Manjit Devgun: Athens is the gateway to some of the most sought after vacation destinations in the world. Named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom it also happens to be the 3000 year old birthplace of Western civilization, the home of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle and the city rich with Ancient architectural splendor.

These days especially since sprucing up for the 2004 Olympic Games, Athens is put on a modern pace becoming once again a cosmopolitan city with a bustling outdoor culture of vibrant night life and much more to do the merely waiting for that boat to the islands.

Located in the heart of Athens with easy access to the plucky area, Syntagma Square and major sites, the Fresh Hotel offers a start contrast to the hassle and buzzle of city streets.

Cool, calm, colorful, the Fresh is a stylist, relaxed, soothing oasis. You’ll love the smart and refreshing rooms as well as the Torasso floored magenta restaurant and the Orange bar serving new ball Greek cuisine.

Top floor however is the marvelous and elegant air lounge. The roof top full and bar area with rows of couches, olive trees and then amazing view of the acropolis should simply not be missed.

An all day café, bar and restaurant there’s always something going on at Bacaro from revolving art shows to tango, jazz and high end Mediterranean food, Bacaro offers a place for Athenians and visitors of all taste to come together.

Tessie Spilioti: This place is very special because it has a bit of everything and every night is different. It has become one of the high ends in place, but you can also come on your night out and casual as well.

Manjit Devgun: Enjoy the spacious atriums sitting or take a seat at the long bar with snazzy red design a stalls. In the evening the restaurant takes on an intimate vibe with candles and discrete low lighting to stimulate the conversation. Enjoy Bacaro, it’s a meeting place of art, entertainment and culture.

By night the new Athens really comes alive. After a day at the acropolis it’s time and why not the Champaign and dancing. Villa Mercedes is the new generation of Athenian clubs offering glamorous fine dining in the open air followed by dancing and the languorous setting to hand pick international DJS rocking the house till dawn.

George Sarafidis: The club is very crowded every night. We have special parties every night with others. We have their teams. The styled people who come in here, fashionable people. There are club people and all the VIP of this town.

Manjit Devgun: The club is magnificent, tall ceilings, walls, drift ten fabric, grand chandeliers, a top of the line sound system and the rays VIP section.

One and remains open air allowing and soothing fresh breeze. Classy, elegant, sophisticated, Villa Mercedes is a welcome contemporary addition to this city with roots reaching so far into the past.

If you’re looking for something absolutely lovely but slightly less energetic, here is one of Athens’ hippies night spots, located in a restored neoclassical house, Balthazar offers several bar areas but it’s known primarily for its fabulous garden court yard. Huge, illuminated, calm trees through a golden light over the breezy garden area create the stunning but relax setting. The stylist crowd enjoys cocktails or settles in with multiple courses of some of the best food in Athens. Like Hotel Fresh, Balthazar is an oasis, a place to unwind and marvel at your surroundings.

Athens, explore where the ancient Greeks wrote some of the most enduring literature of all time, and created democracy while they were at it, but don’t focus so much on history that you forget to eat great food and have a little fun.

Make the most of this town then get on that ship for a cruise to the islands. Hope you enjoy the trip. I’m Manjit Devgun and this is City by City.