Well, this is interesting:
The entrance to the Acropolis (where the riot police, tear gas & protesters are commingling) is only a block away (basically around the corner & then a short hop) from the DO hotel. The nearest subway station is just half a block straight down the street from the Acropolis entrance. One of our planned meeting points was the Acropolis Museum, which is right across the street from the entrance.

I would recommend that people not book prepaid or non-cancellable stays at the Parthenon Hotel. Keep your options open in case the children don't quiet down, or book a hotel in the Plaka/Syntagma Square area, which really is just as good for our activities. Note that a hotel that is really close to Syntagma Square might have the same problems: Rioters destroyed the Christmas festival in Syntagma Square a couple years ago, and the day before we arrived in late 2005, anarchists bombed the post office across the corner from Syntagma Square. A couple blocks away might be cozier.

We are still going regardless. Our tickets are not refundable. Plus Athens is a fun place, our chance to see democracy in action. :D


Thanks for the info. I think I need to get my butt in gear & line up our hotels for the trip. I'd also like to burn ~150K Hilton points but we are going on to Frankfurt & Köln after Athens, so your IC bid is appealing. :(

Done!

Thanks. A great deal, but too late for me -- they have run out of Bonus Cash.

Flight booked as far as FRA. Looking for flights FRA-ATH and return.

Airotel Parthenon booked. Thinking about airport hotel prior to 12/20 6 am departure.

Has the violence subsided?

Sol Melia sent me an email about their fantastic sale. So-o... I'm bailing on the Airohotel and going with the Melia which is somewhat out of the way and no breakfast, but a 5* at half price $85 USD all in. Actually, I'm trying to Priceline it, but they rejected my $56 bid.

If anybody wants my Airotel Parthenon reservation 12/16 thru 12/20 changeable dates possible, cancel possible, I have a 79 Euro rate through Booking.com and have noticed rates are slightly higher now, particularly for Sunday night.

Well it's not really all that violent but the protests continue.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w...10/2010_120671

Just remember about the Express buses and maybe the Christmas spirit will kick in when we get there.

Goodluck on the Melia but I'm not finding any successful bids for the Athens one. The London Bloomsbury/Marble Arch Melia get all kinds of action which will work for the Presidents day Do. The IC might trigger at $65 or a little more. I do wish the hotels I e-mailed would've have wanted to deal a little better. I've read that the IC will negotiated for people with status so perhaps an e-mail to athens (at) ihg.com might do some good.

A possible photo op! Apparently Athenian strikers are not as civilized as the Milenese who announce their strikes in advance and always leave an easy alternative route unstricken.

I can live with $85 US all in for the Athens Melia, and like the looks of the place. Don't think Priceline will beat that. London is intriguing. For President's Day I usually knock off 3-4 Hilton stays on the January sale rates, but who knows if they will be doing that this year.

Back on topic, I should be arriving before 5 pm on the 16th is anybody wants to meet for dinner and/or drinks.

I'm looking at LH flights FRA-ATH, but if anyone has suggestions I'd like to hear them.

You'll miss out on the wild ride to the airport that Athenian cabbies can give you at 3 a.m. -- been there, done that, speed limits are only recommendations. :D

Did that in Ankara last week. Have to admit it was 4 am and the driver was sane and pointed out some interesting sites. I think. It WAS 4 am, so I'm not sure what he was saying.

Looking for a -100 US airport hotel, especially if not much FT-ie is going on Sunday evening.

Looking forward to it all, whatever it is.

-P

Note: I'm changing to the Melia 5* nice looking, about $10 less than the Airotel,but no breakfast. And it may do something for my lowly Accor account.

One can take the X95 bus from Syntagma square to the Airport. It takes no more than 45 minutes and costs 3.2 EUR. Only. As a plus, it is an equally wild ride, if not better :D So, no need for an expensive airport hotel (Sofitel or Holiday Inn) ;) Riding the 3:45AM bus (they are very punctual) you'll be at the airport at 4:30AM. Next one is at 4:05AM, previous one at 3:20AM.
Athenian strikers always pre-announce their strikes well in advance. It makes sense since they use announcements as threats.
Interesting sites? In Ankara no less?? At 4AM, are you sure you weren't sleeping / dreeming of interesting sites? :p

Just came accross this thread of Flyertalk, I will be in Athens around this time! Please include me as a 'Interested/Maybe' for the Do.

Update : Please mark me as confirmed, will fly into Athens from Rome on EasyJet 4983 @ 10:35 AM on Dec 17th.
Not decided on Hotel Yet

Please put me on the interested/maybe list. If I manage to get Friday off I'll be a definite.

Update: I've just booked my trip and will be on LH1750 MUC-ATH on 12/17 and LH1753 MUC-ATH on 12/19. Staying at the IC.

Count me as a definite for the Athens DO! Arrival 12/16; depart 12/20; staying at the Airotel Parthenon. I am so looking forward to meeting FTers and to seeing Athens. What a great location for my first international DO!

Donna

Welcome to FT even though you've been around for a few years. Look forward to seeing you at the ATH DO. Can't wait to get some good food and a mini vacation from work.