Awesome
Athens by Ben Cooper
Eternal Athens
Athens is the beating heart
of Greece, a bustling, vibrant center of commerce and culture. Many travelers,
however, come to the city, expecting to use it as a gateway to the Greek
islands. But visitors can't fail to be enthralled by the stunning spectacle
of the Parthenon, dominating the skyline as its sits high up on the Acropolis.
Perhaps the most important
monument of Western civilization, the atmospheric ruins of the temple to
the goddess Athena have crowned the city since the 5th century. Stunning
as they may be, though, they only represent a small fraction of what the
city has to offer.
 Mediterranean
street culture
Bars and cafés dot the
streets, and on warm summer evenings (as is the case throughout much of
the Mediterranean) the streets are filled with the sound of happy diners
and drinkers. Add this to the warmth and hospitality of the people, and
it's easy to see why travelers almost always end up staying on a little
longer than planned.
But no less of a draw to
the many backpackers and budget travelers is the excellent accommodation
in the city. After all this is what makes a stay, isn't it? No matter how
great a place is, if you have to come back to some overpriced fleapit,
it tends to take some of the fun out it.
Athens hostels - cheap prices
And Athens hostels are increasingly
becoming well-known for their quality. Year after year, Athens Backpackers
seems to pick up accolades as one of the world's best hostels. The famously
lively staff entertain guests with barbecues, parties and a generally friendly
and helpful attitude. Even a quick glance at the comments and feedback
generated shows that they're giving people what they want.
But if it's the benchmark,
then the others are not far behind. The Student and Travellers Inn, keeps
cropping up in the guidebooks. With its unbeatable location in the Plaka,
a thriving quarter of the Old Town, guests have some of the best of the
city's nightlife right on their doorstep.
And as is the case in many
other places, the apartment concept is catching on in Athens, too. Athens
Studios - just a short stroll from the Acropolis - has become an increasingly
popular choice for visitors to the city. Its strikingly clean, modern interiors
tend to appeal more to groups and families than the solo traveler.
Ultimately, Athens is a city
full of simple pleasures. Warm sunshine, great food, some of the most amazing
views of any city in the world, and a bed for the night that doesn't cost
the earth... For the traveler on a budget, it's a dream come true.
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