Athens is a very beautiful city. People may say it is dirty and run down, but I didn’t find it any more so than any other city. People may call it smelly, but I most certainly did not find that to be the case. Except on the one really busy through road, that goes all the way to Piraeus port; Syngrou, there was no traffic smell. Inhaling, one smelt mostly the smells of spring, jasmine, honeysuckle and orange flower, which was a wonderful smell. Occasionally there would be added to that, the smell of cooking Souvlaki, and everywhere, the smell of freshly baked bread and pastries. It was an olfactory joy, and that is more than can be said for most cities I have visited. Piraeus port has undergone something of a refurbishment, or so I hear. It has the docks and cruise ship port area, but then it has a lovely big, glamorous marina, edged with nice shops and restaurants. Further on, there is the smaller marina for yachts and little boats, where the waterfront restaurants are somewhat quieter. That was where we had lunch, and it was delicious. The walking round Piraeus is good, and very interesting and picturesque, lots of great photo opportunities.

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