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Gastronomy and Shopping
 Athenians, like most Greeks,
view dining out late in the evening as one of their main forms of
entertainment. Literally thousands of traditional tavernas serving
delicious, inexpensive food can be found throughout Athens and Attica. In
addition, there are hundreds of restaurants serving a wide variety of
international cuisine. And of course there is the ubiquitous Greek souvlaki!
Most eating establishments in
and around Athens use excellent natural ingredients from all over Greece.
Delicious grilled fish, salads, baked meat and tasty fruit have a wonderful
fresh flavour. Try specialities such as the wonderful dzadziki, a dip made
from garlic, yoghurt and cucumber, feta cheese served in olive oil,
dolmades, vine leaves stuffed with minced meat, or grilled octopus.
At the lovely little yacht
harbour of Mikrolimano in Piraeus, customers can choose from a number of
excellent seafood restaurants that serve fresh fish, shrimp and lobster
daily.
Athens has an impressive variety
of goods on offer, from top designer labels and exquisite jewellery to rugs,
carpets and high quality leather goods. A large section of the city centre
is now for pedestrians only, making shopping a real treat.
 Ermou has always been one of
Athens' busiest shopping streets and is packed with clothing, accessory and
quality souvenir stores. Nearby Voukourestiou has some fine jewellery shops
and the district of Kolonaki is decidedly chic. In Kolonaki you will find
the boutiques of top Greek fashion designers with successful international
careers in Paris, New York and Milan.
The downtown Monastiraki area
and the Flea Market is one of the most fascinating areas of the city, with
scores of tiny shops selling everything imaginable - souvenirs, copper pans,
icons, ceramics, old coins, battered furniture, bags and shawls, Turkish
swords, folk art, etc.
Monastiraki lies next to the
Plaka, the old quarters of Athens at the foot of the Acropolis. With its
winding narrow streets, neo-classical houses, tavernas, souvenir shops and
old-world charm, the Plaka is undoubtedly one of the most attractive areas
of the city.
Athens has been the choice
of Professional Congress Organisers (PCO's) who
have long ago been aware of the advantages
involved in holding events in the Greek capital.
Advanced infrastructures equipped with the
latest technologies for meetings and congresses,
air and land transport facilities, many greek
luxury hotels --among the best in the world --
and a climate that is very attractive to
congress-goers, are just a few of the factors
that have made Athens a success in this area. |
