Historic Athens

little forgotten monastery, an Ottoman mosque shares space with the remains of a Roman library and a Hellenistic water clock, but what draws visitors today is its bustling bazaars and colourful markets stalls that sell everything from junk and jewellery, bargaining being a fun part of the game there. Nearby Plaka, the oldest settlement of Athens, claims to be the city’s gastronomic centre as every inch of the cobblestoned locale is filled with cafes and taverns serving mostly traditional Greek cuisine which includes the mouthwatering souvlaki and moussaka Friendly Athenians will be disappointed if you leave without sampling them. Both the ‘must-visit’ neighbourhoods are walking distance from Syntagma Square which is the nucleus of Athens today, as Agora was yesterday. Dominating the square is the Greek Parliament House, seen quite often on television during the nation’s economic doldrums. Visitors are drawn to this neoclassical building by its grandness and by the pomp of the changing of guards ceremony that takes place every hour in front of the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, an evocative relief depicting a dying soldier sculpted on the front wall. Guards dressed in their famous uniform of kilt and pom-pom clogs are present day and night, guarding the memorial.

Deriving its name from the goddess Athena, this 2500 yearold city, reached its golden age during the 5th century BC when her intellectual thoughts, scientific ideas and artistic creations gained universal recognition.

Main pic, Top: Jewel of Greece Parthenon

Main pic, Below: Classical age artifacts inside Acropolis Museum

Clockwise: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Evening time at Plaka

The majestic Greek Parliament Building

Athenian statue Temple of Hephaistos Acropolis

Vibrant Monastiraki

Travel noTebook ATHENS

GETTING THERE

Fly Singapore Airlines (www.singaporeair.com) to Istanbul from where Athens is a short flight away with Turkish Airlines (www.turkishairlines.com) or Olympic Air (www.olympicair.com).

ACCOMODATION

The Metropolitan Hotel (www.chandris.gr) with a view of the Saronic Gulf, combines traditional Greek hospitality and luxury. There is shuttle service every hour to Syntagma Square 10 minutes away.

EATING

For traditional Greek cuisine try Maiandros Restaurant (www.maiandros.com.gr) and for a curry change, Indian Kitchen (www.indiankitchenathens.gr) at Syntagma Square.

CURRENCY

Greece is part of Euro zone.

M ORE IN f ORMATION

Check www.visitgreece.gr