T R AV E L
GREECEtatler.com Tatler October 2019W HE R E TO STAY
Hotel Grande Bretagne Oozing classical Hellenistic
restraint, this fabled grand dame of impeccable taste
and resolute discretion has seen it all, including
Brigitte Bardot motorcycling down its grand stairway.
Today you can still imbibe its magic, whether over tea
in the Winter Garden, martinis at the rooftop bar, or just
by enjoying the impressive welcome present of a
chocolate Caryatid statue in the silk-draped finery
of one of its suites. marriott.com
Four Seasons Astir Palace This temple of chic with
driftwood design and endless infinity pools on a beautiful
stretch of coast will take near Herculean resolve to
leave, especially with its impressive holistic spa. Of the
two buildings, the sprawling Nafsika is more suited to
families, while Arion is perfect for a romantic weekend- as are the perennially popular bungalows, which are
the ultimate in retro reverie. fourseasons.com/athens
White Key Villas For some of the most exceptional
houses to rent on the Athenian Riviera, try this
Athens-based villa company. whitekeyvillas.com
The best of Athens’ culture and coastal glamourWHAT TO SEE
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre
A cultural haven, with a Renzo Piano-designed opera
house and library, canal café and hanging gardens,
that has completely regenerated this area on the
south coast. snfcc.org/en
Onassis Stegi This arts centre sees that other titan of
Greek history competing from beyond the grave with
his own legacy foundation. onassis.org
The Museum of Cycladic Art Ancient sculptures and
ceramics, including a large collection of Cycladic figurines.
Don’t miss the Picasso and Antiquity show. cycladic.grWHO TO VISIT
Dimitra Goula The city’s best facialist – she alone is
worth flying to Athens for. Goula’s holistic facials use
natural products and ancient herbs sourced by the
monks of Mount Athos. Take home the rose and
jasmine serum, made from petals collected at 4.30am,
when the dew is freshly formed. dimitragoula.gr/enWHERE TO EAT
Pelagos, Four Seasons Astir Palace The Scott’s
of Athens: it’s fabulously inviting here, what with the
sweeping terrace and sleek Martin Brudnizki interiors.
The seafood menu of dreams includes a memorable
lobster spaghetti and the most refined grilled calamari
with fava bean purée, all paired with delicious Greek
wines. fourseasons.com/athens/restaurants/pelagos
Papadakis At this much-loved institution high up in
the stylish Kolonaki area of Athens, Greece’s superstar
chef Argiro Barbarigou serves a fanfare of
sophisticated Greek classics – the white grouper in a
Santorini wine sauce and the sautéed prawns with chilli
and feta are highlights. papadakisrestaurant.com
Krabo Beach It’s party central at this chic beachside
hangout, which serves the freshest fish and is always
extra fun when the Dudu shots (mini dirty martinis)
come out. krabo.grits Doric columns that punctuate
this craggy promenade in an other-
worldly stillness.
Lord Byron was so moved by the
area’s beauty that he carved his
name into the base of one of the
columns. He wrote in his 1881
poem, The Isles of Greece:‘Place me on Sunium’s marbled
steep,
Where nothing, save the waves
and I,
May hear our mutual murmurs
sweep...’And it is this collision of the
sacred and the profane on this
wildly beautiful, culturally rich and
glamorous coastline, an ancient
seat of the goddess Athena, that
makes it such an enduringly exciting
place to visit. (Krabo BeachHotel Grande BretagnePHOTOGRAPHS: ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES; YONDER.FR
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