Before and after our trip to the Sporades we spent our time in Athens on and around the Acropolis and The Plaka. Athens is remarkably easy and walkable if you can handle the heat (it was 97 degrees there the day we left).
From the rooftop deck of the Hotel Attalos in the Monastiraki area of Athens we had a stellar view of the Acropolis and easy walking access to The Plaka (a collection of small, mostly touristy) shops, boutiques, and restaurants. To beat the crowds we rose early and walked up to the top of the Acropolis to beat the throng of humanity from the tour groups and cruise ships that arrive shortly thereafter.
We saw the Parthenon, the Temple of Athenia Nike, Erechtheion, and the amphitheaters Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Theater of Dionysus before a stumbling into the beautiful neighborhood of Anafiotika before returning to the Plaka for some ice cold Mythos and more great Greek food in the tavernas tucked into the hills around the Acropolis.
Acropolis & Parthenon from Garden Bar on roof of Hotel Attalos
Acropolis & Parthenon at night from Garden Bar on roof of Hotel Attalos
Be warned…you may be getting this as your Xmas card this year
The caryatids of the Erechtheion function as columns supporting the roof structure
View of Athens from Acropolis
Parthenon
Clara & Erechtheion
Theater of Dionysus from Acropolis
Theater of Dionysus
Theater of Dionysus
Neighborhood of Anafiotika
Neighborhood of Anafiotika
Neighborhood of Anafiotika
Neighborhood of Anafiotika
Neighborhood of Anafiotika
Sign to Acropolis for wayward tourists walking the neighborhood of Anafiotika
Sabbatikos 
Aloha! Enjoying your posts & very impressed with images. Loved the Momofuku treats…yum!
I would love your permission to insert one of your excellent pix from above, in my next blog, i.e. the view of Athens from Plaka, . I would give you full credit of course, as you will see I have with other kind folk who have given me permission on other pix. Go here to view previous posts http://longwalktothetruth.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/hello-whats-this-all-about.html. Cheers! Anu
Hi Anu, you are certainly welcome to use an image with a photo credit. All the best to you and your blog. Cheers, Marc.
Aloha! Enjoying your posts & very impressed with images. Loved the Momofuku treats…yum!
I would love your permission to insert one of your excellent pix from above, in my next blog, i.e. the view of Athens from Plaka, . I would give you full credit of course, as you will see I have with other kind folk who have given me permission on other pix. Go here to view previous posts http://longwalktothetruth.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/hello-whats-this-all-about.html. Cheers! Anu