The capital of the modern Greece is 4 miles to the sea and surrounded by mountains.  Today the city of Athens in really the linking and combining of many small villages over the years. Each with their own unique features.  Athens like all of Greece is more then its 4500 plus year old civilization and history.  Greece is its people. So as you see the ancient sites and many natural wonders stop and meet the people. THE GREETING IS "YASSOU"

Getting around Athens is an adventure. Buses are cheap and well organized (once you figured then out), Taxis are great but keep you eye on the meter and know basically where you are going.  Best of all is just get out and walk.

POINTS OF INTEREST

DINNING: all of Greece variety of foods and drink can be found in the many cafes and restaurants of Athens. If it is psaria (fish), kalamara (squid) or maybe tsoutsoukakia (meat balls in tomato sauce) or maybe the traditional fast food gyro (meat, tomatoes, cream sauce all wrapped in a peta bread) you will find them all in Athens. 

LODGING: within walking distance to the sites there are numerous places to stay.  Hotels are classified into four standards DELUX (five stars) "A" (four stars) "B" & "C" (three & two stars). Within those groups is "SUPERIOR" which means they are above average within the group. 

ANCIENT & MODERN SITES: the Arcopolis, the temples, the Agora (market place), Keramikos (cemetry), Syntagma Square, the city below the city (subway sites) and numerous Museums.

SHOPS:  You can not visit Athens without visiting the shops. From the Flea Market (a mad house on Saturdays) to Ermou (the 5th Ave of Athens) or the trendy boutiques of Kolonaki Sq.