"Oddly enough, the journey began at the bookstore" Athens by SilverVelvet

Athens Travel Guide: 4,403 reviews and 10,114 photos

The book in my hand was "The Colossus of Maroussi."

"If you want to understand my country," Naki said in 2000 from his apartment high in the mountains above Cannes and Nice. "You have to read this book." *

Naki had a French edition in his library, but his mother tongue was Greek. And as luck smiled once more, we were two friends who would once again find ourselves in the same city at the same time. And this year, the city would be Athens. This was the beginning of something great.

( * See "Lightly as the wind blows", a travelogue of Nice, for the complete story of how we accidentally became friends)

Since VT doesn't have locations for each island, I've included everything here for Mykonos, Delos, Naxos, Santorini and Crete.

Beautiful new stories on the way in the travelogues ...

* At last, tourist revenge: How to beat the scammers at their own games
* The Greek passion for life: When they like you, they really like you. But when they don't ...
* The pony at the ATM machine
* The man who forgot to zip his pants
* The morning light at the Samaria Gorge
* Grafitti art in Athens
* Hand painted signs
* Tranquility at Sunset
* Lovers Paradise in Santorini
* God and Greece

Intro Updated Feb 5, 2003
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Reviews (42)

Nightlife (4)

Always keep an open mind. Here's a collection of posters near the Monastriaki metro station in Athens for a concert with... more travel advice

Ruins of Delos Things to Do (12)

According to mythology, Zeus cast his first wife Leto away in favor of his second wife Hera. Leto was pregnant, but... more travel advice

Restaurants (8)

In the morning, the street corners in Athens are alive with venders who sell delicious breads topped with sesame seeds... more travel advice

The Greeks are latenight... Nightlife (4)

The Greeks are latenight people and there's always something on for the evening. To find the brightest and the best,... more travel advice

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Local Customs (4)
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Tourist Traps (1)
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What to Pack (1)
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Off The Beaten Path (2)
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Hotels (5)
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Transportation (1)
Travel between the islands is...
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Comments (98)

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whitecliff62 Sep 3, 2003 at 11:43 AM

Superb Greek pages, one of the best i have seen on v.t.
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manuelEB Jul 8, 2003 at 6:16 PM

Lee: Athens explained by locals, like Andreas, is a jewel stone, but seen it through your writtings is an intense purple orchidea, warm, alive...
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dsantosh May 13, 2003 at 12:36 AM

Excellant phtographs....Nice presentation..lots of nice tips and useful information to a tourist...Superb page...Happy BIRTHDAY
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mrclay2000 Feb 7, 2003 at 6:36 AM

You are easily one of VT's most gifted and capable writers - a perfect combination when applied to Athens.
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zos Jan 25, 2003 at 1:31 PM

wow, a great and different Athens page ! after all, i am happy to be living in Athens...
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Porteplume Jan 16, 2003 at 11:05 AM

Everything is so lovely on this page... Coloured, different, intriguing and so well written! Merci Lee...
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morgane1692 Jan 12, 2003 at 5:20 PM

if the cool kids head to the Acropolis, then so shall we!can't wait to be here in a few weeks, thanks for the advance!
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marishabandb Jan 8, 2003 at 2:29 PM

Beautifully constructed page. Like your style VERY much. I look forward to our rendezvous in Krakow.
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Imbi Jan 4, 2003 at 5:52 AM

Very well written, informative page.
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Sweetberry1 Dec 16, 2002 at 3:00 PM

Athens is beautiful :) Great page and travelogues... ;-)