The capital of Greece and a magical city steeped in history and home to many must see archaeological sites. One of the seven new miracles of the world can be seen here, the breathtaking Acropolis whos beauty never ceases to take peoples breath away, other historical sites worth a visit are Olympeon which dates back to the cult of Zeus and the National Archaeological museum which holds the largest collection of Greek art in the world. It's not all sightseeing and ruins though, by night it transforms and offers entertainment to suit every taste most of it centered around the theatres.

A Visit to pretty Plaka to wonder around the narrow cobbled streets which are full to the brim with ancient churches, mosques and monuments is highly recommended, if its a spot of shopping then try a trip to Monastiraki where you will find a busy market, shops, museums and traditional Greek tavernas where you can stop by to quench your thirst with a cold beer or snack on some delicious local cuisine.

Offering nearly all year round sunshine, the climate here is one of the best in Europe with hot summers and mild winters which means the beaches here get plenty of use, from small sandy coves to long unspoilt stretches, many of them awarded the coveted blue flag for cleanliness. Unfortunatley many of the thousands of visitors who come to Athens use it as a stop off before heading to other more touristy islands which is a great shame when this island has so much to offer.

The experience of eating out in Athens can be anything from traditional street vendors to the home from home fast food joints, but it would be a shame to leave here before sampling some of the localy prepared dishes in one of the quaint tavernas. Traditional Meze is featured on most menus , followed by a main course of fish or spicy meats served with a fresh green salad and a hunk of fresh crusty bread. If you would rather walk and eat then try the famous souvlaka which is spicy meat, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, french fries and tzatsiki served on a pita bread then rolled then wrapped in paper, thats what you call Greek fast food.

FLIGHT TIME

APPROX 3 1/2 HOURS

PASSPORT INFORMATION

3 months validity on a 10 year British passport from the date of return. Please note that passport and visa information changes constantley so please check with relevant embassy.

CURRENCY

EURO