The best of Athens
Written by: Anita Lišková & Todd Shaw
Photo by: Rene Jakl and archiv
Just mention the name Athens, and one conjures up images of gods and goddesses, warriors and poets. With its ever-present sea and sun, amazing sights, and welcoming populace, the “Paris of the Mediterranean” is a dream destination for pleasure-seekers and business travelers alike.
| Lenka Běláková legal representative, Viamare Favorite hotel: King Jason, 26, Kolonou str. 10437, tel: +30-1-5234 721 Favorite restaurant: Plaka, Traditional tavernas in the old town Favorite night club: Casino Mont Parnes, 1601 Acharne, tel: +30-1-2469 111 Favorite attraction: Akropolis, National Archaelogical Museum, Patission 44 st., tel: +30-1-8217717 Best-kept secret: Lycavittos – café and restaurant with a beautiful view over the Acropolis Favorite shop: Athenian gift shops – Plaka, Kolonaki and Ermou Streets, you can find the best shops there Advice: Remind the taxi driver to turn the meter on! |
| Josef Matějka diplomat at the ministry of foreign affairs of the Czech RepublicFavorite hotel: Athens Plaza Hotel, Vasileos Georgiou A2, Syntagma Square, tel: +30-1-335 2400 Favorite restaurant: Gerofinicas, Pindarou str. 10. tel: +30-1-360 2719 Favorite attraction: Akropolis, National Archaelogical Museum, Patission str., tel: +30-1-8217 717 Best-kept secret: Archeon Gevsis (Tastes of Ancient Greece), Kondratou str. 22, near Karaiskaki sq., tel: +30-1-5239 661, In this restaurant they serve dishes cooked according to ancient recipes Favorite shop: Obchodní ulice Ermou u náměstí SyntagmaThe shopping street Ermou near Syntagma square Advice: Be extremely careful while driving in the rain. Water and dust on the asphalt road mixed with marble rubble create a greasy emulsion and the road surface is like ice. |
| leonidas Zikos import manager, Pemap PřerovFavorite hotel: Grande Bretagne Hotel, Constitution sq. 1, tel: +30-1-333 0000 Favorite restaurant: Taverna Tou Psara, Eretheos 16, Plaka, tel: +30-1-3218 734, I can recommend any of the typical Greek taverns near the Acropolis Favorite attraction: Akropolis, National Archaeological museum, Patission 44 str., tel:+30-1-8217717 Best-kept secret: Lycavittos – A somewhat forgotten place with a beautiful view over Athens. Favorite shop: I can recommend typical small greek shops in Pireum; avoid the big supermarkets. Advice: Do not travel by car into the center of the city, particularly during the rush hours. |
| Emmanouil Emmanouil marketing manager, Fiat GreeceFavorite hotel: Astir Palace Vouliagmenis, Apollonos 40, Vouliagmeni 16671, tel: +30-1-890 2000, Nice sunset by the sea Favorite restaurant: Ithaki, Apollonos 28, Laimos Vouliagmenis, tel: +30-1-8963 747, For a romantic view over Saronikos Favorite night club: Island, Limanakia Vouliagmenis, tel: +30-1-9653 563, best summer shots, Momos and Banana Moon at Kallimarmaron, two winter classics Favorite attraction: Acropolis, Plaka, Lycabettus Hill, Sindagma Best-kept secret: Athens is a very open and lively city, unfortunately there are not many places still remaining a secret. However, you can go to Psirri, a very popular place, but one where you can still discover small and cozy places to sit for a drink without being crowded. Favorite shop: Vardas, Kolonaki 24, Iridotou str., tel: +30-1-7297 900, Karouzos, Prince Oliver, all of them at Kolonaki square, or the same shops in Kifissia, which is a very aristocratic suburb Advice: Avoid going to the center of Athens in the rush hours. It is better to go for a walk in the evening. During the day, I prefer to go for a walk across the shores of Faliro, Glyfada, Vouliagmeni or Voula. |
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Where on the web?
For further information, we suggest the following websites dedicated to Athens:
http://www.worldexecutive.com/cityguides/athens/ – as the URL suggests, this site specializes in helping executive travelers find the best deals on hotels, while offering a perfunctory guide to the city.
http://www.abasefortravelinfo.com/athenscitytourism.html – a bland but useful portal page, where users can find many other related sites with more in-depth info.
http://athens.cybercityguides.com/mainindex.html – an easy-to-use, but somewhat sterile guide to the city, via links in various categories.
http://www.gogreece.com/travel/select.asp?CityID=46 – part of the slightly more hip “go Greece” travel guide series.
http://www.athensguide.com/ – the “Athens Survival Guide” offers the site moderator’s insider tips to places to stay, things to see, and where to eat and drink .
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Business PROFILE
The public sector is a dominant force in Greek economy. Tourism is the largest industry, with turnover estimated at USD 10 billion, accounting for about 8.5% of GDP.
Greece is a key link to the emerging markets in the Balkans and the eastern Mediterranean. As the only EU state in this part of Europe, the country is regarded as a zone of relative economic and political stability within a volatile region.
Greece has the largest merchant marine fleet in the world, with an 18% share of international commercial tonnage. The Athens metropolitan area accounts for most of the country’s industry: tourism, textiles, machine tools and shipping are among the key sectors.
The award of the 2004 Olympic Games is prompting a surge of investment as well as major construction projects to accommodate the influx of visitors.
The working day in Athens is fairly flexible. In general, offices are open 8:30-16:30, although shops and banks may have different hours (smaller organizations still close for a siesta in the afternoon during summer).
Source: www.cityguide.travel-guides.com