Evripides Hotel in Athens by the Acropolis

Birds I fed at breakfast for no waste

Breakfast bar and lounge area

View of the Acropolis at night from the balcony (604)

This is the hotel I originally booked and we stayed one night. Great service, views of the Acropolis from your balcony at night and a very good breakfast bar that is included in your room rate.

Ask for a room with a balcony view. We stayed in room 604 and it was great. The staff made sure we got an extra good view for having to switch us to another hotel the first night!

There is also free wireless that you can access in your room with a good signal. If you want to call the states while in Greece you can by different phone cards. I learned from a kind vendor( who was out of the at the time) that the best to get is a 6 EUR XPONOKAPTA which just comes on a little piece of paper, so don't be surprised!

Although it is a little scary to get out of the cab because of the graffiti the area is safe. The hotel has a little bar at night on the 7Th floor where you can sit outside and look at the Acropolis. This doubles as the breakfast bar area, very pleasant.

There breakfast consists of breads, fresh and dried fruit, hard boiled eggs, cheese, lunch meats, coffee, juice, cereal, and probably a few more things I overlooked. I also fed the birds so there there was no waste. The bar itself is set up so they waste nothing.

Evripides Hotel Rating

COMMUNITY * * * * * because they are trying to 'come back'

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION * * * * * they do not waste anything!!

(BASED ON A * - * * * * * STAR RATING SYSTEM)

ONE DAY IN ATHENS IS ENOUGH, BUT YOU MUST SEE THE ACROPOIS!!

12 EUR Ticket I think is the best Acropolis Deal

Statue in the lower agora

Detailed view of the Temple of the God of Fire

Temple of Erechtheum

This is the square you will see the Flea Market road to your right

Many people go to Greece and island hop. I would agree that this is a good idea, but you must spend one day in Athens and see the Acropolis. There are a few different ways to do this, but I recommend walking to it, through the Flea Market road, taking a left, and entering the 'lower' ruins. If you purchase a 12 EUR ticket you can see everything and it is well worth it.

If you studied any history of art, you will see some of the most famous pictures of ruins right in front of you!!

The climb up to the very top (Acropolis) is not too easy, so don't wait to go to Greece in your 80's. We were warned that there is a lot of slippery marble steps to contend with too, so be careful! I appreciated the kind ticket takers advice, an American had broken her leg there the day before.

The temples are magnificent and I had a surprise to see one of my most favorite, right on top, The Erechtheum which is a temple to many of the Gods.

There is no food or drink allowed in the area. Yet there are many informed employees to answer questions about the ruins. You can also bring in your own tour guide, which I highly reccommend if you are really interested in the back history and stories behind these ancient buildings.Overall, you are free to wonder and linger where you please. VERY IMPRESSIVE.

If you choose to stay at a more expensive h0tel outside this area, you can take the metro train right to the flea market/plaza area for 3 EUR.

ACROPOLIS COMPLEX RATING

COMMUNITY * * * * *

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION - unrated

( based on a * - * * * * * star rating system)

A SURPRISE YET PLEASANT HOTEL IN ATHENS, HOTEL VIENNA

Vienna Hotel breakfast basket

Aris and his son Haris

We arrived in Athens, ( after a extra long flight - 3 hours on the runway at JFK!!). When we got to our hotel the person from the previous booking was sick and could not leave so we were asked to stay at another hotel for the night and return the next day. They sent us in a taxi a few blocks to Hotel Vienna.

First let me tell you that you will be shocked by the condition of Athens in the tourist area surrounding the Acropolis. Graffiti is EVERYWHERE and some of the buildings are in shambles. It takes a while to get used to, but do not let this scare you away. The area is safe, but I would not suggest going out after dinner in the late night. Most hotels have a bar or lounge for you to visit if you would like.

Hotel Vienna is a very nice family owned hotel. Clean and the staff of Aris and his son Haris are very nice. I thought their names were interesting and asked if this was typical to add a letter for the son. Aris said no, it just turned out like that, but it is common to name his son ( Haris) after the Grandfather whose name was Haropolis, so they shortened it to Haris.

Aris constantly went out of his way to help and advise us. I wud stay there again just because they were so friendly. He was very knowledgeable about local businesses and eateries.

For breakfast they served ( included in the room) a basket of bread, chocolate croissant,OJ, yogurt, and assorted honey and jams pus coffee.)

There was a little too much food which went to waste. I should have taken the extra bread to the pigeons on the plaza, but did not realize yet they would be there.) I would suggest they let you customize your basket when you get to the breakfst room instead of having them already made up.

Hotel Vienna's Rating

COMMUNITY * * * * * Because Aris is so warm and friendly!!!

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION * * * *

( based on a * - * * * * * star rating system)

FOOD WASTED BIG TIME AT JFK

Before leaving for Greece, my friend was hungry and tried to get a small, yet wholesome bite to eat. She looked at Balducci's which has great looking ( and tasting ) food.

I asked of she could buy a HALF of sandwhich, but they do not do this. So she had to get the whole thing and waste food.

I hope they will consider offering some smaller portions. If so I would be happy to update their rating.

COMMUNITY RATING - unrated

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION * *

( BASED ON A * - * * * * * STAR RATING SYSTEM)

I RAN INTO MY HIGHSCHOOL GIRLFRIEND TODAY AT JFK, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES!!!!

Today I ran into Mariana Boyanides at JFK. What a surprise. I will actually be spending more time with Mariana 10 days from now!!

COMMUNITY * * * * *

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION UNRATED

GOOD BYE MANHATTAN HELLO GREECE!!!

AN EVENING WITH MY FRIEND RAMOLA IN MANHATTAN

Last night Ramola and I took a stroll and met the cutest couple, Piglet and Sam, our neighbors. We also saw an incredible amount of merchandise on the side walk for the taking!!! I do love that about Manhattan. We were admiring a butcher block and found a home for it with our new friend Michael. He just rolled it away!!

We also ate at our hang out 44SW. Great food and service. The wait staff are very friendly and I encourage you to stop by the next time you are in Manhattan. I ordered eggplant parmigiana with a side of rigatoni and ate every bite!! Some of the best I have ever had!!

DENISE AND RAMOLA'S EVENING STROLL RATING

COMMUNITY * * * * *

FOOD WASTE REDUCTION * * * * *

(based on a * - * * * * * star rating system)