a guide to
M Y A T H E N S
And just like that we're back. Ever since we moved to India we have tried to escape to Greece for our summer holiday every year. It gives us so many things our life in India can't! For what it's worth, here are the things we did, the food we ate and the the clothes I packed. First stop ATHENS.
Where we stayed: Plano Athens
Every year we spend our trip book ended by Athens. We always stay in Kolonaki when we arrive and then have a few days in Psyri before we fly home. Both neighbourhoods are wildly opposing but both have their pros. My absolute pick for accommodation is at Plano Athens. This is run and owned by my friend Daphne who also as her stunning family property The Vasilicos in Santorini.
Where we breakfasted:
Local bakeries, Varia, Ergon House, Kora
The German bakery, Varia, is in the heart of Kolonaki. It opens early (enough!) and has the most amazing freshly baked breads and pastries. An interesting fact is that bakery was open and run by the grandchildren of Vernor Panton. There are nods to his designed pieces throughout.
Ergon House is also a firm favourite for not only us but everyone else who visits Athens! Apart from the food, it's the attached deli that I can't get enough of.
Where we ate:
Wine is Fine, Manari, Pharoah, LS&SIA
Ok these are a few of the usual suspects but believe me they are good! Hands down my favourite is Wine is Fine. Simple, honest and we always end up having the best evenings hanging out and people watching. A bonus is it being literally around the corner from Plano Athens.
Ooh Manari. Another discovery last year and oh my goodness, everything tastes amazing. So good that the kids chose to go back twice last year.
Our date night on this last trip was to Pharoah. And it did not disappoint. Perched at the bar, we were in the best hands with the food, the wine and the tunes. Woodfired, buzzing atmosphere and full happy bellies.
Our last lunch of the day was at Linou Simpasis & Co. Another in our neighbourhood and also getting a lot of airtime but it was worth the hype! I could do whole newsletters on each meal... honeslty you can't go wrong. And if you are a smoker they will bring out a box of old greek tobacco rolled cigarettes which is a lovely old school touch.
The place we return to every year for a rooftop sundowner is the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Old school in every way we love it! We always perch at the bar counter in the back corner and watch the muted Greek sun go down over Athens.
What we saw: Benaki Museum
We love the Benaki Museum. You could spend days and days in here and still not cover it all! The building itself is beautiful, but it has been used to house the personal collection of Antonis Benakis. Absolutely worth going to. Unfathomable how so many things can belong to a personal collection.
What I wore:
Handloom 14, Handloom 02
What I also packed:
Handloom 04, Handloom 07, Handloom 13, Shibori 03, Ikat 057 and a pair of brown and bronze sandals
