Posts Tagged ‘foodies’
Karen’s Greek Getaway in Athens!
Many more years ago than I care to disclose, I studied Ancient Greece at university but I’d never actually put boots on the ground. Beyond the Acropolis I had little idea of what to expect from modern Athens, so my recent short break there was a real revelation. I think most people’s mental picture of Greece is going to be whitewashed island villages, sandy beaches and crumbling ancient monuments, so it might not be the first place on your list for a city break, but Athens is a fantastic place to explore:
Here are 5 things you need to do in Athens:
Visit the Acropolis. You must! Even the most museum-phobic person will find the scale and detail of the Parthenon impressive. Guided tours are plentiful but you can do your own thing too. Book a timed entry ticket in advance and aim for early morning or late afternoon to miss the cruise ship crowds. There’s an entrance near to the metro station which is much quieter, but has no gift shop or information services so if you’re going free-range bring a guidebook or download a virtual audio tour in advance. Once you’re through the throng of people the views are stunning and there’s room for everyone. Do take water with you and your most sensible shoes: it’s exposed up there – and marble polished over thousands of years by millions of feet is like ice!
Take a trip up Lycabettus hill. This is the highest point in Athens and gives you great views of the city. It’s 277 metres high and the climb is quite steep but there is a funicular to take the sting out of the steepest section if you wish. The walk to the Funicular station will still take you up several flights of stairs but is punctuated by cafes and bars so you can graze your way up the hill, or you can take a taxi. At the top there’s a functioning chapel (weddings are common) and a couple of restaurants as well as an open air concert venue. Well worth checking listings for any concerts while you’re in the city. I’m told the sunsets are marvellous but our lunchtime visit was also rewarding.
Take a wander through Plaka and Monastiraki districts. Fair to say that Athenian architecture probably peaked about 2,000 years ago. The modern city is a real hotch potch of different building styles, but the crooked old town streets of Plaka are fun to explore; and you’re never far from a taverna or a shady square. The flea markets of Monastiraki sell everything you can think of – for tourists and Athenians alike. This is a lively district in the evenings too with some great cocktail bars and live music venues. For quiet respite then the nearby National Gardens are a welcome distraction. Kew gardens it aint, but it is full of shady pines and giant oak trees.
Eat lots! Bring your appetite – Athens has some great restaurants with Greek food alongside international options. We found prices to be refreshingly modest, the quality exceptional and the portions generous. A particular favourite was the Grand Dame Athenian Tavern where we had a memorable dinner alongside plenty of locals – always a good sign. On the same street Cremino ice cream shop is an old fashioned independent scoop-shop with unique flavours and an adorable owner who really cares about the quality and provenance of her products. Some of the flavours are unique to Greece – using ingredients like orchid sap and pine resin. Makes for a tasty treat!
Get out of the city! The nearby port city of Pireaus is half an hour from central Athens by metro and from there you can take a ferry to any number of islands in the Aegean. We went to Aegina on a crossing that took about 1h20. Aegina is famous for its pistachio orchards and is also home to some impressive archaeology, history and beaches. We managed to explore Aegina town, laze on the beach for a couple of hours, visit the Temple of Apollo and eat some delicious freshly landed seafood on our day trip.. and there may also have been pistachio ice cream as well!
Athens might not quite have the romance of Paris, or the swagger of Rome but it really does deliver iconic history, great value for money and exceptional friendliness in a clean, safe-feeling city with an efficient metro system. There’s an awful lot to like!
To find out more about Karen’s visit to Athens or if you’re interested in a similar trip,
give the team a call on 0131 243 8098, send us an email or say hello on live chat.
Karen in The Côte d’Azur!
The Côte d’Azur is somewhere I return to year after year and still find new places to explore each time. For me it’s the perfect blend of beach, city and culture – with the bonus of delicious French food and wine! What makes it even more appealing is their seamless public transport with trains and buses that are user friendly and reliable: No car required. If you’re going for 3 or more days then a Sud Azur Explore pass is a good investment if you want to do some excursions. It’s available from the tram ticket machines at Nice Airport and 3 days currently costs only €35 per person for unlimited travel on trains, trams and buses within the region, including Monaco.
These are some of my favourite day trips to do from Nice or Monaco (which you can do with your Sud Explore Pass):
Eze Village. Perched on a hill above Monaco the hilltop village of Eze is the prettiest place I have ever been to. Take the train to Eze-sur-Mer and then hop on a bus to the topmost village 450 vertical metres above. The medieval village has steep cobbled streets winding up the hill, with plenty of independent shops, art galleries and restaurants to give some respite from the climb.
The very top of the hill is adorned with the flourish of a stunning botanic garden full of cacti and sculptures. If you are feeling energetic, there’s actually a walking trail linking Eze-Sur-Mer and Eze Village: named after the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche who supposedly climbed the trail daily while living in the area while contemplating the relationship between man and nature. It’s an arduous hike – even just walking down, as I did, requires sturdy shoes and plenty of water. Your effort is rewarded with stunning views, and perhaps spiritual enlightenment!
St Paul de Vence is another hilltop village that I love – this one sits just to the west of Nice. A regular bus service goes from the train station at Cagnes-Sur-Mer and winds through villages and vineyards to the fortified village of St Paul de Vence. You really get a sense of the varied history of the settlement – over the course of 1,000 years it has been a place of worship, a border stronghold, an artists retreat and it’s currently a hub of art and culture with independent boutiques, art galleries and restaurants galore. Just outside the town walls is a stunning contemporary art gallery and gardens: the CAB foundation is worth a few hours of anyone’s time.
If you fancy getting further into the hills then an adventure in the Vallee des Merveilles (Valley of wonder) is a day well spent. The train line from Nice is currently closed until the end of 2025 but there’s a regular bus service that takes you through the beautiful hill villages in the Roya Valley to Tende which sits at the top. Alternatively you can come by train from Nice or Menton going via the Italian town of Vintimille. It’s around a 3 hour journey to get to Tende, and the scenery is stunning all along the route. Tende itself is a well preserved medieval village without the tourist numbers that you’ll find in other places. The nearby Mercantour National Park is home to over 50,000 rock engravings that date back as far as 3,000 BC ad and there’s a great museum in Tende with lots of information about the petroglyphs. Have a wander round the crooked streets, enjoy the locally produced cheese and honey and breathe the cool mountain air!
If gardens are your thing then you need to get to Menton. This pretty town has been Italian in its past, and is now just on the French side of the border. It retains a lot of Italian character and is reputed to be the sunniest spot on the Cote d’Azur, without ever getting too hot. This makes it the ideal setting for a beautiful garden and the Jardin Botanique Val Rehmeh is just that! With different sections of the garden dedicated to specific planting themes you feel like you’re on a real journey as you wander through. Top tip though – do put on some insect repellent as the mozzies love to take advantage of your distraction! While in Menton be sure to check out the daily market – foodie heaven! Where Provence meets Liguria delicious things happen. Next on my wishlist is a meal at Mirazur – the Three Michelin star restaurant that was voted best in the world in 2019 and is still innovating.
I could go on.. but my best piece of advice for anyone thinking about visiting the French Riviera is: do it. There’s really something for everyone: history lovers, sun seekers, foodies and shoppers. Take me back there now!
To find out more about Karen’s visit to The Côte D’azur or if you’re interested in a similar trip,
give the team a call on 0131 243 8098 or send us an email.
