Go now: Athens for the Olympics

iVillage recommends:

• Walking from the Syntagma Square through the myriad pedestrianised areas - get lost in them while browsing trinkets and Olympic souvenir shops. Then go up to Adrianou after 9pm when the crowds gather at the bars overlooking the Acropolis. Follow it around past the metro stop where it turns into Apostolou Pavlou (that's Apostle Paul to you and me). Ponder the ancient monuments. Stop for a ouzo. Relax
  
• Having a drink or dinner at the rooftop bar and restaurant of the Grande Bretagne. This chic hotel has an equally chic bar, with a few tables. Fabulous views from the Acropolis to the Parliament Building with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (where the guards with pom-pom shoes and short skirts stand guard) to the stadium beyond
  
• Buying something from an Olympic souvenir shop. Corny, yes. But a nice way to show friends and family back home you were there, even if you don't attend the games. We especially like the graphically-design lapel pins showing different Olympic sports and the baby vests decorated with the bizarre Olympic mascots, Phevos and Athena

Good guides: We like Eyewitness Travel Guides' Athens for all the great pictures, historical info and easy-to-understand maps. It marks pedestrianised areas, which are great for wandering through. TimeOut Athens gives the skinny on hotels, eateries, attractions plus in-the-know tips. For restaurant suggestions, we picked up the English-language Time Out magazine at a newsstand in the middle of town.

Address book

Central Hotel
21 Apollonos
+30 210 323 4357
www.centralhotel.gr/

Filastron
23 Apostolou Pavlou
+30 210 346 7554 or 210 342 2897

Grande Bretagne
Plateίa Syntagmatos
www.grandebretagne.gr/
+30 210 333 0000

Queen Mary 2
Book through Athens 2004 accommodations site