Athens (Greece)

Athens. The capital of Greece, the city where democracy was born.

The heart of the city beats in Syntagma Square, where you can find the Parliament and most of the Ministry buildings. The most famous and historical areas are the Monastiraki Market, Kolonaki Square and Lycabettus Hill.

You can't go to Athens and not visit the Acropolis. If you are keen on learning more about the city, there are a variety of places you can visit, such as the National Archeological Museum, the Ancient Market and the Panathinaic Stadium. At the Monastiraki Market and around Plaka you can find loads of little traditional shops that sell everything from honey to sandals and worry beads.

You will soon discover that each side of the city has its own very distinctive character. The feisty West Side where the people are as scary as they look. The East with the brand new airport and the amazing view. The posh North Side, where you can find some of the best restaurants in the city and plenty of clothing stores. Finally the South, the area that never sleeps. You can find a plethora of night clubs, the famous "bouzoukia", where you will get the chance to break some plates- Greek style!

If you are a bit more adventurous you can expand your exploration and go just a few kilometres outside the city and experience the most amazing contrast. Just next to the posh norther suburbs there are neighbourhoods where people share their front yards with chicken and goats.

What you need to remember about Athens is that the people who live there take immense pride in it and enjoy nothing more than talking about its past glory. So if you want to get an insiders point of view, you don't have to look far, just go into the first cafe you see, order a frape, sit back, relax and enjoy the stories that you are bound to be told by the wise old men in the shop.

During the summer time you can watch ancient Greek plays being performed in the oldest theatres in the world in the original way, meaning in ancient Greek. You might not understand a word but you will definitely feel the aura. But ladies be careful, you will not be allowed in with you are wearing heals, as they damage the fragile marble flooring. If you are lucky enough you will get the chance to see the full moon in August from the Acropolis Hill, usually on that night they open it up, light up the Parthenon and let many many couples have the most romantic night of their lives.