Greece - Korina Miller [103]
Traditional Handicrafts & Souvenirs
Amorgos (Map; 210 324 3836; www.amorgosart.gr; Kodrou 3, Plaka; 11am-3pm & 6-8pm Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm Sat) This charming store is crammed with Greek folk art, trinkets, ceramics, embroideries and woodcarved furniture made by the owner, while his wife and daughter run the store.
Centre of Hellenic Tradition (Map; 210 321 3023; Pandrosou 36, Plaka; 10am-7.30pm) Upstairs from the arcade are great examples of traditional ceramics, sculptures and handicrafts from all parts of Greece. There is also a great ouzerie and a gallery on the 1st floor.
Melissinos Art (Map; 210 321 9247; www.melissinos-art.com; Agias Theklas 2, Psyrri; 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm Sun) Artist Pantelis Melissinos continues the sandal-making tradition of his famous poet/sandal-maker father Stavros, whose past customers include the Beatles, Rudolph Nureyev, Sophia Loren and Jackie Onassis. It’s the best place for authentic handmade leather sandals based on ancient Greek styles (€25 to €29); they can also be made to order.
Greece Is For Lovers (Map; 210 924 5064; www.greeceisforlovers.com; Karyatidon 13a, Makrygianni; 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm Sat) A fun place for a cheeky designer play on the concept of Greek kitsch, from Corinthian column dumb-bells to crocheted iPod covers and Aphrodite bust candles. Look for the giant Grecian sandal skateboard.
Music
Metropolis Music (Map; 210 383 0804; Panepistimiou 64, Omonia) This major music store is well stocked with Greek and international CDs and has extensive specialist sections. There’s a dedicated Greek music store a few doors down. Metropolis sells tickets to concerts around town.
Xylouris (Map; 210 322 2711; www.xilouris.gr; arcade, Panepistimiou 39, Panepistimio) This music treasure trove is run by the son and widow of the Cretan legend Nikos Xylouris. Georgios is a font of music knowledge and can guide you through the comprehensive range of traditional and contemporary Greek music, including select and rare recordings, and eclectic world music. Traditional Greek music is also available from their specialist new store in the Museum of Greek Popular Instruments.
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GETTING THERE & AWAY
Air
Athens is served by Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (Map; 210 353 0000; www.aia.gr) at Spata, 27km east of Athens.
The state-of-the-art airport, named in honour of the country’s leading 20th-century politician, has all the standard facilities, great shopping and a transit hotel. If you have time to kill, it is worth visiting the small archaeological museum on the 1st floor above the check-in hall. The airport website has real-time flight information.
Click here for information on public transport to/from the airport.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
The majority of domestic flights are operated by Olympic Air (Map; 801 144 444, 210 926 9111; www.olympicairlines.com; Leoforos Syngrou 96, Makrygianni). Olympic takes bookings online and also has branch offices at Syntagma (Map; 210 926 4444; Filellinon 15) and Omonia (Map; 210 926 7218; Kotopoulou 1).
Olympic Air has several daily flights to Thessaloniki, Iraklio, Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes and all Greek airports. Average one-way fares range from €76 to €120, but vary dramatically depending on the season you’re travelling, so check for specials and book in advance if you can.
Aegean Airlines ( reservations 801 112 0000, 210 626 1000; www.aegeanair.com) competes with Olympic on the most popular domestic routes. Aegean has the best early-bird specials and bookings can be made online. Aegean has daily flights to Thessaloniki, Iraklio, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini and Hania, as well as several flights weekly to key destinations around Greece. There’s an office in Syntagma (Map; 210 331 5522; Othonos 15).
Athens Airways ( 8018014000; www.athensairways.com) has daily flights to several destinations on the mainland and the islands, including Crete,