Historic neighbourhood caught up in red tape snarl

http://www.ekathimerini.com/249319/gallery/ekathimerini/community/historic-neighborhood-caught-up-in-red-tape-snarl?fbclid=IwAR0QMMUWEf3bNqNogGo4pq1rA9nLa_Y_WekjC3tFeZwz5C-M6dodvtjgXkM

Anafiotika is one of my favourite parts of Athens.

Opening day announced for new Goulandris art museum

http://www.ekathimerini.com/238751/article/ekathimerini/life/opening-day-announced-for-new-goulandris-art-museum

I usually spend a day or two in Athens after travelling from one of the islands to Athens.  Another attraction to look forward to.  I went to the Goulandros Art Gallery in Andros many years ago.

Publishing houses in Athens struggle as book stores close down without paying their dues

http://www.ekathimerini.com/220976/article/ekathimerini/community/publishing-houses-in-athens-struggle-as-book-stores-close-down-without-paying-their-dues

Very old, charming – er – thing goes on display in Athens

Very old, charming – er – thing goes on display in Athens | Life | ekathimerini.com

A look back at Clinton’s 1999 visit to Athens | Comment | ekathimerini.com

A look back at Clinton’s 1999 visit to Athens | Comment | ekathimerini.com

"He hailed the vitality and success of the Greek-American community and their contributions to the United States, singling out his boyhood friend from Arkansas, David Leopoulis, “who, after 45 years, still every single week sends me an e-mail about Greece and Greek issues to make sure I don’t stray too far from the fold.” (That last line, with its charming mix of ingratiation and authenticity, was, like several other parts of the speech, ad-libbed.) "

Greek museum's birthday show packed with history | Life | ekathimerini.com

Greek museum's birthday show packed with history | Life | ekathimerini.com

"The biggest and oldest repository of Greece’s archaeological riches is celebrating its 150th birthday with a small but jam-packed exhibition.

Nearly 200 artifacts excavated from all over the country are on show in the darkened temporary exhibition hall of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, spot-lit and blended with music, poetry, and the sounds of waves and creaking ships' blocks."

From its parks and telephone wires, Athens is home to a wealth of wildlife | Life | ekathimerini.com

From its parks and telephone wires, Athens is home to a wealth of wildlife | Life | ekathimerini.com

Taking stock of the capital's 1830-1940 buildings | Life | ekathimerini.com

Taking stock of the capital's 1830-1940 buildings | Life | ekathimerini.com



"It is estimated that more than 10,500 buildings constructed between 1830 and the Second World War currently survive in Athens. These structures, comprising a great variety of styles, make up the Greek capital's architectural legacy. The diversity is such that Monumenta, an urban activist group that has over the past three years documented the vast majority of these structures, claims that “in Athens you can see the most beautiful buildings.”"



There are some beautiful old buildings in Plaka - but some of them are in urgent need of repair.

Hotels in Athens, Greece

Hotels in Athens, Greece



A link to Matt Barrett's guide.  When I'm travelling by ferry to Piraeus I always spend a night or two in Athens.  I started doing this in case there were travel disruptions.  Now I like to have a day or two in Athens, seeing some museums, strolling in the National Gardens.......................

Athens Cheapest and Most Popular European Capital | GreekReporter.com

Athens Cheapest and Most Popular European Capital | GreekReporter.com

Driving in Greece: Simple Rules of Survival on the Greek Roads

Driving in Greece: Simple Rules of Survival on the Greek Roads



When I first came to Greece most of the cars in Athens were Morris Minors. Or perhaps I should say that the only cars that I recognised for Morris Minors!

Matt Barrett's Top 10 Things to Do in Athens, Greece

Matt Barrett's Top 10 Things to Do in Athens, Greece

Travel Bloggers Meet at TBEX 2014 Held in Athens | GreekReporter.com

Travel Bloggers Meet at TBEX 2014 Held in Athens | GreekReporter.com



"The choice of Athens as host city for the event that will take place in October 2014, is an extremely important development for the location and the city’s image in the international tourism and travel market." - See more at: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/03/06/travel-bloggers-meet-in-athens-tbex-2014/#sthash.EgxUiWuL.dpuf

Is Acropolis Museum Losing the Numbers Game? | Greece.GreekReporter.com Latest News from Greece

Is Acropolis Museum Losing the Numbers Game? | Greece.GreekReporter.com Latest News from Greece

"Unfortunately, however, it has become painfully clear that the Museum has failed to attract anywhere near the numbers of visitors that were confidently predicted in the run-up to its inauguration."

The new Acropolis Museum is an excellent museum, I enjoy going there, and I wish it well.   But I'd say that the problem is one of access.   The old museum was on the Acropolis and next to the Parthenon.  You could go to the Acropolis and the old museum in one visit.  I have never been from the Parthenon to the new Acropolis Museum, but I have recently been to Anafiotiki on the lower slopes of the Acropolis and don't remember seeing signs showing the way to the new Acropolis Mueum.  I've been to the new Acropolis Museum several times, and reach it by walking from Plaka.    There is a metro station near the new Acropolis Museum, but that's no use to you if you are on the Acropolis.  There are interesting things to see walking from the Acropolis to the new Acropolis Museum (e.g. the University Museum and Anafiotiki) but you don't want to arrive at the new acropolis Museum so foot-weary that you can't enjoy the museum. 

So for many visitors the choice may be either  / or.  Either go to the acroplis or to the new Acropolis Museum.  I bet most people, if on a first time visit, would choose the Acropolis.

Works of Art in the National Garden | Greece.GreekReporter.com Latest News from Greece

Works of Art in the National Garden | Greece.GreekReporter.com Latest News from Greece

The National Garden is one of my favourite places in Athens.  I usually stay in the Plaka, and like to meander through the National Garden on my way to the Benaki Museum or the Cycladic Museum.  As well as the plants, there is a lake and a small zoo.

ekathimerini.com | ReMap4 brings free art to Athens' public spaces

ekathimerini.com | ReMap4 brings free art to capital’s public spaces

If I was in Athens I'd head along to these exhibitions!

http://remapkm.org/4/

Benaki Museum Director Struggles With Budget Cuts

Benaki Museum Director Struggles With Budget Cuts - NYTimes.com

I went to the Benaki Museum (the main building near Syntagma Square) last month. An excellent museum. But I was surprised to find that on Thursdays there was not only late night opening, but also free entrance. Very pleasant for visitors to the museum, but less good for the museum's finances.

The link is to the New York Times, but I read this article last night, on Amorgos, in the International Herald Tribune.

ekathimerini.com | Michelin-starred Spondi joins ranks of world’s top restaurants

ekathimerini.com | Michelin-starred Spondi joins ranks of world’s top restaurants

Whilst I wish Spondi the best of luck, I don't think I'll be eating there. The " frog legs coated with peanuts and accompanied by a celery and coconut mousse" mentioned in the article doesn't sound like my sort of dish!

Curious, I looked at the on-line menu .  The frog legs starter costs 33 euros.  There is nothing on the menu that I really fancied, regardless of price.  E.g. Venison, Sarawak pepper  /seasoning hibiscus/"Panisse" Chestnut - Celery/ Quince; or Veal Sweetbread - Arabica Coffe "Haiti Kommet"/ Jerusalem Artichoke / Liquorice.  Perhaps these combinations of flavours work well  - obviously the guide inspectors think so!

Greek austerity measures make for a lower-key Christmas in Athens

Greek austerity measures make for a lower-key Christmas in Athens | World news | guardian.co.uk

Thanasis Taverna, Monastiraki, Athens

I've eaten at Thanasis many times.  In more prosperous times I would have added "when there is an empty table".

Most Greek giros are carved off a vertical spit.  Those at Thanasis are made of mince - but very tasty.

Read the review on Kalofagas