Shanna & John's Wedding Website

Athenian Riviera

This was the first site John and I visited during our stay in Athens. It was a hot day in Aug. and we explored the area before meeting up with his cousin for coffee in a cafe that was on top of the Acropolis Museum. Sadly, the museum guards didn't like me taking pictures inside of the museum.

You can explore like we did or take a guided tour. Just make sure to bring bottled water and to start on the South Slope of the Acropolis in order to see both the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herod Atticus on your way up to the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Afterwards, work your way down to the museum for ancient Greek sculptures, the Parthenon Gallery and of course Coffee

During my visit to Athens, I made sure to have John bring me here so I could have coffee in a cafe on what I thought to be the famous steps in Plaka. We walked around the different streets looking at the tourist shops and Cafes looking for my stairs. By the time we finally got to them, John told me to take a picture before we continued on to somewhere else for lunch. Typical John. :)

Besides the labyrinth of alleys filled with tourist shops, cafes and taverns you can also see the following things:

- Hadrians Library

-The Tower of Winds

- The Roman Agora

- The Gate of Athena Archegetis

-Anafiotika

Just remember to wear comfortable walking shoes.

Set over three levels, this cultural space offers visitors an insight into Greek folk art. From handmade Greek ceramics to pastoral art, the exhibition displays traditionally made goods sourced from neighbouring islands.
The real pleasure awaits on the first floor, where you will be transported back in time at ‘H Orea Ellas’ or ‘Beautiful Greece’, a traditional coffee house overlooking the old city and the Acropolis. Ideal for a coffee anytime or a late afternoon meze and ouzo.

If you continue wondering around the gallery space, you will find an impressive collection of vintage posters that showcase the beginning of Greek industrialisation in the late 19th century.

Address: 36 Pandrossou, Plaka Pandrossou Arcade
Opening hours: Daily 9:00am-6:00pm
Tel: +30 210 3216 850

What & Where: Exhibition of Greek folk art, Plaka

Why Go: To see beautiful handmade objects

Dramatically situated on the coastal cliffs of Cape Sounion, overlooking the Aegean Sea, the Temple of Poseidon is one of the most evocative sites of ancient Greece and a top visitor attraction. The magnificent monument dates back to 444 BC, but today, all that remains is a series of gleaming white marble columns, standing proudly atop the cape. (This was a beautiful day trip that we took with and thanks to his uncle, aunt and his cousin.)

By public bus - Approximately 15 €
If you want to get by public transport (Ktel) to Sounio you should get the bus from KTEL Attika Buses stationlocated in Pedion Areos. For more info call +30 210 8 80 80 81. The journey lasts approximately 2 hours and a one-way ticket cost 7€.

The entry in the Temple of Poseidon: 10 € Full, 5 € Reduced / person

Tours: For those that would like to enjoy a tour with family or friends, there are tour options to visit the location as a group:

Half day - Small group tour

Sunset at the Cape Sounion - Half Day Tour

Full Day Trip tp Cap Sounio, Temple of Poseidon and swimming

The Panathenaic Stadium or Kallimarmaro is a multi-purpose stadium in Athens, Greece. One of the main historic attractions of Athens, it is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.

Hours of operation:
March - October: 08:00 – 19:00 last ticket sold at 19:00
November - February: 08:00 – 17:00 last ticket sold at 17:00

Address: Archmidous 16, Pangrati, Athens 116 35

Access: The Panathenaic Stadium is ideally located in downtown Athens, just 1000m from the "Syntagma", "Acropolis" and "Evangelismos" metro stations. You can get there by metro, bus, taxi or even walk.

Metro stations:
Acropolis
Syntagma
Evangelismos.

General info: + 30 210 75 22 984-6
Email: info@panathenaicstadium.gr

Reservation for a group of more than 20 persons, click here

The Olympic Stadium of Athens "Spyros Louis"is a sports stadium in Athens, Greece. It is a part of the Athens Olympic Sports Complex and is named after the first modern Olympic marathon gold medalist in 1896, Spyros Louis. The stadium hosts two of the biggest sport clubs in Greece, Panathinaikosand AEK Athens. The stadium served as the main stadium during the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Address: Kifisias 37, 151 23 Marousi, Athens

Reservation contact:
Tel.: +30 210 6834021
Email: info@oaka.com.gr

The Olympic Athletic Center of Athens ‘Spiros Louis’ is open for site tours by organized groups (of over 15 visitors).

For more information, contact the Department of Public and International Relations (+30 210 6834777).

Access:
The stadium can be reached by metro. Stations Irini and Neratziotissa on line M1 lie at close distance from the Olympic complex. Line M1 runs straight through Athens city centre.

The Presidential Mansion is the place to be to see a Changing the Guard ceremony in Athens, Greece.
Changing of the Guard ceremonies take place at the Presidential Mansion and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is off Syntagma Square below the Hellenic Parliament.

The Changing the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in particular has become a popular tourist attraction in Athens

Time: Every hour in the day
Official ceremony: Every Sunday at 11am
Location: Leoforos Vasilisis Amalias 133, Athina 105 57

- You can come here during the afternoon for coffee or go swimming in the lakes brackish waters, rich in salts and minerals for a natural spa experience. The lake does contain the Garra Rufa fish, commonly known as the spa fish because they will feed on your dead skin cells.

- You can always come at night like John, his cousin and I did for drinks. The Lake was all lit and we sat at the tables near the edge drinking whiskey.

- We paid to enter when we arrived, but I don't know how it is in the day. You might need to call ahead to see if you should pay online or when you get there.

The most historical neighbourhood of Athens city centre, Plaka, also known as the “neighborhood of the Gods”, is full of shops for all sorts of things. Walking on the marble streets you can spend an entire day visiting shops, selling from T-shirts to dried fruits, ouzo (the traditional Greek drink), bags and tons of souvenirs. Some of them are more traditional and touristic, while others, such as Flâneur and Foget Me Not, are modern and sophisticated.
Prices are more or less fair. Tip: try to negotiate the price of the souvenirs. You may get a better price when buying more than one item.
Also, don’t miss to visit Monastiraki Market, preferably on Sundays that the antiquities market is open.

Google Maps Link Monastiraki

Find the most iconic brands up to 70% off in McArthuer Glen, the first designer outlet in Greece. Apart from more than 100 boutiques, there you will find cafes and restaurants, as well as free parking.
You can get there by public transport if you take the bus 319 from Doukissis Plakentias Metro Station. Otherwise, it is approximately 30 minutes drive from the city centre. This translates to around 28€ if you go by taxi. The outlet is relatively close to the airport, so you can also go from there on the first or the last day of your trip to Athens.

Location on Google Maps

If you like malls, then think about visiting the “The Mall Athens”, as it is large, has a nice atmosphere and houses many shops and global brands from clothing to house wear. It also has a cinema, as well as a fair number of cafes and restaurants. One more good thing about it is that it is next to Nerantziotissa metro station. On Saturdays it is usually packed with people, as it is a preferred place for visit with kids. Shops are open
Monday – Sunday, 10:00 – 21:00.

Tip: If you reach The Mall Athens by car, you can leave your car at the parking of 2,100 places. Rates are 1.5€ per hour, 4.5€ for the whole day and 3€ for the whole day on Sundays.

Location on Google Maps

The rival of Kifissia, at the northern suburbs, regarding shopping is Glyfada, at the southern suburbs, one of the most important and well-known markets of Attica. At the streets around the tram rails develops the commercial activity with well-known stores and luxurious items, boutiques, jewelry stores, expensive clothes stores, shows and cosmetics. Metaxas Ave is the main drag with perpendicular and parallel streets lined with all kinds of shops. From the typical H&M, Zara types to high end, couture boutiques. Hondos Center is the largest department store and if you are looking for shopping of the edible persuasion.

Location on Google Maps

Located in Marina Vouliagmenis, Moorings Café | Bar | Restaurant stands with its elegant and discreet style as the most popular meeting point of Southern suburbs.
Fully renovated, is the ideal place to enjoy daily a coffee, meal, dinner or cocktail from early in the morning until late in the evening. Combining exceptionally the panoramic view of Vouliagmenis natural landscape and the glamorous environment of the yachts, Moorings offers its guests a feeling of both calmness and relaxation.

Contact information:
Tel: +30 210 9670659
Tel: +30 210 8961310
Email: info@moorings.gr

Home of the world famous Nobu cuisine, the restaurant Matsuhisa Athens has brought the quiet power of Japanese culture and the charm of fusion philosophy to the gastronomic map of Athens. Beautifully nested in one of the city’s most stylish and scenic locations, the Astir Palace complex, Matsuhisa Athens promises an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
Designed by the famous Rockwell Group from New York, Matsuhisa Athens, with its minimal and organic design, lends beautifully to its natural surroundings. With magnificent views overlooking the Saronic Gulf, majestic sunsets and stunningly illuminated by night, Matsuhisa Athens is one of the city’s hottest dining destinations.

Contact Information:
Tel: +30 210 8960510

The burger joint was launched in February 2011, in Glyfada. Their experience with a vast range of restaurants in New York and Athens , like Green Kitchen, Casa di Pasta, Silver Star, Cubanita, has provided the foundation and high standards required for the creation of an exemplary and original burger joint.
PS: Don't forget to accompany your burger with some of their lemonade that's prepared with fresh lemons!

Contact information:
Tel: +302108940260
Email: info@burgerjoint.gr

The Pere Bar & Rotisserie and the Ubu Pure Food are the ultimate all day experience of the southern suburbs and beyond. Starting 10 years ago, the Pere Ubu restaurant-bar managed to become the ultimate destination spot and to make Cyprus Street a gathering spot of Glyfada. A space of extraordinary design offering hospitality of European standards, became the talk of the town in Athens for its easy-going philosophy, its upscale menu, its exceptional cocktails and its famous parties.

Contact details:
Pere Tel: +302108941450
Ubu Tel: +302112158737

Car rental is probably the best way to get out and explore what Athens has to offer- there is so much more to see than just the city centre! The great benefits of car hire is the possibility to get out the town and explore its surroundings, just a few kilometres from the historic centre in Faliro, Glyfada, Voula and Vouliagmeni, you can enjoy the sea.
Below you will find three of the largest car rental companies based in Greece where you can rent a car online or directly, and arrange for a pickup and return point from Athens international airport or the Hotel you will be staying.

Airportlimos provides distinctive, high quality, professional limousine service at competitive rates. They are a premier first party in Athens limousine service company serving Athens City area, and all over Greece.
In their New fleet of Range Rover Longue Autobiography, S Class 500 & 600 Mercedes , Minivan Viano Mercedes 8 seated ,Minivan Sprinter Mercedes 10 -20 seated . Limousine transportation to all greek airports , city tours , weddings, conferences, concerts and other events in professional and friendly atmosphere is our main goal.
They offer a high quality chauffeur driven car and limousine service around Greece and Eleurherios Venizelos airport in Greece.
You are able to book your chauffeur driven limo service, using the online booking on their website.

Contact information:
Tel: +30 211 7106782 / +30 210 3314087
Mobile: +30 698 0240000

Email: info@airportlimos.gr

Elimo provides first-class chauffeur service in every aspect offering high-end luxury models, such as Mercedes-Benz S-Class, E-Class and Minibuses Mercedes Viano & Sprinter.
The fleet is driven by experienced, English- speaking chauffeurs, carefully selected for their driving skills, punctuality, and extensive route knowledge.
All the cars are fully equipped and maintained in perfect technical conditions, providing daily newspapers, free wifi, ipad on the move and mineral water.
The English speaking management team is available 24/7.

Contact details:
Tel: Europe: 0030-6944331618/ Athens International Airport +30 2103530000
Tel: USA: 01130-6944331618
E-mail: info@elimo.gr

In Nannuka, you will discover a professional who will make your life easier.
Their team understands in first-hand your needs, and makes sure to daily have online access to a babysitter, teachers, pedagogues with years of experience, excellent recommendations and reviews of other parents.
We recommend calling the agency at least one day before you require their services.
But in case you are going to require a nanny service during a weekend, you need to get in touch with Nanuka two days in advance.
Keep in mind that, unfortunately, the mobile application in the website comes only in Greek.

Price range starting from 25 euro per hour

Contact information:
Tel: +30 210 36 10717
Email: info@nannuka.com