Grasshopper

Greece really did get the job done. And I noticed that watching the coverage, and seeing all those friendly, passionate, partying Greeks made me want to return soon.

How about other Fodorites? Do you think that seeing all of this will bring you to Greece in the future? Do you know anyone else who plans to make the trip now?

baldrick

I asked myself a similar question in a different way.
Since the Olympics in Barcelona, Barcelona has become a mayor tourist destination for a 3-4 day visit in Europe. Will the same be happening with Athens?

Wildfire

Unfortunately the olympic coverage showed precious little about Greece or the greeks, at least during the prime time stuff in the evenings. But hearing of all the improvements made in Athens certainly increased my interest in visiting greece.

martytravels

I had never really been all that motivated to visit Greece before the Olympics, but I think Athens and Greece came off looking great. They did a great job, especially in the face of all the media reports that they wouldn't be ready.
I look forward to visiting that beautiful country now. The little features on the athletes soaking up the culture and food, though cheesy at times, made me really want to go.

chepar

I had already decided to plan a visit to Greece for 2006 (yeah, so I plan way in advance) and looked forward to the Olympics to see coverage of the country.

Didn't see much except the same montage of shots every evening at commercial break - but I didn't really expect a travel show.

I wasn't aware of all the planned improvements to Athens for the Olympics until just a few months ago - they are all just a bonus for my trip.

Chatters

I am w/Chepar...ATHENS 2006!! Yes, the Olympic Games and how well they turned out has definitely put me in the mood for Greece.

HEY, LET'S MEET IN GREECE IN 2006!!!!

P.S. I even try to talk my husband into switching Scandinavia 2005 for Greece, but no luck.

pandaschu

I have always wanted to go back, but the media coverage- (notably newspaper articles, as well as the television shots), have bumped it up on the priority list.

baldrick- I hope not.

RufusTFirefly

I have had zero interest in the Olympics for the past 20 years or more. I was an avid fan when it was somewhat less commercial and pro athletes didn't dominate as much as they do now. So this Olmpic event didn't inspire me to visit Greece.

For some reason, I've never been interested in visiting Greece, Spain or South America. I'm especially puzzled as to why I don't want to visit Greece as I'm very much interested in history and deeply involved in archaeology.

Bill_I

Yea, but Rufus T. Firefly, have you ever shot an elehpant in your pajama's? Always wanted to ask that. But seriously, I majored in archeology in school & therefore really interested in it, but I don't have alot of desire to go to Rome (Italy). I would rather see Greece first. But as I was watching the credits of the Olympics & when the acropolis was shown, I was thinking I would like to visit there but maybe not in the near future because it will now most likely become a common destination for many tourists now that the Olympics are over. By the way Rufus, I have no desire at all to visit New York city, don't know why, but everybody has their preferences.

kaudrey

Hi,

Not really. I have already been to Greece, about 10 years ago.

I generally don't plan to return somewhere I've been, at least not yet. I want to see so much of the world, that if I repeat countries and/or states, I'll never get to everwhere I want to go!

Karen

carolyn

"They won't be ready" has made me laugh for a year because the young woman who was our guide to the ancient sites last year said we would be hearing that but they would be ready. She said they might be working until midnight the evening before the opening but that was how the Greeks did things. I'm glad to see that she was correct.

crazymina

I've been to Greece, but only the Islands (passed through Athens). So I'd like to go back, partly due to the Olympics. I miss the food and music more than the sights, actually.

But then, I think of all of the other places I want to go, and Greece falls back down on the list. Oh well!

maitaitom

No, but it did induce me to date a rhythmic gymnist from Russia in my next life.

WanderingTexan

Had no time to watch much of the olympics, but when I was in Athens in June, I thought it was wonderful. (I had not been in about 10 years.) I find the Greeks to be warm and wonderful and Athens was all cleaned up and looked great! I want to go back now and spend more time there again.

Fritz7

It definitly peaked my interest. I thought they did a great job, and the place looked beautiful. I'd skip August and the 100 degree temps. October or April would be the months I go.

milley_5

We will be in Athens October 1st and watching the Olympic coverage (plus occasional related TV programs these last few weeks about Greece) made us so pleased we chose to return again this year.

Maybe not do a trip report this time around as visiting same places as 2003.

I hope everyone who does decide to visit has a wonderful time.

milley

wondering

RufusT and Bill - if you love archaeology you must go to Greece! I teach ancient civilizations and visited Greece for the first time last spring. It was so interesting and not all the sites were even open! (Olympic renovations...) Reconsider...or should I say research it a bit. I cannot wait to return!(And the food is sooooooooo good!)

BowenLinda

CBC TV nightly coverage included little tourist/historical vignettes on Athens, a couple of the islands, dancing lessons, food, etc., which moved Greece up my must-see list, especially Athens. Besides the historical perspective and sunny weather, the Athenian streets looked clean, no smog, and a lot of fun!

KS452

I can't say it was the Olympics that piqued my desire for seeing Greece because, unforunately, I got to view precious little of the games.

What did, though, was a show I watched on PBS a few months ago. Can't recall the name of it but is was one of those "Over-xxx" (aerial cinema set to music) films. It was fabulous. Meteora and Santorini look like bits of Earth touching Heaven.

Yes, I want to go.

billbarr

milley, you mentioned your previous trip report and I've just had the chance to read it.

This is the Athens that I recognise and I am pleased you are returning to have more adventures. Grasshopper's comments in that report last year stand strong today.

Everyone, go and enjoy this city. You surely will.

Bill