The elegant suede sandals made by former model Nicky Somers have been sold at a handful of tasteful boutiques around Greece for the past three years. But in June, the British/South African designer opened her own store in the heart of Athens, where discerning shoppers can pick up colourful day- to-night suede thongs and her new casuals line, the Eye Collection, embellished with Greek amulets. Drop in to the cool, all-white studio in a shady cul-de-sac just around the corner from lively Monastiraki Square. Prices start at Euro35 (HK$329) for a cotton T-shirt and Euro38 for flip-flops. Nicky Somers' the Eye Collection is at 8 Kladou St, Plaka, tel: (210) 321 2098
Since opening three years ago, Balux beach bar/club has attracted the beautiful set of Athens. Toned and tanned model types lounge delicately on the white poolside sunbeds toying with frothy coffees served by equally stunning, designer-clad bar staff. At the neighbouring beach, hunky gym-junkies show off on wakeboards and waterskis. Balux has spiced up its normally relaxed programme for summer to include a get-down-and-dirty hip-hop and R&B party every Wednesday night, with Greece's top rapper DJ Nikos Vourliotis, and an extended dance session on Sundays. Enjoy the champagne cocktails and Japanese finger food while the sun goes down. Balux is at 58 Vas Georgiou St, Asteria, Glyfada, tel: (210) 894 1620
Hop onto the new Athens tram for a leisurely ride to To Bakaliko Ola Ta Kala delicatessen in coastal Glyfada. At this chic black-and-white corner grocery that specialises in traditional Greek eats, enjoy a delicious, down- to-earth meal of oven-cooked dishes like yiayia (mum) used to make, accompanied by a bottle of local wine and, if he deigns to notice you, a turn around your ankles from Agapios, the proud resident cat. Once you've wiped the last smears of lime-green virgin olive oil from your plate, have a browse round the shop, which is filled with sacks of organic beans, pastas and nuts, oily kegs of glistening olives, creamy cheeses and other local staples. To Bakaliko Ola Ta Kala is at 1 Giannitsopoulou and Kyprou streets, Esperidon Square, Glyfada, tel: (210) 898 1501