Hotel Grand Bretagne-Athens
Just as Athens Greece is sprucing up in anticipation of the 2004 Summer Olympics, so too is the city's historic Hotel Grand Bretagne (www.HotelGrancleBretagne-ath.gr). Nicknamed the "Royal Box of Athens," this 130 year-old hotel reopened in 2003 after a USD $70 million restoration which has restored the property to its original splendor. The hotel, reborn as a member of The Luxury Collection by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, has 320 rooms including 35 suites. The Hotel Grand Bretagne's renovation included such highlights as a new ballroom, a health club and spa, a rooftop swimming pool and a magnificent rooftop restaurant with breathtaking views of the Acropolis that complement its exquisite cuisine perfectly. This former royal palace is a local landmark situated in the very heart of Athens. Built in 1862, the hotel has been host to politicians, diplomats, movie stars and VIPs from around the world. The new Royal and Presidential Suites take luxury to a new height with features such as private saunas and gyms, dining rooms and fireplaces. The hotel's exclusie Butler service, available to all guests, provides a level of service befitting royalty.
The hotel's restaurant, known to the locals as "GB Rooftop" has become the center for Athens' jet-set. The service is perfect, the view at night of the flood-light Acropolis is surreal, and Executive Chef Ernst Lothar Frank's menu is unsurpassed. The view alone is worth coming up to the bar for drinks since reservations are difficult to get due to the restaurant's popularity. Call for reservations well before you even arrive in Greece. Dinner here must not be missed. This dining experience is fit for the Gods.
Our meal began with a Polenta lasagna with sautéed forest mushrooms and Oak-smoked Salmon tartar with avocado in a tangy wasabi cream. Both starters were incredible. The catch of the day, Swordfish, was perfectly grilled, served on a bed of finely spiced ratatouille of eggplant and peppers and accompanied by herb-roasted new potatoes. A superb black ribbon pasta was prepared with a mix of scallops and shrimp in saffron cream. In a word, everything about dining at the GB Rooftop is heavenly.
If you can't make it to Athens for the summer games, you can enjoy a taste of this marvelous restaurant in Manhattan. In celebration of the Olympics' return home to Athens, the Chefs of Hotel Grand Bretagne and Molyvos Restaurant in New York (871 Seventh Avenue (212)582-7500, www.molyvos.com) will blend their talents to design menus representative of the relationship between food and the Olympics. Together, these masters of cuisine will present a special Olympic Agenda with such offerings as Lamb Souvlaki with bulgur wheat and lentil pilaf, Coriander & Black Pepper Crusted Tuna with herb salad, marinated cucumbers & thyme honey vinaigrette, Baked Chickpea soup and perhaps even Red Onion and Caper Stew.
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Bodrum-Turkey's Turquoise Coast
This vacation Mecca on Turkey's southwestern coast has attracted sunbathers for centuries. In 334 B.C. even Alexander the Great stopped by, not to sunbathe, but to conquer and add the region to his empire.
Known for its brilliant sun and beautiful beaches, the Bodrum peninsula is today considered the vacation capital of Turkey. The area, with its vivid blue waters is often referred to as the turquoise coast. Dotted with secluded islands, ancient ruins and wonderful seafood restaurants, Bodrum is a destination to which you will want to return. Chartering gulets, the traditional Turkish sailing vessel for exploring the coast is popular and very inexpensive. Bodrum is the center of the region and offers easy access to beaches and fascinating antiquities worth a visit.
We stayed at The Butterfly, a lovely bed & breakfast located in a quiet residential neighborhood above the city center. The hosts, Patrick and Farouk, are charming and will readily arrange tours, recommend restaurants and even rent a gullet for a weeks sail down the coast. The view from the Butterfly's pool is gorgeous and the rates are incredibly reasonable. Patrick is originally from Boston and language will not be a problem. We immediately felt right at home. www.thebutterflybodrum.com
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