Hotels in Greece

Q: We are going to Greece in June for 2 weeks and would like to know of cheap accommodation in Athens. Also which islands do you recommend visiting and where would you recommend staying – also reasonably priced. - Lorraine du Buisson

The best areas to stay in are those bordering the Acropolis and the archaeological around it. Among these are the Plaka, Makrianni, Koukaki, Thission, Syntagma and Monastiraki. They have everything you will need as a tourist. Now using the euro currency, hotels in Athens are no longer cheap, especially in high season. You can expect to pay 60-90 euros for a double room at a decent hotel in a good location. One of the highly recommended hotels is the Hotel Attalos, which is located near the Plaka at reasonable rates. (www.attaloshotel.com). Another is the Adonis Hotel, which has nice, modern rooms on a pedestrian street near the Plaka (www.hotel-adonis.gr) or the Cecil Hotel, housed in a neo-classical building in the heart of old Athens near the Acropolis (www.cecil.gr). For a very comfortable hotel in a good location you could stretch your budget to the Plaka Hotel, but use discount websites to get the best rate (www.asiarooms.com).

You do not need to book your island trips in advance, seeing you are travelling in June (July and August are very different). You can use a travel agent in Athens, who will arrange your ferry (or flight) ticket and accommodation for you, generally at lower prices than you can get outside of the country. At least you won't be stuck with a hotel room that you can't get to. You can also take a chance on finding a bargain from one of the vendors that crowd any port when a ferry arrives. When it comes to deciding which islands to visit, you have a huge choice. However, the picture-postcard islands (and the most popular) are Mykonos and Santorini. With its little white houses, gorgeous beaches and exciting nightlife, Mykonos fulfills most people's "island dream" and in June it won't be crowded and noisy. For a touch of history, visit Delos only a 20-minute boat ride away. Santorini is famous for its fabulous views from its cliffside villas, reachable by donkey ride from the ferry landing and beach down below. Alternative islands you might consider are Naxos (my favourite, a quiet, relaxed agricultural island) and Paros (a quieter version of Mykonos). However, discuss your requirements with a travel agent in Athens and they will be able to give you the best up-to-date advice.