PEACE OF GREECE

THE ATHENIAN RIVIERA IS A GOLDMINE OF HISTORY AND BUCKET-LIST SITES, BEN ROBERTS-HASLAM FINDS

- BEN ROBERTS-HASLAM

WHILE many travellers are seduced by the idea of escaping to one of Greece’s myriad islands, the Athenian Riviera offers the same castaway appeal and a whole lot more besides.

Earning the nickname the Cote D'Azur of Greece, the sunkissed 40-mile stretch of coastline from Piraeus to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, boasts glamorous resorts, pine-fringed beaches and buzzy nightlife, and is perfectly placed to tick off some bucket-list sights.

Just south of Athens, a day trip to take in the ancient wonder of the Acropolis or to set foot in the first ever Olympic stadium is a mere taxi ride away.

And strolling the city’s picturesque neighbourhoods of Plaka, Monastiraki and Psyrri, a goldmine of historical sites and neoclassical architecture, you'll get to soak in the real Greece, when you fancy time away from your sunbed.

As far as resorts go, the Athenian Riviera is undergoing somewhat of a renaissance with luxury hotel chains springing up along the shoreline. But for something just as indulgent, yet altogether different, I checked in to 91 Athens Riviera, The Resort.

Opened last year, it offers a memorable stay, in domed canvas tents. Don’t panic - this is a world away from a ground sheet and midnight flits to a communal loo across a field.

Sleek, white and fully sustainable, these “Luxtents” are a fusion of luxury and yurt life, with a central super-king bed and en suite bathroom with circular windows and wooden floors.

Add in a large TV, minibar, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, Nespresso coffee machines, bathrobes, slippers and Naxos Apothecary bath products. Oh and a private furnished decking area to make one very cool palatial pad.