Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Greece : Athens - May 2008

Country Code: Dial for Greece

As the weather warms up in Athens, the city bursts into bloom. This month, several municipalities will be hosting outdoor flower shows and sales, the oldest and grandest of them all in the suburb of Kifisia. As Athena Vorillas finds, everything’s coming up roses

Getting around

The nearest airport is Athens International Airport, 33km southeast of the city.

Bus: Six express bus routes serve Athens and Piraeus. Buses leave from arrivals. Tickets cost €3,20 and are valid for 24 hours on all public transport.
Taxi: You can pick up taxis from exit 3 at arrivals. A journey to the city centre costs from €25 to €36, and takes about 30 minutes.
Tourist information: The main office is at 26 Amalias (tel. , gnto.gr).

SINTAGMA

With its fountains, orange trees and outdoor cafés, Sintagma is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon.

Sleep soundly – There’s plenty of luxury accommodation around here. Try King George Palace or NJV Athens Plaza. For something more affordable, head for the Amalia Hotel.

Culture vultures – Bookworms should check out the 31st annual Book Fair (Dionysiou Aeropagitou Street), which takes place on 8-20 May.

Must eat – Pasaji (City Link Arcade, Voukourestiou, tel. ) does good Mediterranean food. Move to Zonars (Voukourestiou and Panepistimiou, tel. ) for coffee and dessert.

Must drink – Dress up for the opulent T-Palace (3 King George Hotel, Vas Georgiou A Street). Jokers (7 Voulis) pulls in a youngish crowd.

Shop til you drop – Pick up beautiful, affordable shoes at Spiliopoulos (63 Ermou Street).

AMBELOKIPI

Bordering chic district of Kolonaki, this neighborhood has its own roll call of stylish clubs, bars and restaurants.

Sleep soundly – Between the city centre and the northern suburbs, the Zafolia Hotel looks over Lycabettus Hill and has contemporary rooms.

Culture vultures – Look out for Greek New Yorker Stephen Antonakos’ neon installation Procession at the Ambelokipi metro station.

Dance the night away – For classic disco, go to Baraonda (43 Tsocha).

GLYFADA

This bustling seaside district, 30 minutes from downtown Athens, is home to Glyfada Golf Course.

Sleep soundly – The three-star Four Seasons has comfortable, modern rooms in earthy shades of blue and cream. The Blazer Suites Hotel has 28 suites decked out in warm-toned wood.

Must eat – Recently opened, Dakos (26 Zisimpopoulou and Lazarakh, tel. ) serves good Cretan food in a modern setting.

Must drink – Edgy and contemporary, Bourbon (67 Daskaroli) is a good choice if you like your music loud.

Dance the night away – Vinilio (33 Poseidon Ave) rolls out 80s classics.

Shop til you drop – Take the tram to Metaxa Street to explore one of the main shopping districts in Athens – there are dozens of stores here to satisfy every consumer whim.

PIREAUS

Pireaus, with its picturesque Microlimano and Marina Zeas ports, is a seafood lover’s paradise.

Sleep soundly – All bright white stone and blue cladding, the neoclassical Theoxenia Piraeus Hotel looks out over Kefalari Park.

Culture vultures – The recently refurbished Pireaus Archaeological Museum (31 Harilaou Trikoupi) contains artefacts recovered from the seabed.

Must eat – Margaro makes good pan-fried shrimps (126 Chatzikyriakou, tel. ). Try succulent oysters at Dourambeis (29 Akth Protopsalti, tel. ).

Must drink – The port of Microlimano is lined with busy bars. You’ll get a great view from the deck of Istioploikos.

Compiled by Athena Vorillas