At once elegant and grungy, Greece’s capital offers the perfect blend of history and edgy modernity. Mingle with the locals at the ancient sites, from the towering Acropolis to the smaller monuments that seem to litter the streets – it brings new meaning to the term ‘open air museum’. Forget Moussaka and Greek salad, if you want a new take on Greek cuisine you’ll find it in Athens’ sophisticated restaurants and street food stalls. Breakfast on fresh, still-warm koulouri as you stroll around the city, stop for falafel flatbreads with super-fresh salad and book a seat at one of the neighbourhood restaurants in Thisseio or Petralona, where the menu is in Greek and you simply get what you’re given – you won’t be disappointed.