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Title: Thessaloniki
Author: Liana Metal
Article:
Thessaloniki- some European flavor in your vacation!
By Liana Metal
WHERE
Thessaloniki is located on the northern part of the Greek
mainland, in the gulf of Thermaikos which is a major port in
imports and exports. The city was set up in 316 BC and is the
capital of Macedonia and the second big city in Greece after
Athens.
WHY GO
European culture combined with a variety of other cultures from
the north and east, international events such as trade
exhibitions and art displays , local festivals all year round,
business and fun -extensive nightlife-all these blended together
in the unique picturesque setting of Thermaikos gulf in the deep
blue of the Aegean and the extensive historic places of interest
in and out of the city.
WHEN TO GO
The best seasons to visit are spring, when it is sunny and warm
and you can explore the area around the city as well, summer ,
when you can swim at magic sandy beaches within easy reach of
the city, and fall, when international exhibitions take place.
In winter months it is cold -sometimes below zero- but it is
sunny most of the time.
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
By air
There are direct flights from the UK and other European
countries and regular connections from the USA and eastern and
northern countries as well. Departures guide at:
http://users.otenet.gr/~cpnchris/skgd.html Airport info at:
http://users.otenet.gr/-cpnchris/skg.html Olympic airways at
www.olympic-airways.gr/passengers_info/oapaxaptskguk.htm
By train
There is a train connection from Europe and the East on a
regular basis.
Getting Around
Local buses run on a daily basis schedule to and from all
suburbs and resorts, towns and cities. The bus service is a good
one and the easiest way to move around the city. See info at:
www.ktel.org/fokis/en/thessaloniki.htm
Train services are for distant locations only, not for urban
use. However, the metro runs in the city connecting busy to
remote areas. Visit: www.metrolpa.net/eu/the/thessal/htm
Taxis are easy to find , and if you need a taxi at a certain
time you can call the station and reserve it. They are punctual
and trustworthy. Call at White Tower station, tel: 0310 214900.
See also http://users.forthnet.gr/the/dsilvestriadis/thessaloniki
However, if you want to see everything , you should walk. It's
not difficult to follow a route a day and explore the inner part
of the city on foot.
Cycling is not recommended in the down town area as there is a
lot of traffic. Rent-a-car agencies are easy to find at the
airport and bus and railway stations, and it is a good idea to
self-drive around the city and the suburbs. See
www.kosmos-carrental.com/thessaloniki/html
BEST MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
The visitor shouldn't miss to see the round White Tower, a
remnant of the ancient walls of the city dated back to 1866,
which is now the characteristic symbol of the city. There are
more towers around the city but they are all square shaped apart
from two of them.
The Triumphal Arc of Galerius is in the middle of the city, an
imposing monument dating back to the third century.
Ayios Dimitrios church, down town, attracts a lot of people,
both tourists and locals. It was built in the 5th century and
has great architectural value. Worth visiting the catacombs dug
under the church which were the hiding place of the first
Christians at that time.
St Sophia church, is also a building you shouldn't miss.
There is a number of museums all over the city such as the
Rotonda ,which is a church for St George, and the Museum of
Salonica. Visit
www.greekembassy.org/culture/northgreece/thessaloniki.html
BEST UNUSUAL ATTRACTIONS
The Technology park, visit the site at: www.techpark.gr
The Technology Museum, see site at www.tmth.edu.gr/en
The International Trade Exhibition, a big international event,
was set up in 1926 and has been running annually in September
since then offering a great range of goods and services. It
attracts a great number of people every year both business and
fun lovers. See www.helexpo.gr
Also the World Trade center , visit site at
http://iserve.wtca.org/wtc/thessaloniki_contacts.html
Mt Athos, within easy reach of the city , is a monastery for
monks located on the Halkidiki peninsula . It is a well known
for the famous ancient items that are displayed there, and it
constitutes a small independed community on its own run by
monks. They offer free lodgings and meals to all visitors .
Female visitors are not allowed in. Prince Charles of UK has
visited Athos many times, as well as other famous people. See
http://poseidon.csd.auth.gr/athos
www.medialab.ntua.gr/athos.html www.bates.edu/-rallison/friends
www.culture.gr/2/21/218/e21800.html
Halkidiki peninsula beaches are sandy , extensive and ideal for
summer vacations. The perfect place for camping lovers.
www.huntsidway.com/travel.html
BEST ACTIVITY AND TOUR
*A tour in the city to see the sights. Visit
www.greekhotel.com/mainland/thessaloniki/home.htm
www.greekembassy.org/culture/northgreece/thessaloniki.html For
luxury tours-hotels, www.luxury.gr/thessaloniki-hotels.html
*For sport lovers, Toumba stadium is renowned for the local team
of PAOK . There are two more local teams, ARIS and IRAKLIS. For
more activities, see www.medcollection.com/region.asp?lc=53
BEST ALTERNATIVE
*Mt Athos www.it.uom.gr/project/chalkidiki/visit_Athos.htm
*The Aristotle University which is popular for Medicine,
Literature, Law, Theology and other studies.
*The University of Macedonia which is the best for Ecomonics and
Social studies,as well as for Computer programming. www.uom.gr
*The concert Hall http://virtuals.compulink.gr/ommth
BEST LOCAL HAUNT
Kalamaria area , on the east of the city is the best place to
enjoy seafood by the sea. Michaniona , one hour by bus from the
city center , offers fresh fish by the sea as well traditional
dishes restaurants along the bay.
BEST LODGINGS
Park hotel, in the center of the city , within easy reach of all
the sights. Contact: Tel 0310 52412
City, downtown area. Tel: 0310 269421
Elektra, a higher class hotel in the city. Tel: 0310 232221
Hyatt, a big hotel. Website: www.thessaloniki.hyatt.com
See other hotels at:
www.greecetravelonline.com/accommodation/hotelbyarea.asp?combArea
=Thessaloniki
BEST EATS
Looking for fresh fish? Don't miss the fish tavernas at
Kalamaria, a popular suburb by the sea.
Down town there is a big number of restaurants offering all
kinds of tasty dishes, from grilled meat to fish and sea food.
Bakeries and pastry shops offer a wide range of traditional
cakes that can be found only in Salonica, as well as homemade
fruit jams.
Try To Horio (the village ) at tel: 0310 327080, and Ta kalivia,
at Tel: 0310 845310, for a wide range of dishes, traditional and
European ones.
So , what's the best speciality to try?
A kind of pie called 'trigona' (triangles). It's got a filo
wrapping outside and rich creme inside. They are sweet and tasty
and are kept in the fridge.
'Touloumba' is another sweet dessert . It's a kind of pastry
roll with no filling inside but dipped in heavy syrup. It's like
'Baklavas' in taste, which is a typical Greek sweet in syrup.
Chocolate speaking the 'anomala' bits are delicious. They are
small unshaped choco bites made of plain dark chocolate and have
a filling of whole almonds.
The best meat dishes are Giros and Souvlaki pittas, and the
appetizing Greek salad topped with feta cheese.
Take aways are very popular with the students and the locals.
Freshly made dishes delivered to your place -hotels included!
You can call To Fournaki tis Giagias at tel: 0310 311 999 for
grilled meat and traditional cuisine . Take away too.
Trocadero is a well known creperie. Tel: 0310 942001, and Pizza
Hut is international at tel: 0310 049222.
BEST ENTERTAINMENT
The International Trade Exhibition is the most popular event in
Thessaloniki. It attracts visitors from all over the world and
has been running annually in September since 1926. Many art
festivals take place at that time and it is difficult to find
accommodation if you have not booked it a month or so in
advance. For more info visit website at: www.helexpo.gr
BEST SHOPPING
There is an extensive variety of shops downtown offering
whatever one may think, from clothes and leather goods to trade
products and machinery. See the link below for a guide to
shopping in the city.:
http://users.forthnet.gr/the/dsilvestriadis/thessaloniki
HEALTH AND SAFETY
There is no need to take any special precautions apart from the
regular ones when you travel abroad. A Health Insurance will
help if you need Private -Hospital medical care, but there are a
lot of public hospitals that can help in emergencies.
During the summer months you should take care of the tap water.
It is safer to buy bottled mineral water and avoid the sun at
noon. A sun block cream and dark sunglasses is a must for
everyboby staying in Greece.
MONEY AND COMMUNICATIONS
There is no problem with currency exchange as there are many
banks around the city , at the airport and at the stations as
well. Most shops accept credit cards and travelers'checks and
most hotels change cash for you at low rates.
International phone calls are easy to make as there are phone
booths in the streets and e-mails are easy to send as you can
find Internet cafes all around the city. The post office service
is reliable but there are many private couriers around the city
that offer immediate delivery service locally or worldwide.
www.tnn.gr net news
www.wunderground.com/global/stations/16622.html Weather report
BEST RESOURCES
History at
http://philippos.mpa.gr/gr/recovered/thessaliniki/try(5)/eng
Hotels +apartments at www.greecead.com/gadhome/thessaloniki
American Consulate at http://virtuals.compulink.gr/us-consulate
Ends
About the author:
Liana Metal is a writer based in Europe. Visit her at
http://lianametal.tripod.com or her ebook site at
http://liamet.tripod.com
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