Greece 2001
Athens
Cecil Hotel
39, Athinas
Str., near Monastiraki square
This hotel is quite acceptable
and in a great location. Just a comfortable walk from the Acropolis and the
equally ancient Agora, and between two subway stations, though I'd prefer to
do one less transfer and get off at Omonia and walk from there. At Omonia plaza
is also a friendly upstairs internet place, run by a college professor. Purchase
a day ticket at the airport, and the tourist information counter personnel will
tell you exactly how to get to Omonia. At the Cecil Hotel, Alexandra is an especially
helpful, lovely young Greek woman who runs the counter much of the time. A young
male desk clerk is less supportive, being a typical Greek guy. Their macho attitudes,
especially when young, gets in the way much of the time. The place offers an
acceptable breakfast and will store your baggage while you move around Greece.
The owner is very helpful and friendly. Reservation is necessary. A market and
a post office are nearby, as are many of the sights, souvenir places, and tons
of restaurants, as Greek or as touristy as you choose. Day trips from there
via trains to all of the important places, Corinthos, Delphi, the temple of
Poseidon and of course the incredible Athens National Archeological Museum are
easily possible.
Nafplio
Hotel Byron - Hotel Ilion
Byronhotel@otenet.gr
Tel:22351
The hotel Ilion, where I stayed. The image links you to both of the hotels, and three more just like them.
When I got to pretty Nafplio,
the preferred and recommended Hotel Byron was full. Probably because my friend
Beata got the last single room just before I got there, as I later discovered.
They directed me to another one, just down the street called Hotel
Ilion. This one was definitely a very, very nice second choice. A beautiful
old and renovated building, painted yellow, with rooms decorated in rococco
style. Not my kind of environment, but the bed was good, the room large and
bright, and the bathroom excellent and clean. A fancy place for a reasonable
price. You can negotiate it with and without breakfast. The town is tiny, so
everything is close by. At night, prior to bed, I'd race up the 1000 steps to
the Palamidi Fortress, just for exercise. I'd do that sometimes in the mornings
as well. Explore this lovely town, the brooding fortress, and nearby Epidaurus
and Mycenae, just a short bus ride away. Swim, sail, or hike. The place has
something for everyone and is a bit of a vacation paradise.
