Talking Travel – Athens

Hello and welcome to Talking Travel Women radio Station's weekly show for travel news from around the world, fascinating guests and answers to all your burning travel questions. With me, Kay Holland. So this week we're off to Athens. The charismatic Greek capital, easily one of the most exhilarating cities right now, is often overlooked by travellers in favor of Barcelona, Berlin, Paris and Rome. Big mistake. Because if good nightlife, bars and fabulous shops are your thing, then Athens is where it's at. So today I'm going to let you in on 10 reasons to book a sun drenched city. Break the Acropolis. There are many, many sites to explore in Athens, but the best is the iconic Acropolis, the greatest symbol of ancient Greece and a wonder of the world. This epic monument towers over the city, though with a history that dates back to 447 BC. And even if you're of the opinion that you're after a holiday, not a history lesson, it's worth climbing the citadel for Instagram worthy views of the whole of Athens. So that's tip number one. Reason number two, the cafe culture. Sure, Athens is home to many blockbuster sites such as the aforementioned Acropolis. But the city isn't about sightseeing per se, but about exploring. It's about wandering around neighbourhoods like Kolonoki and stopping for a leisurely coffee in a people watching cafe. Make no mistake, Athenians have a great and enduring obsession with coffee. Coffee culture brings people out of their homes and into the street cafes. Now, one suggestion from women's radio station would be to indulge your coffee cravings at Da Capo. It has paused. Probably some of the best coffee in the world. Reason number three, you have to go for the bars. Behind heavy unmarked doors lie lively bars with courtyards and secret rooftops. The perfect place for some raucous antics in a city that exudes sheer joy de vivre. So we've got a couple of suggestions. One, clumsies here you can enjoy the most gripping people watching in the world. And my second suggestion would be Drunk Sinatra. Don't be put off. The lines here can be very long, but they're worth it for a mean cocktail. What is probably the hottest place to gather post midnight in Athens? Yes, post midnight bars only close when the last customer has left. So. So you must pace yourself as the nights in Athens along. We probably never made it to bed before 3am this is how Athens rolls. So probably best not to make too many plans for the next morning. Reason number four, the fantastic food. Chances are all this partying will make you feel hungry. But fortunately, food is a passion in Athens. Just ask the locals to recommend their favourite stick spots to start a lively debate. Women's radio station though we can vouch for Nikitas, It's a tried and true taverna in the Pasiri district and it serves reasonably priced and tasty traditional food. This is the place to go to chow down on stuffed vine leaves, baked moussaka, mouth watering mezze feta, Greek fava dipped all mopped up with delicious bread. So good you won't be able to resist munching your way through the whole basket. Trust us when we say you'll fast find yourself slipping into a food coma when in Athens. Tip 5 and the reason to go it's wallet friendly. I mean, what more could you want from a city break? Bargain prices? Well, yes, since you asked. Athens offers those too, so it's great news. For those whose budget is more push bike than Porsche. The cost of a coffee in Athens or a cocktail even is embarrassingly low, especially if you're arriving from London. And so we reckon that a long weekend in sunny Athens would cost you the same as a couple of hours in icy Scandinavia. Tough choice. Tip number six the weather. Now Athens puts out the welcome mat all year round. The city baths in sunshine for the majority of the year. And even if you travel in the height of winter, you can expect temperatures of around 10 degrees. I visited in mid November 2017 when it was T shirts by day and jumpers by night. And what's more, if you do go now, the weather is less stifling than in summer while Going now also whittles down the crowds. Reason number 7 While Athens should be in your bucket list this year, the fabulous accommodation move over dark and dingy hostels, Athens is home to a plethora of accommodation options throughout are worth your time as well as your money. Now I can recommend Fresh Hotel. You can check them out at www.freshhotel.gr. it's a boutique hotel, an affordable one in the hectic heart of downtown Athens. And it's got bright white balconied bedrooms that are perfect for urban explorers who don't like too much fuss. But the real jewel in Fresh Hotels Crown is the 9th floor air lounge bar. It serves up unrivalled views of the floodlit Acropolis together with a decent drinks list. So that's my accommodation Tip Reason number 8 Athens has a creaking calendar of events. This is a city that rarely sleeps. Each month of the year there's something happening somewhere. A festival, a show or an exhibition and often at the same time. I was in town for the Athens Marathon. That's the mother of all marathons whose finish line is in Athens magnificent Olympic Stadium, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. Now, according to legend, the race covers the same ground that the Athenian messenger ran when he brought news of victory from the battlefield of Marathon 2,500 years ago. All of which means that when you run the Marathon in Athens, you run in the very footsteps of the ancient gods and heroes and that gave birth to Western civilization. Reason number nine the Markets Athens Buzzy Central Market is a place of shopkeepers, food sellers, scents, performers. It's remnant of an older, miraculously unspoiled world. This is where you can put your bargaining skills to the test and haggle for spices and this year's olive oil and then make for the famous monastery flea market to barter from everything from books to painting, clothes and trinkets. And guys, even if you come away empty handed, listening to the stall holders sing and shout about their wares is half the fun. And the final reason why you should visit is the people. Athens is made even more inviting by its people who are happy to share their world with you. Charming and hospitable, they always have time to talk. Literally everybody knows somebody who is a friend, who is a cousin who can help you out. 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