Ria provided me with good directions into the city, made plans to meet me at the apartment and kept to them. She was warm and gracious but not intrusive. She was available in the event that I should have needed something.

The apartment is wonderful. Bright, clean, airy. Elegantly furnished. Tastefully decorated. The apartment houses an impressive collection of books, in Greek and German mostly, but in other languages, too. Works of literature and art historical monographs.

The best thing about the apartment is the balcony. 4 floors up and spanning the length of the apartment. Affording views of the white sprawl of the city below and a mountain in the distance.

The apartment is well-situated. Close to Megaro Mousikis metro station, which makes connection to the airport convenient. It is also a short walk (20 min) to Syntagma, a walk that takes you past one of Athens's main concert halls, the Byzantine Museum, the site of Aristotle's Lyceum, several foreign embassies, and several Greek government ministeries.

The neighborhood is quiet and agreeable. It is well-endowed with restaurants, a short walk away.