Athens, Greece

Since this is the place I would love to see the most, I have loads of info on it.

CULTURAL AFTERNOON
One downside of visiting pre-Olympic Athens is that its finest museum is closed for refurbishment. The National Archaeological Museum at 1 Tositsa (00 30 210 821 7717) contains a dizzying collection of finds from Neolithic to Roman times, but it is closed until summer. Instead, take the narrow street Eolou through Plaka as far as you can go, with the Acropolis directly in front of you, until you reach the marble, octagonal Tower of the Winds , designed by a Macedonian astronomer as a first-century weather station. It once served as a sundial, compass, clock and weather vane, and still discernible today are eight reliefs of flowing male figures at the top of each side, depicting the different winds and their particular attributes.

WINDOW SHOPPING
The best all-round shopping street is Ermou , conveniently central, mercifully free of cars, and aptly named for Hermes, the god of commerce.
The well-heeled Kolonaki district is the place to go for designer clothing and shoes. For handicrafts, antiques and jewellery, try Kidathineon or one of its equally mercantile neighbours.

AN APERITIF
Two carless, leafy side streets off Kolonaki Square have numerous options. On Tsokalof , try Caffe da Capo or Ciao; on parallel Millieni Street, enjoy the eccentric artefacts and live music at Jackson Hall to get you in the mood for the evening.

DINING WITH THE LOCALS
Not far from the flea market, busy Thanasis at Mitropoleos 69, (00 30 210 324 4705) serves the best souvlaki in town, reputedly. In the shadow of the Acropolis (photo of view from Acroplois), on Mnisikleous, various establishments offer solid Greek fare. Nearby, Eden, at 12 Lyssiou (00 30 210 324 8858), is Greece's first vegetarian restaurant. It offers a fine range of fresh and organic dishes at excellent prices. A soya souvlaki or vegetable chilli, with a salad starter, dessert and a glass of organic wine costs around €15 (£10.50) a head.

Weather Conditions in March

Adverage Highs: 60.4*F

Adverage Lows: 53.1*F

Adverage Precipitation: 1.70"