Athens is the capital of Greece but for me it represents much more than that and is the cradle of culture or more accurately the cradle of western culture.

Athens offers an amazing experience whether you are walking around the incredible temples of the Acropolis, which cannot fail to impress, gazing at the steps of the temple of Olympian Zeus and wondering at its fallen columns or making your way around one of the many museums, particularly good is the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

In truth if you are not interested in the wealth of history and classical sites then Athens may not hold much appeal for you, although there are the shopping areas of Kolonaki and Ermou street which may not compare to Rome or Milan, but will still offer sufficient interest to provide a decent fix for any shopping addict. The many bars, restaurants and cafes in ‘Psiri’ will keep you entertained and satiated and following the successful Olympics of 2004 Athens has a wealth of very good, and sometimes very bad, hotels to choose from but for the best deals at the most popular hotels it is always advisable to book in advance. Athens is also a great place from which to explore the rest of the country with great rail and road links.

In just a few hundred years Greece gave birth to the foundations of politics, law, medicine, philosophy, architecture and sculpture. Athens was the climax of this, and the Acropolis represented all that was great of ancient Greece. Athens is a must see for anyone who considers themselves to have an interest in western culture and to my mind more than anywhere else on the planet, represents the cradle of culture.