Well, I finally took the metro to go to Athens yesterday 29/12/2005. The weather was surprisingly good so I took my camera with me to take some photos. So, here are some pictures from Syntagma Square and the Zappeion Exhibition Hall.

Keep in mind that due to the fact that the air was VERY clean and fresh, the pictures have very intense colourand brighness contrast. This is good for well lit surfaces but not good when it comes to take pics in places with many shaded parts. In any case, enjoy I hope you like them and it would be nice to see pics from Athens at night as I am told that the lighting of the buildings and the decorations create a syperb atmoshere at night...

Syntagma (Constitution) Square.

In some pics, the elegant and classy Grande Bretagne (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=187666) and King George II (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=219113) Hotels, both listed in the "Leading Hotels of the World" are visible.


Overview:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare6.jpg


The Christmas Tree

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare9.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare8.jpg


The Candy Village with the many kiosks selling candies. As you can see, the place is flocked with visitors...



With the Houses of Parliament and the Christmas tree in the background...


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare3.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare2.jpg


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare4.jpg


With the Grecotel and King George II hotels as background...

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare5.jpg

It is funny to see Northern European-style houses in Athens. Apart from Syntagma, thre are also similar houses in Kotzias Square where the City Hall is located. But I like them. My only problem is that the candies are expensive to buy and eat there. Otherwise the whole scenery is tempting...

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare11.jpg

The Carousel. Perhaps one of the most sought after attractions in the square

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare7.jpg

All together again in one shot. In the background we see the beginning of Hermou street which to the information of the usual visitors from across the Aegeian sea ;) visually resembles much the Grand Rue de Pera in Istanbul also known as Istiklal Caddesi. Many neo-classical houses, a Byzantine church and a shopping paradise for the ladies... :) Don't let your woman with a credit card there, I'm telling you...

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare10.jpg



Overall there are many happenings taking place this time of the year in Athens. Another attractiion is the Ice-skating rink in front of the Neo-classical Zappeion building now operating as a congress and exhibition hall and being under renovation. Besides the ice rink, one can visit the crystal city and the big time exhibition on the wreckof the Titanic. The exhibition had a colossal success but at an equally colossal ticket prices rising to €10 per admission :eek:


A couple of pics from the rink, nothing special but the kids seem to love it... It is funny to see people trying to skate in Greece though. I mean we are good in other sports but definitely not in this one...

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensZappeion1.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensZappeion2.jpg

Anyway, I wish I had the time for some night shots... I hope you enjoyed it, post your pics too... :)

^^it's great!!! I loved the pic with the xtmas tree on the left close up

thanks for sharing :colgate:

Great pics GM. :) Thanks for sharing. :applause:

Speaking of renovation, what is going on in Syntagma?

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare6.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare9.jpg


Any news?


btw, I see peaking in this picture (left hand side) the new mall. Did you ever have any updated photos of it?

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/gm2263/Athens%20Christmas%20Photos/ChristmasinAthensSyntagmaSquare5.jpg

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/34788/417834/0/MTS-3-From+Old+Parliament+-+Stadiou-+small.jpg

Two buildings in Syntagma are undergoing renovation. One is the 10-storey ministry of national economy to the left in the pics, the other is a neo-classical building that belonged to the Omega Schools of vocational education and now belongs to Germanos chain of Electronics shops and to the best of my knowledge, the building will accomodate one of their "Multirama" chain stores.

As to the City Link building, I wanted to take pics of the arcade which is almost ready but I was stopped by the security guards who said that the owners of the luxury stores (Kalvin Klein, jewellry stores etc) didn't want pictures of their establishments taken so...

However, some stores are still under construction so we better wait a few days... :)

I am in Athens these days, but, even I went to the centre I forgot my new digital camera in the house so there are no photos. Anyway tomorrow I am travelling to Thessaloniki and I wish to all of you for the last time a happy new year.

Very nice photos gm! I suppose nightshots would be incredible with the Grande Bretagne hotel.

WOW!

How did I not see these? Must have been my hangover the past 2-3 days! :)

Anyway, these are amazing pics GM! You never let us down.

Happy New Year!

All the best leafy, all the best. If you want them, copy them at will, buddy.

All the best... :):):)

Very Nice! Seems very community style.