European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 25, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                I tie acropolis with the Temple of Athena Nike at right is the City s crowning glory. One of the original statues from the restored Erec theion s porch of the Caryl kids is in the British museum in London the rest Are in the acropolis museum. Athens in a past and Plaka Are the City s Best features 1? a amps photos by Michael Abrams Byj. Kin Cruger Northern Italy Bureau a travel writer s greatest sin is to puff up a place and by so doing lure unwary readers into visiting it. With that in mind dear Reader Here s the Lowdown on Athens. Athens May have been the most wondrous City on Earth in the fifth Century  but nowadays the Grimy smog shrouded overstuffed City of 3.5 million people offers few Joys to the casual tourist. Athenians themselves flee the greek capital for a breath of fresh air and for much needed relaxation at every Opportunity particularly during the sweltering months of summer. Prices in Athens especially for hotels run about double what tourists pay in other More enjoyable areas of Greece. So Why go there because ancient Greece was the Cradle of Western civilization and in Athens you can gaze at splendours from its Golden age that you simply can t see anywhere else. The Golden age of Athens refers to the time when Pericles statesman and. General ruled the City and its allies. Pericles took Money intended for the reconstruction of the athenian Fleet and used it to glorify the City. Athens acropolis including the Parthenon dates from this period. The claim is made that during that Era Athens was populated by More statues than people. Until fairly recent years most. Vacationers no matter where they were eventually headed in Greece transited through Athens the nation s capital and. Travel Hub. Vacationers paused for several Days to Quot do Athens then far less crowded and less polluted or stayed in one of its outlying Beach resorts like Gly Fada. Nowadays with direct flights to Many Creek vacation destinations available from Many european cities Many tourists bypass Athens or quickly zip through its port of Piraeus to get to the alluring greek islands. Nevertheless Many budget travellers would like to see Athens in a Short period and without High Cost. Can it be done sure. It s possible for tourists even those staying on Remote greek islands to Quot do Quot Athens in a Day. Keep in mind that such a whirlwind excursion will Only touch the City s highlights. Plan your Tri p to Athens so that you arrive by plane or ferry in the morning. Travel to the City Center by taking inexpensive Public transport the subway from Piraeus or buses from its runway sharing International East or Domestic West airports. From the Center go by bus or trolley to the National a archaeological museum. The museum is open tuesday through Friday from 8 . To 7 p.m., and saturdays sundays and holidays from 8 30 to 3. Monday arrivals will have to deviate from this proposed itinerary because on that Day the museum is open Only from 12 30 to 7. Admission is 1,500 drachma or about $6.25. To this add about $8 for an extremely useful illustrated guide to the museum. Filled with works of Art from ancient shrines and tombs the scale of this one of the great museums of the world cannot be captured in a few words. The majesty of some of the works a such As the Bronze statue of Poseidon found by divers and recovered from its watery grave in 1928the horse and jockey of a Artemis Ion the Boxer s head and the Marathon boy a will stun  that would be the prize of lesser museums can nearly be overlooked Here. After viewing the museum a it can be toured leisurely in two hours a travel again by bus or trolley to the City Center alighting at syntax a or Constitution Square. The  t Long because although Athens sprawls seemingly forever the City s major sights Are clustered closely together. Across from the High Side of syntax a Square now transformed from a Park into a huge construction site while a new subway line is being built is the greek parliament in front of which is the Tomb of the unknown Soldier guarded by the much photographed Ezzone troops in their stiff spreading White skirts pompous and distinctive Caps. When King Otto was crowned first King of the hellenes in 1832 and built his Palace a the present parliament building a in 1834, the population of Athens numbered 5,000, ail reportedly members of Only 169 families. When the capital was created the entire City lived in the Plaka a colourful Quarter nestling below the acropolis. V it s to the Plaka that you la go next by passing Ong the left Side of syntax a 4 travel 94 May 25, 1994