Because our flight was at 6:30am on Sunday morning, we actually started our journey on Saturday afternoon so we could spend the night at T5 Sofitel which eliminated a very early start from home. The hotel is linked to the terminal and it’s just a short walk to the lifts that take you to departures so a real no-brainer if you have an early flight out of T5. This was the 3rd time we have used this hotel for preflight accommodation and it probably won’t be the last either, plus we have also become very partial to their really comfortable beds and bedding.
The bag drop opened up at 5:35am and we were through security and airside in 12 minutes. There was just enough time to grab a coffee and buy something to eat while on the plane, this was because there wasn’t an in-flight meal on this route with BA. After a 40-minute delay taking off, our flight to Athens took 3 hours, and 10 minutes and we touched down just after 12:20pm local time. We then faced a 50-minute snake queue to get through immigration. I’m told it’s one of the benefits of Brexit 🤔
I actually had my name called out over the airport PA as our driver was panicking that we were lost or had missed him. 😂
After a 30-minute drive, we arrived at The Athens Gate Hotel which is our overnight accommodation prior to boarding tomorrow.
The room is compact and will do for one night but the best thing is the 8th-floor bar which has excellent views of the Parthenon and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
After a quick drink in the said bar, we set off in search of vegan food for Nicole and as luck would have it, we found somewhere within 5 minute walk of the hotel and it was open. We both came away totally stuffed, as a non-vegan the food was exceptional.
It is Greek Orthodox Easter weekend and there are many places shut including many if not all of the monuments.
The only thing for it was to get some steps in which is what we did, the cafés and bars eventually came to life early evening and certain areas were quite lively. At 8:00pm we called it a day and headed back to the hotel for a nightcap in the bar. It’s been a long day and we are both cream crackered.
What a view to end our day off with. 😁
Nice pictures in Athens. We had an odd Brexit benefit when boarding Azamara Quest in Amsterdam in August last year. Arrival at Schipol passports were stamped gong in ( supposedly) ( NOT a long Q) and boarding the ship we had to be stamped as leaving – except that they failed to stamp my wife’s passport going in. Not quite a diplomatic incident and after holding up the boarding Q for 10 minutes we were both allowed to board. My passport shows in / out of Holland and my wife evidently got to the ship directly as there is no in and out stamp! May the farce NOT be with us….
Your golden hour shots of the Acropolis are OUTSTANDING! And we both laughed out loud about the “benefit of Brexit.” Still chuckling five minutes later.
That’s a great view from your hotel, I especially like the Parthenon lit up at night. Hope you have a wonderful trip.