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70ShoppingShopping71Gifts & SouvenirsBenaki Museum Gift Shop Koumbari 1, Kolonaki,MSyntagma, tel. 210 367 1000, fax 210 367 1063,the-shop@benaki.gr, www.benaki.gr/museumshop/en.A tasteful selection of replicas of ancient Greek and Byzantineart, as well as an interesting selection of jewelry, prints, ceramics,antiques, religious icons and books. QOpen 09:00- 17:00, Thu 09:00 - 24:00, Sun 09:00 - 15:00. Closed Tue.Kombologadiko H5, Koumbari 6, Kolonaki. This specialtyshop offers all kinds of rosary beads, known as ‘kombologia’- in Greece they are used for pleasure and for aidingconcentration and are especially favoured by older men. It isalso recommended against stress and, believe it or not, asan aid for quitting smoking. A gift with many uses…Melissinos, The poet-sandalmaker Agias Theklas 2,Psirri, MMonastiraki, Thissio, tel. 210 3219247, info@melissinos-poet.com, /www.melissinos-poet.com. Fancya pair of hand-made ancient Greek sandals made by a worldfamous...poet? Stavros Melissinos has crafted sandals forcelebrities like the Beatles, Jackie Kennedy, Sofia Loren andhas featured in newspaper articles all over the world. He runshis workshop together with his son, an artist.National Archaeological Museum Gift Shop Patision(28th October) 44, MVictoria, tel. 210 8217724,fax 210 8213573. Recently refurbished and expanded, it offersa wide selection of replicas of ancient artifacts, as well asa comprehensive collection of guide books on ancient Greece.An interesting selection of gift ideas and memorabilia is alsoavailable. QOpen 08:30 - 19:00, Mon 13:00 - 19:00.Oikotexnia Filellinon 14, Plaka, MSyntagma, tel. 2103250240, fax 210 3218272, handicraft@ikpa.gr, www.oikotexnia-ikpa.gr. A wide range of traditional Greek handicraftsand homeware is on sale here, while proceeds fromsales contribute to the preservation of Greek folk arts andcrafts. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00, Mon, Sat 09:00 - 15:00.Greek designersCelia Kritharioti F6, Dedalou 8, Plaka. Internationally acclaimedGreek designer, her creations are feminine, sensuousand elegant. She is also well known for her wedding gowns andlovely sequined and hand-embroidered garments, many ofwhich are strewn with semi-precious stones and crystals.Loukia H5, Kanari 24, Kolonaki. Unique designer labelthat manages to exude an aura of romance, unconventionalcreative originality and theatrical extravaganza, all in one.Loukia’s clothes are simultaneously reminiscent of a fairytale princess, with flamboyant tulle, ruffles, laces andembroideries, as well as an outspokenly subversive-yetglamorousdiva, confident enough to pull off these excitingcreations in style.Parthenis H4, Dimokritou & Tsakalof 20, Kolonaki.Casual chic designer label, offering sophisticated garmentsusing exclusively natural fibres for those who opt for styleand comfort in one. Orsalia Parthenis’ creations can aptlybe characterised as unaffected and simple, yet quintessentiallyelegant.International BookshopsCompendium Nikis 28, MSyntagma, tel. 210 3221248,compendium@otenet.gr. An independent English languagebookshop in Plaka. Literature, newspapers, magazinesDeutsche Buchhandlung (German Bookshop)Stadiou 10 & Omirou 4, MPanepistimio, Syntagma, tel.210 3225294, fax 2103232289, sales@dbo.gr, www.dbo.gr. German books are not widely available in Athensbut this excellent buchhandlung perfectly covers the needsof German locals and travellers.Market values€ $ £Mc Donald’s Big Mac 3.20 4.45 2.78Kg of white bread 0.75 1.04 0.65Snickers bar 0.60 0.83 0.520.7L of vodka 14.50 20.15 12.610.5L bottle of beer 1.00 1.39 0.8720 Marlboros 3.20 4.44 2.78Public transport ticket 1.00 1.39 0.87Cinema ticket 8.00 11.12 6.96Exchange rates (as of 27.01.2010):EUR=1.39USD EUR=0.87 GBPEleftheroudakis Panepistimiou 17, MPanepistimio,tel. 210 322938, elebooks@books.gr, www.books.gr.Expats’ favourite hang out, this 7 storey bookshop boasts alarge English section with all the paperbacks you’re likely towish for before you head to the beach and then some.Fashion Bookstore F5, Thisseos 6. An interestinglittle bookshop selling exclusively fashion magazines fromaround the world.Librairie Kauffmann (French Bookshop) Stadiou 28,MPanepistimio, Syntagma, tel. 210 3255321, fax 2103230320, kauffmann.stadiou@yahoo.gr, www.kauffmann.gr.A historic bookshop supplying local francophonessince an era when French was the foreign language of choiceamong educated Greeks.Road Travel Bookstore Solonos 71, MPanepistimio,tel. 210 3613242, fax 210 3614681, bookstore@road.gr, www.road.gr. This excellent travel bookshop belongs tothe top Greek cartography company Road, which is our mapsupplier. A visit here is essential before any excursion to thecountryside, where you’ll have a huge choice between theirtop quality maps covering every last corner of the country,their state of the art GPS system and all international travelguides series.If you mention you’re an In Your Pocket reader,the bookshop’s experienced staff will happily give you anextra discount.JewelleryFolli Follie Ermou18 & 37, Solonos 25, Tsakalof 6, www.follifollie.com. Folli Follie jewellery and accessories are soldin twenty countries and they have their own boutiques in NewBond Street and Rue Royale.No need to go that far, as you arewhere they are designed and produced. Your wife back homewill never imagine how affordable her present was.Zolotas G5, Panepistimiou 10, Stadiou 9, www.zolotas.gr. Fine jewellers since 1895. Inspired by classic Greek art,their creations are objects of desire for every female withfine taste and finesse. If a knickknack souvenir is not yourcup of tea and you have a corresponding bank balance,then walk in one of their posh boutiques and spoil yourselfor your beloved.MarketsAthens Central Market (Varvakeios) Athinas Street(between Evripidou & Sofocleous Streets), MMonastiraki,Omonia. An extravaganza of sights, smells and sounds,here you will be treated to a very wide selection of spices,herbs, cheeses, olives, meats, fish and all sorts of gastronomicaldelights. Take a pick from the wonderful selection ofnuts, herbs and dried fruits - you will be hard pressed to findthese back home. QOpen 07:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun.Fruit & Vegetable street markets (Laiki markets)Every Athenian neighbourhood has its own open air fruit andveg market on a specific day of the week. Licenced producersbring their fresh goodies from their farms to the big cityneighbourhoods. Prices start high in the morning but in truemarket fashion get really low towards midday.One of the best and well worth pottering around is in KallidromiouSt. Exarchia, every Saturday morning.Monastiraki Flea Market Ifestou & surroundingstreets, MMonastiraki. It has lost some of its old dayscharm as modern shops have replaced the stalls, but it remainsthe absolute Athenian open-air, vibrant, people-packed,shopping/haggling experience. Head here if you are lookingfor antiques, collectors’ items, vintage clothing, old musicrecords and books, homeware, leatherwear and souvenirs.QOpen 07:00 - 15:00.MusicMetropolis Panepistimiou 64, MOmonia, tel. 2103830404. This is the largest and cheapest music storein Athens. Top music and DVDs from €5. Tickets for manyconcerts and events are sold here.Natural CosmeticsApivita G4, Solonos 26, Kolonaki, www.apivita.com. Afull series of natural cosmetics produced with propolis, honey,royal jelly, rosemary, green tea and fruits. Greek products thatmake perfect gifts for anyone back home.Korres, www.korres.com. Started as a homeopathicpharmacy, Korres now produces more than 500 skin and haircare herbal products, sold in more than 30 countries.Greekwomen love them as they are 100% natural.Second handAmerican Markets . Ermou 30, D5, 2nd floor tel. 2103217870, Ermou 48, D5, 1st flor tel. 210 3215740,Sofokleous 19, E3, 1st floor tel. 210 3217051Yesterday’s Bread Kallidromiou 87, Exarchia, tel. 2108811233. Imported second hand clothes.ShoesCamper Ermou 34, MSyntagma, tel. 210 3216709.The world’s grooviest shoes!Kalogirou H5, Patriarchou Ioakim 4, Kolonaki. Theultimate fashionable shoe shop, with top international labelsas well as its own-brand discerning designs. A must-visitdestination for all shoe afficionados.SupermarketsAB Vassilopoulos , www.ab.gr. Supermarkets are rarein downtown Athens, they tend to concentrate in residentialareas. Some central branches of the best supermarket chainAB Vassilopoulos can be found at the following addresses:-Vouliagmenis 67 & Menonos, Mets, F8-Marni 24, E1 -Spyrou Merkouri 38, Pangrati, J6 -Keiriadon &Sfiton, Petralona, A6 -Mavromichali 157 & Digeni Akrita, I1QOpen 09:00 - 21:00, Sat 09:00 - 20:00. Closed Sun.SweetsAristokratikon F5, Karageorgi Servias 9. The city’spremier sweets and pastries emporium, with an extensivearray of delicious hand-crafted sweets and chocolates, madewith the finest local ingredients.Laiki marketTraditional Food ProductsVKGaea Products, www.gaea.gr. Greek traditional productsof exceptional quality and many international awards. Extravirgin olive oil, olives, and dips to take home with you. Availablein large supermarkets and the airport duty free shops.Mastiha Shop G5, Panepistimiou & Kriezotou and AthensAirport, www.mastihashop.gr. All mastiha productsbrought to you by the association of Chios mastic growers.These exclusively Greek product makes the ideal gift tobring home if you want to avoid an ‘ouzo power’ t-shirt! Trythe natural chewing gum and the sweet liquor. A full range ofnatural cosmetics is also available.Mesogaia F6, Nikis & Kydathineon 52, Plaka. Delicatessenselling delicious local speciality foods from aroundGreece, such as extra-virgin olive oil, the local spirit, “raki”,a diverse array of cheeses and a fragrant selection of wildherbs.Traditional InstrumentsIapetos D4, Louka Nika 14, Psirri, MThissio, Monastiraki,tel. 210 3225963, www.karellas.gr. A workshopproducing handmade traditional musical instruments. Pricesare high but your bouzouki will be of the highest quality. Online orders too.Wines & SpiritsWine Garage I4, Xenokratous 25, Kolonaki, tel. 2107213175, info@winegarage.gr, www.winegarage.gr.Greek wines are much better than you may think and if youwant to bring a few bottles back home, in this excellent shopyou’ll find a huge selection of Greek and world labels, expertadvice and prices to make you smile.Athens In Your Pocketathens.inyourpocket.comathens.inyourpocket.com February - March 2010