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Athens

Understand

Visitors today may be shocked to find a city nothing like they had imagined. A large, overwhelming proportion of the city and its nearest suburbs are subject to bad urban planning and unimaginative 1970s architecture. There are few green spaces in the central areas of the city, and the urban sprawl does an injustice to the city's glorious past.

Athens was just a small provincial village when it was chosen in the middle of the 19th century to serve as the national capital of the modern Greek State. With a prestigious past, the city's political, economic, and cultural importance had declined over the centuries, leaving behind only its classical ruins as a reminder of better times. With the decision to move the national capital from Nafplio to Athens, architects and city planners were hired to build a new city next to the classical ruins, with grand neoclassical homes and public buildings, large city squares, green spaces, and wide avenues. The city regained its importance in Greek civilization, and by 1900 had evolved into a very attractive cosmopolitan city, with abundant neoclassical architecture harking to the nation's past.

The 20th century, however, was not as kind to the city. The city suffered some damage during WWII, and suffered terrible urban planning in the decades that followed, as the nation rapidly industrialized and urbanized. In the 1960s and 1970s, countless 19th century neoclassical buildings were torn down to make way for massive concrete apartment blocks that characterize much of the downtown area until today. The city also expanded outward through rash development, particularly towards the west, as its population grew by absorbing job-seekers from the provinces. With the onset of the automobile, public officials reduced the city's public transportation services without foreseeing the traffic gridlock and smog that would menace the city by the 1980s. Certain areas of the city center, such as Pláka and Thissio districts, retained their charming 19th century architecture but fell into decay, at least to some degree.

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the city's reality led to a rude awakening among local and national officials and -coupled with the country's newfound remarkable prosperity- large scale projects began to slowly regenerate the city and -as much as possible- undo the damages of recent decades. Over the course of the next 15 years, millions of euros poured into new transportation infrastructure projects, the restoration of surviving neoclassical buildings, the gentrification of the city's historical center and the renovation of many former industrial areas and the city's coastline. The restoration of charming neoclassical buildings in the city's historical center has been accompanied by the construction of attractive post-modern buildings in newer districts; both of which have begun to improve the aesthetic essence of the city. Athens today is ever evolving, forging a brand new identity for the 21st century.

Olympic Games
Athens hosted the 2004 Summer Olympic Games which, to the defiance of critics, were a spectacular success. While most of the sporting venues were located outside...



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Hotels in Athens
St George Lycabettus Score 6.925 from 34 reviews
2, Kleomenous Str 6.93/10
In the evening the stylish and modern candlelit lobby will welcome you after an exiting day in the city. Qualified staff are on hand to provide you with unobtrusive service and assistance. During the summer months, the refreshing outdoor swimming pool and health studio will aid your relaxation and re-invigoration. The hotel's function suites can hosts your meetings or gatherings, whether large or small. Use the internet business centre to manage your workload. Sensia Spa is our latest addition to the St George facilities. The concept of this operation focuses on wellbeing and relaxation . The decoration is mostly minimal with Zen elements, creating a space of complete and wonderful calm, with relaxing treatments, steam and body therapies plus a gymnasium with the latest work-out machines. The St. George Lycabettus has everything it takes to organize a successful meeting or conference The hotel offers function suites, conference rooms and boardrooms designed to accommodate both large and small meetings, for groups from two to 280. The Internet Business Centre provides all necessary equipment. For your meeting to run smoothly, we will provide any equipment (please book at least 2 weeks before your conference date). All of the equipment mentioned can be hired on the premises. ... more
 
Glaros Hotel Score 7.475 from 29 reviews
Charilaou Trikoupi 4 7.48/10
Standing in the centre of the city with a view over the port, the hotel is close to the OLP Exhibition Centre. ... more
 
Athens Cypria Hotel Score 7.9 from 9 reviews
Diomeias St 5 7.9/10
Aphrodites Bar (09:00 to 01:00): In a welcoming and congenial atmosphere, Aphrodite's Bar offers a wide selection of tempting cocktails, cold or hot beverages, snacks, salads, ice-cream and sweets. All of this accompanied, of course, by warm and friendly service. ... more
 
Saronicos Hotel Score 7.375 from 133 reviews
44 Peisistratou, Kallithea-Tzitzifies 7.38/10
Our hotel is located in Tzitzifies area, 3 kms from Piraeus port, 5 kilometres from Athens city centre, just one kilometre from the Peace and Friendship stadium and 500 metres from the Faliro Olympic complex. All rooms are designed to ensure a comfortable stay. In the lobby area, you can use high-speed Wi-Fi connection free of charge. ... more
 
Plaza Hotel Score 6.2 from 22 reviews
17 K.Karanmali Avenue, Voula 6.2/10
All rooms contain a 32 inch LCD TV. ... more
 
More hotels in Athens

Acropolis Museum

Open summer: Mondays noon-7pm, Tues.-Sun: 8am-7pm. Open winter: daily, 8am-2.30pm. This museum houses portable objects that could be removed from the Acropolis since mid-nineteenth century.

type:general
address:Acropolis area
tel:01.321.4172


Museum of Greek Folk Art

Tues.-Sun: 10am-2pm. Entrance fee: Dr500. Collection of authentic Greek costumes and collections of pottery, weaving and embroidery influenced by the Middle-East.

type:Museums
address:Kidhathineon 17
tel:01.321.3018


Overnight Tour to Meteora 2 days / 1 night

Meteora, Greece

Drive through Levadia and Arachova en-route to Delphi, where you have a 1.5 hour stop.

You will drive through central towns of Greece like Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala, crossing the Thessalian plain.

This area is considered one of the most beautiful parts of mainland Greece, with it's monasteries built on the top of rock towers and the fantastic views.

Click here for more information and Booking Details


Cape Sounion Half Day Tour 4 hours

Cape Sounion Half Day Tour

Driving along the coastal road past the wonderful beaches of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza and countless caves, one has a splendid view of the Saronic Gulf.

On arrival at Cape Sounion you will be greeted with the magnificent site of the Temple of Poseidon perched atop a small hill. Take in the spectacular views of the Aegean Sea from this well positioned vantage point.

Special Offer - Children aged 12 years and under travel free during July and August - BOOK NOW!

Click here for more information and Booking Details






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