An Evening in Athens

Soft music wafted from inside Diodos Arcahaias Agora Restaurant to our outdoor cafe table along the cobbled street as the sun slowly sank.

My Alfa Beer and Julie's white wine went well with the simple yet delicious meal of chicken kebob, french fries and Mediterranean vegetables.






Beneath the bright moon, the Acropolis glowed ethereally on its mesa perch that made it a nearly insurmountable fortress in ancient times.

When you think of a romantic dinner in the Mediterranean region, you most likely think more Italian or French, but Athens has more than its fair share of appealing bistros.

For Julie and me, such a romantic setting for dinner is a rare occasion, and we savored the ambiance.

When the modest bill of something like 30 Euro came, it felt like a bargain for such an engaging evening.




But our waiter would not let us leave just yet.

He brought us a small carafe of rich, port-like dessert wine along with cake drenched in some kind of syrup.

"No charge," he said, before I could object.

Such hospitality in Greece is not unusual.



On our first visit to Athens, when we concluded our souvlaki (what Americans who occasionally dine at Daphne's call gyros) lunch at a different sidewalk eatery on a more bustling street, the restaurant owner brought us Greek yogurt with honey for our table.

Getting that sweet finish to a meal when we already think we're too full from all the good food always sends us away with a smile.

In addition to enjoying a Greek meal at a sidewalk cafe, everyone visiting Athens the first time must explore the Acropolis, but if you're fortunate enough to return to the cradle of democracy, you'll find you can enjoy that beautiful hilltop fortress without purchasing admission.

Later that evening, we went to the rooftop bar at our hotel and relished the view from a different angle.

The staff at Athens Center Square Hotel claims it is the best Acropolis view of any rooftop bar in Athens, and while I haven't seen any others for comparison, it is definitely a good one.

Between dinner on the sidewalk and drinks on the roof, we enjoyed our leisurely stroll through the bustling city center back to our easy-to-find hotel.

It's always amazing how  you can be walking through a modern metropolis and occasionally pass ancient ruins in the cradle of civilization.

If you're cruising from Athens, definitely come in at least a day early so that you can enjoy an evening on the town as well as the Acropolis.

Better service leads to better trips!