Greece 2001

Athens

Cecil Hotel

to reserve a room click here

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.

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