Bev and Lester's 2015 European Adventure: Athens overview

I always enjoy cities more the second time around. The first visit, the focus is on finding one's way around and doing all the must-sees. Subsequent visits are more relaxed, exploring local areas. Athens this time was no exception. Stayed in a great Airbnb apartment in a city neighbourhood, where the owner, Dimitris, lived upstairs. Apartment buildings are not particularly inspiring and this was no exception but open the door and there was a spacious kitchen, decent bedroom, large lounge and a good bathroom/laundry, all very nicely decorated and equipped with more than we could possibly use. Space! A washing machine! A clothes line! A really good shower! Bliss!

Visited the outstanding Acropolis Museum, had the obligatory dinner in the Plaka, had bubbles (first time in 3.5 weeks, but who's counting) at 2 amazing bars (Brettos and the Grand Hotel Bretagne roof top bar, on a tip from some clients in Brettos), caught the Metro to Kifissia (the Athens version of Chapel Road) and ate a local restaurant on Dimitris' recommendation. And did 2 loads of washing. And bought some English breakfast tea. Fellow travellers will understand that the latter two are very important and need to be mentioned in a blog.

Despite all media reports, all was fine. Minor political rally in Syntagma Square but ther were more people watching the changing of the guard at Parliament than at the rally. Everything seemed calm although the working Greeks we have spoken to are very concerned about the country and their future (although this is always the case in Greece it seems). Nor were we threatened or pick-pocketed.