City Breaks - Athens

City Information:

Athens is the capital of Greece and one of the most famous cities in the world, named after goddess Athena. Modern Athens is a bustling cosmopolitan metropolis, home to some 3.7 million people. The Athens metropolitan area is currently growing both northwards and eastwards across Attica and it constitutes the dominant center of economic, financial, industrial, cultural and political life in Greece today. The city is also rapidly becoming a leading business centre in Europe. Athens is located at 38°00′N 23°43′E. Ancient Athens was a powerful city-state and and a renowned center of learning, home of Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum. It is considered to have been the cradle of Western civilisation, largely due to the immense impact of its cultural and political achievements during the 4th and 5th centuries BC on the rest of the then known European Continent. The heritage of the Athenian Enlightenment is still evident in the city, portrayed through a number of spectacular ancient monuments and artworks, the most famous of all being the Parthenon on the Acropolis ("high city"), nurtured by Ictinus, Callicrates and Phidias. The latter is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Classical Greek architecture, still standing as an epic legacy to the West and indeed to the rest of the world. Many of these cultural landmarks were renovated ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games.

Hotel Information:

Apollo Hotel
Athens

Central
45 kms to the nearest airport (eleftherios venizelos)
2 minute walk to the nearest metro station (karaiskaki sq.station)
Close to the station (larissa train station)
2 minute walk to the nearest bus stop

The lobby is medium in size with some seating. The bar is just off the lobby offering a comfortable seating area.

This newly renovated hotel benefits from a great location just of Metaxourghio Square on Achilleas Street at the gateway to Athens. Larissa rail station is nearby, as is the downtown centre of Omonia. The sightseeing attractions of Athens are also not too far, with views of the Acropolis actually available from the hotel's rooftop and upper floor. Metaxourghio metro station is just a 2 minute walk away offering links to the airport (via 1 change at Syntagma Square), Piraeus port (via one change in Omonia).

This fresh new hotel offers a central location within walking distance of most Athens attractions and shopping, as well as being near public transport. A great value hotel.

The rooms are of a fairly good size and have been freshly renovated in earthy neutral tones. Facilities include television, telephone, internet connection, mini bar, electronic safe, and air conditioning.

This is a cream coloured 7 storey building with balconies on all floors.

The medium sized restaurant is decorated in creams, blues and whites offering an airy and light ambience. There is also a bar on the ground floor.

A costumer's review:

"We stayed in this hotel in September on the first night of tour package. We found it to be clean, comfortable and the staff was quite helpful. It is located close to the subways and we loved it. We would recommend this to anyone"

How to get from the airport to the city?

Metro:
The airport is accessible via Metro Line 3
“Egaleo - Athens International Airport”

Suburban Rail:
Athens International Airport is connected to Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis Station) and the port of Pireaus via the Suburban Rail.

Optional excursions:

1. Walking Tour - The Acropolis
Join this walking tour to see some of the most historical sites of Athens.

From: e39 per person

2. Cape Sounion
Pass some stunning beach scenery en route to Cape Sounion, where the great cultures of humanity flourished.

From: e47 per person

3. Athens Half Day Sightseeing
This half day tour gives you an excellent introduction to the highlights, both old and new, of a truly fascinating city.

From: e60 per person

4. City Tour of Athens
This half day city tour will introduce you to the highlights of Athens' ancient architecture as well as the main sights of the new city.

From: e60 per person

5. Half Day Ancient Corinth
A half day visit to the ancient town of Corinth, retracing the steps of St. Paul, will bear witness to the delights of this historic site.

From: e64 per person

6. Athens by Night
Enjoy the beautiful sights of the port by night, then for dinner in a typical Taverna with traditional Greek entertainment.

From: e68 per person

7. Saronic Full Day Cruise
Enjoy a cruise to the Saronic Islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra.

From: e110 per person

8. Delphi Full Day
This full day tour takes us to Delphi, to see the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo.

From: e96 per person

9. Argolis Full Day
Join us on this historical tour to visit the Corinth Canal, the archeological ruins at Mycenae and the ancient Theatre at Epidaurus.

From: e96 per person

10. Thru the Lens - Private Photography Tour
Discover and experience the city of Athens through the eyes of a professional photographer, during this private tour.

From: e320 per person