I cannot begin to describe how wonderful my experience staying with Maria Driva was in Athens in the lovely Colonaki neighborhood.
The apartment was absolutely beautiful, extremely well kept and pristine in terms of cleanliness, with beautiful hardwood floors, a large and extremely comfortable bed, great closet space and desk, and an impeccably clean bathroom.
Moreover, the view from the huge balcony was to die for! Not only could you see the Acropolis and all of its components perfectly - the Pantheon, the Erechtheion, the Prypylaea - but also the Areopagus hill just below it, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the islands of Salamis and Aegina slightly further away, and spanning the faint distance the stretch of the Peloponnese from the Isthmus of Corinth to the upper Argolid! Truly majestic!! Likewise, the Lycabettus hill rises up right behind you on the back side.
You feel like spending hours up there with the cool, sea breeze.
Most of all, it was Maria's kindness and extraordinary hospitality - true Greek xenia - that ensure that I will only stay with Maria the next time I return to Athens. She had a hot Spanakopita prepared for my arrival with a bottle of wine (even though I don't drink, the offer was greatly appreciated), and, if that wasn't enough, she made me a wonderful Greek salad for dinner on my last night in town when I asked her for restaurant suggestions!
I can't wait to go back!