My husband and I are thinking about going to Greece (Athens and one or two islands) in mid-July next year. Do we have reason to fear a. that any important part of Athens will be a nightmare or b. that everywhere will be over priced? Thank you !

There have been at least two posts to that effect recently.

For example:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34437198

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34414610

Beyond this, a search of "Olympics" will retrieve for you a sprinkling of other posts.

Best wishes,

Rex

Use a bit of commonsense and avoid the Athens area. If you insist on going close to the Olympics, get on a ferry to one of the islands pronto.

The games start the 13 th of August.
The preolympic tining would be just perfect to visit Athens and the islands for the following reasons:

1/ improved brand new AND operationnal urban transport system(eco-busses,trolleys,brand new taxis, extended metro line up to the airport, new commuting train from airport /athens /up to CORINTH, and brand new tram from Athens center up to the riviera Glyfada )
From mid-june ,private cars will be kept-out from an extended ring around central Athens,museums,and olympic venues.

2/ Brand new hotels or fully renovated with upscale amenities and better value for money.

3/ Superb cultural events .Do not forget ,that a cultural olympiad is organized at the same time.

4/the games return to their homeland,...and this makes the event UNIQUE and HISTORIC.

To Mzani: What do you mean by private cars not being allowed from June forward. Does this also apply to rental cars. Does this ring refer to venues near Piraeus?

The Olympic ring covers all areas of Pireaus(around peace and friendship stadium-Possidonos blvd-syngrou ) , and Athens considered as an Olympic venue or happening .

Private cars including rented ones will be excluded.

Visitors will use the intensive public network as the daily cost will be included in the ticket of the sport or the cultural event.I believe that this is the best solution for smooth/safe and relax transfer without security screenings and parking search...

On the other hand some prices have been published for the fully serviced and equped flats/villas etc...they will vay according to their location and level of confort from 40 euros /per BED up to 100/bed/day.
Sounds reasonable!

Thanks so much for all the help and info. Mzani, does that mean that in July hiring a driver to take us around to the sites would be a waste, or could he still drop us off by the sites and wait? I like to do this the first time I go to a new city to get and overview and see what I really want to explore in-depth. Sounds like the latter.....thanks.

Of course taxi drivers including those special-taxis hired for tours/sightseeings and limos will have access to all areas.
I strongly recommend your idea to hire a driver for the day when discovering Athens and the suburbs:this is the only way to discover the 'gems'and hidden paths that mass tourism ignores