fmax Posted May 28, 2007 #1 Share Posted May 28, 2007 I put my research together from my last Med Cruise and created a FAQ thread that people could add to. I thought I should create similar threads for my upcoming Greek/Turkey ports so will start here with a list of things I have uncovered on these sites. So hopefully you summer cruisers can add to it on your return from the Greek Isles... tell us what not to miss, the must sees and the don't waste your time sites. Any amazing bargains that are not to be missed or previously undiscovered restaurants. Things to do Acropolis museum near the Parthenon that is included in your ticket price Greek and Roman Agoras included in your Acropolis ticket price Panathenean Stadium, where the opening of the Olympics was held Changing of the guards at the President’s residence. Cape Sounion, where the Temple of Poseidon is located. National Archeological museum. Plaka area Syntagma square - change of guards in front of the Parliament building Original 1899 Olympic stadium Ancient Corinth and see the Corinth Canal Drivers/Tours/Getting Around - see following link http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=372168&page=3[/url] Idea of Cost (not sure how current this is) 1.Private Tour: 100 euro total + tip 2.Lunch with beer and wine: 40 euro (tip included) 3.Temple of Poseidon: 8 euro total 4.Acropolis and Agoras: 24 euro total 5.Postcards: 5 euro Purchases soap made with olive oil. Only 1 or 2 euros each! In the Plaka visit Brettos liquor store & distillery (sample Ouzo and Brandy) Soap made with lemon and olive oil and/or made with olive oil and honey. Look for bottles of Feta cheese and Olives in Olive oil. Jewelry Ceramics Websites/Message threads http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=314173 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=126154 http://athensguide.com http://www.greece-athens.com http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=309659 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=328663 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...highlight=info Getting Around Metro: http://www.ametro.gr/akropoli2/start.htm Athens bus tour: http://www.athensguide.com/sightseeing-bus.htm Athens map: http://www.chem.uoa.gr/Location/AthensMap/Athensmap.htm http://www.oasa.gr/greek/transport/P...AIAS1e2005.PDF The train from the port into Athens runs about every 3 minutes Piraeus metro station - every 20 minutes from 5:00-24:00 cost 0.30, The train and metro stations are across the street from the port Buy your ticket at a station kiosk or the automated machine. Punch your ticket in the orange box as you enter the platform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChefPeg Posted May 28, 2007 #2 Share Posted May 28, 2007 More excellent info here. Thanks for doing this research for us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamicourt Posted May 28, 2007 #3 Share Posted May 28, 2007 Thank you very much, this is exactly what I have been searching for, and we are most appreciative of your reasearch and of you putting this on the postings. Happy cruising in Greece and Turkey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eileen G Posted May 29, 2007 #4 Share Posted May 29, 2007 We just returned from Athens and did it all on our own. We had about a 30 min. walk from where our ship docked to the metro station. Just stay along the main road beside the water until you come to a elevated walkway with escolaters to take you up and across to the metro station. Our tickets into Athens were 70 for zone one and 80 for other zones. The trains do come frequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted May 29, 2007 #5 Share Posted May 29, 2007 thanks for this great thread--we will be there in mid Nov 09, what should we expect the weather to be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainmare Posted May 29, 2007 #6 Share Posted May 29, 2007 Correct about the train station, very pretty walk and cost is .70 euro. ATM machine by ferry boats. Eating... try a real gyro from a place with the meat on a spinning spit!!!! (you'll understand what this means when you get to Athens) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbierpof Posted May 29, 2007 #7 Share Posted May 29, 2007 Not to be missed -- Lycabettus Hill! The view of Athens can't be beat from here (I think it's the highest point in Athens). We had our driver, Paul, take us up (there's also a funicular) and it was spectacular. There's a great restaurant (Orizontes -- great mussaca and peach tea) and the pristine white Chapel of St. George (Ayios Georgios). You could see Piraeus, all of the neighborhoods, the Acropolis, just incredible. Here are a couple of websites I found with pictures of and from Lycabettus Hill. http://www.pbase.com/tomich/image/72860342 http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Greece/Prefecture_of_Attica/Athens-426812/Things_To_Do-Athens-Lycabettus_Hill-BR-5.html http://www.catalunatics.com/atour/lycp.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingmimi Posted May 29, 2007 #8 Share Posted May 29, 2007 Fmax, You are awesome! Thanks so much for starting this thread! I will add info that I think may be helpful to others planning a trip to Athens. I hope that we can get a thread going for Istanbul, etc. I have been trying to gather info for our Nov. cruise on Istanbul and Kusadasi/Ephesus. Thanks again. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plane2port Posted May 30, 2007 #9 Share Posted May 30, 2007 How do you get there from the Acropolis or Plaka area? We will be on our own in Athens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giorgosz Posted May 30, 2007 #10 Share Posted May 30, 2007 It's quite a lot of walking and it's uphill too. If you don't mind you can walk it, from Plaka to Syntagma and then to Kolonaki. But i would advise you to take a taxi from Syntagma to Lycabettus Hill Cable Car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papafred Posted May 31, 2007 #11 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I could use some advise on the number of Euros needed for our 12 day cruise. My husband and I will be going on Carnival tours half the time and out on our own the rest of the time. I am trying to itemize the cost of an average lunch, and dinner in euros. Do the restaurants in Rome, Athens, Florence accept credit cards? Thanks, and any input or suggestions are appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmax Posted August 8, 2007 Author #12 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Time Out Athens http://www.timeout.com/travel/athens/intro.html Athens Survival Guide http://www.athensguide.com/ Frommer's Athens http://www.frommers.com/search/search_results.cfm?searchstring=athens%2C+greece&sa=0&x=0&y=0 Frances Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YoPhilly Posted August 21, 2007 #13 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Fmax, thanks for the great links. We're heading there this November and can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amaranthine33 Posted August 21, 2007 #14 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Idea of Cost (not sure how current this is) 1.Private Tour: 100 euro total + tip 2.Lunch with beer and wine: 40 euro (tip included) 3.Temple of Poseidon: 8 euro total 4.Acropolis and Agoras: 24 euro total 5.Postcards: 5 euro You can find postcards for way less than 5 euros, usually around 0.25-0.50 euros. The ticket to enter the Acropolis is also good for the Agora, Tower of the Winds (in the Monistiraki neighborhood), and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (which is right outside the Plaka). If you're going to visit the other three sites then be sure to keep your ticket! Also, if you're looking for good (cheap-ish) food then head to the Kolonaki neighborhood. It has lots of shops (including many high end designer stores) and restaurants and cafes. This area is mostly frequented by locals, so the food is more authentic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmax Posted March 11, 2008 Author #15 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Weather was bad on our cruise in October and we missed Mykonos and headed straight to Athens. This gave us an extra night in athens. We walked to the train station and too the train in. When you come out of the port, follow the road around to the left - probably 1/2 hour walk - and you'll eventually come to a pedestrian bridge over the road, take this over to the station. Trains were clean and system was easy to follow. I'm glad I was able to see Athens at night as it's so much more impressive than during the day. Next day when we went in, again by train, it was raining for the first hour or so but then cleared up and we were able to walk around, stop for lunch, then take the train back. Frances Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan-M Posted March 11, 2008 #16 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Hi Frances, Good timing on resurrecting this thread ... lots of good info for the upcoming Med cruise season! For those venturing into Athens via Metro, this site is a good help: http://www.europeportreviews.com/Athens3.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Traveler Posted March 11, 2008 #17 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Hi Frances,Good timing on resurrecting this thread ... lots of good info for the upcoming Med cruise season! For those venturing into Athens via Metro, this site is a good help: http://www.europeportreviews.com/Athens3.htm I agree - thanks for this information and that on others ports you resurrected, my DW and I will be cruising to the same ports in mid-May - DT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surroundedbyboys Posted March 12, 2008 #18 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Can tickets to the Acropolis be pre-bought? (As the tickets to the Coliseum in Rome can?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Ross Posted March 21, 2008 #19 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Are all attractions open on a Sunday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan-M Posted March 21, 2008 #20 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Are all attractions open on a Sunday? http://www.athensinfoguide.com/open.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amanda blake Posted March 21, 2008 #21 Share Posted March 21, 2008 we have been quoted 530 E for 11 of us...approx 47E pp... to do about 6hrs of private tour... a few of the usual sites..with admission into acropolis with 3 hours of time on our own to shop... need an opionion...is this a fair rate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan-M Posted March 21, 2008 #22 Share Posted March 21, 2008 we have been quoted 530 E for 11 of us...approx 47E pp... to do about 6hrs of private tour... a few of the usual sites..with admission into acropolis with 3 hours of time on our own to shop... need an opionion...is this a fair rate? Is the 3 hours of shopping time in addition to the 6 hour tour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amanda blake Posted March 21, 2008 #23 Share Posted March 21, 2008 no it is part of the 6 hours...what do you think are we being ripped off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan-M Posted March 21, 2008 #24 Share Posted March 21, 2008 no it is part of the 6 hours...what do you think are we being ripped off... It doesn't seem overly expensive, but you will be at the Acropolis for well over an hour, and shopping for 3 hours. That leaves approx. 1.5 hours to fit in the other sites which are all pretty easy to walk to....but it depends on where you are staying and whether everyone is up to walking. Also, if it includes admission into the Acropolis that's worth 12E each (which will cover your admission to some other sites) .... are you on your own once there, or does the driver/guide accompany you? 11 people is a lot to look after and it may be easier for you to go ahead as planned if they all have different levels of ability with walking. But if you are thinking of doing it on your own, here's a map that will give you an idea of the proximity of the highlights (and likely the sights that the tour driver has told you he will take you to): - Acropolis - Ancient and Roman Agoras - Tower of Winds - Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Arch - Plaka - Syntagma Square (changing of the guards) - Old Olympic Stadium - National Gardens ...all are within C2-3 & D2-3 on this map: http://www.chem.uoa.gr/Location/AthensMap/Athensmap.htm I relied on this article for our sightseeing in Athens (and will again when we go in October) http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/greece/athens.htm Scroll down to "Shopping" where he talks about the sandal shop that I think you are hoping to go to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisysmom Posted March 21, 2008 #25 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I am using http://www.athenstaxi.org He charges 250 euros for full day tour buy you pay your own admission to the attractions. He charges by the tour not the person. I don't know if the same rate applies to the mini van that would hold your group as we are going in the Mercedes car. Check the website and email him - he responded very quickly to me and was highly recommended by a few people on cruise critics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.