I have to be in Paris on business in late April and when my business is done my husband is meeting me and we're flying to Greece to ultimately visit my father's village town, Dimitsana. For a few days surrounding the visit to Dimitsana, however, we'll be in Athens and I have a couple of questions: 1) does anyone have a suggestion for a moderately priced hotel; and 2) I don't recall that there's one of those "hop on/hop off" tour busses in Athens....am I wrong? Thanks much for any help you can offer. MPD

1)Define 'moderately priced' in dollars or euro
2)Yes, you're wrong. http://gogreece.about.com/od/athensg.../athensbus.htm

mpdevaney,

There is a public sightseeing bus that stops at 20 cultural landmarks and shopping areas.

The sights range from the Acropolis to the Athens Central Market and several museums. It is similar to the hop-on, hop-off tours where you pay a fee and can get on and off the bus as often as you like in a 24-hour period.

Bus stops are blue and scattered along the route the bus takes. Tickets are purchased from the driver for 5 euro and are valid 24 hours.

The buses run every 30 minutes beginning at 7am and ending at 9pm.

We liked staying at the Hotel Cypria, about 3 blocks from Syntagma Square where the airport express bus arrives/departs. Hotel is 3-star, A/C, nice buffet breakfast, walking distance to many sites. Rates are running around 117 euro double for late April. www.athenscypria.com.

we were on a tour of europe and i was madly scribbling notes as we travelled on the coaches through all the famous sites

what i noticed was that as soon as we hit athens i actually had time to rest my pen - there just arent that many sights
yep there're the old favourites but honestly- two days would do it

do go for a walk through the plaka - the old area of athens - that's nice but not much to see really

lanejohann, you ARE joking I hope, or your guide just didn't know/share the info!
There are lots of sites in Athens, if you want to visit quite a few buy a ticket for €12 that gets you into most of the sites, including
Acropolis
Temple of Zeus
Theatre of Dionysos
Ancient Agora
Roman Agora
Hadrian's Library
Karameikos
Besides these sites a climb or ride on the furnicular to the top of Lycavettus Hill gives you an all round view over Athens. Museums are too numerous to mention, the biggest are the National Archaeological Museum & the Benaki Museum. There is the 1896 Olympic stadium, built for the 1st of the modern Olympic Games.
A wander round the oldest part of Athens (Plaka area) is full of shops & tavernas. Ok, it's a bit touristy in parts, but some of the old streets & buildings have an atmosphere all of their own! Some of the archaeology is right in the middle of it too. Adjoining Monastiraki is worth a look as well, a flea market & shops selling all sorts of antique & old things that bring back memories.
There is still more, but without knowing specific interests that's enough to start with!
Hotels: to be central, as most of the previous list is within 30 mins walking distance, try Cypria, Hermes, Plaka, Achilleas, Parthenon, Athos & Central Hotels.

The best areas to stay in Athens are Plaka and Syntagma because they are at walking distance from all the major sites and shopping areas. Here is a link with hotels in different areas of Athens to make your choice according to your budget.
http://www.athens-greece.us/athens-h...y-location.asp

Thank you to everyone for your counsel and guidance....you've been a great help. MPD

Just wanted to echo yiassas' comments and suggestions. We spent 6 days in Athens last year and while that's more time than many people recommend, we still didn't see/do everything we wanted. Athens is a fascinating city and has much to offer for those who want to take advantage of its history, culture and sites.