A PERFECT LOCATION

Culture and history align at your doorstep. Once you have set aside at least a day to take in the charms of Plaka and the splendour of the nearby Acropolis, take a stroll over to Syntagma, the most famous square in the whole of Greece. Named after the constitution that King Otto granted to the Greek people in 1843, it remains a hotspot for democratic showdowns and national celebrations where you can mingle with locals buying lottery tickets and fresh koulouri on their way to work. From there, walk up to the Hellenic Parliament Building and former Palace which is directly opposite, and where the changing of the Presidential Guards by ceremonial Evzone soldiers honouring the tomb of the Unknown Soldier is steeped in tradition. The adjacent National Gardens, erstwhile royal gardens established by Queen Amalia, are testament to her love of horticulture. A verdant oasis of 15 hectares in the heart of Athens, the gardens are home to over 7000 trees which include, in addition to over one hundred endemic species, the more exotic Chinese trees-of-heaven, Australian pines, centenary holm oaks, Canary Island date palms, and of course the 25m Washingtonia palms that tower over the central entrance on Amalia. During 19^th century excavations, ancient ruins, tambourines and Corinthian capitals of columns and mosaics were discovered.  As an extension to the gardens, the courtyard of Zappeion Hall is populated by statuary ranging from Greek mythology to recent history and includes an homage to the English poet Lord Byron who lost his heart and life to Greece.