used to be. Poor air quality. The drivers!

the sightseeing bus is only a normal single-decker, not the more usual open-top double-decker. As a bit of a transport fan, it's good to see my old mate the trolley bus in full swing. Some of these are brand spanking new, so Athens' commitment to them is obvious. Some of them are a kind of hybrid, capable of operating without wires. I witnessed a trolley bus lowering its poles, right in the centre of Omonia Square, and then move away down 3rd September Avenue, to the sound of a diesel engine. Athens is yet another city to rediscover trams, and a limited network links the outskirts of Piraeus to central Athens at Syntagma Square and the seaside resort of Glyfadha. Apparently the track is a bit lumpy in places, as it was hurriedly finished in time for the Olympics, although I'd had the best part of a carafe of 'house white' when I tried it so any ...

BNibbles 30.11.2007 (06.09.2008) · Read full review
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Review of Athens in general

Good and bad of Athens

Advantages: Vibrant, lively, good food, great sights.
Disadvantages: Some dodgy bits!

trip, when we were totally shopping and sight seeing fatigued, we headed out to the area known as Pireas. Here we found lovely beaches and clear blue sea. It was beautiful. We had a day on the beach, swimming in the warm sea, and eating at the sea front restaurants. Don't get too excited if you are not a fan of sea food! One last thing about Pireas, and anywhere else for that matter, beware of the taxi drivers. The trip from central Athens to Pireas cost us eighteen Euros there, and eight Euros back. I think the first driver saw us coming! All in all it was a fabulous trip to a city that has a little bit of everything. I think you would need to visit three or four times to see all that Athens has to offer. Will I go back? Well, probably, one day. There are other places to see first. If you've never been, I recommend giving it a try. ...

GF1124 12.12.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Athens in general