Athens pre-cruise questions
 

I'll be cruising from Athens but would like to stay in Athens for a few nights before the cruise departs. How many nights should I stay pre-cruise (2,3, or 4), and which hotel should I select? I am considering the Athenaeum Inter-Continental. Thanks.

We stayed in Athens for 2 nights after our Med cruise - and that was more than enough. First, they are flat out trying to get ready for the Olympics and there was alot of construction going on - watching them "fixing" the ancient buildings seemed kind of bad to me, but ..... Anyway, Athens is a very large city, fairly polluted. They did have really neat museums, and some great tours of the ancient sites. There was also some interesting shopping. I'd stay there a couple days - and then stay a couple days at the end of your cruise - whereever that is. We stayed at the Marriott - which was very nice. I didn't see the Inter Continental, but they're usually very nice.

We've stayed re-cruise in Athens twice and had wonderful stays. We LOVE Athens and all of its bustle, and archaelogy, and fabulous food and shopping and....<BR><BR>We stayed both times at the Intercontinental and were very satisifed with the hotel. It was comfortable and obliging and treated cruise pax very well. Breakfast buffet there was fabulous!<BR><BR>Dinners in The Platka were incredible...we went to one of the higher tiers and chose restaurants that faced down on the Acropolis all lit up at night. Amazing!<BR><BR>If you have the chance to spend three days in Athens, go for it! I don't think you will be sorry.

Hi Liona,<BR><BR>Two full days in Athens will be fine. The Athenaeum Intercontinental is a deluxe property. One of the best in Athens. I also stayed in the Grande Bretagne, a historic hotel, which is similar.<BR><BR>Be sure to see the changing of the guard at the Parliament (next to the Plaka).<BR><BR>Paul

Good Afternoon Liona<BR>I vote for 2 nights at the Grande Bretagne Hotel.Absolutely fabulous!! A part of the Sheraton Hotels Luxury Collection.If you could have a Sunday morning there,have breakfast at the GB Corner Bar and Restaurant.The most luxurious breakfast buffet you can imagine!!

The Grande Bretagne also has a great location.<BR><BR>Paul

We stayed in the Grande Bretagne for 2 nights pre-cruise, and 1 night post-cruise...thought it was fabulous. It has as a great location, within walking distance to just about everything. The hotel is magnificent, a treasure from a bygone era and is a historical sight itself. Many kings and presidents stayed there too. When we were there we saw Gary Hart in the lobby (remember him?). I would suggest 3 nights if you can. There is alot to see and do in Athens.

I see where the Fodors police have deleted the repartee that Paul and I had about this post. I wonder why they chose to delete a post that informed the original poster that the Grande Bretagne Hotel shut down the end of November last year for rennovations and isn't scheduled to reopen until the Spring of 2003? Couldn't be that that might make Paul's post look ridiculous? I would have thought that good information was better than bad.

Peter, Peter, Peter,<BR><BR>Please tell me why you make a statement and then follow it up with some derogatory remark?<BR><BR>When you scolded me you also came down indirectly on Jason and Frank who posted the exact same information. I know you hate me for some strange reason but be civil and keep it to yourself.<BR><BR>If you have something important to add to a thread, just make the statement. Example: FYI The Grand Bretagne is closed for renovations and will not re-open until the spring of 2003. Stop there. No need to add biting comments which will then be pulled by Fodors since I will come back at you. Then your important post is lost.<BR><BR>Paul<BR>

The reason you were scolded is because you're a travel agent and should know better. A person in your business can't afford to pass out misleading travel information because travellers look to you as the professional. Even though this is a travel forum, the advice you give is no different than that you'd give to a client. I assume that before you recommend a hotel to a client, you'd verify that it still exists. Jason and Frank aren't travel agents, and therefore my "scolding" wasn't directed to them.<BR><BR>And before you "scold" me for adding biting comments to my information, you should review some of your recent posts for that very same tendancy; especially when someone attacks your favorite interests like Carnival or ship sponsored excursions. If you'd like, I can post some examples.

Peter, have you been compiling information about me for the past two years in order to write my autobiography?<BR><BR>Paul

I don't need to compile anything. Most of your tendancies show up in about 10% of your posts and since you post twenty a day, its pretty easy for me to get examples of anything. I don't even have to go to page 2 of the posts!