Inevitably, travelers to Greece will make time in their trip to search for souvenirs to bring home to friends, family, or just for themselves. Something that says, "Greece". The most likely place for this type of shopping trip is Plaka, located just below the Acropolis in Athens. Plaka is admittedly a beautiful place, named after the stone (plaques) paved walkways that were once the only paved roads in Athens. This area is lined with shops offering every type of souvenir imaginable. It is definitely the perfect place to find any souvenir you are looking for, even some really unique ones, if you know where to look. Plaka can be a little overwhelming once you start buying things. There is just so much of everything, that you can easily get carried away or disenchanted by all the massively produced "junk." I hope to prevent this from happening to you by providing a list of great shops in Plaka that offer something unique and/or offer something that is handmade by an artist who could possibly be sitting right there inside the shop. If you can get to these places first, you may find something so special, the rest of Plaka will not overwhelm you, because you will be content knowing that what you have already bought is unique, high quality, meaningful, and incredibly beautiful. One last recommendation is to head down into Monastiraki. Monastiraki is more of a flea market, but generally offers the same type of souvenir goodies at less expensive price. You may want to walk through Monastiraki first and it will lead you right into Plaka. That way, you will be able to indulge your temptations to buy with less damage to your wallet. Once you get into Plaka, you can compare prices and be a savvier shopper. Here are some standout shops in Plaka and Monastiraki: Demeter Gallery 8 Vyronos St., Plaka Athens, Greece 10558 Phone (210) 324-1754 Greek Knitwear 109 Adianou St., Plaka Athens, Greece 10558 Phone (210) 322-4591 Fax (210) 324-5948 Vergina Gallery 24 Kidathineon St., Plaka Athens, Greece 10558 Phone (210) 324-5304 Vergina@hol.gr Sirines 3 Makryianni Athens, Greece 11742 Phone (210) 922.7750 Royal Oriental Carpet Navarhou Nikodimou 33 Plaka, Athens 10558 Tel: (210) 325.2822 O Mithos 6 Kidathineon St., Plaka Athens, Greece Phone (210) 324-9160 Erofili 8 Vyronos St., Plaka Athens, Greece 10558 (210) 324-9118 Giras 25 Pantrossou St., Syntagma Athens 10556 Phone (210) 322-1224  Ekavi 36 Mitropoleos St. Plaka Athens, Greece (210) 323 - 7740 Agora Ethnic 10 Pandrossou St. & 82 Adrianou St. Plaka, Athens (210) 324-8247 (210) 322-7622 (210) 323-4298 Gallerie Oropheé Ancient Olympia, Peloponnese Tel/Fax: 26240.23463 Pelekanos 115 Adrianou St., Plaka Athens, Greece 10558 Phone (210) 321.9846 Olympico 122 Adrianou St., Plaka Athens, Greece Phone (210) 324.7079 Email b181@otenet.gr   Olympia Paintings on Canvas 122 Adrianou St. Plaka, Athens 10558 Tel/Fax: (210) 322.7914 nikosdem@otenet.gr Website: www.oncanvas.net

Where To "Mall" Shop While in Athens, if you have the time to get out of tourist central and still feel like shopping, here's where to head: Ermou St. - This is a wide pedestrian walkway just opposite the face of the parliament building. It's lined with all the major brand name shops, mostly Greek brand names, but tucked right in with them are shops like Bennetton, Marks and Spencer, and Mac. There are so many shoe shops, it would take a week to get to them all. Prices are mid range in most shops. There are also plenty of happening coffee shops to rest and catch your breath. Take a daily stroll down Ermou Street and enjoy the ever changing variety of sidewalk artists and musicians from all over the world. Kolonaki-On the backside of the parliament building, just below Likavitos Hill, you'll find this posh fashion friendly suburb. You have just found the Beverly Hills of Athens. If you're looking for high-end shopping and the most incredible styles in Greece, you'll find them in this area. It's an easy walk from Syntagma Square. Don't forget your wallets! Kifissia (north)-This town is known for it's tree-lined streets and upscale homes. You can take the metro right into the center (about 30 minutes from Syntagma) and begin your shopping extravaganza! You will find a mix of mid to high-range priced shops and again, Marks and Spencer is on the scene. It's hard to ignore all the beautiful shop windows. Better start early! Glyfada- Here's where you can combine a little beach life with some serious shopping. Glyfada was once a host for an American military base, so you'll find out of place restaurants like Applebees or Fridays there. Anyway, skip those and hit the long drag of shops. You can't take the Metro there, yet, but you can get a bus right to the center (takes about 45 minutes from Syntagma). When you've had enough, kick back at a cool café near the water and surmise your damage for the day. Once you're enjoying the beautiful surroundings, it will be easy to forgive yourself! A Quick Pep Talk Before you start, there are some small details that you may want to know. First of all, there are no GAP, Limited, or Express stores in Greece(yet), so don't bother looking. Secondly, your in-store experience may be a little different than you are accustomed to. I have found that most shops only have a mirror in the center of the store instead of in every dressing room, which means you have to try on your wears and head out to the center of the room for viewing. This can be uncomfortable if the lady working decides to entertain herself by watching you. I have also experienced in other ladies barging in, thinking nothing of it, to make a switch or grab whatever they left behind. Don't be totally surprised if sometimes, you have company! The shops are much tinier than American shops and usually the sizes they stock are smaller. It may take additional looking to find larger sizes. Smoking is allowed in privately owned shops, which most are. You'll have to get used to it. On the other hand, if you are a smoker you can go on in and use their ashtray. Don't be surprised if the clerk pays more attention to his/her own cigarette than to you. Excellent customer service is not generally as expected or enforced as it is in the States. Don't take it personally. They are honest and try to be helpful, but they don't kiss up. Now, go get 'em! Museum Stores Benaki Museum (Jewelry, Silver, Textiles, Books) 1 Koumbari St. and Via Sofias Ave. Kolonaki, Athens www.benaki.gr (210) 367-1000 Mon & Wed 9am-5pm Thurs. 9am-Midnight Sun 9am-3pm   Museum of Cycladic Art (Reproductions and Modern Cycladic Art) 4 Neofytou Douka St. & Via Sofias Ave. Kolonaki, Athens www.cycladic-m.gr Mon & Wed-Fri 10am-4pm Sat 10am-3pm Admission: Ticket: € 3,50 Student ticket: € 1,80 Archaeologists and archaeology students: admission free   Numismatic Museum (Coins, Jewelry) 12 Panepistimiou St. Syntagma, Athens (210) 364-3774 (210) 363-2057 Tue-Sun 8:30am-2:45pm Not finding what you're looking for?.... Try a Search!