| Grego43 |
Nov 19, 2018 1:52 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by McBane
(Post 8372919)
Santorini looks amazing. But I've always been curious about the actual vacation experience. It seems like a place that's overrun with tourists and where every business is geared towards capturing the tourist dollar a la Venice (overpriced restaurants, gift shops, etc.).
Athens looks cool but I was actually excited to see glimpses of the actual city. Maybe not as picturesque but curious if you experienced the areas outside the Acropolis and what you thought of it. I've always been fascinated by Athens, a city that was so grand back in the day but, by the early 19th century was a backwater town of only a few thousand.
|
McBane, having traveled to both Santorini & Athens twice I can tell you that there is so much more to them than a tourist trap-like atmosphere. Yes, the main villages of Santorini are overrun, a la Venice, but there are beautiful out of the way villages, beaches, wineries, and the archeological dig at Akrotiri to make a trip there very worthwhile.
As for Athens, it is fascinating and of my favorite European capital cities. The historic sites are everything that you would think they are and more. Once you get away from the tourist-heavy districts like the Plaka, there is a very vibrant city to explore. Since many tourists are just passing through on their way to an island, you will find cafes and tavernas in outlying neighborhoods full of interesting locals. The metro makes getting around town fast, safe, and very easy.
From the NYTimes: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/11/t...in-athens.html |
