Athens

Here we go again, dashing off for a weekend away, this time we’re off to Athens, our first trip away of 2024 and it’s back up to Heathrow T5, our favorite terminal. We drove through rain all the way up to the T5 long stay car park, where we experienced what was to be the first of our technological ‘glitches’ of the day, the ticket machine at the barrier instructing us to “Please wait” for an unusually long time before eventually opening the barrier to let us in. Nothing serious, just noticeably longer, way, way longer than normal. Once in the car park, we zipped swiftly up the busy lanes before finding an empty space right near to bus stop C just as a shuttle bus appeared. The bus was busy, finding ourselves a couple of seats we settled in and very soon were being dropped off at T5, with the buses onboard information screens being adrift by several stops, in fact informing us that we had already arrived at T5 drop-off even before we’d left the car park. Another of those little technological ‘glitches’. 

Flying out today with just hand baggage, we headed straight for the fast-track line where the boarding pass scanner coughed and refused to let Mrs Y through, again the computer taking an eternity to finally recognize Mrs Y’s boarding pass. Yet another of those technological ’glitches’.

Both of us had had emails advising us that our flight out was going to be delayed, by just 20 minutes, which gave us a little extra time for some lounge activities. Good selection of food in the lounge today and a couple of tasty Manhattan cocktails helped pass that extra 20 minutes rather nicely.

Leaving the lounge we stopped and picked up a couple of Pret a Manger baguettes for later in the flight and quickly found our gate, which was already busy, where they promptly announced that boarding would be delayed due to the late arrival of our plane. Another of those technical ‘glitches’. 

Thirty minutes later we started boarding, now a little further behind schedule. Once on board we were further delayed by a ‘no show’ passenger whose bag needed to be off-loaded. All these little delays eventually meaning we’d missed our initial departure slot, finally, we took off two hours late.

Finnair taking care of the donkey work today, flying us down to Athens on behalf of British Airways who are still short of aircraft apparently. Staff were friendly enough and as we were lucky to be sitting in an exit row, the young steward entertained us with witty and charming procedures for using the door etc. All credit to him for making his job more entertaining!

Grabbing a couple of hot drinks from the passing food trolley, the card machine refused to accept my Mastercard, resulting in the stewardess having to reboot the card machine before I finally had to use Mrs Y’s VISA card to make the payment. Another of those technological ‘glitches’ to add to the days collection! 

Touching down way behind schedule, there was barely a queue at immigration, swiftly exiting through the green lane with nothing to declare, we were soon out of the airport. Spotting the signs for the railway station we crossed the road, took the footbridge and found ourselves in the ticket hall extracting a 3-day tourist metro ticket for which includes return airport trips and unlimited metro use for 72 hours from first swipe, which for this weekend visit fitted in just perfect. 

Changing trains swiftly at Syntagma station and then picking up the red line for Omonia station, a few short minutes later we turned the corner on to Panagi Tsaldari street and found our hotel, Brown Acropol, our home for the next few days. Two security guards on the door were a little frosty, but checking in was a breeze due to pre-checking-in online through an emailed link and riding the elevator clutching our complementary glass of Prosecco, we found our room way up on the fourth floor.  Our room was really nicely furnished in an 80’s retro style with lots of brown tones and very muted lighting. Comfy bed, well appointed bathroom and our toiletries were very nice too, all Olive ERA.

DAY ONE – Felt like we could stay in bed and lay-in just a little longer this morning, perhaps arriving late added to that two hour time change had something to do with it? 

A copious buffet breakfast awaited us up on the 9th floor, with the restaurant giving us superb urban views across Athens. The restaurant wasn’t too busy so we enjoyed an unhurried lazt breakfast.

With breakfast done and dusted we were soon off out in to the Athenian morning to tick off the only things we had on our agenda, the Acropolis Museum and the actual Acropolis and Parthenon. Clear blue skies and a warm sunny morning, well, warm for an Englishman, we decided to walk through the city taking the quiet streets to the Acropolis Museum taking in the tourist shops and enjoying the local area on the way.

The Acropolis Museum was interesting, but we thought it kind of lacked a cohesive direction. But it’s saving grace was the ruins that the museum was built over. Lots of parts of walls and mosaic floors etc. Easy to imagine it being used 2,500 years ago. 

Taking a quick coffee and comfort break before leaving the museum, we crossed the road and had our mobile tickets at the ready to be swiped at the entrance to the Acropolis site. We purchased our mobile tickets ahead of time, using the HEADOUT site, getting them a little cheaper, just £11.13 each and giving us the perk of skipping any queues.

Walking up the hill to the Acropolis and the Parthenon wasn’t too bad. Not too many people around and not too hot either. Taking a few stops along the way for a breather, we finally made it to the top to see the Parthenon and the stunning views over Athens in all directions.

Cultured out for the day, we made our way back to the Monastiraki district and found a restaurant, Omorfi Poli, grabbing a very tasty meal. Seemed like most of the clientele were locals and the waiter treated them all like personal friends. It was so nice to be dining alfresco again! There is something nice about eating out in the sunshine!

Popped back out in to Athens after a brief siesta, hoofing it up to Syntagma Square to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Evzones, still dressed in their winter uniform of tasseled hat, dark blue jacket, pleated skirt, tights and clogs with pompoms, the guards sure don’t look like regular soldiers, but the slow precision in their movements as they change their watch I find totally fascinating.

We spent the evening strolling around Monastiraki District taking in the sites and as the sun set enjoying seeing the Acropolis all lit up. Finally feeling a little peckish we found a cafe, grabbed a couple of sandwiches and a selection of cakes and sat out side on the street, enjoying the warm Athenian evening.

DAY TWO – Slower start this morning, that two hour time shift affecting us worse than we bargained. Our room was also too warm and with the hotel central air conditioning being off for the winter and not being able to open a window due to the traffic noise below, we didn’t sleep too well either.  

Nothing really on our agenda today and after looking at the map we’d picked up at the airport, we took the metro out to Syntagma station, exiting the station, crossing the road in to the National Gardens. The park is delightful and as the day was sunny and warm, we sat and enjoyed the peace and the chatter of the parakeets and simply watched the world go by.

Taking a slow walk through the gardens enjoying the birds and flora we finally exited the park by the beautiful Zappeion building and then crossed the busy road to the Panathenaic Stadium. We loved the symmetry of the stadium and marveled at the construction of all that marble. This stadium was used in 1896 when the modern Olympics was started.

Lunch was taken in Omonia Square, a nearby hotel occupying part of the square where we enjoyed just sitting out in the sun. Eating. Drinking. And again, what a treat to be dining out in the sun!

Taking things easy, looking for a bite to eat, we strolled the streets before finally meeting up with a friend in Syntagma Square who took us up to a bar that overlooked the whole of Athens. It was a chilly evening, but great to catch up and enjoy a drink.

DAY THREE – Our final day in Athens started with another lazy breakfast. The restaurant was busier with weekenders coming in to the city, so we sat at a table outside on the balcony.

Finally checking out of the hotel we took the metro from Omonia station, once again changing at Syntagma for the long ride out to the airport. We must have just missed a train as we had quite a lengthy wait as the airport train is every 30 minutes.

And that was it, our trip to Athens was over! Nice getting to see the blue sky and sunshine this early in the year.