MAY I HAVE SOME DOLMADES WITH MY TEAR GAS?

To date, no major cruise lines have canceled Athens embarkations.  We anticipate some hotel location changes designed to keep cruise guests away from the central square where major demonstrations are taking place. This situation is currently rather fluid and we recommend that all Athens bound guests review arrangements with their consultant two weeks prior to departure. Be aware that the two top rated Athens hotels, the Grand Bretagne and the King George, our #1 and #2 rated Athens properties, are both  located across from the Parliament Building on Syntagma Square. This is particularly convenient for Americans who enjoy the sound of a bullhorn and the faint smell of tear gas. But those who study the facts before departure will realize that Athens is generally quite safe and the unions seem never to demonstrate during the dinner hour. Demonstrations are predictable and tied to austerity decisions made in Parliament. In general, vistors to Athens should stay in one of the following duistricts: Plaka – Koukaki – Monastiraki – Makriami. There are also areas to avoid and these include Omonia and the area adjacent to the central train station.