European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 24, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Travel acropolis takes Center stage a even from a hotel hotel with an excellent location in the Plaka the old City has a real treasure a a rooftop Garden and tiny swimming Pool with a fantastic View of the acropolis. The rooms verge on luxury and include minibars and televisions but the Price is reasonable a about $80 for a single and $100 for a double. The hotel also has an excellent restaurant. For reservations Call 1-800-4488355 in the states utell International or a travel agent. A one of my Best moments in Athens was waking up at the Esperia Palace hotel 22 Stasiou St at Dawn on a cold Winter morning and putting on my coat for a Barefoot run Down the cold Marble corridor to a Balcony so i could photograph the acropolis As the Sun came up. I had my own Balcony but i liked the View at. The end of the Hall better. The floors of the rooms and bathrooms Are All Marble the rooms Are big with High ceilings and there is a modest restaurant with sturdy food and Friendly service. The hotel is a Short stroll from syntax a Square. Rooms Start at about $70. For reservations Call 011 -30-1 -3238001 or a travel agent. A the hotel Adonis 3 Godrou st., Athens 10558, Greece or Call 011 -30-1 -324-9737 is an excellent budget Choice although i have never seen an Adonis there. There Are Only 26 rooms in this inn located on a pedestrian Street in the heart of the Plaka. There s a Nice View of the acropolis from the breakfast room and some of the rooms have balconies. Double rooms Start at about $40 per night. A the acropolis House 6-8 Godrou and Voulis streets Athens 10558, Greece or Call 011 -30-1 -322-2344 is another favorite. Room rates in this old mansion Start at about $40 for two people and the Price includes breakfast. Rooms have High ceilings Funky old furniture in a e bathrooms and a few rooms have balconies. The Sta is Friendly and helpful. The location is excellent also m the Center of the Plaka. By Cheryl Blackerby Cox news service Quot not bad he Quot asked a greek businessman sitting at a table in the rooftop open air cafe at the Athens Gate i Lotel. He was talking about the View. Spread out below us were the i 4 ancient corinthian columns of the Temple of the olympian zeus honouring the supreme god of heaven and Earth. Beyond the Temple was Lyca Bettus Hill with the Little monastery on top. And to the West was a fantastic View of the Arm Polis topped by the ancient boric columns of Thi Parthenon. Nope not bad it All. I had t Hosen this hotel Tor one reason Only Many of the rooms had Bah onies with Posti Ard v news of the acropolis i he rooftop Cole was a great Bonus. When the Sun went Down Gold spotlights lit the acropolis and Parthenon magically bringing the Temple to Lily. When go to Paris j want to see the fitted Tower. In Cairo i want to see tire pyramids. And in Athens i want to see the Parthenon preferably from my hotel Halcond t course the Parthenon is hard to miss since it takes l enter stage High above the t it on the acropolis. A one of Western it. In Ili action s most levered monuments the Par thenon has reigned Over the City since 447 b.c., w Hen athenian statesman Pericles started building it. The Temple inspired by the greek army s Triumph Over the persians honoured Athens Patron goddess Athena. Conservatives in the athenian Assembly thought the Temple was in bad taste Quot we Are gilding and adorning our City like a Wanton woman Quot one assemblyman complained. But Pericles prevailed. Quot future Ages will wonder at us Quot he said. He was right. I never tire of seeing Pericles achievement. One of my favorite Vantage Points is from the top of Lyca Bettus Hill. You can hike the Steep Rocky slopes on a Cool Day or take the funicular to the top. The acropolis is clearly visible even through Athens thick layers of Haze and air pollution. I also like to see the acropolis up close walking on Ivi any of Athens hotels even inexpensive pensions offer great views of or at least close proximity to the acropolis. The polished Marble Steps through the Pine Trees with an exuberant soundtrack of cicadas. Fortunately Many of Athens hotels even inexpensive pensions offer great views of or at least close proximity to the acropolis. Here Are a few personal favourites. A the Athens Gate 10 syn grou ave., Athens 1 1 743, Greece is a Fine bargain for about $65 for one person $85 for two. The rooms Are Small the furniture and carpets faded and there Are no televisions. But none of that matters when sliding Glass doors open to a Balcony filled with red geraniums and the View is of the acropolis and Parthenon. For More information Call Best Western 1 -800-528-1234 in the states or Contact a travel agent. Make sure you request a room with a View of the acropolis when you make your reservation. A the Electra Palace 18 Nikon Yimou Sta modern 12 stripes Ruga me december 24, 1992