Acropolis and Athens – Amazing places and such a relaxing city to stay in. Sadly open skies occur so seldom even in older cities as the view gives way to modern high rise buildings. A shame other cities have not done as Athens – limited the height of their buildings.
Of course a great Fam trip depends on more than the location and weather. While Athens is a great city, the traffic flows freely and the whole atmosphere is so peaceful, we were equally lucky in two other respects. Our guests were wonderful company and our DMC Event Makers – Greece were the perfect hosts.
The Fam not only educated it produced new friendships and Maria and Efi, from Event Makers Greece, have that knack of being there, organising and sharing without over imposing on their guests.
We have to thank the wonderful Grand Bretagne for their hospitality, a most comfortable stay and the gift of green and black teas mixed with herbs was brilliant. Sadly the tea is almost finished.
Also our thanks to Gemma from C&IT for her company and her great C&IT blog on the Fam.
Fam Trips, as are Events, are all about experiences and the following are some our personal highlights.
We were the first people ever to breakfast in the Athenaeum InterContinental’s signature rooftop dining restaurant. So thank you to the Penelope and Sophia for a great breakfast with a unique view. We loved the rooftop bar and of course your Meeting spaces are brilliant and so flexible
An ouzerie that never closes – well it did for one day in the last 75 years. The drinks were great, the atmosphere even better.
The Grand Bretagne’s adopted dog – this keeps stray off the street and fed and cared for with the steps and pavement as a free hotel bed.
A near total lack of police sirens.
A “Light Lunch”. We soon came to realise that light lunches were delightful and that we could never have managed to eat a “big” lunch. We experienced light lunches every day and somehow had to make room for equally tasty dinners!!
In the same way cocktails at one venue prior to moving on to our dinner venue meant even more superbly presented food.
We suffered in the line of education at a great casual dining venue, (indoor spaces in three separate rooms , one roof top terrace with great views and street level terraces), the Vorres Museum, on top of Lycabbitus Hill (stunning night time views over Athens), a private coastal party venue and in a typical coastal restaurant on the beach.
We dined at The Byzantine Estate, after more canapés, and were entertained by a young Lebanese violinist and traditional Greek dancing. Fortunately nobody took our photographs once we were “persuaded” to join in.
And we also dined at the Dionysus with superb views of the Acropolis, food and wine to match.