Athens, The Modern Ancient City

Well, have u ever heard about Athens?maybe u can see it anywhere in internet and TV, but as a guide, suggesting Athens as ur next primary destination is worth considerable.There are lot of unique places in this town like The Monastiraki flea market. The Monastiraki flea market is the place to be on Sunday when it seems every Athenian is here either buying or selling. You have to get here early because after about 11am the crowd becomes impossible and if you want to take a break there are few tables available at the many cafes and restaurants in the area.

To get there is easy. If you are coming from Syntagma you will be walking down Metropolitan street, past the Cathedral and the square of shiny marble. There is a small Byzantine church in the shadow of the cathedral that you should take a look at called Agios Eleftherios. Nearly every stone of this little church was taken from an ancient building or older church including the stone from Galilee where Jesus changed water into wine. The church used to be called Panagia Gorgoepikofos which means the Virgin Who Grants Requests Quickly and inside is the Icon which they say performs miracles. There are some cafes in the square and this is where Pondrossou street begins. This section of Pondrossou is the high end section of Monastiraki.

Another beautiful place to visit is Kolonaki and Lykavittos. From the National Gardens , if you cross Vassilias Sophias street and continue up the hill from Irodou Atikou past the beautiful mansion that houses the Benaki Museum , you will be in Kolonaki Square, one of the most famous and enjoyable places to sip coffee, watch people and eat in the cafes that line the street and remind many people of Paris.

The neighborhood is full of cafes and expensive shops, fancy restaurants and fancy people and shopping in this area is like shopping in the finest areas of New York or Paris. In the winter giant heaters are placed outside and during the summer they have some kind of hook-up that blows cold air through some tubes into the covered area on the street. During the Greek Civil War Kolonaki and Syntagma were the only parts of Athens not under the control of the communists. Check out the Kioupi restaurant across the street from the Square. It is one of the last of the working-class tavernas in the neighborhood. It's not exactly working-class in the blue-collar sense, but guys in suits and ties work too.