Day After Christmas - Depart for Athens

December 26, 2022, we packed our bags early in the morning and departed the 1st arrondissement where our hotel was. The Les Halles metro stop was right outside of our hotel. We had gone to "sleep" probably around 2:00 am and we were at the metro shortly after 6:00 am. 

bonjour Paris

We'll have to catch the airport cafe

Back at the metro stop taking the RER back to CDG

Laduree welcomes us at Terminal 2

The holiday spirit is still in full swing

macaron for breakfast?

CDG Terminal 2F

Our destination awaits us

On the tarmac about 9:30 am

masked on, ready for take off

Flight was operated by Latvia based on SmartLynx Airlines

Breakfast/snack at about 11:00 am

Landed at Athens International Airport (ATH) at around 2:20 pm local time (1:20 pm Paris time)

We opted to take the bus to our airbnb in the city center, which was the cheapest option. We bought the bus ticket at the booth to the right when we exited the terminal. The fare was something like 5 euro per person one way. Our airbnb was located right at the old town neighborhood of Monastiraki. The bus journey took about an hour and half or so in heavy city traffic. It sure tested everyone's patience after a long day of travel. 

The bus drop off was right in front of the Greek Parliament by the Syntagma Square. We walked the busy Ermou street full of shops and street vendors and made it to our airbnb in the ancient city of Athens just after 4:00 pm.

The busy Ermou Street

No shortage of things to take in

Everyone is out

Somewhere pass Zara on Ermou Street, is the Greek Orthodox Church of Kapnikarea, dating back to the 11th century. It is built over an Ancient Greek Temple and is currently the oldest church in Athens.

Made it to Monastiraki Square where our airbnb is located. The Acropolis is right south of the square

The tiny elevator fits 2 only

View of Acropolis from the balcony

For dinner, we headed to the trendy neighborhood of Psyri just north of Monastiraki. Our choice was Thes "Greek Creative Cuisine" on Taki street. The dining experience was refined and the price was not bad either. After dinner, we strolled around Monastiraki and walked around Hadrian's Library. It is quite unbelievable to see so many ancient sites from Greek, Roman, and Byzantine period all layered together and people just walk pass them like it's no big deal.

The trendy Pysri neighborhood

Seasonal menu at Thes

Greek salad in a more creative take

Seabream from Kefalonia

Pork

Calamari

The bar scene is in full swing

Hadrian's Library

Roman Agora

The Acropolis at night

Nothing better than post dinner Souvlaki

Souvlaki

Busy Ermou street at night

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