Athens short break, Greece

Planet

From the hotel to the centre of Athens where most of the Ancient sites are situated is easy to walk, so there is no need to use transport, although some participants might want to use a bus to reach the Archaeological Museum. The trip to the coast entails taking the public tram.

It is a clean city; rubbish is picked up daily and there are lots of bins. In the tavernas there are vegetarian options. We encourage guests to reuse a water bottle and never to drop litter. There are lots of green areas around the sites, with wild flowers and herbs blossoming in late Winter. We point these out but do not pick them. We encourage respect and urge conservation and protection of the environment on our walks and conversations.
There is a growing awareness in Athens for the importance of protecting the planet and we have taken part in local marches to demonstrate our solidarity and deep commitment to this worldwide movement.

People

In our 'Athens City Break' we introduce guests to local tavernas and cafes which are usually still family run businesses seeking to combine modern standards with a traditional quality of service . Eating and drinking with new and old friends is at the heart of this way of life. We encourage using small family run shops and businesses wherever possible and make sure bills are paid and tips left where appropriate.
The official guide we use to view the Acropolis is well paid for her knowledge and experience; this is a legal requirement. We are pleased to support the Athenian economy and workplace, which has been badly hit in recent times, although not in tourism.

The Athens City Break is a cultural holiday, where as Leaders we discuss and explain historical and social influences. We often teach Greek phrases so that guests can greet people or thank them in their own language.This is a fun way to enhance respect between communicators, especially for older Greeks who are less likely to speak English. It also makes English speakers more aware of how much Greek there is in the English language. As Leaders, one of whom is a Greek national of Cretan descent, we both speak Greek and act as translators and interpreters.