Our flights and trains were delayed coming into Athens from Vienna. However, it was all good when we arrived in Athens and checked in at the Hotel Grande Bretagne. We thought the Hotel Bristol in Vienna was p.i.m.p., but it was nothing compared the Grande Bretagne. We arrived at the hotel and were instantly offered an upgraded suite along with a huge fruit platter. After we were personally shown to our room by the concierge, he handed us off to our butler, who was waiting in our room! The butler showed us around the suite, which had a foyer, separate living room, 2 plasma TV's and a 3rd flat screen panel built into the wall over the bathtub! Even better, they had a giant table wheeled in that was loaded up with chocolates and Werther's! The mound of chocolate was obscene! Rack rate: $1300 Euros a night. Our price: free!
Unfortunately, since everything was delayed, we didn't have much time to take in Athens that first evening. From the top floor of our hotel, we could see the Acropolis off in the distance. Our hotel was located in Syntagma Sq., right near Ermou and Monastiraki streets, the main shopping streets connecting the Plaka area with the Acroplis. We took a stroll through town and were surprised by a couple of things. First, since underground ruins were unearthed while building the underground train lines, many of the subway stations have preserved the ruins and are now mini-museums! It was also interesting to see all the gypsies and homeless, who were everywhere. The vendors and restaurant hostesses were very aggressive; it reminded us just a little bit of the (over)eagerness of SE Asians to "help" and "welcome" you. Dinner was fantastic (more on that later...) and we got in early for bed so that we could hit up all the tourist spots the next day.
Here's some pics...
Web loungin' in the hotel room after a long travel day...
Unfortunately, since everything was delayed, we didn't have much time to take in Athens that first evening. From the top floor of our hotel, we could see the Acropolis off in the distance. Our hotel was located in Syntagma Sq., right near Ermou and Monastiraki streets, the main shopping streets connecting the Plaka area with the Acroplis. We took a stroll through town and were surprised by a couple of things. First, since underground ruins were unearthed while building the underground train lines, many of the subway stations have preserved the ruins and are now mini-museums! It was also interesting to see all the gypsies and homeless, who were everywhere. The vendors and restaurant hostesses were very aggressive; it reminded us just a little bit of the (over)eagerness of SE Asians to "help" and "welcome" you. Dinner was fantastic (more on that later...) and we got in early for bed so that we could hit up all the tourist spots the next day.
Here's some pics...
Web loungin' in the hotel room after a long travel day...
