You know what it’s like, when you are familiar with a place, it means you hardly know it.
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve visited Athens during the last 26 years that I’ve been in tourism. It’s a much maligned city.
Mention Athens to anyone and they’ll tell you about the traffic, the air pollution, the rudeness of its citizens and the character of the taxi drivers.
I’ve always felt very much at ease in Athens, the underestimated gateway to one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Well, last weekend I did what I haven’t done for many years and that is to spend a morning walking around the city. I hardly recognised parts of Athens which I thought I knew.
Huge chunks of the centre have been pedestrianised so that you can sit out at the cafes and not choke from the traffic fumes. Trees and shrubs are being planted everywhere and the neo-classical buildings that are left are being lovingly restored.
Everywhere you look there is scaffolding, as buildings are being washed and groomed to reflect the new-found elegance of the capital. Excavations are under way in many a square where classical remains have been uncovered. Discoveries are now regarded as part of an important cultural heritage rather than an inconvenience for contractors and developers as in the past.
It’s much cleaner too. The wooded parks around the Acropolis are pristine, completely free of rubbish, and the trees and shrubs are watered in the mornings. Old Athens around the Plaka area at the base of the Acropolis is a joy to wander through, being clean, cool and free of cars.
A few days ago they test-ran a part of the new metro which will come into service by the end of this year.
Another two or three years and this enormous undertaking will be fully operational. Some estimate that traffic within the city will then drop by 50%. New buses now operate to a timetable and 20p will take you anywhere in the city. The ancient trams, too, are soon to be replaced. By the time the Athens Olympics come round in 2004, it will be a city transformed and a capital worthy of the name, with a brand new airport to boot.
The Athenians are very proud of what’s happening. Property prices have soared and old buildings in need of restoration are very much sought after.
More pavements are appearing on streets which have not gone over to pedestrians completely. You can now walk in Athens and thoroughly enjoy the experience.
Much of what has happened is due to the efforts of the current mayor whose dynamism has kick-started one of the largest clean up operations of any city in Europe.
For once in my life I felt that I wouldn’t mind having a little artist’s studio in a quiet corner of the old city.
Athens is well on the way to being tamed, well on the way to becoming a major short-break destination, well on the way to becoming the commercial and cultural centre of the Balkans.
Of course, I’m biased, after all I am a Greek tour operator. But, don’t forget that Sunvil’s brochures are generally very accurate. If you don’t believe me then go ahead and take a look. I promise you’ll enjoy the experience.