Athens, Right Now: Spilled Milk #481

Today’s Newsletter Includes:

• Why late summer might be the smartest time to book a ticket to Athens.

• The hotels, neighborhoods and islands I’d send my closest friends to.

• The restaurants that make Athens one of Europe’s most exciting food cities.

You heard me right. If you've been staring at airfare wondering whether to pull the trigger on Greece, I want you to just do it. There are some amazing deals to be had, and late August and September may be the single best time to visit Athens or the Greek islands in general. The city is still humming with summer energy, the sea remains warm and swimmable, restaurants are fully open, vineyards are beginning their harvest, the brutal heat of July has typically eased and, best of all, many Europeans have returned home after their August holidays. The city feels more relaxed without losing any of its energy. No pun intended.

Athens has undergone one of Europe’s great culinary renaissances. Twenty years ago, many travelers treated it as a one-night stop before boarding a ferry for the islands. Today, that would be a mistake.

You can spend a week here and barely scratch the surface. Ancient monuments sit beside natural wine bars. Neighborhood tavernas that have barely changed in a century sit side by side with Michelin starred kitchens. Every market seems to produce another revelation in olive oil, seafood, mountain herbs, cheeses, fruits and anything your heart desires from a culinary standpoint.