I can't answer all of your questions but if you use a hotel like the Attalos you have the front desk staff who are excellent to give you guidance plus you are within walking distance to 90 % of what you'll want to see. You will be in a safe area if you use common sense.

If you go to the Acropolis with a guide book you can do it at your own pace. As well there are Acropolis specific books you can get in Athens.

But, the best resource you have is this very website. Go back through older posts and it will be a goldmine.

Regards,Dean in Canada

2. Symphony / theater

Regarding symphony events

http://www.megaron.gr/#

is the site of Athens Concert Hall. "Things" are not so many, till Jan 10th.

http://www.n-t.gr/

Is the site of National Theater. Has multiple shows. Keep in mind that site refers to shows the 3 - 4 different central locations. All are central but in some distance between them. So, double check via your hotel reception date and location.

Keep in mind, not to mix up, that date format in Europe is dd/mm/yyyy. So 01/02/2008 is 1st / February / 2008.

3. Depends on what you want :)

Foodie? Drink? walk?

In general the area around Plaka / Monastiraki / Psirri is alive and buzzing nearly 24/7, so i 'd think of a place there. Nevertheless, we are speaking about many many different options regarding style and $$.

4. A guide is always a good thing BUT you can do it by your own, on a good guide book as said. Take your time with this site and allow you to walk around slowly. These are my 5 cent directions:

- Approach the site via Acropolis subway station on Red line

- Walk on Dionyssiou Areopagitou str. This walk, along with the progressively growing views of the monument are part of the visit too :)

- Take a short look also at the New Acropolis Museum, just near the subway station. Keep in mind that, although not finished, some limited common spaces are open to the public Mon -> Fri, 10am - 12 am.

- Keep in mind that the whole site offers two things: Ancient constructions themselves AND views to the city. So, you will probably be taking many photos.

- Hike seems high but it is not. Nevertheless you need good - not slippery - shoes with a good grip and good support on the feet / ankle. Keep this in mind all over Athens. It's a walking destination.

- Combine Acropolis visit with a visit to other adjacent sites. Ticket you purchase is a 12 euros combined ticket which gives you access to more sites, so keep it :)

- How to combine the monuments?

+ start with Dionussus Theater at the start of the walk on Dion. Areopagitou str.

+ proceed to Acropolis Hill

+ walk back to the pedestrian walk again

+ proceed on Ap. Pavlou str, towards Thission and Agora / Hephaestus's Temple / end your visit there.

This way you start and end near subway connections.

Read / download also:

www.gnto.gr/pages.php?pageID=805&langID=2

You can get "Athens" map. Shows center of Athens :) can be printed in large size paper.

www.ahistoryofgreece.com/worldwarII.htm

has a particle of Acropolis history during WW2. When on the site, proceed to the flag post. This is the point where this history took place. . .

Oops, keep in mind also that "Acropolis" is a general term, referring the "Akro" of "Polis" which means "edge of the city" or "tip of the city". So, in general it means "last defense point". So you can find acropolis-es at many places around the world. So, practically "Acropolis of Athens" is the whole specific Hill.

Thanks so much for the advice!

I was also wondering if any of you know where I can go to spend the first day at a spa, maybe a massgae and facial to relieve the jet lag before I start exploring the city!

As far as what I would like to do, all the touristy things but then would like to find out what places the locals go to.

Also can one still visit the islands this time of year or is it too cold and better to stay in the city?

I am looking at all the apartments online today, those people are very frinedly as well and if the apt is not already booked chances are it won't be, they will give me good rates on them. I have heard mixed messages here regarding athensstudios.com, maybe some of the locals are familiar with them?

Thanks again. K

Usually you must not have many concerns about safety in Athens...so regarding hotel or apartment you have just to find what would you prefer...if you are in budjet i dont think that apartments of good quality and in good location can be found in budjet....the only cheap apartments i know..and they are god and in excelent location close to attractions are Athens studios...

http://www.athensstudios.gr/web/

Ava apartment hotel and Acropolis apartments are really good properties but you will need more than 200 Dollars there....

but if you actually need a reasonable price hotel ,with budjet prices and good location ,i would mention also

http://www.artgalleryhotel.gr

these are my recomandations on budjet...

as for SPA...

I would suggest the best spa in the centre,but it is little bit expensive...is the Spa of Grande Bretage hotel at Syntagma sqaure...a hotel that worths a visit even cause it is a city landmark,but also its spa facilities are great...with about 110 euros you can have a very good programm and it worths,

http://www.grandebretagne.gr/html/spa-eng.htm

and here are their treatments-price list

grandebretagne.gr/files/Spa_newsletter_8thEd…

if you can not afford and you want something cheaper but also with good quality and profesionalism i would recomend Carita SPA on the first level of Baby Grand hotel at Kotzia sqaure...30-40 perecent cheaper than the luxurious Grande bretagne an nice alternative

www.classicalhotels.com/default.asp…