Greece Travel: Traveler's Reviews
What the Greeks themselves say about
Matt's Greece Travel Guides

Dear Matt,
I am one of the visitors of your web page (http://www.athensguide.com ) and I am really glad of what you are writing in those pages, since I am a Greek and I know how accurate are whatever you write in there.

Please accept my congratulations, for the quality of your web page and the honest way you are describing everything in there. It seems that you have worked very hard to create this web page and I totally appreciate your hard work!

I have been surfing in your web site for only 30 minutes and I felt that I wanted to express you how much I am enjoying it, so I decided to write you this note.

"BRAVO" again for the GREAT work!

I hope you keep working in this page and let American people (and not only) know more about Athens/Greece.

With great appreciation,

Vangelis

Hi Matt

Reading the "testimonials" pages, I think EOT (greek tourism organization) should pay you a mothly salary for the services you provide in promoting Greece as a destination! You do a far better job than they do!

I am Greek living in Athens, but I have many friends and colleagues abroad. They all ask me where to go in Greece, how to go, where to stay, what to eat, etc. Ever since I came across your site, I just send them the link and I'm done. They all come back to me saying how great their vacation was and how much your info helped them.

Feel free to contact me when you're in Athens again. I'll buy you a tsipouro

cheers
Loukas

I'm an American of Greek descent (my father is from Sparta) and I've
traveled to Greece on many occasions. Love your site and refer everyone to
it as a first stop before planning a trip to Greece! Thanks for a
well-researched and beautifully-designed window into the place of my heart
and dreams.

Thanks!

Lygia

I have never laughter so much for a long time. Thank!!
I am Greek and I can imagine the fun you had in the agora
good job  

I visited your web site, the Athens survival guide. I am a Greek
who lives in Athens and I feel the need to congratulate you
about the site. Sometimes I think you know better Athens than I
do ! Keep on updating your site.

Regards from Athens
George

Dear Blueking,
I happened to end up in your webpage about Athens, and
I was really amazed from it. It is a great "gift" for
my city, it says the things exactly how they are, and
reminded me that even when I get seriously pissed-off
in the usuall trafic-jams, Athens a few hours later
will be cool again :). I would only like to read some
more stories about experiences that people had in
Greece, good or bad, like the driving licence story.
Good luck in your next trips, anywhere...
Kostas

PS. I have been surfing the net for 5 years, and it is
the only time that I feel the need to congratulate
someone for his web page. 

Matt,

I am a 32y old Greek, born and raised in Athens but came to the US for
graduate studies at the age of 23 and stayed here for the last 10y, 5 in Cincinnati,OH, 5y in
Los Angeles,CA.

Never in my life have I seen such an A-WE-SO-ME tourist guide than yours!
This is such an amazing work! I don't think that any Greek or the National
Organization of Tourism could come up with such results! I just wanted to let you know of my
appreciation, and admiration and assure you that, whoever I meet that I hear he/she wants
to visit Greece, I let them know of your website. In fact, your work is more than just a
tourist guide.

It raises the awareness and builds channels of communication between people,
especialy the American people, about Greece, its history and its people.
Hve you ever thought of turning yourself to a US ambassador to Greece?
I am sure you would do a superb job!

A highly -soon to be a US citizen- appreciating Greek!
Nick

Not sure where I am supposed to send this, so I used this address.

I have to say that your site is absolutely magnificent. I am Greek, I am
living in Athens, and even for me it is a great source of information which
dozens of interesting places and shops to visit. I recommend this site to
all travelling discussion boards I participate in (following your advice)
and wish you the very best of lack with the site. Admittedly, the design
needs a lot of work, but the content is plain perfect.

I sincerely hope you will never get tired of Athens Guide, and that it will
always be on-line.

I do not know what you do for a living or if this site generates some sort
of income for you, but if you ever deside you do not have the time or money
to support it please give it to someone else. It owuld be a shame to lose
all this great stuff you have gathered here.

best regards, Yiannis

I was feeling a little homesick tonight, so I found your article on Monemvasia.  I haven't been there in nearly eight years, but growing up, our family visited every few years or so.  My dad came from there, and being Greek, is related to nearly half the town.  A lot has changed since I was there last; more Westernized, more technologically advanced.  But the ocean is the same, the winding road and the near-deadly heat. The flying dolphin, the stark beauty...I sometimes wonder if Angela's House, a hotel up a road just as you come into town is still there, whether the cafenio where we used to get our afternoon ice cream and frappe is still operated by the same old man.  The octopus hanging on ropes around the outside seating areas were never meant for weak stomachs, and we would watch as the young boys, having caught one of the things, pounded it against a rock out by the ocean.  You mentioned the German tourists turning places into summer homes.  I remember laughing at them when we went over.  Going to the ocean at noon, in the glaring sun, we knew that they would return looking like lobsters. 

Mostly, I just wanted to say thanks. You captured a piece of my home, and my memories.  In the pictures, I expected to see my aunt and uncle, my grandmother, or friends that I haven't seen in years.  Strange how places grow on you.

Aspasia

Dear Matt
I have been looking through your site for the last couple of days, and I
wanted to congratulate you for your work. I am actually Greek, currently
studying in England, and looking through your site I got even more
homesick than I usually am (especially now that I'm in the middle of
exams). I have to admit that your site is one of the best guides for
Greece that I've come across. Even from a local's point of view, it's
excellent. Most guidebooks usually get on my nerves because they only
deal with the touristy places and things to do, and do not get the point
of living in Greece. I particularly liked your Athens guide. It is
indeed a beautiful city when you get used to all the traffic and smog,
and in 21 years you can imagine that I've grown very fond of it,
especially now that I'm away. You are one of the few foreign people that
sees this.
As for the sections about other parts of Greece, I was amazed at all the
places you've visited. At last, a good guide that deals with more than
just the islands (with the possible exception of Lonely Planet, by far
the best guidebooks, they're the only reason that I made it through my
Inter-rail last year...).
Anyway, I just wrote because I felt I had to congratulate you after
managing to make me this homesick... Keep up the good work!
George

Yia Sou Matt Barrett !

Your website on my home city is fantastic ! I've just looked at the
section on the streetpeople and buskers, and listened to the violin
player (amazing). I'm glad I came across your site (through some other
Greek links) and I tell people about it. I'm a hideously homesick
Athenian, temporarily in LA with my American husband. (I grew up in
S.Africa though). Your site has helped me to revisit my most favourite
place and birthplace (Plaka), and I was even crying here at the screen,
seeing hundreds of details that I know, including banana-sellers and
other people that I used to see.
I'm amazed at all the details and great photos of Athens that you've put
together.
Bravo ! Ise katapliktikos. Na isaste kala....esi ke i  ikogenia sou.

Kalo fthinoporo.....
Miranda
(and my husband, Matt as well....we came to LA for him to record the
greatest rock 'n roll CD for many, many years. Tell you later if you're
interested.)

Browsing through your site I could hardly tell the difference whether
you were a visitor or a fellow Athenian. Great work!
Katerina 

Hello Matt,

If I hadn't been a Greek who lives in Athens and if I had happened upon your
website, the first thing that I'd do would be to buy a ticket to Athens! As
far as I am concerned, your message has been successfully delivered: You've
made my mouth water!

A strange thing, but it speaks for the quality of your site: I belong to
those Athenians who do know the Acropolis, who love being around in the
city, who have been countless times in Plaka, Monastiraki, Psyrri. Yet I
felt the irresistible urge to go for a stroll after having spent a couple of
hours navigating around your site.

Matt, I believe that you deserve a medal from the Greek government!

Another thing: Even if you hadn't mentioned it in your site, I would have
guessed your nationality instantly. It is so quintessentially American: It
exudes warmth, openness and friendliness, to me the most characteristic
traits of the American people.

Greetings from Athens,
Serge
GSM Greece

I am a college student at Loyola University Chicago and just read a
good chunk of your Great Athens tips.  I'm currently sitting here in a
computer lab and must admit that your commentary made me laugh out
loud, for I remember much of the same to be true.  Thank you for
writing something so close to home!
Oh, and I wouldn't recommend the Tower Air cheap flight to anyone!!!!
My family took it over this past summer. It left from NY at 12:00 P.M.
and was crowded and I threw up 3 times!!!
HORRIBLE!
But you are correct, one does have plenty of time and warm sunshine
to get over it!!!
Thank you again for your humor and wit!
Sincerely
  Beth Manuselis 

Dear Matt, Andrea & Amarandi,
Hello! I absolutely love your pages about Greece, especially the Athens
airport section. You had me cracking up in the middle of my university
computer lab because everything you said was so true. My family is Greek and
I too know the legend of the Athens airport luggage carousel. It's so funny,
but I still look forward to it every time!

Anyway, just wanted to tell you that your page is helping me SO MUCH because
I am planning my first solo trip "without parents" to Greece for this summer
so all the help I can get is great. Your pages are so helpful Thanks!
Christina 

Dear Mr. Barrett!
I would like to tell you how much good your Athens survival guide did to me.
I am a greek student living in Munich, Germany since 1993 and I haven´t
managed to travel to Greece for the last 2,5 years. One of the few
possibilities to stay in touch with Greece is the Internet and so I landed
on your page. I really enjoyed reading the text version. Since I was born
and raised in Athens, Marousi in particular, it reminded me of all the
wonderful times I had there.
It is always uplifting to see that there are more people that love the city
that sometimes torment us but always embraces us with warmth.

Next time you´re in Athens, be sure to visit a café called Zeppelin. It is
on the hill of Galatsi and you can sit there and drink your coffee watching
Athens at your feet. At clearer days you can see right down to Pireaus.

Again, thank you a lot.

Sincerely yours,
Dimitris  

Matt,

Congratulations!!Your site is THE GUIDE for Greece!! I work for the GNTO and it is amazing how accurate the information is and how many things you can find inside. However, I think it would be better if you could set a new layout of the site, by clicking less and seing more...
By the way, can you promote Zaharo Ilias? It is a wonderful place near to Ancient Olympia and many people ignore even its existence... I could send you lots of information needed and many many fotos. Thanks in advance!

My best regards,

Markos K.
(PATRA)

Hi Matt,

I was feeling bored, and decided to have a look at the net - no special destination. And I "fell" on your guide on "my" city = Athens. And I don't mean Athens, Georgia (or something like that), but "Atheena". Veeeeeeery amusing!! And you really astonished me with all that info you have. You know -- you seem to be so patient, so humorous, so understanding that you would have liked any place. Good for you.

Oh, first let me introduced myself: My name is Alexandra Tsakona and I am an Athenian who loves her city (not necessarily the city's inhabitants). I've been thinking to ask you: did you know that there is an "internet cafe" at the Megaron Mousikees =Athens Concert Hall across the US Embassy? Although the internet cafe you suggest (corner Boulis & Ermou or something like that) is much more practical due to its location, I thought just in case somebody is around the US Embassy, one could be interested in that, too. Should you be interested, the "Megaron" has a site: www.megaron.gr . This contains info on the internet cafe there. As you might see on my e-mail address, I work at the "Megaron", but have nothing to do with the internet cafe.

Well, I have to go back to work. Before I leave you, I want to tell you a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGG "euharisto" (efharisto), i.e. thank you, for what you say about my city!

Wish you best,
Alexandra 

I am Greek living in Chicago and usually when I meet people they ask me
where the best Greek restaurant is and where should they go in Greece.  I
give them as much info as I can but I always send them to your site.  I go
(or try to go) almost every year and all your information is right on.
Thanks
Dino 

 Dear Matt, I think you do a superb job on your website.Anybody who wants to visit Greece should  be informed by it. I also want you to know,that I appriciate the attention you gave to my critisism of the  side walks of Athens.
                                  Thank you again
                                   Tom T

Dear Matt,

I am one of the visitors of your web page (http://www.athensguide.com/) and I am really glad of what you are writing in those pages, since I am a Greek and I know how accurate are whatever you write in there.

Please accept my congratulations, for the quality of your web page and the honest way you are describing everything in there. It seems that you have worked very hard to create this web page and I totally appreciate your hard work!

I have been surfing in your web site for only 30 minutes and I felt that I wanted to express you how much I am enjoying it, so I decided to write you this note.

"BRAVO" again for the GREAT work!

I hope you keep working in this page and let American people (and not only) know more about Athens/Greece.

With great appreciation,

Vangelis

Dear Matt,
Your website has been most helpful!!! I can actually say that yours is THE BEST website I have come across while researching information for my upcoming vacation!
I am Greek and have traveled many times to my country but I don't think I was ever prepared like the way I am now...thanks to you!!!!!
Thankfully yours,
Foula

Matt,

I'm Greek American and travel to Greece every summer. Though I'm very knowledgeable about Greece and speak, read, and write Greek fluently, it was a pleasure to surf your web site. You've got fantastic information for any one wishing to travel there.   BRAVO *****
Kalo Kalokairi
Mina

DEAR MATT; I AM A GREEK AMERICAN SOON TO ARRIVE IN GREECE....I FOUND
YOUR SITE AND I MUST SAY IT WAS MOST INFORMATIVE AND HAS MADE MY PLANS
SIMPLE.....YOU SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR HAVING DONE ALL OF THIS HARD WORK
AND IN A VERY INFORMATIVE USER FRIENDLY WAY....THANK YOU VERY
MUCH,SINCERELY, MICHAEL A.

Matt, just a note to tell you I found your internet site accidently, and
read and read and read before we left for Greece. I contacted George
Kokotos, the famous taxi driver, and he "guided" us for two days, to Delphi one day, and to my
grandparents villages, Dimitsana and Langadia another. What a stroke of luck
for me to have found your site and George!
I didn't realize it at the time, but we did make several visits to
Byzantino, the restaurant in the Plaka....it was the best, as was
Platanos.....where there were only Greek families having dinner.  We have
friends in Corfu, and went there also...I had not been back to Greece in 15
years, and there are lots of changes...but it is still the country of my
roots, and I loved every minute of being there. How lucky for you to live
there. George and Loula are treasures, and every bit as special as you said
they would be. thanks,
Via

As a native Greek who has livedin Southern California
since infancy (but tries to get to Greece and see the
folks annually), I find your guides to be the most
amazingly accurate, truthful and connected to the
local culture.  The descriptions are always dead-on --
from the feeling af arrival at the airport and driving
through concrete jungles to the listings of clubs and
hang-outs at the latest hip neighborhoods to your
pages on Rembetika.  I recommend your guides to any
everyone who plans a trip as the best and most truly
atmospheric.  I'm amazed that a little Anglo boy like
you can have entered into the Greek spirit so
completely (unless, of course, I'm mistaken about your
background). You ought to explain how your family came
to live in Athens (as you describe in your Rembetika
pages about Jimmy Quidd and the music conection.)

Also, I'll put in a plug for some of my favorite
places: Jimmy's American Diner (or something like
that) on the pedestrian mall off Voukourestiou between
Panepistimiou and Akadimias (I think it's Valaoritou
Street) has excellent Greek food AND genuine,
authentic, New York cheesecake!  Amazing, for Athens.
I also like the chain of Deli-Kiosk fast food
restaurants for breakfast: good strong coffee,
excellent fruit tarts and turnovers, and well prepared
European breakfast fare like croque monsieur and
gilled cheese sandwiches.  Some locations also double
as concessions for Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors or Dodona
ice cream (very good, if you've never tried it.)

Do you get anything out of this, or is it merely a
labor of love?

Anyway, keep up the phenomenal work!  You have all my
respect.

Constantin

This is the coolest website I have ever seen.  I'm in Chicago, born in Athens 47 years ago and living in the US since 1955.  The Rebetika stuff is excellent.  I'm a fan myself.  When I was last in Athens, my friend John and I went to a club in the student section between Omonia (my father used to carve souvlaki/gyros there from 1929 till we emigrated) and the University.  It reminded me of the Village in NYC but the populace looked more like terrorists.  Anyway, we went to a second floor club like the ones you describe, and this fabulous suinger was performing classic rebetika with an excellent band -- excellent.  Her name is Voula Sallides.  The greatest regret of the last 5 years is not buying her CD there that night.  Your friends in New York don't have it.

I'm also president of the Hellenic Museum in Chicago.  We're going to start a building  next year.  Very cool.  And we do very good exhibits (including one on Greek Music a few years ago.)  E-mail me here so we can talk.  I'd love to link your sited when we're on the web (early April).  We're doing The History of Gyros in the fall.
Dino

From the moment i came across your site i was taken away!!!!! i thought there is no way i will get a site on the WWW, offering my knowledge and help to those traveling to Greece - this MATT person not only beat me to it, but beat us all to it - LOL - should be Mayor!!!!!!!
A job so well done!!!!!!! I hope that we will be albe to chat sometime and maybe even meet in person in Greece - i plan to be there next summer [June] and will be staying 5 days in Athens to see one or two of my closest relatives then I'm off to Mt Athos to hopefully learn to paint by and with the monks, then off to my favorite Island Mykonos to stay with my friend VASILIS the owner of the ELYSIUM HOTEL in town. Actually Vasilis is one of the first original hotel owners who built a 5 star
establishment - for the time -while everyone else had their homes to offer [as you may remember as late as even the very early 80's].
Once again - my hat off to you. Stay well.
VASILIOS
New York City

Dear Matt

While I was planning and investigating a 4-6 day side trip to Santorini during my Easter visit to family and friends in Athens I discovered your Web pages. Your Web pages are my greatest find in the Internet since I started "browsing" a year ago.
I have visited many Greek Web sites but by far yours are the most complete, informative, and reader friendly. As a native Greek with family and friends in Athens, who has visited home more than 10 times in the last 25 years, I still find your Web pages invaluable. And I have not yet fully explored or read all your info., tips, and suggestions!!! Keep the good work going.
MPRABO MATT.
(You are welcomed to quote me if you wish.)

Thank you,
Anthony G.

P.S. - I just discovered that you and I have the same love "Rembetica". Some other time we can exchange notes on the subject.
I also love/get homesick with plakiotikes cantades.

Matt hi! My name is Nikos. I am a Greek living in Australia and I have a program on the Greek radio here in Sydney. I am visiting your web site many times. You 've Dane an exultant job! Congratulations. NIKOS

I just thought that I would drop you a e-mail telling you what an
amazing home page you have created at Http://www.greektravel.com  It is
the most complete directory I have seen about Greece.  My hat goes off
to you.

Stavros
Montreal, Quebec

 Matt,

 I can't tell you what a joy it is to be reading and exploring your web
sites on greece. Your stories paint pictures,and make me feel that I was
there experiencing the same things. I want to know are the stories from
"Spear fishing in Skatahori" in a book? is it still in print? I asked about
it at a Barnes and Nobel Book store last night and they said that they
didn't carry it.

    THANKS................
         YANNI......

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I'm sitting in my dumb cubicle at
work and I have your page w/ the stories bookmarked and I've read a few and
they are really good. !! They brighten up my semi-dull work days! When
things are slow in the office (or when I'm just plain bored), I read a few
of your stories and I can see in my mind all the things you describe, and I
remember my own funny experiences there. I am Greek-American, used to live
in Athens... planning on moving back next year (getting married). That's my
story in a nutshell. Anyway, just wanted to say that your website is cool,
... I haven't read all of it yet, but it sounds like you've had great
experiences over there....
Well, "kales diakopes" and keep adding to your website!

-Gigi

YEP!!.You can step in front of the class. It is beautifull in what you are doing.  I am a Greek American. My Mother from Mytiline and my father from Kithera.  My wife is from Mytiline, Lesvos and I have been to Greece Five times. SO, your stuff is bringing me memories, and learning what I didn't know before. Thank you for your web page and keep  up the good work.  Pgmsr

A very good friend of mine gave me your website To check out Lesvos. My mother was born in Mitiline and she came from a place called Halika. My wife Alkmini was born in Mitiline from a place called,UP SKALA, just above the Market place in Mitiline. Later on as a little girl they bought a house in a town called Chrissomalousa, there she stayed till she came to America, in "47". My mother came to America in 1919, to be Married. ME, I am an American born who is very delighted to read and see your website. Your website is beautifull and I am learning alot about Mitiline. I have been there but one time,When I took my mother to see her country once again after 47 years. I was so very happy to see my mother so very happy, that literally she lost her voice in her exciment. We stayed in Mitiline for one month and we almost saw all of it. I would like to go again but a bad heart is keeping me away, but my memory of Mitiline still stays with me. I am 78 years young now and waitng to see the turn of the century, then who knows. Thank you very much on your important time to read my letter.It really brought Mitiline back to me.   Thanks  Peter

Hi
My name is Agapitos and I would like to congratulate you on your web page (www.lesvos.com).I am from
Mytilene but I live in Athens because of my studies.I must admit that reading your pages made me really
homesick.It's really encouraging to know that Mytilene and Lesvos are places that can still inspire
a foreigner without having this intense tourist-attractive profile and I am certain that you have captured
another side of Mytilene and Lesvos that maybe I have become so accustomed to that now I tend to overlook.Anyway,it's a really great site.Well done!

Best regards
Agapitos

Dear Matt

I just visited lesvos.com and I believe that you have done an excellent job.
It is amazing how many things you know about the island.
There were a lot of things I don't know although I have spent more than one
year in the island and I visit it very often. In a matter of speaking I am
leaving Pireaus with Mitilyne on Thursday afternoon.

The fact that people use your work without even giving you the credit it is
so "Greek". Believe me I know.

The reason I am e-mailing you other than to compliment your work is to
suggest you a tavern in Lesvos that you should definitely visit and include
in your site.

Is called "Mpalouchanas" (believe me it's difficult even for a Greek to say
it) and it is in Perama in Gera Gulf (Kolpos tis Geras). The food is a
little better than dull and service is average. But when it comes to the
location than things do change. The tables are on a cement base that is
surrounded by the sea. You have literally the feeling that you are IN the
Gulf. If you are lucky (as I did) you might see a dolphin swimming a few
meters away from you while you having a "meze".

I consider that place one of the best places to eat in Lesvos!
I hope that during your next visit in Lesvos you will have the opportunity
to visit Mpalouchanas.

Kind regards
Petros

Hi Matt,
Thank you for all the useful information I received for Greece! It seems
like you, literally speaking, fell in love with the natural beauty of this
'Godblessed land', which is the country I come from. I was impressed of the
depth of the information provided on your web pages, and the accuracy of it.
The only drawback was that some of the pictures(on the 'Lesvos' page) were
not visible at all, or took a long time to appear on the screen.

As for your new page on the island of Lesvos, I have to say that I found it
extremely interesting the way you supplied people with the right reasons for
visiting the island. I totally agree with you on how beautiful and unspoilt
this island is! Especially the view from the village of Sigri is
breathtaking. I always have this picture of Sigri on my mind but not so
vivid as I keep it inside my heart! It is a place that attracts you with its
natural striking beauty and culture than it's nightlife, which is hardly
any!

For once again WELL DONE Matt!!
I truly hope Greece won't let you down!
Dimitra.

Dear Matt

Is it possible to purchase a book on everything I saw in visiting your web site, especially foods, photos, retsina, ouzo, et all??

I was really impressed. Although I have not been back to my place of birth, Athens, or the mainland and islands for a few years, I try and explain what a great vacation in Greece would do for them. I am certain that my two sons would be very interested in such a book, if it exists.

Please provide details as to cost, availablity and methods of shipping. I'm trying to meet a dealine for the postal date to insure delivery to an overseas location.

Thank you in advance for anything that can be done.

Yiasou

Arthur

I would just like to say thank you for being such a big help in me
living in greece. You have given me all the info that i needed for me to
have a great time in greece. I wish you the best of luck and happy years
in the future. Well hope to hear form you maybe i will be joining you
on the beaches of greece

deep thanks your friend aris

Hi Matt,
Nice to hear from you. I have passed on your site details to many of my travel agent friends. It always helps to be recommended, not that your site needs recommendation it is excellent. It is easy to navigate and full of very useful information. I can see how you enjoy your work and I hope that it provided good business for you.
Please congratulate your daughter on her site also, it great
Good luck and best wishes
Mike

Hello,

I'm interested in receiving the Greece Travel Newsletter. Your website is wonderful. I had a chance to visit Greece after 26 years and I had a great time. Since I found your website, it's like I'm there. Keep up the great work.

Genney

Your site is extremely thorough. I'm a Greek that was born in Greece and has lived the majority of my life in the States. I am planning on traveling to Greece this summer with my two small children and I just wanted to let you know that all your information is helpful and very organized. Great work!

Dear Matt,

I discovered your Athens Survival Guide yesterday and I was so happy to see
such a detailed, informative and well presented guide to my hometown. I just
wanted to let you know I've added a link to your guide in my website.

Best,

Yiannis

Re: streetpeople


I use your site now and again, sometimes for practical purposes
(when I'm planning a trip to Athens) and sometimes just for
nostalgic indulgence.
The streetpeople section is brilliant; I share your fascination with
the characters of the street, the mixed feelings of empathy and
admiration for the kids and your opinion that the Athens streets are
stage to some of the worlds best musicians.
Keep up the good work,

Christos

This is a great site. Thanks for bringing me back so many great memories. I was 17 in 1972 and I had the same experiences discovering Savopoulo and rebetika at that time.

Also, I noticed a small error. The military police during the "hunta' years was called ESA not ELSA. However, it is true that these two words sound almost identical in Greek.

Thanks again

By the way, I am still vey fond of the old Sabopoulos music. I used to put my son to sleep by singing to him the "eixa eixa mia agapi ax kardoula mou..."

Hi ---I just wanted to let you know that this is the ABSOLUTE BEST Greek website around!!!!! You hit on everything!!!! I am a Greek American and have been to Greece many times. When I visit, I usually stay in Athens (Peristeri) with family. I am requesting the Greece Travel Newsletter as mentioned on the website. Thanks again for the terrific website!!! ---Christa Stefanopoulos

Hello Matt Barrett,
I found your website about 2 weeks ago and i LOVE it. I look at it eery
night...almost! I am from Canada and i am also from Greece and i have been
back many many times, the last time i was there was august-october 2001! I
am planning to go in February 2003 for one year. i want to take a class to
learn to read adn write greek. I am fluent in speaking though! While i was
looking for schools in Athens or Thessaloniki i came across to your website.
ANd let me tell you, you made me laugh many times. Its a wonderful
website....keep up the good work. It makes me sad though because i want to
go back...so your website is the closes to greece that i can get to right
now! If you have any information in classes for me to take or good places to
visit on my 1 year trip to greece next year then please tell me!!
Thanks again for a great website.
Helen (Eleni)

Dear Matt,

Totally by chance I came across your site as I was surfing, I know Greece fairly well but have never lived here until I decided to settle in Athens two months ago, your site is a mine of information for all people who somehow have something to look for in Greece.
Thanks to you, I got in touch with a travel agency to make me offers for hiring a boat this coming summer, very friendly people answered back to my email right away.

Well Done Matt.

Mrs L

Dear Matt,

I am a Greek-American born and raised in the US. I have spent my life spending summers in Greece - a few years ago I discovered your website and it changed everything for me!

You have made traveling through Greece a pleasure! It is your site that enabled me to have a cell phone delivered to me upon my arrival to Athens a few summers ago.

How did I ever travel through Greece without one??

While I'm not quite as Greek-travel-savvy as you are - I like to think I rank - I know parts of Greece as well as my "backyard".. and thanks to your site - I'm learning more and more.

Thanks for a great website and all the information/services you provide!

YiaSou!
Dite

Dear Matt,
I don't know if you remember me. I contacted you last year by e-mail, explaining the situation in Kos island. My name is Katerina Moustaka and I own a rent-a-car business.
I saw the work you did about our island. The site is really beautiful and your information is truely impressive. The passage you have written about last year's crisis is really substantial and presents the situation exactly as it is. Your work in general is fantastic. On behalf of the island, thank you very much for everything you have done. Although I have a little complaint. You said you would contact me when you got here, but you didn't. I hope we can meet some other time, so me and my husband can thank you in person.
Again, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR KIND EFFORT
Sincerely
Katerina

Dear Matt,

Please forgive my informal greeting, but I felt so
happy
I just could not address you as Mr. Barrett.
I just want to say THANK YOU, thank you for your
wonderful web guides to greece. I am a 21 year old
girl and I currently live in the Netherlands - have
been for the last 1.5 years. I am getting ready to
visit Greece in the next month with my dutch bf so I
was browsing the
net for inspiration and places to show my my friend..
I came upon your site and that was it, I was hooked.
You brought me close to tears numerous times and I was
totally filled with nostalgia and love for my
homecountry.

Personally I am from Thessaloniki and that is where
we are heading now. Your sensitivity towards the
macedonian but also the old turkish issues really
touched me and I would like to express once more my
appreciation for your work.

I don't want to say more right now ( i mean get
more personal w/ questions etc) because for all I know
you might be getting mails like that every day
and are bored rotten with them by now. But if you are
not I would love to hear from you and get to know you
better.

Take care, and once again thank you, you made my
day.
My best wishes for you, your wife and daughter.
Sincerelly,

Dimi

Hello Matt

I have read lots of the web pages of your Athens Survival Guide, and I must confess that I am very surprised by the deep knowledge you have about Athens. I am greek, living in Athens and I know the city and the way of living here. You have done an excellent job Matt ! You are so real in what you write and you mention details that only an athenaeum is able to know. I have to congratulate you for the rest Greece guide too. A couple of friends of mine from the US were planning to come to Athens and visit me and they asked me to provide them with some information about the city, so that they could have an idea before they come. I just forwarded them your web site !!! When they came here, they told me that browsing your site was like a real visit in Athens. I want to thank you for your great job. It’s honor for our city to have a friend like you.

Regards from downtown Athens !

Giorgos

i haven't got this computer for a long time, but the first thing i did, was to look at the sites of my dads birthplace,thessaloniki.
And I have to tell you, i was very pleased to see all those pictures that give me a nice feeling because it makes me feel a little bit at home here behind my computer in holland. greetings anna

Hi Matt,

I just returned from 2 months in Greece. I had not been back for 3 years and could not believe the changes. I wrote to you last year about having a site on the renovations going on. I thought of your site immediately when looking for old buildings with character, you are correct they are everywhere. I was hoping that you could do a before and after type site. Your site illustrates how passionate you truly are about Greece.

I hope you undertake such a site, you are probably one of the few people who could pull it off.

Sincerely,
One of your biggest fans

Hello Matt,

Great Site! Especailly your Haridimos page and images. Plus, all those great
Greek connections...

I would very much love to include Haridimos on the Karghiozis Masters pages
of karaghiozis.net, and would love to request the use of materials from your
page with attribution, and links, of course.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Alexis Xenakis
http://karaghiozis.net

Dear Matt,

After browsing your Athens Guide website I felt that I just had to write to let you know how much I enjoyed and appreciated it.

I am a Greek-British national who was raised in Athens as a child (in the Makriyanni neighbourhood), but who has since lived all his life in the UK. For the last ten years or so I have travelled back to Athens as often as I can, probably once a year or so, and in the meantime have to make do with the internet whenever my nostalgia becomes too great.

Out of all the numerous Athens websites I've come across, I don't feel that any do justice to the city in the way the Athens Guide manages to, whether in prose or in pictures. I thought the site really puts across your affection for the place, despite the downsides to Athenian life. Wasn't it Melina Merkouri who said something along the lines of Athens being like an ugly woman who, nevertheless, it was impossible to resist returning to time and again?

In no particular order, here are my favourite site pages:

• the section on Plaka, which also happens to be my favourite village in Europe, if not the world!
• your account of strollering through Athens - while my grandmother was alive I would take her out for walks around the centre, an ordeal just as stressful and risky as the one that you describe
• your photos of the 2002 snowstorm - I was in Athens myself for Christmas 2001 but left the day before it snowed. Until I saw these photos all I had was a few poor quality newspaper cuttings to try and imagine what the city must have looked like.
• your photos of the 1st cemetery, which really moved me because that is now where my grandmother is buried and where I spend a lot of my time whenever I return

I also have a couple of suggestions: for learning Greek, I would strongly recommend the Athens Centre located in the Mets neighbourhood (its actually thanks to their website -www.athenscentre.gr - that I came across the Athens Guide) - excellent courses of all levels and durations, good location, beautiful building and helpful staff. Also, for coffee shops, have you tried the Diogenes cafeteria behind Lysikrates monument in the "Dirty Corner"? Its a great place to peacefully sip a frape, away from the main street and, in the summer at least, its shady and leafy.

Once again, thanks for your great site - the next time nostalgia grips, I know where to turn!

Best Wishes
Constandinos

Matt

A quick note to congratulate you on a brilliant website. Your love and affection for the country and it's people shine through, page after page and your enthusiasm is infectious.

As an Australian of Greek descent (both my parents were born and raised in Lemnos) and currently planning a trip back to the country of my heritage, I have found your website indispensable and a constant referencing point. I have been emailing links to all my friends and relatives and they too are impressed and excited with all your website contains.

Keep up the great work and many thanks

Haroula
(Melbourne, Australia)

Gia sas, firstly thank you for responding so promptly to my e-mail.I must infact apologise for my delayed response, but having just flown back to home base and being close to the Greek Easter ,it has been a very hectic time.

It was 3 am when the "music fanatic" was sent an e-mail with subject topic"You owe me huge !"
Yes, indeed I owe my friend "huge".What a fantastic site.Remebetika music, history and one that "touched" me.
I wanted to just e-mail you and say,for what it is worth to you, I read and read and I played cd's mentioned there louder and louder and that "sunginithika" I became emotional.I live so far from Greece, and no I do not go often at all, so anything and everything Greek, in particular music is so important to me, to me music is "life"and it is with music that I cope with the every day living that we all do in one way or another,and of course for me in particular Greek music.I am no great"writer" so my words could never express what I felt by your site.It was not that it was "state of the art"or a graphics wonder, it was much much more that.It was for me to put it simply"TELIO"-PERFECT.It was close to 5am, I did a quick search via a basic search engine looking for a site that may mention you ,so I could get an e-mail address, I came across your Greek tour sites and voila there was the e-mail and just had to e-mail.I just wanted to say
Thank you - Sas eucharisto -
Since then I have also slowly gone through your travel sites guides, also very interesting and pleasing.
My warmest regards to your family,and I wish you all a Kali Anastasi, Xronia Polla.-Happy Easter.

Sas Xereto.
Constantina

Hi Matt,
I've been reading your stuff for a long time and find myself going back to it when ever I get homesick for Greece! I am glad to see that your site keeps growing, but still wait to see a book!! I'm guessing that with the Olympics coming up, your query letters should be getting some attention!

I'm writing to inquire about the free Greece travel newsletter. If there's anything more that you haven't already said, I suppose it would be in there? Well, I love Greece very much, my husband was Greek and is buried in Messini. We go to Greece nearly every summer, and have an apartment in Kalamata. I, too, am writing a book about Greece, in honor of my husband, which revolves mainly around the food...or rather, takes off from the food and touches on many different aspects of the country and culture. I'm always interested in hearing stories about the food, to share in my book. Maybe someday you can bring the family to Kalamata and learn about the area. It is about to get a major tourist center, well, near there, anyway!

So, keep up the fantastic work! Maybe our families will meet some day in the southern Peloponneses!

Jaki

Hi Matt,

I recently discovered your website and I think it's great!!!
You've pretty much covered it all.........
I travel to Greece every year and sometimes even twice in a year. My parents were born in Greece and have kept their roots and also have passed all their traditions, religion, customs and all other relations to us.
I would like to receive your newsletter. I am very interested. Every year we try (my husband and I) try to visit more and more places. Every year we plan as much as we could from here (Montreal, Quebec, Canada...) Once we get to Grc., it's go straight home (Zevgolatio, Corinth) drop off our bags, get the car ready, and off we go.
I could probably keep writing you but I don't want to bore you.
Please forward me a copy of your newletter at the following address:

Thanking you in advance,
Athina

hi mate,
i liked the photos and funny comments about the flea market in athens.
i ended up in your site pretty much by accident (surfing music comments for
Savopoulos, by the way greece is not only rebetico and i'm glad you seemed to get into
it- also check 'active member', 'diafana krina', 'o stavros tou notou' by miroutsikos,
haris alexiou, etc.).
as an athenian abroad i felt quite good and though not seen yet the rest, i'd say this
is not bad for an american site!
cheers,
christos

My grandfather was Greek and I have traveled to this wonderful country many times. I always enjoy the food and have eaten in many of the restaurants that you mention on the web.
Lately I have really become interested in the Greek Wines. I discover new ones each time I visit. The Greek people know how to enjoy life. The small village life knows good food and family. Someday I plan to live there for an extended time. Until then... I will dream with your web page. Thank you.


Elsa

Congratulations, or better "thank you", for your
excellent website for Athens.
I am not Athenian, although Athens reflexes all the
country.

I got surprised, because you have "catched the pulse"
of Greece, better than the Greeks!
Although, as Alexander said "Greeks are those who have
received the Greek culture", so the truth is that you are Greek.

I was also surprised to see that you liked Savvopoulos!
Dionyssis himself, his music, is Greece!
If you understand him, you understand Greece.
"Trapezakia ekso" (tables outside) expresses the real
beaty of this country, not the external, but the spiritual.
I don't know if you were in position to understand the lyrics,
if not, you have to learn Greek just for this!

Anyway, I was looking at the pictures of the street musicians.
I show the videos, too.

Greece is not what they show in the touristic guides.
Even myself, I am surprised to see everyday something different,
something totally unknown to me.
I come from Xanthi (Thrace) and I have taken hundreds of pictures
from Thrace, Thessalia, Mount Athos and Thessaloniki, using my digital
camera. It is surprising that in each trip I discover something new,
that I couldn't even imagine before that it could exist!

I am sending you some of these pictures as a "thank you".
I study in England, in a cold and wet enviroment, although
with your website I am tranfering back home..

Kyriakos

Dear Matt
No specific questions for you, but I am currently planning a quick trip to Greece (I am 1st Generation Australian) with my husband (nervous Englishman) to visit family in Elika (SW of Monemvasia) and I've found your web page of great value - the most informative on the net for information on Greece.

All the best
Christine

My name is Thalia .... yes, I'm Greek American. And a travel writer.
(You can check out my books on Amazon.com, if you like. ) I've been to Greece about 10 times, have led tours there, etc. and have been to probably 15-20 islands.

I've enjoyed your site SO MUCH-- came across it last night and stayed up into the wee hours, amazed at all you had put together. Now when people call and ask me all sorts of questions about traveling to Greece, I will simply refer them to your site, which has ALL the answers! So thank you for that.

Next week we are fling to Europe for a 3-week honeymoon (one year after our wedding, which was in a small town on the Baja peninsula of Mexico). My husband Mike and I will spend a few days in Rome, visit my cousins in Athens, and then, probably go to Santorini.

He has never been to Greece before, so Santorini seems like a "must" for him. I usually stay in Oia, but I liked your suggestion of staying down near Akrotiri to be closer to the beach, as well really want to get our beach time in.

Then I was thinking of going to Rhodes-- one island I have yet to visit. Mike is an ancient history buff so there will be plenty for us both to see there. And I like the idea of discovering someplace new together on this trip.

But your photos of the beach and descriptions of the "resort towns" have made me a little bit concerned. Usually I stay in domatia in fairly small beach towns in whatever island I happen to be visiting. Since it's our honeymoon, we might upgrade a bit, but I'm wondering if you might suggest some quieter beaches or smaller beach towns that don't have flying parasails, rental umbrellas, etc. etc. on Rhodes.

Matt, thanks for your great web site and all the work that went into it! I will be updating my first book, A Journey of One's Own, which is going into a Third Edition, after I return from this trip. I will make myself a note to put in a plug for your site in my updated book.

yasou!
thalia

Hi Matt - I have just discovered you web site. It is brilliant. My husband
and I were regular visitors to Greece from the early 1960's until 1983, when
we came here to live.

We built a house on the outskirts of Galaxidi. We know Delphi, Arachova,
Itea and the route to Patras through Nafpaktos etc. very well. This email is
just to compliment you on the outstanding quality of your web site and the
accuracy of the information of the area in which we live. I feel sure the
rest of the web site is just as excellent and I look forward to exploring it
fully. Thank you. It must have taken a great deal of hard work on your part.
I hope you will be able to keep it up. Good luck.

Yours sincerely.
Dr. Efthemios

Hello Matt

I've just been reading some of your stories about Greece, and I want to thank you for... well, it's hard to find appropriate words - your sincerity, I guess.

My parents are Greek, and I used to consider myself Greek as well although I have never had the fortune to spend much time in Greece. I have, over time, come to the realisation that I'm not really Greek and never will be; I'm a sort of hybrid (as you say, I have a "confused sense of identity", but that's ok). I live in Australia now, but grew up in South Africa. In any case, I just wanted to thank you for your stories and to say I hope you keep on writing. Your writing is very vivid, and while reading it I feel like I'm in Greece and am meeting some of the characters you write about.

My regards to you and your family, Andrea and Amarandi (what a beautiful name that is). Please don't feel you have to respond to this email (I imagine you get many from strangers all over the world, and that you wouldn't have time to respond to all of them); I really just wanted to thank you for your stories.

Regards
Eve

Hello,

I just wanted to say that I think your sight is great. It is fabulous and absolutely wonderful.

I am Greek myself, born in Australia from Greek parents. Since my last trip to Greece I enjoy browsing the net on sites about Greece which remind me of my holidays there in the past. I must say that your site is among a few sites which does not degrade Greece and embark on miserable stories of bad taxi drivers, unhelpful locals and pollution levels in Athens.

All places in the world have a fair share of good and bad and I am glad to see that your site focuses on providing useful information about Athens and Greece which is a necessity for all of us who have roamed the streets and lanes of Athens with peaked curiosity and immense enthusiasm.

Well done to you.

Regards
Barbara
Sydney
Australia.

hey there
i have been writing an article on `secret' athens for a greek-australian mag and i came across your site.
i lived in athens for a year and a half..and i am extremely impressed with the effort you have put into this site..it is fabulous..and it brought back 1001 memories.so thank you.
i will refer my readers to this site.
incidentally, just how long were you in athens?????
you certainly covered the spirit and breadth of this amazing city which i love so much.
i am sighing as i type.
again,
well done!!
cheers
lina
sydney

Dear Matt:

We recently went to Mykonos via Athens over the July 4th weekend and
what memories your site brought back to me. The pics of the 2002 snow in
Athens were wild. We went to Athens last Christmas, actually left the
States the eve of Dec.25. When we got there, the weather was sunny,
temps in the 50's, really quite pleasant weather.
I didn't see any mention of the Changing of the Guard in front of the
old Parliament building across from Syntagma Square. It's a very solemn
procession and worth a mention in your guide.

I want to thank you for putting that guide together, though we've been
to Athens twice, we still didn't see all the sights.

I can honestly attest to your thoughts on Frappe'. That is strong stuff,
but I got turned on to it and yes, one should not drink 3 of those over
the course of 4 hrs and expect to fall asleep. I won't make that mistake
again.

By the way, I'm Greek and actually born in Ioannina. My husband and I
are learning the language, since we plan on visiting Greece every year.
When we were in the Athens the first time, we actually got the nerve to
use their subway system and went to the National Archeological Museum,
another place to visit. But visit when you've had a few days to adjust
to their time zone, because the museum is huge and we were exhausted the
day we went there.

Again, I just wanted to let you know I went on your site and found it
very informative. Keep up the good work.

Claire

Hey Matt,
Just a Greek girlie from Thessaloniki who was amazed with your site!
Keep it up

Best wishes
Lena

Hello from Santorini, Greece.

As an Athenian living at the moment at Santorini island, i feel like i want to give you my congratulations for your webpage about Athens.

We all who live in Athens know its serious problem, and we the youngest generation really want to change some thinks in our city.

It was great to visit your site, as it was like a nice walk around my beloved city, and actually is the only site or tour guide who really sees beyong the mainstreem.

I really believe in this city, and really believe that is amazing to live at this cosmopolitan city.

Best regards,

Thanassis

Matt,

Bravo!

Great depiction both socially and culturally. Being Greek / American and having grown up in Athens I get alot of people asking for all types of information about Greece, usually as a prelude to their travel.

Now I have a great web-site to refer them to.

Na Eisai Kala...

Grigori

Dear Matt,
(though I am not certain you don't speak perfect greek by now!!)

Congratulations for your guide. I think is beautifully designed and your
information is correct and impartial. You seem to have understood very well
the spirit and the temperement of greeks.
I have always liked American people but now I like them even more !

I happened to spot your guide while searching a convenient site for some
friends who are visiting Athens this year. I am very happy that such a guide
circulates in the Internet. I haven't read everything yet, but from the
little I red I dare say that it is remarkable.

After all those compliments (from a very difficult customer beleive me !)
you should feel very proud.

Be well, and I will probably meet you sometime in Psiri or Metaxourgeio...

A Greek working in Brussels
Julia

 great guide! we are athenians living here all our life and still we learned new things about our city...!

 Hi Matt,

I have to congratulate you on your site "Athens Survival Guide". I live in Athens and I found that all of your comments were very practical and very pleasant to read. I am writing to you in comment of something written in the section concerning the Acropolis. You mention that king Aegeas jumped from the Temple of Athena Nike into the sea; though I am quite sure (unless newer archeological findings find me wrong!) that he jumped into the Aegean sea from the Temple of Poseidon at Sounio.

Hope that my comment is helpful or that you will correct me and save me from spreading misconceptions about our history (I am always ashamed when foreigners ask me about our history and I sheepishly smile in ignorance). Your site is really worthy of attention and I hope that the swarms of tourists read it beforehand so they are not as much disappointed by the appalling first impression of the city.

Best Regards

Alexandros

 When did you make this website...
It is an AMAZING account of Greece. You have done a spectacular job of
intertwining the past, present and overwhelming aura of Athens.
Eleni.

My warmest congatulations !
You've done a great job! Your site helped even me, an Athenian !!!

Your comment are ( almost ) all absolutely correct and objective !!

Keep on.

Regards fromm rainy and cold Athens,
Thanasis

PS:If you come to Athens drop a mail !

Hi Matt,

Just a quick email to say that I came accros your website about
traveling in Greece and I just like to say well done.
Very good up-to-date information on things and aspects of Greek even I
didnt know about :)

Bravo,
Keep up the good work

--
Vasileios

Hello Matt,

I would like to thank you for your really great website on Greece. Whenever I want to find something (or show a friend something) about a particular island, or mainland destination, your website is the very first I turn to. I also just love to read about your experiences. I cannot believe how little I knew about the country prior to reading the information on your site! Thank you.

I am from Australia and am not as lucky as you when it comes to the distance to travel to get there (many people in Australia tend stop for a day or two in Bangkok or Singapore these days to recover from the flight) and the monetary exchange rates! Did you know an AUD is only worth around 56 Euros now!?!?! Ouch.

My mother and myself are going later in the year to visit my very old grandmother for 2 and a half weeks, and when I mean old, she's over 100 years old! Hopefully I'll go again next year to see the Olympics as I enjoyed them in year 2000 very much!

Reading your site makes me drool with anticipation that much more. I've been to Greece 3 times prior (9 years ago I went there via the United States for a month... NYC, LA, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New Orleans, SFO, yadayadayada) and I find it very interesting how detailed your information really is! I am also so glad I had found someone like yourself Matt that knows about the island of Syros and who can teach me a thing or two! No one in Australia (friends, travel agents, etc) has any idea, and this is the island my Dad is from! People tend to go on about Mykonos, Santorini, Paros... but, I find there are nicer places to visit. I plan to go to Skiathos, Thessaloniki and Kefallonia maybe next year... as well as the usual places.

Anyway, well done on a wonderful site.

Joseph.

Hi Matt,

Great Web Site.  I have lived in the UK for a long time but was born in Athens (and lived there for 6 years in the 80s) and visit 2-3 times a year . I can therefore appreciate your knowledgeable insights and have recommended your site to many friends. 

I would just like to point out a slight inaccuracy in your photo series on the Great Snowstorm of 2002. (wish I had seen that!).  You need not worry about the neo-classical houses along Dionysiou Areopagitou Street - they wont be going anywhere as the museum site is not in that block and they are officially listed buildings (something that means more now than it did 30 years ago).  My father was supervising engineer for the pedestrianisation scheme - I think you'll agree it is a great place to walk these days.

Kind Regards

Costi

Dear Matt,

Came across your Greek Travel site and was amazed by
the obvious love you have for the Country.

It is ironic that I, a Greek living in Greece, find valuable
information on my Country from someone whom I presume
is a "foreigner".

Thank you for your tireless efforts to make finding information
easier.

If there is anything in Greece I could assist you in return, please
let me know.

Kindest regards,
Teta

Hi Matt.

I am a Greek American who has gone back to greece all but 2 years from 1994 - the present (I am 25 now). My family is from Trizina, up the mountain from Galatas, and very well known there.

Tony

Hi Matt !!

I would like to congratulate you for this wonderful work of yours on Greece
! Being a Hellene who moved to the USA at an early age and visits his roots
I would like to say KUDOS for this quality compilation of the most useful
information presented in such a pleasant and easy to read way.

I will highly recommend your work to friends and colleagues who have
developed an appreciation for Hellas and to many more who have never been
there to Greece but your guide will help them make their preparations and
explore the country in a more prudent way.

All the best !

Vasili

Dear Matt,

I had already read your page on Sifnos before spending three weeks with the family this summer on Milos and Sifnos (what a swimming in Spilia!) and I must admit that it was that reading which to a large extent made us decide spending our vacation on the two islands.

I would like to congratulate you on your great work (and terrific humor) and hope you don't mind linking your site on mine even though trendways.com is a professional financial site and has nothing to do with travels. I just felt I wanted to suggest your site as my favorite one on the net.

By the way, I am Greek, born and living in Athens.

All the best,

Adam

Dear mr ¦Barrett¦

we imformed from the newspaper ¦Eleftherotypia¦ 02 sept 2003 on the existence of your web page.

when we entered in the page a pleasant surprise us waited for your splendid reasons for LESVOS

few years before we bought a house in the ¦Megalohori¦ (¦Plomari¦) and from then we visite this island. every year . ¦¦

when you come you we call for ¦OUZO¦ and ¦SARDELES¦ ¦PASTES¦.

we thank for your love for Greece

Katsaros Lampros    

Mela

Dear Mr Barrett
I am an Athenian, leaving abroad for the past 15 years, currently in
Switzerland. Last month I got married at my summer house in Sounio and
while searching for a www page to suggest to our guests coming from abroad
I found your athens pages. I dont know if they read them but I read (and
keep reading) all your pages. Now I am waisting your time simply to say
Euxaristw. A very big one. For someone who loves Athens and dreams of a
mayor doing exactly what you would have done your pages are a
confirmation that I am not mad -or alone- to love this city.
As many people have said already you should be payed by EOT, the goverment
and every Athenian!
I will mention your www pages to everybody.
Na eiste pada kala,
Anna

Dear Matt
I don't know what your motivation has been in putting all this effort
creating the website or why you seem in love with Greece more than any other
country
But I must tell you this a GREAT website and congratulations to you for
doing such a professional job
There are many times when people ask me for advise before their travels to
Greece and it's hard for me to give any as I see Greece as my home and not a
holiday spot only
So next time someone wants the visitor's guide I know where I will direct
them....great job
Spiros

Hi Matt Barrett,

I just want to thank you for greektravel.com.  I am a first generation Greek-American in Chicago.  I love traveling to Greece and I am planning a trip to the islands soon.  I loved all the information I received on your site.  I know I can always ask my family living in Greece for their opinions, but this site was organized so well that I don't feel I need to.

Also, I just want to say that you really captured the Greece I know and love.  You mention here and there about the pain one feels for Greece and you really brought that out in me when I read all the beautiful things our country has to offer.  Pain and longing is what I feel when I can't be in Greece and live the lifestyle so different than my own. 

Thank you so much for all the insight.

Kanella
Chicago 

Hi Matt.  I just wanted to write to tell you how much I enjoy your website.
Impartial, free travel advice on Greece ..... I thought it was impossible
until I came across your site. 

Your practical pointers are excellent (and quite accurate) for those
travellers who want to discover the real Greece.  I get pretty tired of
hearing people say they've "done Greece" or "been to Greece" after they
spend one or two weeks in Athens, Santorini and Mykonos.  I think you steer
them in the right direction on your site if they are serious about a Greek
discovery. 

I got married in Monemvassia last year  - my wife is Canadian, but has
fallen in love with Greece.  What a pleasure it was to show off Laconia to
my wife, in-laws and friends from Canada.  Only challenge for my guests was
that some natives try to take advantage of tourists, especially shopping -
Gee.... what a surprise that that necklace in Santorini dropped in price by
40% after I intervened in Greek to "assist" my friends from Canada.

Anyhow - keep up the good work.

Yiasou kai kales efhes,

Bill

Dear Matt

A million thanks for what you've done!  Your sites (all of them) are
so incredibly engaging and personal...I love it!

I wrote you a couple years back regarding the village Stoupa in the
Peleponnisos.  I see that you must have visited the area (or at
least Kardamyli) from the new photo album.  I'm interested in
getting your thoughts on the place.  Of course, I'm biased because
that's my 'paradise'.

Anyway, as a reader of your incredibly funny, smart book I wanted to
know if you're going to Greece this summer.

Hope you're family is doing great!  Thank you again from the bottom
of my heart for putting into words the complex reality - and duality
- of being Greek/American.

Geia mas!

katerina

Dear Mr. Barrett,

I would like to express my admiration, of what you did
and still doing in such a perfect manner, about your
Athens and Greece's guide site.

Its really an exceptional work you should not let
down.
All the things you re saying are true, reliable and
... uptodate!!!!

Hope the Ministry of Toursim in Greece could have such
a site!!!

Congratulations again and again!

Hope some Greeks love Greece as you do!

Friendly
Alex (a native Greek)
P. Faliro

P.S.
I am looking forward to see in your site info for
other islands and places of Greece too. Keep on the
good work.

Deat Matt,
I will try to make this brief ( I could gush about Greece forever!). I was just having one of my very nostalgic yearnings for Greece today and I just loved that I could hop on your site to some what fulfill that desire. Of course hopping on a plane would be better but my student funds most likely wouldn't allow for it! I'm looking forward to checking our your olympics pics I was a volunteer for the equestrian event actually. It was an experience that is indescribable as your probably know.
take care and keep up the site it is very usefull and great for us Greek enthusiasts!

Best wishes,

Adriana

Dear Matt,

I was looking in Google for museums in athens and i accidentally found your web page. I was so impressed! You have done an excellant job! Imagine, I am from Athens and I dont know all of the things you have mentioned! I know....I m not proud of myself .....At least you made me feel proud of my home country, made me want learn more about it, even to think of going back..

Thanks for that! Thanks for loving it!

Kalliopi

Dear Matt,

I would like to congratulate you for your absolutely fantastic 
website. I really enjoyed it.
The pictures are great! I am a greek studying in London, the temperature
is around 30C right now ( plus the humidity, you can imagine how 
awful it is ) and damn,
after seeing the pictures from Hydra ( my favorite :) ), Rhodes etc 
etc I am
really on the verge of taking the first @#$$%!^%* plane and go back 
home,
I really miss it right now. I suppose sea is in our vains and no 
matter how gorgeous
places like London might be, we can't really live without it.
Very nice commentary as well. Keep up the good work ( I suppose you 
do this
professionally, or not? ) and have a nice summer.

Nick.

PS. I hope I am sending this e-mail to the right person. :)

I thank you for a wonderful photo tour of an area I hope to see in person one day.  My dad is from Greece and came to the United States when he was 12...alone...3rd class..."on a big, big boat!"  We had news today that his brother, Pete, who lives with his family in Athens died yesterday...he was my favorite uncle, and your photos brought me closer to him.  Thank you.  I will see if my dad may like to view your thoughtful photos as well.  Take care, Mike

Matt,

I don't think I've ever had an opportunity to meet a person like you!   I
appreciate your time and effort in answering all my questions.  Your sites
are great and have made me feel like it's time to revisit Greece after many
many years.  I definitely owe you a dinner or a drink to say the least -
when and if I get there.
Thanks again.
Georgia

Hi Matt,

I thoroughly enjoyed your web site on Greece!  It's the most informative and authentic info I've found on the internet about Greece.  I'm sure you get lots of positive responses from travelers and people just interested in visiting Greece sometime.  I'm a Greek-American myself, and though I've visited on lots of occasions, your guide helped me determine what to see on my latest trip.  I just got back, and already I'm planning a return trip for the winter, when prices are a bit cheaper...

Thanks again,

Kostas S
Washington, DC

Yiasou Matt.
 
My name is Michael Pikos, and as you can probably tell i am Greek. I am a 30 year old Australian Born Greek, and i have a keen sense of patriotism and am proud of the heritage left to us as modern day greeks.
We have a holiday home in Kalymnos which is a little island near Kos, and we are frequently spending time in Greece. I now have a young family and will be taking my 2yr old daughter and 6 month old son to Greece in September to begin to introduce them to the love affair i have with our rich cultural heritage.
You are propbably wondering where the hell this email is going, well in truth it is nothing more than a longwinded thank you. Thank you for your website, and for taking the wonder taht is Greece and showing it to the world. You have done a fantastic job, and i know many more are gratefull for all your efforts. Thank you for taking the time, and considerable effort to construct this comprehensive guide to Greece. You have done more to promote greece around the world than any one person or organisation i have heard of, and for this you should be commended.
Mate if you ever happen to be in Brisbane, you are more than welcome to drop me an email before hand, and i would be more than happy to show you around my great city, and have a meal and a frappe at our local Kafenio.
Once again mate well done.
PS i will be sure to book a tour on the mainland through one of the tour operators you have recommended.
Regards
Michael M

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