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Olympic Spring

04 august 2016 • Travel time: with 05 March 2016 on 08 March 2016
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In mid-November 2015 (after the publication of the relevant Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine) it became clear that for the first time in a long time we have 4 days off. And not on NG (when a short daylight and a lot of things are closed) and not in May (when ticket prices are very high and can also be a lot of things are closed), but in early March, from 5 to 8! UIA's $ 100-120 promotional tariffs were a thing of the past at the time, and I didn't consider connecting flights because I didn't want to spend much time in the first and last days, so I looked at Wizz. Given the frequency of flights (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday), Memmingen was ideal, but the fare was already approaching 4K UAH for RT, but given that the beginning of March - the weather in Germany is about the same as ours, and the previous trip was just as enthusiastic about Germany in general and Bavaria in particular, the option did not seem appropriate.


The decision came naturally: at the end of December, Aegean Airways advertised with promotional tariffs of 82-97 euros RT Kyiv-Athens, which is especially convenient, from Zhulyany. In total, the ticket cost me 2589 UAH (paid on January 13). Bought tickets through the portal (agency). ua. Athens hotels were also happy with the price (from 24 euros single) in March, but given the relatively early return (9:30) was chosen slightly more expensive House Acropolis 2 * for 105 euros / 3 nights with breakfast, located 10 minutes from the airport bus X95. Until the last day, I hoped to find companions (through profile sites, including this one), but after the tariff rose above UAH 4.000 (135 euros), which ceased to be a budget option for the weekend, it became clear that I will fly one L

So, early in the morning of March 4, the first spring weekend, which became unexpectedly warm, I went to Zhulyany.

Historically, the last three years, all my ways of leaving the city (minibus to the South Station, minibus / bus to Zhulyany, taxi to Boryspil) somehow passed my work (I do in the area of ​ ​ Sevastopol Square), but only in Boryspil subway to Kharkiv, and then by bus, so far I do not risk.

Arrived at the airport in advance at 10:30 (departure at 12:40), check-in was already underway (I checked in online the day before chose row 21 by the window). Kyiv's Boryspil and Zhulyany airports, in my subjective opinion, are very different - the former looks more formal and the staff is more trained and cultured, and there are no mocking questions from customs about how much and what currency you export. In Zhulyany, this issue seems to have become a trend, although the legislation is the same for all airports. Yes, and the dutik in Zhulyany is 75% alcohol, in Boryspil everything is much more diverse and civilized.

Flying an AirbusA319, drinks and food included in the price of the flight, noted that on board a 180-seat 4 flight attendants (UIA for the same number of passengers more than 3 have not seen), all European-speaking English and polite Duty-free on board last but not least, everything is unobtrusive. There were almost no clouds during the flight, so we managed to see the green peaks and mountain lakes of Romania and Bulgaria, as well as the cut peaks of the mountains of Northern Greece (the return flight was already over the sea). The border was not crossed very quickly, perhaps because passengers with bio-passports were required to take their fingerprints, I still have an old passport, no questions asked by border guards and customs officers, I found a way to stop buses quickly, although Russian-speaking taxi drivers called on passengers.


On the way to the stop in the lobby, he picked up a free but not very detailed map of Athens from an inconspicuous stand.

The X95 bus to the city costs 6 euros, tickets can be bought both at the kiosk near the stop and directly from the driver, be sure to compost. The bus is 50 minutes away, we go almost without congestion. The first 20 minutes we drive through the suburbs with monotonous private buildings, quite warm (~ 20 ° C), stops along the way are frequent. In the city itself (the entrance to the city limits can be guessed by the appearance of high-rise buildings and older buildings) several times we get into traffic jams. What catches the eye is just some unrealistic number of taxis, all the same yellow, without ads from taxi companies (unlike us).

In one of the traffic jams (somewhere between the Military Museum and the Parliament) on the opposite side of the street I saw police buses (I don't know, to transport security officers or detainees), but the buses were air-conditioned. No comments

The final stop X95 is located directly on the central square of the Greek capital - Syntagma.

Go to the hotel quickly and easily - right down (on Mitropoleos Street), then the second turn to the left, on the narrow street Voulis (on both sides there are many confectioneries, cafes and restaurants, including ethnic), which in 150 meters turns into the desired Kondru Street. The hotel is a separate 19th-century corner building. The entourage inside - also sustained in the atmosphere of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, a lot of antique furniture, paintings, photographs. The only downside is the very strong audibility of the rooms both on the street and in the corridor. Which is especially felt from 5 am, when you start cooking breakfast.

But breakfast is good and very varied lots of pastries, salads. The attitude of the staff is excellent. Immediately after the settlement I move to the center. It's five o'clock in the evening. It happens on Saturday, and on Saturdays almost all stores close at 6.


There are no international chain stores (such as LiDL, Billa, Tesco) in Athens, with the most common Greek network "Sklavenidis" will be postponed to the next few days. In the vicinity of Erm I find two small mini-markets of the local network "Bazaar", open until 20-00. By and large, prices in different networks are the same, the Bazaar is simply a smaller choice. Despite the fact that Greece is a predominantly agricultural country, the prices of local products are very expensive, compared to, for example, Germany or France. Nearby, on Mitropolitos Street, is the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Greek Orthodox Church, but it is under restoration. On Erma I find a large shopping center Hondos, the first two floors of which are occupied by perfumes.

Only one souvenir kiosk was noticed, in which the symbol of the city of Athens was bought - a little Owl made of red stone (6 There is a bargain). Tickets in the amount of 0 are already being distributed near the box office pavilion.

00 Yes (on normal days - the cost of 16 euros), then the ticket must be added to the validator of the turnstile, which already begins directly on the Acropolis. A photo session is already starting on the stone stairs, there are not many tourists yet. I climb to the very top. Unexpectedly cold, the time is about 9-15, but the sun is already bright, so it is difficult to make good photos. The best views of the city are from the area where the flagpole with a huge Greek flag is installed (I heard that the military is solemnly raised early in the morning, about which I do not know for sure, of course at 9 am already raised). Zappeio Park with the Temple of Olympian Zeus is well visible, followed by the Panathinaic Stadium, where the Olympic Games of antiquity were held.

From above, Athens looks completely white, because most buildings are made of marble or limestone, modern - made of concrete, a lot of churches. The size of the city is impressive, with the impression that Athens is on the horizon.


There are several very large flattened hills, you could say, mountains. In the south the sea is very far visible. Despite the free entry of security around the Parthenon, many, in particular, are not allowed to be photographed with the flags. A group of Italian girls were forced to hide the flag of one of the regions of Italy. Gradually, the number of tourists on the Acropolis is approaching a critical number - when it is impossible to take photos of buildings without someone's figures - so I go down. At the foot of the Acropolis, in addition to cash registers and fast food kiosks, there is a post office. A postcard with a stamp to Kyiv cost 1.70 euros. Arrived in 10 days. I'm moving to the street. Apostle Paul in the direction of Art. Thissio metro station.

Here begins the tourist market. They usually sell products made of stone, leather, various types of honey. There are also old sellers with a claim to antiques.

It is getting very warm, locals are sitting in many cafes, they are slowly talking about life, many older men play backgammon. I visit a small church on one of the perpendicular streets. The employee does not speak English, but managed to find out that the cost of the candle is 0.50 euros. In early spring, the fruit trees already begin to bloom, but on the evergreen (? ) Citrus hang tangerines, falling even from a light wind. I broke one, then tried it - very bitter, almost inedible L.

I'm trying to get to the complex of archeological buildings "Agora".

5 kg of strawberries for 1 euro, and in one of the nearest cafes - "sandwich in Greek" - cut along the donut bagel stuffed with cheese and vegetables (1.70 euros). The next plan is to get to the sea coast of Athens, namely to the port city of Piraeus. The first metro line is ideal, it passes through the station "Monastyraki". I buy a ticket for 24 hours in the machine, the cost is 4.50 euros (the machine accepts 5 and 10 euro notes, as well as all denominations of coins, except 1 and 2 euro cents). Here in the terminal at the machine it should be activated - the time is printed, from which 24 hours are counted, the number of transfers is not limited. Athens Metro is very unique. The first line was built in the 1920s and was originally on locomotive traction, later the principle of movement was replaced by electric. The second and third lines were built only in the 1990s, when it became known that Athens would become the capital of the XXVI Olympic Games.

There and warehouses modern stations have a more traditional look.


The interval between trains is 6-8 minutes, there are a lot of passengers. Piraeus is about 20 minutes away. The roads, as I said, are a bit flooded, bridges and transport interchanges pass over them at street level, so it is very difficult to see the city from the metro. Pireaus terminus resembles a small train station - unexpectedly many tracks, paths and platforms are under. cover, there is even a waiting room. I get off the subway. First impression - where did I end up! Some kind of natural market, selling products and things directly from the ground, around the industrial zone and transport interchanges, garbage, a lot of beggars and young people of suspicious and criminal appearance… In 10 minutes I reach the sea. More precisely, to the port. Naberezhna, as such, is not a cargo and passenger port, in plain sight - only cargo ships, warehouses and other port infrastructure.

And I was planning to go to the part of the port where the cruise liners are ...Although it was necessary to prepare in advance, probably ..

. Architecture around - completely modern (1960-1980), glass and concrete, and very neglected and dilapidated ...The color is complemented by groups of beggars of Roma-Arab appearance, located with things right in the flower beds. Of course, there are not hundreds of them, as the media show, and not even dozens, but I still decide to leave the suburbs. From an English-speaking passerby (liquid for Athens! ) I will learn how to get to a more prosperous (as I thought), also the seaside Vulu or Glyfada. I recommend the A1 bus. It is a 15-minute walk away. According to the schedule, the bus runs every 30 minutes on Sundays. I was unlucky, I waited 20 minutes.

During this time, he witnessed a strange action, such as a quest in which families with children were honored, with dressed parents and children in carnival costumes and running around the area in search of another object. It looked ridiculous, it would be clearly impossible for us.

In fact, Piraeus, Voula and Glyfada are not part of Athens, they are not on the city map, and I did not know for sure whether my travel, driver and a few passengers on the A1 bus were not English and could not tell me did not want to. The farther from the sea - the more attractive Piraeus acquired: ancient buildings, beautiful churches, parks. We also drove past another city attraction - FC Olympiacos Stadium. Glyfada is a 30-minute drive away.

Finally managed to find a more or less free cafe "Dolphinia", the reasons for the emptiness below, but all this is already guessed. They brought the menu. Focused on a salad from the chef (7 euros) and Gravier cheese (4.50 euros).


I wanted to take some fish dish - but in the menu all fish prices were for 1 kg (55-80 euros), and I didn't want to know how much one fish weighs in this way… I ordered a glass of wine, there were no wines on the menu, obviously there was a wine list , but I didn't ask her anymore, I was counting on 2-3 euros. Orders accepted. The waiter brought me a glass liter bottle of water, I immediately refused. Then bread, small saucers with oil and grated olives. At the neighboring tables - similar ones are also present, I decided that it is included in the price, calmed down, as it turned out in vain. Then they brought their own order. Salad and cheese taste great, large portions, cheese - a bar, probably 300 grams, the wine is also decent.

I call the waiter, ask if water is included in the price - he sighs, answers what comes in, asks to bring, performs. After lunch I ask for a bill. Account from the cash register in Greek.

In addition to salad, cheese and wine, bread, oil and olives are printed in separate lines. Water was also first printed, but then deleted. The final cost is 20 euros. I return to the city center by tram №5, the final stop is near Sq. Syntagma, but in a rather inconspicuous place, so that from the square you can not notice, go 40 minutes, intervals of movement (according to the scoreboard) 20 minutes.

On the third day of my stay in Athens (Monday) I decide to go shopping. Most large shopping malls are located either on the outskirts or outside the city. My unlimited travel is valid until 14:30, so I stop at the Mall of Athenes near the station. . Agios Dimitrios metro with the prospect of visiting two large shoe stores near the nearby Daphne metro station.

But early in the morning (shopping centers are still open from 9:30) I decide to go to the sculpture I noticed on the first day of the trip from the airport "Man of the Winds", take the subway just one stop (to the station "Evangelissimos"). I get into a crazy rush hour.

The beauty and space of the stations (as well as possible exhibits of antiquities found during excavations) can not be seen because of the crowd of passengers, although the subway I love to see. The modern sculpture "Man of the Winds" is made of horizontal glass plates and is located on a small square Evangelissimos, if desired, you can walk to Syntagma. The sculpture is relevant, the winds in Athens are really present, and subside as suddenly as they begin. Well, now you can whisper. Agios Dimitros and Daphne are located on the third, newest line of the Athens metro, far from the center, the passenger traffic here is not so grand.


It is noteworthy that in the lobbies of the Athens metro there are thematic traveling exhibitions, as well as at each station there are layouts for the sale of periodicals, fiction and school textbooks. There are no layouts or cafes at metro stations.

Mall of Athenes is located in the area of ​ ​ modern private buildings, due to the early days, very few buyers. On the ground floor there is an AB grocery supermarket. Compared to similar stores in other chains (Bazaar and Sklavenidis) - in AB prices are higher, for the promotion as a souvenir I buy a small bottle of Greek vodka "Ouzo" (1.82 Euro for 0.2l). Of the boutiques - the lowest prices in the "barcode", sellers do not hide that the product is Chinese, the quality is average, the size is illiquid. Many stores of the highest price categories of local brands. Among the well-known and available is H&M, for a number of discount products. I shop.

When paying by card at the box office - asked to present a passport (last encountered in 2009 in Spain). I leave the shopping center, move to the above-mentioned neighboring metro station. The area, as I said, is a modern private setting, many houses are still under construction, some - unfinished and abandoned. Unexpectedly I see Sklavenidis, although there is no store on the site in this area.

I come in. I buy traditional Greek specialists (olive oil 5E for a plastic liter bottle, Metaxa 6.54 E for 0.5 l, thyme honey 6.48E for 0.5 kg, Gravier cheese 3.22 E for 0.4 kg, C0 coffee, chocolate with almonds 1.25E per 100 grams, canned olives very large 1.89 E, etc. ), pay by card - but here the documents are no longer required. It was noticed that there is no portion of traditional ice cream (~ 100 g) for sale, only large family ice cream (from 500 g). Maybe not the season. For cheeses, just in case, I buy a thermal bag (0.95 E). I move towards m.


"Daphne. " An interesting feature of Athens is that at every public transport stop there is a kiosk selling newspapers, souvenirs, tickets and small items. The kiosks also have a refrigerator with water, ice cream and snacks (cookies, chocolates). I also buy local ice cream (1 E), quite decent. I get to the district in 15 minutes. There are many clothing stores in the surrounding streets, including the second. I find a 3-storey shoe center "Shoes center".

The range is large, Greek brands, prices from 39 euros for spring non-summer range. I hoped to sell the winter, but obviously did not take into account that Greece is a country of warm and cold winters in our understanding, there is no, respectively, and winter shoes there are very light. I found one pair of classic winter boots on fur (65 E), which was confusing - the instruction is only in English, although the sellers claimed that this brand ("Bulldozer") is sewn in Bulgaria. Upon closer inspection, he found the label "Made in China".

65 E for so expensive, and I do not like when deceived. Another big shoe opposite is the summer range. I'm moving in the subway. The area around the subway - very nice and well-groomed, probably because it is little known and little refined by tourists. An exhibition of antiques is on display behind the glass at Daphna Metro Station. I return to the center. An exhibition-sale of honey is held in the Syntagma metro. Prices, oddly enough, are higher than in stores.

On board the same excellent Greek service, the board is different, because there are sliding screens with a flight map and various informative information. The return route is over the sea, but cloudy. In "Zhulyany" we sit down for 10 minutes earlier than the specified time. We cross the border quickly (border guards, in my opinion, did not scan passports at all), luggage is also without delay.

There is no taxi in the square before leaving the terminal, but there are many cars and minibuses that meet passengers. Taxi drivers start at the top, when you go up the stairs, near the "colorful plane". But I prefer the trolleybus. Another 80 minutes - and I'm home

Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original
To add or remove photos in a story, go to album of this story
Акрополь
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Нетуристические Афины. Район станции метро
Выставка исторических артефактов,найденых при постройке станции метро
Второе по распространенности фото из Афин (после Акрокополя). Почетный караул возле Парламента
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