Stay in Athens

Not long ago Athens-bound business travellers didn’t have to worry about getting it wrong when it came to choosing an appropriate hotel, there were just three contenders – the Hilton, the Grande Bretagne and the King George – and they were all perfectly serviceable. These days the same travellers could stay in a different and highly individualistic property every night of the week. The newcomers are the Marriott. Meridien. the Astir Palace (part of an 11-strong national chain) and the Inter-Continental managed Hotel Athenaeum.
The increased competition, has also left hoteliers with shrinking occupancy rates. Now they’ll not only welcome you with open arms but offer such moderate prices that the already highly favourable exchange rates to the drachma make dollars, pounds and marks go a long, long way. (more…)

Getting Around in Athens

Athens’ legendary traffic jams persist despite attempts to thin out downtown vehicles with an elaborate system allowing certain number plates in on set days. This is one good reason for steering clear of the car hire scene; another is that rates are higher than in most other European countries – contact Avis, or Budget Rent-a-Car.
The battered yellow taxis that appear to be all over the town at once are difficult to flag down in the afternoon rush hour, between 2pm and 4pm and again from 8pm and 9pm when Athenians are either going home or going out. The good news about the taxis is that they are wonderfully inexpensive. They are also a useful means of finding out about the city as you are very likely to find yourself sharing the ride. You can flag down an occupied taxi and, should it be going your way, you’re off. Astonishingly, there are 15,000 of these taxis, a figure approaching the size of London’s black cab fleet, so sooner or later you’ll get one. (more…)