THESSALONIKI CITY BREAK DESTINATION

The 3rd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art from September 18 to December 18, 2011

2011-08-28T11:44:00.001-07:00

The 3rd Thessaloniki Biennale of

Contemporary Art

«OLD INTERSECTIONS-MAKE IT NEW»

18 September – 18 December 2011

Thessaloniki, Greece

The 3rd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art under the title "Old Intersection-Make it New", introduces itself to the public from September 18 to December 18, 2011 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The Biennale of 2011 differs from the previous ones, not only in the area of interest and its realization time, but in its collaborating institutions as well. The State Museum of Contemporary Art is the leader of the team which is comprised by museums-members of the "Thessaloniki – 5 Museums Movement" (5M): Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Museum of Byzantine Culture, Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, State Museum of Contemporary Art, Teloglion Foundation of Art AUTH.

The 3rd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art under the general title "Old Intersection-Make it New" focuses on the Mediterranean region and is framed by a main and a parallel programme of artistic events, such as exhibitions by the "5M", the International Workshop of Young Artists "Domino", the Performance Festival, and a symposium.

The 3rd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art is funded under the Operational Programme Macedonia - Thrace 2007–2013, implemented by the SMCA and co-financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund).

The Biennale is also part of the "Thessaloniki: Cultural Crossroads" programme of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism, focussing this year on the Middle East, and running under the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Department of Culture, Education and Tourism, the 9th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities and other cultural and educational partners jointly.

Director: Katerina Koskina, SMCA President

International Advisory Committee:

Catherine David

Maria Rosa Girace Pieralisi

Jannis Kounellis

Jessica Morgan

Denys Zacharopoulos

Main programme curators: Paolo Colombo, Marina Fokidis, Mahita El Bacha Urieta

Katerina Koskina, Art Historian-Museologist, is the President of the Board of Trustees of the SMCA & the Director of the 3rd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art and Athina Ioannou is the Project Manager..

The 3rd Thessaloniki Biennale will take place in cooperation, at promotion and communication level, with the 11th Lyon Biennale (15.09 – 31.12.2011, http://www.biennaledelyon.com ) and the 12th Istanbul Biennial (17.09-13.11.2011, http://bienal.oksv.org).

THESSALONIKI CITY BREAK DESTINATION

2011-08-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Thessaloniki
Population: 384.000
www.saloniccogrecia.blogspot.com

Introduction

The second largest city of Greece, Thessaloniki is the jewel of the north. Famous for its lively streets, vibrant night life and cultural signature, it is the perfect cosmopolitan destination for any visitor.

Thessaloniki was founded by Kassandros in 316 BCE on the place where ancient Therme once stood and because of its location over the centuries it became an important commercial, political, and cultural center of the Balkan peninsula. Over the centuries its streets have supported pockets of affluent minorities, and its port acted as the sea gate of central europe to the Aegean and the markets of the near-east. Salonika, as it is otherwise known, was the second most important city of the Byzantine empire.

Its diverse history has sprinkled Thessaloniki with ruins of ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Balkan, and European origin. For eons it has been the home of affluent minorities of Turkish, Serbian, and Jewish origin; all of which have left their mark on the rich cultural identity of the city. The city has also been scarred by numerous of catastrophic events such as the earthquakes in 620 that leveled the city, and in 1978 which damaged most of the Byzantine monuments, and the severe fire of 1917 which destroyed 9000 homes, and left 90000 inhabitants homeless. Six years later Thessaloniki became host to a great number of the one million Greeks who left Asia Minor as part of the population exchange agreed at the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923.

Exclusive Gifts and apparel

Its strategic location made Thessaloniki a magnet not only for commercial and cultural activity, but also for countless invasions and occupations. Romans, Normans, Slavs, Bulgarians, Franks, Turks, Venetians, and Germans, have all left their mark in the city through their stay for various lengths of time. Between the 6th and 7th century Slavic invasions devastated the surrounding area and forced the rural population to find refuge behind the city walls, while in the 10th and 11th centuries Bulgaria established its power in the area with repeated invasions before Byzantine rule is established again. Eventually, the Venetians ruled the city until 1430 when the Turks invaded. In the15th century jews fleeing prosecution from many European cities find a home in Salonika, and in 1912 it became part of modern Greece. During WWII, nearly 50000 Jewish inhabitants of Thessaloniki were sent to Auschwitz, and of these, about 37500 were immediately gassed.

Today, Thessaloniki's population is almost exclusively made up of Greek inhabitants. Its grounds are a patch work of different commercial, and cultural influences. The city is divided in two by the International Trade Grounds and the Aristotle University. From there, all the way to the waterfront one finds the boulevards, shopping areas, and night clubs of the cosmopolitan Thessaloniki. The west part of the city is dominated by the industrial area and it is densely populated, while the east end includes Touba and Kalamaria areas which were rebuilt after the fire of 1917 and still retain much of its original character. The upper town (Ano Poli) developed around the castle (Genti-Koule) and the Acropolis offer narrow street taverns and beautiful panoramic views of the entire city.

What to Do and See in Thessaloniki

Cultural Events:

    * March: Documentary Festival
    * August: The Wine Festival
    * September: International Trade Fare
    * September: Greek Song Festival
    * November: Thessaloniki Greek Film Festival

Places of Interest

    * Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
      One of the best museums of Greece. It houses art from Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic eras, as well as artifacts from Ancient Macedonia including gold ornamental art and ancient Greek weapons. (Platia Hanth)
    * Museum of Byzantine Culture
      Illustrates Byzantine history and culture through Byzantine icons, art, and every day artifacts.
      (2 Stratou Street)

    * The White Tower

      A beautifully built round fort at the eastern waterfront. It was built in the 15th century as part of a sea fortification and it has become the most recognized landmark of Thessaloniki. During Ottoman occupation it became a symbol of terror because of the gruesome executions of prisoners that took place there. After the city's liberation the tower was whitewashed as if to purify it from the blood that so often covered it, thus the name "White Tower". The tower is white no longer, and it houses the "Museum of History and Art of Thessaloniki".
    * The Roman Forum and Theater
    * The Arch of Galerius
      Built in 305 CE to commemorate the victory of Galerius over the Persians in 297 CE.
    * The Attaturk House
      The birthplace of the Turkish leader Kemal Attaturk now houses various artifacts from his life.
    * The Rotunda
      Circular building of the 3d c. CE which was originally built as a mausoleum for Galerius. In Byzantine times it was converted into a Christian church by Constantine, and after the ottoman invasion it was converted to a mosque.

Byzantine Churches

Thessaloniki is the second most important exhibition place of Byzantine monuments after Istanbul.

    * The Ahiropiitos (or the Church of Panagia Ahiropiitos)
      Early Christian basilica built in the 5th c. CE. It houses some important mosaics and frescoes from the Byzantine era. It was the official mosque of the city during Ottoman occupation.
    * Ossios David or the Latomos Monastery
      Located at the top of a steep climb in Kastro. A small basilica built in the 5th c. CE, houses a nice mosaic of Christ on a rainbow.
    * Agios Dimitrios
      This five aisled basilica was destroyed in the great fire of 1917 and consequently rebuilt in 1948. It is built on the site where the Roman baths once stood and it is Greece's largest church. Agios Dimitrios is the patron saint of Thessaloniki and this church houses some spectacular mosaics, and the Crypt. The Crypt on the east end of the church is the place in the Roman baths where Saint Dimitrios was tortured and killed by Roman soldiers.
    * Agia Sofia
      A splendid example of Byzantine architecture bares the name of the famed church of Istanbul. It houses an important fresco on its dome.
    * Panagia ton Halkeon
      Built in 1028 in the shape of the cross.
    * Agia Ekaterini
      Built in the 13th c. CE
    * Agioi Apostoli
      Built in the 14th c. CE
    * Agios Nikolaos Orfanos
      14th c. CE with frescoes
    * Profitis Ilias
      A domed basilica built in the 14th c CE

Places of Interest Near Thessaloniki

    * Vergina
      Archaeological site about a 20 minute drive from Thessaloniki. The tomb of Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, was unearthed in Vergina by the famed Greek Archaeologist Andronikos. The site also houses a museum which houses the artifacts found during the excavations.
    * Chalkidiki
      The beautiful three-prone peninsula to the south-east of Thessaloniki is a popular tourist destination.
          o The Kassandra peninsula is about 1.5 hours away from Thessaloniki and its beaches are a favorite destination of package tourism. Its overdeveloping tourist infrastructure has encroached on the natural beauty of its landscapes.
          o The Sythonian peninsula is about two hours away from Thessaloniki and it is home to green pine forests and some beautiful beaches like Paradisos, Nikiti, and Lagomandra.
          o Mt. Athos (Agio Oros)
            The eastern peninsula of Chalikidiki is in effect an autonomous religious community where a host of Christian Orthodox monasteries are perched high upon its spectacular cliffs. Monks find in Mt. Athos a spiritual place and a remnant of the Byzantine empire, complete with the monk's adherence to the Julian calendar. Only male visitors are allowed on Mt. Athos, and each can stay for four nights at the monasteries as guests.
    * Mt. Olympus
      The highest mountain of Greece was the residence of the Olympian gods in ancient times, and a favorite destination for mountain climbers today. It is 3000 m high with eight sharp peeks ready to challenge even the most experienced climbers. Mt. Olympus is an national park about 1.5 hours from Thessaloniki. Litohoro village is the favorite destination of climbers who aspire to climb Mt. Olympos

Useful Telephone Numbers

    * EOT (Greek National Tourist Organization) (8, Platia Aristotelous): 2310 222 935, 2310 271 888
    * EOT (Greek National Tourist Organization) at the Thessaloniki Airport: 2310 471 170
    * Tourist Police: 2310 554 871
    * Railway Station: 2310 517 517

THESSALONIKI BLOG in english and italian language www.saloniccogrecia.blogspot.com

22 MACEDONIAN CROWNS IN THE ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF THESSALONIKI

2011-06-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

More than ten gold crowns Macedonian , rare archaeological finds over the past decade came to light thanks to an unforeseen combination of excavation, illegal excavations and antiquities action.
Eight wreaths were found in 2008 in excavation of the metro in Thessaloniki, two in 2009 and 2010 in Vergina, a repatriated to Greece in 2007 from the U.S. Getty Museum and one found in 2000 at the hands of a farmer, was product and antiquities found in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. ...

On the occasion of these new findings, scientific workshop organized in Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum on 3 June.
Scholars and archaeologists in Greece and abroad will be reported on the use of wreaths and their depiction in art, technology and typology.

It is the first conference organized by subject, as explained in the "A" Despina Ignatiadou by the Organizing Committee, Head of the Department of Metalwork Gallery Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
"Following the Crown acquired recently asked by the excavators to make a presentation of findings and attempt to take this opportunity to reassess and older," he adds.

According to the archaeologist XVI Inspectorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Bettina Tsigarida, participating in the Steering Committee and will present a paper at the conference, Macedonia is a region of the ancient Greek world, which have a large number of metal crowns, which date from the mid 4th to mid-2nd century BC

Made primarily of gold, and bronze or silver, with olive leaves, myrtle, laurel, ivy and occasionally oak wreaths are richer and more elaborate in the second half of the fourth century (reign of Philip II and the Great Alexander) and then formatted and simplified.

In any case, ancient Greek wreaths are subjects that fascinate the public and archaeologists, are prized by collectors, while hiding many secrets.

"There are many issues we have yet to decipher than with wreaths and especially their use," observes Ms. Ignatiadou.

Used in real life, as shown by the little information that preserve sources.

It was personal items worn in ceremonies? What were these ceremonies? Was initiation ceremonies? What mysteries? Civil, administrative or religious type? Was private or public character? And how related plants representing the gods?

There is much we do not know and trying now totals identified to conclude, "he notes.

The most famous hoops
The most precious crown surviving from Greek antiquity is the gold wreath of oak (the second half of 4th century BC) found in the main chamber of the royal tomb at Vergina, in a golden urn.

It consists of 313 leaves and 68 acorns and weighs 714 grams.

The findings of the royal tombs at Vergina are two more gold wreaths of myrtle leaves and flowers of the 4th century BC

In the 4th century BC dating also two gold myrtle and olive wreaths that were in the 60s on the graves of Derveni, gold wreath of olive leaves and flowers found in Stavropol Thessaloniki and gold wreath from the grave Sevastis Pieria.

Gold wreath of olive leaves from the 3rd century BC from Amphipolis exposed in the Archaeological Museum of Kavala.

Major findings of the Archaeological Museum of Amphipolis included two gold medals and olive wreaths of oak 4th century.

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki has 22 gold crowns Macedo, a collection which is considered the world's richest.

17 ΜΑΥ 2011
NEWSPAPER :AGGELIOFOROS THESALONIKI

LEONARDO DA VINCI ESPOSITION IN THESSALONIKI

2011-03-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

Opening on February 4. Run until June 5, 2011, the edifice of Art & Culture "Grinder." IN AREA POLICHOROS MYLOS

A unique cultural event will take place in Thessaloniki between February and June 2011 - the exhibition Leonardo da Vinci - Inventor & Scientist.

The visitors will have the opportunity to admire handmade replicas of world famous designs, notebooks, sketches and letters of the archetypal Renaissance man, the mysterious personality of the talented Leonardo Da Vinci, a second revival of the arts revived the era of Humanism.

At the same time be able to inspect and set up the 25 three-dimensional models, which are manufactured by skilled craftsmen who literally followed the designs of Leonardo. It will also be able to know in depth the Renaissance period through the twelve multimedia terminals that operate in the exhibition hall with documents and 8,000 images.

The timeliness of Leonardo

The man Leonardo envisioned the new era, which regenerates through science and philosophy, free from the narrow horizon of perceptions of the period of darkness. The world of Renaissance sets sail for new discoveries, conquering the unknown.

The current globalized man, holding the thread of historical inventions and discoveries, new adventures began in the microcosm and the macrocosm of science, the world redesigned reflecting new forms, ideas and perceptions. With weapons research and technology makes the leap to the future inspired by the irresistible force to break the bonds in order to surpass his limits.
Plans and models of Da Vinci cause admiration by the power of the spirit. Similarly, today, builds models of cities, with each corner of the globe in no time, penetrates the DNA, and inspires artists rally consciousness gives rise to expectations of a regenerated society that wants to escape from the want of individualism and humanity travels stars.

The three routes of exposure

The report is structured around three axes, which are complementary to give a comprehensive picture of Leonardo, Inventor and Scientist. These modules include:

* 118 Plans: One of the three lines approved by the Academy of da Vinci handmade copies to cover the following areas: Anatomy, Mathematics - Geometry, mechanics, flying machines, timers, Bridges - Chat, Architecture, Military Engineering.
* 25 Three-dimensional models of inventions of da Vinci, made of wood and metal, produced in concordance with the plans.
* 12 multimedia installations with as many touch screens containing 8000 images covering the following topics: Rebirth, The Life of Leonardo, Leonardo the engineer and architect, as a symbol of The Bridge, Bridges, Anatomy.

Specifically, the report includes 118 "by fax copies of" notes, drawings, sketches and studies of Leonardo Da Vinci, covering all fields of science of action in 8 major sections. They are one of the few collections' replication copies "that currently exist in the world and created under the supervision of the Academy of Da Vinci designed to replace the originals in an extremely light-sensitive reports. The mode of reproduction has special interest and is the only one who keeps an accurate picture of the original and high artistic value. The pages of the notebooks or sheets of notes Leonardo bred the original size and a succession of stages, a procedure that carries a special handmade paper only outlines standards and frameworks of the projects. Here's Coloring, made by hand, using specially prepared paints.

Three-dimensional models of inventions

The 25 original buildings in the exhibition cover most areas of scientific activity of Leonardo and all categories of inventions. In conjunction with the drawings, allowing visitors to approach the concerns of Leonardo, to discover the solutions that give to admire and inspect the current implementation. This process gives a report and scientifically based educational and instructive perspective. Visitors can touch most constructions and experiment with their use. The models built to scale, with materials that fully meet the age and the proposals of Leonardo. For each species and each part machine searched the specialized craftsman who, in collaboration with scientists proceeded to hand reconstruction based on original designs.

Audiovisual

The report is complemented by a large and rich audiovisual material converses well with the plans and models, offering answers and solutions to questions and queries which inevitably puts the viewer in front of the greatness of the genius of Leonardo.

Six different interactive programs operating in 12 touch screens, showing the Renaissance period, explain the situation of world economic, commercial, social and cultural life, but the scientific context in which they moved and acted by Leonardo. It is a modern presentation in addition to the impressive number of 8,000 pictures used, complemented by comprehensive and scientifically based texts. By way affordable visitors of all ages can find more details about the studies, scientific research and inventions of Leonardo, literally playing with the terminals and touch screens that accompany each section of the report.

The organization travels in 1997 across the globe and has received so far, nearly 5,000,000 visitors (approximately 2,000,000 are in Europe). Its importance is reflected in the fact that it was the main launch event in two European Capitals of Culture (Genoa, Patra) and the municipality of Sofia, the chose to celebrate the accession of Bulgaria to the European Union.

ENTRY PRICE: 8 € adults, 4 € children / students, 12 € group

SUPPORTERS

EOT Greco CHAMBER OF THESSALONIKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY OF THESSALONIKI, THESSALONIKI CHAMBER OF SMALL, Ministry of Culture, MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY, UNIVERSITY OF MACEDONIA

DETAILS OF INTEREST:

-So far, the report 5,000,000 people have visited three continents, of which nearly 2,000,000 in Europe.
-Models of machines out of wood and metal are manufactured by specialist craftsmen who followed the instructions to the letter of Leonardo.
-The 118 projects exhibited is one of the few collections of "replication" of such copies worldwide
-Guests will be able to "travel" the world of Da Vinci 12 through touch screens, six multimedia programs and 8,000 images
-The municipality of Sofia chose the exhibition to celebrate the accession of Bulgaria to the European Union
The exhibition million people have visited three continents, including in Boston, USA, Seoul (South Korea), Pretoria (South Africa). Taipei and Kaosioungk (Taiwan), Singapore and Victoria (Canada) and many European capitals.
Initiator of the exhibition, which deservedly won the designation "culture channel" in each country presented in the last 13 years, is the Institute for Cultural Exchange, based in Tübingen, Germany.
To date, the Institute has conducted 92 tours of exhibitions at 724 museums and organizations in 41 countries in Europe, America and Asia. These reports have received a total of 11,150,000 visitors.

Info: 2310 551836

THESSALONIKI WILL BE ONE OF THE 141 CITIES IN THE WORLD THAT WILL HAVE A MODERN SUBWAY (METRO )

2011-03-07T01:49:00.000-08:00

After the unsuccessful attempt to have the Thessaloniki Metro constructed by the Concession Contract method (1998-2003), in September 2003 the decision was made for this specific Project to be constructed by means of National and European Union funds.

On the basis of the new Invitation to Tender, in June 2004 five Joint Ventures consisting of major Greek and Foreign companies of the construction field expressed their interest in participating in this Tender. Its first phase was completed in November 2004.

Four of the five Joint Ventures were qualified to proceed to the second stage of the tender and in January 2005 they took delivery of the tender documents, as well the new advanced concept design of the Project. In May 12th 2005, the pre-selected Joint Ventures submitted their Technical and Financial Offers and in August 19th the Tender Committee completed the evaluation process of the Technical and Financial Offers submitted by the three Joint Ventures, which were accepted to participate in the final phase of the Tender.

The Contract with the Contracting Joint Venture AEGEK – IMPREGILO – ANSALDO T.S.F – SELI – ANSALDOBREDA was signed on April 7th 2006 and the construction of the Project commenced at the end of June 2006.

Decision for this Project to be tendered as Public Work 9/2003
Legislative regulation awarding the implementation of the Project to ATTIKO METRO 12/2003
Commencement of the procedure related to the pre-qualification of Contractors 12/2003
Submission of applications by candidates expressing their interest 6/2004

Completion of pre-qualification procedure
11/2004

Completion of the preparation of the design and tender documents by ATTIKO METRO
1/2005

2nd phase of the Project Tendering process
1/2005

Submission of Technical and Financial Offers
5/2005

Technical Evaluation of the bidding Joint Ventures
7/2005
Appointment of a provisional Contractor 8/2005
Conclusion of the Contract and initiation of the Project construction activities 4/2006

The construction of Thessaloniki Metro shall integrate state-of-the-art technology and the most demanding standards concerning both quality and operation, rendering it, thus, the most modern Metro System in the whole Europe.

The basic characteristics of the THESSALONIKI METRO network are the following:

A Depot in the Pylea Region (Votsi) covering a surface of 50,000 square meters.

13 modern center platform stations

9.5 km of Line (with two independent single track tunnels) constructed mostly (7.7 km) by means of two Tunnel Boring Machines. The remaining section of the Line will be constructed by the Cut and Cover method

18 ultra-automatic and state-of-the-art trains, fully air-conditioned, which will be run without a train driver, with an attendant aboard the train.

platform screen doors, which guarantee greater safety level

A Depot in the Pylea Region (Votsi) covering a surface of 50,000 square meters.

Within the framework of the same development plan, provision has been made for the development of underground parking facilities in Thessaloniki Metro network, their capacity being 3,700 places in total.

PARKING AREA

Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos 1 450 -4 underground

Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos 2 600 -4 underground

Nea Elvetia 650 -1, ground level, +2

Panepistimio 1 1000 -4 underground
Panepistimio 2 1000 -4 underground

TOTAL PLACES OF PARKING 3700

METRO MAPS ALL OVER THE WORLD :http://www.amadeus.net/home/new/subwaymaps/en/
INFORMATIONS ABOUT THESSALONIKI METRO : http://www.ametro.gr/page/

THESSALONIKI ONE OF THE BEST 5 DESTINATION IN GREECE

2011-03-05T05:55:00.000-08:00

The Top Five Destinations in Greece

Despite its relatively small size, there are numerous places for those taking a vacation in Greece to visit during their stay in the country.

The Greek islands are the most popular destinations for tourists but mainland Greece has much to offer too. The major destinations include Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Crete and Rhodes, and here are details on each of those places…

Greece is relatively small but it offers a wide range of places attractive to travelers. The islands are the leading tourism destinations, but the mainland is also worth visiting. Greece’s five most popular tourist destinations are Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes and Crete.

Athens, as a result of its antiquity and influence, is full of historical sites, museums and galleries, most of which can be found within a relatively small area surrounding the city centre. It also offers sites of natural beauty in the shape of its many parks, hills and mountains, which are ideal for those looking to escape the noise and commotion of the sprawling city streets.

Thessaloniki, the second largest city in the country, has a continuous 3000-year history and is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The picturesque old town, offers spectacular views over the bay and features traditional old houses and small cobbled streets, and there is a great seafront promenade. It is also considered a gourmet city and has a very active nightlife.

The island of Corfu, located just off the West coast of mainland Greece, is a popular destination for holiday makers because of its excellent beaches, rich history and mild Mediterranean climate. It is very green compared to other Greek islands (containing over 2 million olive trees) and boasts a 1000 meter high mountain which offers breathtaking views across to neighboring islands.

Crete, Greece’s largest island and the southernmost one in Europe, is bathed in sunlight for much of the year. Its mountain villages, long sandy beaches, rocky bays, quiet coves, and a big selection of beach bars and nightclubs, make it a popular travel and vacation destination, as do its abundance of wildlife, plants and flowers, many of which are unique to the island.

Inhabited since the Stone Age, the island of Rhodes has a rugged, hilly interior and a rocky coast with many good beaches. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. The north coast has lively nightlife, while the south is quieter, more traditional and rich in historic sites.

The best time to visit these places is from April until November, as during that time all over Greece is hot and dry, and enjoys near-constant sunshine. Some destinations do tend to get very crowded during this time, especially between May and September, but it is normally possible to find a quieter beach or resort, should that be your preference, anywhere, so long as you do some research before making a booking.

Flight and accommodation prices tend to be more reasonable than other Southern European countries and, if you spend a little time looking through travel websites and contacting different travel agents, you can normally get a good package deal price that is lower than what is listed in travel brochures.

If you liked this, try: Holidays In Greece – A Free Online Guide

Article from articlesbase.com

THE NEW MAYOR OF THESSALONIKI BUTARIS IOANNIS

2011-01-14T15:19:00.000-08:00

THESSALONIKI IS ONE OF THE 41 Places to Go in 2011 voted by NEW YORK TIMES

2011-01-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

Salonika, Greece
Out of the country’s economic woes, a new wave of artists.

It may come as cold comfort to the Greeks, but the country’s financial woes have made it prime territory for bargain-hunting tourists. The coastal city of Salonika, often overlooked by tourists in favor of Athens, has been gaining momentum for the last several years with its prolific cultural scene. Now, with British Airways adding a direct route from London and a new mayor pushing forward a spate of major cultural and tourism initiatives, Salonika is hotter than ever.

The newest wave of culture makers in the laid-back city include the nonprofit Dynamo Project Space, which gives a platform to up-and-coming local artists, architects and designers, and Sfina, a self-appointed “urban prankster network” that instigates flash mob-style events in public spaces. Since it opened last summer, the eco-conscious design firm 157173 has garnered attention for its offbeat minimalist lamps, mobiles and other design objects that are equal parts Bauhaus and Joan Miró.

2010-12-08T12:46:00.000-08:00

TO Christmas Magic City ανοίγει τις πύλες του το Σάββατο 27 Νοεμβρίου και εγκαινιάζεται την Κυριακή 28 Νοεμβρίου 2010 στις 18:00 στις εγκαταστάσεις του Διεθνούς Εκθεσιακού Κέντρου Θεσσαλονίκης, με την αριστοτεχνική αρχιτεκτονική επιμέλεια του Άρι Γεωργίου.

Για πρώτη φορά στη Θεσσαλονίκη θα δημιουργηθεί ένας πολυχώρος πολλών χιλιάδων τετραγωνικών μέτρων, στα περίπτερα 13-14-15 και στους υπαίθριους χώρους της Helexpo, όπου για πέντε εβδομάδες θα λειτουργήσει ένα χριστουγεννιάτικο χωριό, όπως αυτά που συναντά κανείς στο Βερολίνο, τη Βιέννη ή άλλες πόλεις της Κ. Ευρώπης.

Το όλο… παραμύθι θα εξελίσσεται σε τέσσερις παράλληλους άξονες και πιο συγκεκριμένα στο Christmas Magic Show, το Christmas Magic Market, το Christmas Magic Kinderland και το Christmas Magic Funpark. Οι επισκέπτες δε, για να εισέλθουν στο χώρο θα καταβάλλουν 3 ευρώ εισιτήριο, για μεμονωμένες επισκέψεις, ενώ στις ομαδικές (σχολεία κλπ) το ποσό θα είναι στα 2,5 ευρώ. Το συγκεκριμένο αντίτιμο θα αφορά ένα μέρος μόνο των δραστηριοτήτων, που θα αναπτύσσονται μέσα στο χριστουγεννιάτικο χωριό, ενώ για τις υπόλοιπες (π.χ. carousel), ανάλογα την περίπτωση, θα πρέπει να καταβληθεί επιπλέον εισιτήριο.
Όσον αφορά, ειδικότερα, στον πρώτο άξονα, θα πραγματοποιηθούν μια σειρά από εκδηλώσεις όπως 3-4 συναυλίες με τη συμμετοχή γνωστών Ελλήνων καλλιτεχνών (είσοδος με εισιτήριο), μια θεατρική παιδική παράσταση καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια του Christmas Magic City Thessaloniki, και πάρτι σε συνεργασία με D.J. από γνωστούς ραδιοφωνικούς σταθμούς της πόλης (με εισιτήριο).

Κεντρική ατραξιόν, ωστόσο, αναμένεται να αποτελέσει η ενότητα Christmas Magic Market, η οποία θα αναπτυχθεί σε περίπου 40 σπιτάκια, στολισμένα χριστουγεννιάτικα. Οι επισκέπτες θα έχουν τη δυνατότητα να κάνουν χριστουγεννιάτικα ψώνια, όπως γλυκά, φαγητό, ποτό, ψωμιά, στολίδια, παιχνίδια, κεριά, βιβλία – cd, αφίσες, αξεσουάρ, κάρτες, είδη τέχνη, παραδοσιακά προϊόντα κλπ.

Το σκηνικό θα συμπληρωθεί με παράλληλες δράσεις και happenings και κυκλοφορία, μέσα στα σοκάκια του χωριού, ξωτικών, καλικάντζαρων, ξυλοπόδαρων, μάγων, ηρώων των παιδικών παραμυθιών, το πνεύμα των Χριστουγέννων, ενώ θα υπάρχει, φυσικά, και παρουσία του Άη Βασίλη.

Εκτός από τις εμπορικές επιχειρήσεις οι μικροί επισκέπτες του Christmas Magic City Thessaloniki, θα έχουν την ευκαιρία να πειραματιστούν με τη δημιουργικότητα και την καλλιτεχνική έκφραση, καθώς θα λειτουργήσει το Christmas Magic Kinderland, με εργαστήρι ζαχαροπλαστικής, αλλά και χειροτεχνίας, θεατρικό εργαστήρι, και εργαστήριο τεχνολογίας.

Στην τελευταία ενότητα, το Christmas Magic Funpark, θα περιλαμβάνει παγοδρόμιο, carousel, πίστα skateboard, τρενάκι των Χριστουγέννων, διαγωνισμός graffiti, hip hop show κλπ.

Το ντεκόρ θα συμπληρωθεί από διάσπαρτα, μεγάλου μεγέθους, χριστουγεννιάτικα δέντρα, τα οποία θα αναλάβουν να στολίσουν διάφοροι επώνυμοι καλλιτέχνες και φορείς της πόλης, δίδοντας το δικό τους εορταστικό στίγμα.
Οι οργανωτές, τέλος, έχουν προβλέψει κι ένα ιδιαίτερο, ανθρώπινο κομμάτι, το οποίο και θα ανταποκρίνεται σε κοινωνικούς στόχους.

Με το σκεπτικό αυτό στο χώρο της αγοράς θα παραχωρηθούν stands σε Μη Κυβερνητικές Οργανώσεις (ΜΚΟ) και σωματεία φιλανθρωπικού χαρακτήρα, μέσω των οποίων θα μπορούν να προβάλουν το έργο τους ή να πωλούν είδη για οικονομική τους ενίσχυση. Παράλληλα, σε ειδικά διαμορφωμένο χώρο της αγοράς, θα υπάρχει stand όπου κάθε παιδί θα μπορεί να αφήνει τα παιχνίδια που δεν χρησιμοποιεί, ώστε στη συνέχεια αυτά να πωλούνται σε συμβολικό αντίτιμο με σκοπό την ενίσχυση κοινωνικών οργανώσεων.

Το χωριό θα είναι προσβάσιμο και σε ΑΜΕΑ, ενώ σε κεντρικό σημείο πρόκειται να λειτουργήσει και σύστημα ανακύκλωσης.

Μικροί και μεγάλοι θα έχουν την ευκαιρία να διασκεδάσουνε στα παγοδρόμια και στα carousel, να συμμετέχουν σε δραστηριότητες που παρουσιάζονται, ειδικά προσαρμοσμένες, για πρώτη φορά, στο Χριστουγεννιάτικο πνεύμα των ημερών όπως: το παζλ εκφράσεων, το εργαστήρι μακιγιάζ, τα ομαδικά παιχνίδια ανάμεσα σε ταράνδους και χιονάνθρωπους, σε ξωτικά και άλλους ήρωες των Χριστουγέννων. Τα παιδιά θα κατασκευάσουν παιχνίδια, το γιορτινό τους σακίδιο, χριστουγεννιάτικες κάρτες και πολλές άλλες χειροτεχνίες.

Οι επισκέπτες του Christmas Magic City θα έχουν τη δυνατότητα να κάνουν στάσεις σε θεατρικά δρώμενα, θεάματα, χορωδίες, διαδραστικά παιχνίδια και θα μπορούν να απολαύσουν γιορτινές λιχουδιές υπό την μουσική υπόκρουση νοσταλγικών μελωδιών.

Το «CHRISTMAS MAGIC CITY», το οποίο διοργανώνεται από τη HELEXPO και την ATTRACT PRODUCTIONS στη Θεσσαλονίκη, θα λειτουργήσει για πέντε εβδομάδες στους υπαίθριους χώρους, αλλά και σε Περίπτερα της ΔΕΘ και θα εκτείνεται σε 16.000 τ.μ.

Η διοργάνωση αυτή έχει στόχο τη διασκέδαση και την ψυχαγωγία του κοινού, καθώς και την τόνωση της κίνησης στο εμπορικό κέντρο της Θεσσαλονίκης και την ανάδειξη της πόλης ως Χριστουγεννιάτικο-θεματικό-τουριστικό προορισμό. Για το σκοπό αυτό θα συμμετέχουν και θα συνδράμουν, στο πλαίσιο της εμβέλειας και της αρμοδιότητας τους, φορείς της πόλης, ανάμεσά τους το Εμποροβιομηχανικό Επιμελητήριο Θεσσαλονίκης, το Βιοτεχνικό Επιμελητήριο Θεσσαλονίκης, το Επαγγελματικό Επιμελητήριο Θεσσαλονίκης, ο Εμπορικός Σύλλογος Θεσσαλονίκης, ο Οργανισμός Τουριστικής προβολής Νομού Θεσσαλονίκης, η Ένωση Ξενοδόχων Θεσσαλονίκης και Ελλάδος και η Ένωση Τουριστικών Γραφείων Μακεδονίας-Θράκης.

Το «CHRISTMAS MAGIC CITY – ΤHESSALONIKI», προσδοκά να προσελκύσει κοινό από όλη την Ελλάδα, αλλά και από τις χώρες των Βαλκανίων.
Μακροπρόθεσμος, άλλωστε στόχος της HELEXPO είναι να γίνει η Θεσσαλονίκη, η «Πόλη των Χριστουγέννων» για όλη τη Ν.Α. Ευρώπη.

Ώρες λειτουργίας του CHRISTMAS MAGIC CITY:

Καθημερινές: 17:00-22:00.

Σαββατοκύριακο & ημέρες εορτών: 10:00-22:00.

Τιμή εισιτήριου: 3€/άτομο. 2,50€/άτομο για ομάδες από τέσσερα άτομα και άνω. Εισιτήρια διαρκείας με 15€/άτομο.

ΠΗΓΗ :
VORIA.GR και HELEXPO

SIGHTSEEING BUS IN THESSALONIKI EVERY HOUR ONLY 2 EURO PER PERSON 24 HOURS 15 STOPS IN INTEREST PLACES

2010-11-17T15:01:00.000-08:00

MAP WITH 15 INTEREST PLACES WHERE STOPS THE CULTURAL BUS

English

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PHILOXENIA 26th International tourism Exhibition

2010-11-17T14:47:00.000-08:00

PHILOXENIA 2010: 26th International Tourism Exhibition

From: 18/11/2010
To: 21/11/2010

OPENING HOURS
Thursday & Friday: 11:00-20:00 for trade visitors only

Saturday & Sunday: 11:00-20:00 for trade visitors & public
Project Manager
Ms Chrisa Krassa

Tel.: 2310 291 293, 2310 291 188
Fax: 2310 291 656
email: philoxenia@helexpo.gr

Documents
APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION
Co Exhibitors
EXHIBITS
REGULATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION
ADVERTISING IN THE EXHIBITORS CATALOGUE

Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center Pav, 13, 15, 10
Duration
18-21 November 2010
Frequency Annual
Entrance
Free entrance for trade visitors. Pre-registration necessary
Οpen to the public only in the weekend-Admission € 5.00

Exhibits-Exhibitors

State Participations. Regions, Municipalities, Prefectures, Hotels, Tour Operators, Airlines, Shipping Companies, Specialized Press.

Opening Hours
Thursday & Friday: 11:00-20:00 for trade visitors only
Saturday & Sunday: 11:00-20:00 for trade visitors & public
Space Rent

Indoor space unequipped (Type1): 101.00 €/sqm

Indoor space equipped (Type 2): 126.00 € / sqm

A 10% fee is charged on rent for every additional facade
Registration Fee
For each exhibitor 130.00 €

2010-08-02T08:49:00.000-07:00

PROGRAM OF THE ONE DAY CRUISE (DEPARTURE FROM MUDANIA PORT 55 KILOMETRES FROM THESSALONIKI

Upon arrival to the port you will receive a warm welcome from our Officers and Hostesses who will assist you with boarding our luxurious cruise ship Anna Maru and invite you to proceed either to the Main Lounge, where our live orchestra has already started putting you in the right mood with its international music repertoire, or to one of the spacious open decks where you can enjoy the fascinating view as the ship leaves the port.
At 7h15 the ship sails for the two beautiful islands Skiathos Skopelos. Shortly after departure, our hostesses will invite you to assemble in one of the Lounges and give you all necessary information concerning the ship, the cruise program and the islands.

About 11:40 , we will arrive to the island of Skopelos, Skiathos is a very green island with crystal clear water, small secluded gulfs and long clean beaches. Skiathos is a unique and memorable experience because of it's natural beauty, unique architecture and reach modern facilities.

Immediately upon the ships departure from Skiathos at 12:45 lunch will be served. An hour later, we will arrive at Skopelos Many scenes of the movie Mama Mia were filmed in Skopelos showing the world it's blue beaches and stone paved streets. It was also declared by the international organization ECO The blue and Green Island. The beauty of Skopelos will conquer you forever!
You will have about 2 & 1/2 hours to enjoy the unique charms of Skopelos. For you pleasure we have an optional bus tour to visit the Monastery of Evagelistria offering panoramic views of the Island.

The tickets for the optional tour can be purchased on board. But the highlight of your cruise still awaits! A "Traditional Greek Folk Show" with singers and dancers in original costumes form all of Greece who, together with our Officers, Hostesses will entertain and animate you up to the final moment as the ship docks in Moudania

GOOD MORNING GREECE

2010-04-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

General Informations about GREECE Capital of Greece : Athens

Official language: Greek

The currency : Euro (€)

Climate: Mediterranean

Population: 11.306.183 (2010 estimate)

The country is a Presidential Parliamentary Democracy

President of the Republic: Mr. Karolos Papoulias

Prime Minister: Mr. George A. Papandreou

Calling code: The international calling code of Greece is +30

The Greek economy is based on the principles of free economy and is bound by the regulations of the world organizations that it is a member of, such as ECOFIN and WTO.

For further information and news regarding Greek domestic politics, Greece’s international affairs, social issues, business, culture and sports, you can also visit:

Travelling to Greece

By plane, ship, train or car, or even a combination of transportation means, traveling to Greece is relatively simple and quick, even though it is situated at the southernmost corner of Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. Apart from the large airports in Athens in Thessaloniki, there are also smaller airports that service trips to and from the other large cities and the more famous islands in the Aegean and Ionian Seas. The railway and road networks link Greece with the rest of Europe via the neighboring Balkan countries, while the large ports of Piraeus and Igoumenitsa handle the arrival of coastal ships via mainly Italy.

History

The first traces of human habitation in Greece appeared during the Paleolithic Age (approx. 120000 - 10000 B.C.).

During the Neolithic Age that followed (approx. 7000 - 3000 B.C.), a plethora of Neolithic buildings spread throughout the country. Buildings and cemeteries have been discovered in Thessaly (Sesklo, Dimini), Macedonia, the Peloponnese, etc.The beginning of the Bronze Age (approx. 3000-1100 B.C.) is marked by the appearance of the first urban centers in the Aegean region (Poliochni on Limnos). Flourishing settlements were found on Crete, Mainland Greece, the Cyclades and the Northeastern Aegean, regions where characteristic cultural patterns developed.

At the beginning of the 2nd Millennium B.C., organized palatial societies appeared on Minoan Crete, resulting in the development of the first systematic scripts. The Minoans, with Knossos Palace as their epicenter, developed a communications network with races from the Eastern Mediterranean region, adopted certain elements and in turn decisively influenced cultures on the Greek mainland and the islands of the Aegean.On Mainland Greece, the Mycenean Greeks –taking advantage of the destruction caused on Crete by the volcanic eruption on Santorini (around 1500 B.C.)- became the dominant force in the Aegean during the last centuries of the 2nd Millennium B.C.. The Mycenean acropolises (citadels) in Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Thiva, Glas, Athens and Iolcus, then comprised the centers of the bureaucratically organized kingdoms. The extensive destruction of the Mycenean centers around 1200 B.C. led to the decline of the Mycenean civilization and caused the population to migrate to the coastal regions of Asia Minor and Cyprus (1st Greek colonization).

After approximately two centuries of economic and cultural inactivity, which also became known as the Dark Years (1150 - 900 B.C.), the Geometric Period then followed (9th - 8th Century B.C.). This was the beginning of the Greek Renaissance Years. This period was marked by the formation of the Greek City-States, the creation of the Greek alphabet and the composition of the Homeric epics (end of the 8th Century B.C.).

The Archaic Years that subsequently followed (7th - 6th Century B.C.) were a period of major social and political changes. The Greek City-States established colonies as far as Spain to the west, the Black Sea to the north and N. Africa to the south (2nd Greek colonization) and laid the foundations for the acme during the Classical Period. The Classical Years (5th - 4th Century B.C.) were characterized by the cultural and political dominance of Athens, so much so that the second half of the 5th Century B.C. was subsequently called the “Golden Age” of Pericles. With the end of the Peloponnesian War in 404 B.C., Athens lost its leading role.

New forces emerged during the 4th Century B.C. The Macedonians, with Philip II and his son Alexander the Great, began to play a leading role in Greece. Alexander’s campaign to the East and the conquest of all the regions as far as the Indus River radically changed the situation in the world, as it was at that time.

After the death of Alexander, the vast empire he had created was then divided among his generals, leading to the creation of the kingdoms that would prevail during the Hellenistic Period (3rd - 1st Century B.C.). In this period the Greek City-States remained more or less autonomous, but lost much of their old power and prestige. The appearance of the Romans on the scene and the final conquest of Greece in 146 B.C. forced the country to join the vast Roman Empire. During the Roman occupation period (1st Century B.C. - 3rd Century A.D.), most of the Roman emperors, who admired Greek culture, acted as benefactors to the Greek cities, and especially Athens. Christianity, the new religion that would depose Dodekatheon worshipping, then spread all over Greece through the travels of Apostle Paul during the 1st Century A.D.

Today’s visitors to Greece have the opportunity to trace the “fingerprints” of Greek history from the Paleolithic Era to the Roman Period in the hundreds of archaeological sites, as well as in the archaeological museums and collections that are scattered throughout the country.

The decision by Constantine the Great to move the capital of the empire from Rome to Constantinople (324 A.D.), shifted the focus of attention to the eastern part of the empire. This shift marked the beginning of the Byzantine Years, during which Greece became part of the Byzantine Empire. After 1204, when Constantinople was taken by Western crusaders, parts of Greece was apportioned out to western leaders, while the Venetians occupied strategic positions in the Aegean (islands or coastal cities), in order to control the trade routes. The reoccupation of Constantinople by the Byzantines in 1262 marked the last stages of the empire’s existence.

The Ottomans gradually began to seize parts of the empire from the 14th Century A.D., and completed the breakup of the empire with the capture of Constantinople in 1453. Crete was the final area of Greece that was occupied by the Ottomans in 1669. Around four centuries of Ottoman domination then followed, up to the beginning of the Greek War of Independence in 1821. Numerous monuments from the Byzantine Years and the Ottoman Occupation Period have been preserved, such as Byzantine and Post-Byzantine churches and monasteries, Ottoman buildings, charming Byzantine and Frankish castles, various other monuments as well as traditional settlements, quite a few of which retain their Ottoman and partly Byzantine structure.

The result of the Greek War of Independence was the creation of an independent Greek Kingdom in 1830, but with limited sovereign land. During the 19th C. and the beginning of the 20th C., new areas with compact Greek populations were gradually inducted into the Greek State. Greece’s sovereign land would reach its maximum after the end of Word War I in 1920, with the substantial contribution of then Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos. The Greek State took its current form after the end of World War II with the incorporation of the Dodecanese Islands.

In 1974, after the seven-year dictatorship period a referendum was held and the government changed from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Presidential Parliamentary Democracy, and in 1981 Greece became a member of the European Community/Union.

VIDEO PROMOTIONAL GREEK AS MAGNIFICENT DESTINATION

2009-12-29T14:52:00.000-08:00

GREECE : EXPLORE YOUR SENSES

GREECE THE MOST BEUTIFULL COUNTRY

ATHENS THE CAPITAL OF GREECE (OLYMPIC GAMES 1896 ,2004 )

BEACHES IN CHALKIDIKI NEAR THESSALONIKI

2009-10-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

THESSALONIKI (SEA DESTINATION FOR SUMMER HOLIDAYS )

Beaches of Halkidiki

South of Thessaloniki is the peninsula of Halkidiki which boasts some of the finest beaches in all of Greece.

halkidiki, Greece halkidiki, greece halkidiki greece halkidiki greece

At one time the prime destination for Germans and othe Europeans, the area's popularity has receded only slightly because of the difficulties in driving through what was once Yugoslavia. People still come here in droves and unless you book in advance you may not find a place, especially in August. On the other hand the campsites seem to always have room and are well organized. Yes, there are still plenty of tourists there, especially in July and August when most of Thessaloniki comes here, but the beaches can be long, the hotels large and beautiful and there is enough authentic Greek life in the more remote inland villages to make a traveler here not feel like he is missing something somewhere else. The area is not only known for its amazing beaches but also for the mountains, valleys and the splended selection of wildflowers in the spring, which may be the best time to be here to beat the crowds.

POLIGIROS This is the capital of Halkidiki (69 km from Thessaloniki) built amphitheatrically at the foot of Mt. Holomon. There is an archaeological museum containing notable finds from excavations in the surrounding area. Visitors can also see sections of the old quarter of the town.

KASSANDRA is the most westerly of the three prongs of Halkidiki.
It is remarkable for its extensive beaches, pine forests and small villages as well as for the impact tourism has had upon it. It is difficult to get away from it all but if you like discos, fast food, motorbikes you may be quite happy here, provided you can find a place to stay. The entire Kassandra peninsula has several major hotels and organized camping grounds, many surrounded by woods and close to the beaches.There are also many smaller hotels and rooms available though difficult to find without booking in advance.

By the village of Petralona the famous cave is worth visiting. It is located along the west foothills of Mt Katsika at an altitude of 250 m. It is one of the most important caves with paleontological interest. The total length of the corridors comes to 1,900 m. and it is adorned with wonderful stalactites and stalagmites of all kinds. It was first explored in 1959 by Mr J. Petrocheilos, then president of the Greek Speleological Society who named it "Kokines Petres" (Red Rocks). In 1960 a 700,000 year old human skull was found here.The cave is open from 9 to 5 daily.

Sithonia, halkidiki greeceSITHONIA is less tourist-infested than Cassandra though it still boasts some of the areas most popular and attractive resorts including the Porto Carras Grand Resort and Golf Course, one of the largest and best in Greece. There are still small hidden sandy beaches particularly on the east coast where you can get away, at least for awhile until another person seeking solitude arrives. The ruins of ancient Olinthos, built by Athenian colonists is near the village of the same name. The southern most tip of the Sithonion is your best bet for dramatic scenery.
The village of Kalamitsi is probably the least commercial resort in the area, an excellent beach, some nice fish tavernas and rooms to rent. The village of Sarti has yet to take the plunge into obscene commercialism though it is popular with Germans and Austrians and visitors from Eastern Europe. I wanted to stay here because of its long sandy beach, and smaller beaches hidden among rocky out-croppings and mostly because there were lots of beautiful women in bikinis but my wife insisted on staying at Vourvourou which was a wooded area sheltered by some small islands with beautiful sea, but inhabited mainly by university professors and professionals from Thessaloniki. It had a terrific seafood taverna , the oddly named Gorgona e Poulman, and some nice inexpensive (and expensive) hotels, but while Sarti had a pleasant sea breeze, Vourvourou was on the hot and humid side when we were there. In fairness we were there doing a summer heat wave. If you came here during normal weather it might be one of those places you went back to every year. Further down the coast we would drive down any posted or unposted roads that looked like they led to the sea and found some nice beaches, some secluded and others taken over by campsites.
If you are traveling with a recreational vehicle or with a tent, Sithonia is a good place to go to meet like-minded travelers. Click here for more on Sithonia

MOUNT ATHOS or in Greek Agio Oros is to Greece as the Vatican is to Rome, a religious state within a state. To get a clear idea just imagine the Byzantine empire getting smaller and smaller until it only covered the eastermost penisula of Halkidiki, a wooded, mountainous, and rugged land with few roads, a few dozen monasteries and smaller spiritual settlements. Its a beautiful place, maybe the most magical place in Greece. The catch is you can't go there if you are a woman and you can only go for 4 days if you are a man and you need special permission to stay there. But you can get as far as Ouranopoulos which has beaches, hotels, seafood tavernas and is the last town before the no-mans-land between the Holy mountain and the un-holy rest of the world. For those who do have permission there is a daily boat from here to the port of Daphne, the entry point for pilgrims and monks. For women, or men who are satisfied seeing the monasteries from a distance there are excursion boats that sail around Mount Athos. More on Mount Athos....

VIDEO FROM THE NEW COAST OF THESSALONIKI WITH JET SKI

MOUNT ATHOS near THESSALONIKI

2009-10-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

Mount Athos

Mount Athos, or Agio Oros is the monastic center of the Greek Orthodox Church, a state-within-a-state and a living museum and spiritual center of Greece

Saint Pandeleimon Monastery

First of all, if you are a woman you can't go to the monasteries of Mount Athos. Second, if you are a man, and you don't have the proper papers they won't let you on the holy mountain either. Provided you are a man and have secured the nessessary papers you are in for the experience of a lifetime. Mount Athos is simply one of the most beautiful places on earth, more like a fantasy than what we know of as reality. Enormous monasteries, like castles or fortresses dot the coast and appear on the mountain slopes with every bend in the road. There are caves that still house hermits as they have for thousands of years and many simple houses or kelions that have several monks in each and a small church. There are churches with more gold than some countries have in their vaults and icons that perform miracles. There are virgin forests and animals that are found nowhere but the Holy Mountain. There are monks from every country in the Orthodox world and even some from non-orthodox countries. The seashore is perhaps the most beautiful in the Aegean, pristine and rarely used for swimming since monks don't generally go to the beach. There are incredible gardens cared for with a love of nature and of God. For spiritual seekers Athos has the appearance of heaven on earth. Of course being a monk is not all honey and roses. It's a hard life. But it's a fantastic place to visit if you are the right type: male, spiritual in nature, respectful of tradition and adventerous.
From the town of Ouranoupoli at the edge of the frontier between the Holy Mountain and the rest of the world there is a small boat that takes you to the port of Daphne, the official entry point for pilgrims to Mount Athos. There is one bus that goes from the port of Daphne to the town of Karyes in the center of the peninsula. There are a couple shops, one owned by my Dimitri, a friend of my family. The monks are friendly for the most part and love talking, especially hearing about life outside of the holy mountain. Be prepared to be offered a nice glass of tsipuro and then to tell your life story, as many of the monks are quite educated and speak English. The Skete of Profitti Elias was at one time known as 'the American monastery' because of the number of westerners living there.

Port of Daphne

If you are a woman, left behind in Ouranoupoli, take comfort in the fact that there are worse places to be stuck. The town has some nice restaurants and a pretty good beach and has the feel of a decadent outpost on the edge of civilization. You can also take a cruise around the Holy mountian and wave to the monks and maybe your husband or boyfriend. And if by chance he decides never to come back, don't worry. You can still write to him and be sure it will be delivered.

Athos Government and Police Force

Mount Athos Visiting Rules
Basic Conditions for Admission to Mount Athos In accordance with a "Chryssobul" (edict) issued by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Monomahos, in 1060 A.D. which still remains valid, conditions for entering the territory of Mt. Athos are as follows:
(a) A permit is required for both individuals and groups. This is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Churches (at No 2, Zalokosta Street, in Athens, tel: 3626.894) or by the Ministry of Northern Greece, Directorate of Civil Affairs at Diiki- tiriou Square in Thessaloniki, tel. 031/270.092. (b) Women are not admitted into the territory.
(c) Overnight stay is forbidden except for those who have proven religious or scientific interests in the area and are over 18 years old.

If you need assistance try www.athensguide.com/dorian

Monastery of Saint Simonopetra

Monastery of Saint Esphigmenou

Skete of Saint Andrew

Monastery of Saint Dionysiou

Monastery of Saint Docheiariou

Lavra of Saint Athanasios

Monastery of Vathopedi

Monastery of Saint Docheiariou

Monastery of Saint Gregoriou

Monastery of Zografou

Monastery of Stavronikita

WHERE TO EAT IN THESSALONIKI

2009-10-03T11:31:00.001-07:00

Where to eat and play in Thessaloniki
Apart from the many elegant restaurants in the city and the suburbs, there are also numerous "ouzeries" and taverns. Excellent grilled meat and chicken are served at the popular shops along the coast on the outskirts of town Check out the newly renovated Ladadikia district near Aristolelous square where there are a number of traditional restaurants and ouzeries on Odos Katouni. This is a working class area similar to Psiri in Athens which has been developed into an area of eating and entertainment. Frommers and Lonely Planet raved about Zythos, Frommers about the food and LP because you can get a pint of Murphy's for not much more than the price of an Amstel. This was one of the first restaurants to open in Ladadikia, way back in 1990. They have another restaurant by the White Tower. I ate at Foul Tou Meze which had a Greek grocery store motif and a large menu, good service, great food and a nice selection of ouzo and tsipuro. Palati has live Greek music as does Vyzantino II. Try also Ta Spata on Aristoleous square, Ta Nicia at 13 Koromila for seafood, Stratis on Nikis street and Rogotis on Venizelou street. Lonely Planet likes O Loutros Fish Taverna on Kominon street and Aderfia tis Pyxarias at 9 Platia Navarino. But of all the recommendations the one that looks most enticing to me is the Aristotelous Ouzerie in an arcade off the left of Aristotelous a block from the waterfront. I ate here with my cousin George, a monk on Mount Athos, many years ago and apparently it has only gotten better. LP also recommends Kokoretsina in Ladadikia, which combines two of my favorite Greek words, Retsina (resinated Greek wine) and Kokoretsi (livers, spleens, hearts and whatever else comes out of a sheep, stuffed into a large intestine and grilled). Check out a restaurant called The Kitchen Bar in the port in one of the old customs buildings for its indoor decor or to sit by the sea. Its similar to TGI Fridays or one of those mainstream shopping center bistros though in a much more dramatic setting and better food. Or take a taxi to Kalamaria and try To Taxidi which we just stumbled upon and loved. Its a clean, upscale-looking fish taverna with a large and interesting menu which also features some beautiful salads. The prices are reasonable too.
Music Halls, night clubs, discotheques are open till late at night, whereas those who prefer the bouzouki music can choose from a range of special tavernas in the area near the Airport. There are a number of bars and clubs near the White Tower. Discos are generally on the outskirts of town near the airport where the noise is less likely to bother people. Traffic on 3rd of September street and L 'Apogee are in town but probably not open in the summer. Avantaz is a Greek Music club at 156 Agia Demitriou. Mylos is a large entertainment complex in the warehouse district of the port. There you will find bars, galleries, restaurants, cafes, theatres and plenty of varieties of live music but difficult to get to without a taxi. Lido has its winter club in the Fix area, but the summer club is near the Macedonia airport. Also, Colonial is located on Aristotelous square in downtown, and the summer club is also near the airport. Art-House is a club-gallery that has exhibitions and parties as well as dance nights by known DJs including tribute nights to bands like The Cure and Depeche Mode. Look for their posters around town to see whats going on. Its at Boyatzikou #4 just off Leofors Nikis between Aristotelous Square and the White Tower. The Fix Community has clubs with live shows by known Greek artists like Glykeria and Giannis Kotsiras as well as DJs.
Many people do the Volta(evening stroll) along the harbor from Aristotelis Square all the way beyond the White Tower where it gets quieter and more romantic. You will certainly find somewhere to sit that interests you on the way there or back.
There are a number of movie theatres almost all showing English language films with Greek subtitles. Some are indoor and some are outdoor which are generally open only in the summer.
But like anywhere in Greece sometimes the best idea is to wander around and peer into the various ouzeries, cafeneons and restaurants until you find something special.

A SHORT VISIT IN THESSALONIKI

2009-10-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

A Short Visit to Thessaloniki

The east coast from Larissa north is a line of beautiful sandy beaches below the enormous Mount Olympus, home of the ancient Greek gods. Today being Sunday the main beaches were all packed so we just stopped a couple times to take pictures of the ones that weren't and then continued on our journey. After the beaches is an enormous area of wetlands and river deltas where we saw cows standing on grassy islands that made us wonder if cows could swim.

Eventually fields and farms give way to factories and buildings and before we knew it we were in Thessaloniki. We drove all the way through the city to the suburb called Kalimaria (not squid-that would be kalamari) where we found a parking place in front of a small green park above the marina and while Andrea chased a small funny looking bird trying to take its picture I found a really great mezodopouleion-fish taverna called To Taxidi (The Journey) where we had a light lunch of a green salad served in a fried bowl made of parmesan cheese (like in Mexican restaurants when you get a salad in a bowl shaped fried tortilla), smoked grilled eel, really nice tarama salata, and then we watched the waiters as they walked by carrying all the things we should have ordered. Giant grilled octopus, stuffed kalamari, clams, mussels, barbounia, koutsomoura served to couple with two small children who seemed to only eat the fried potatoes as more and more food arrived at each table. "We have to come back here and really eat", I told Andrea. Outside it was about 38c but they did not spare the airconditioning in the restaurant and Andrea actually had to change seats with me because she was cold.

They offered us a complimentary ice-cream desert which we declined.
In Thessaloniki every restaurant we ate at gave ice-cream as a complimentary desert.
We drove back into Thessaloniki and found the port and the shops with the boat schedules. There was a boat leaving Monday at midnight and another on Tuesday at 7pm.
No boats today. If there had been we would have taken it. We were hot and tired and it was hard to believe this was only the third day of our journey. It seemed like we were traveling a week. We wanted to go to the cool breezes of the mountain villages of Lesvos and swim in the cold sea at Sigri.

There was a heat wave coming on Tuesday that would cover all of Greece, people were saying. I did not want to be in a big city or in an unfamiliar area. I wanted to be somewhere I knew how to stay cool.

I had parked the car on a small street next to a park which had been converted into a parking lot. Don't ask me why I did not park in the parking lot. I guess I thought I would only be there long enough to see the ferry schedules and did not want to go through the hassle of using the automated parking machines. But half a block from the car we found the beautiful boutique Capsis Bristol Hotel, right in the neighborhood of Ladadika which is to Thessaloniki as Psiri is to Athens, with traditional ouzeries, tavernas and cafes in an old restored neighborhood full of amazing buildings. It used to be the red light district.
The Hotel Capsis Bristol had rooms for 155 euros a night which was half the price it charges in September. "This is our slow season" the woman at the desk told me. It sure was. I didn't see another guest in the place. The hotel was like a small version of the Grande Bretagne in Athens. The rooms might have been even better with beautiful wood furniture, a big desk for me, a giant king size bed, state-of-the-art bathroom and shower big enough for the starting five of the Greek National Basketball team and a powerful airconditioner. It was by far the best hotel of the trip and one of the best I have every stayed at in Greece. Our room overlooked the tables and chairs of the restaurants in the main square of Ladatika.
Of course this being Greece you can't expect everything to be perfect and the wireless did not work in my room but they had a big space in the center of the hotel where I could plug directly into the DSL and get all my e-mail and answer it until it was cool enough to venture out on the streets.

On a hot Sunday afternoon the streets of Thessaloniki were mostly empty but as the sun began to set people leave their apartments and head for the long waterfront where they can do the evening volta (stroll) for miles from the port to beyond the Aspro Pirgos (White Tower).It was Navy week and there were a couple ships, one a troop and tank transport and the other a guided missile cruiser that were giving free tours which we took. How often do you get to walk around a fully armed guided missile cruiser? Outside the ship there was a guy on stilts dressed like an American revolutionary war hero and three circus clowns yelling to the crowd through a distorted public address system, also a part of Navy day though I don't really understand what clowns and a guy who looks like Paul Revere has to do with Greek military preparedness.
There was a small museum with a history of the Greek Navy and merchant marine, with models and lots of paintings and photos, some of the old ferry boats I remember from my childhood like the Kanaris and the Kariaskakis. In one of the old port buildings there was a beautiful cafe-restaurant called the Kitchen Bar with a modern menu and seats right on the dock with a view of the city.

Aristotelous Square is surrounded by cafes and bars and fills with people in the evening. Old folks taking a walk or sitting with their friends in the cafe, Gypsies, Africans and Xanthians selling balloons, toys, bootleg CDs and DVDs, teens on skateboards and boys and girls in groups flirting with one another make this big old platia the place to be in the evening. The large 19th century buildings on one side of the square mirror those on the other side.
The square continues up the hill as a large pedestrian avenue with shops and cafes and the famous Electra Palace Hotel which is the Grande Bretagne of Thessaloniki. If you walk up Aristotelous you come to the Ancient Agora Square and then the Roman Agora. Thessaloniki is the most important port in the Balkans. It used to be dominated by its Jewish community which came from Spain in 1492. The predominant language of the city used to be Spanish.
But the entire Jewish community was shipped off to the concentration camps where all but a few thousand were exterminated within hours of their arrival. What had been the Jewish Cemetery is now the University and the International Fairgrounds for the yearly Thessaloniki Trade Fair. Athenians think that Thessalonikians are provincial but I think it may be somewhat of an inferiority complex. Thessaloniki was a thriving city for centuries while Athens was a backwater and even today the locals seem more sophisticated and friendlier than their neighbors to the south. The city does not feel provincial. It feels like a big modern European city, cleaner and more organized and more livable than Athens. They are also building a metro which should make it even better the way the Attiki Metro improved life in Athens.
It was a tough decision on where to eat in Ladadika. I had called Grigoris Moisaides who is the taxi driver in Thessaloniki that most travelers use for transfers and tours, to see if he would meet us for dinner but he was beat from a day of driving. He recommended Zythos, right across the street from our hotel, one of the first and best restaurants in the neighborhood. But our eyes were attracted to a place right across the square that was decorated like a traditional old grocery store called Foul tou Meze with food much better than its name implied. The restaurant had a long list of smoked, salted and pickled mezes which includes filet sardines from Spain, smoked grilled skoumbri(mackerel) which was the best fish meze I have ever had, smoked and pickled herring, pickled lakerda (tuna), pickled anchovies, at least a dozen different cheeses from all over Greece, twenty different salads ranging from the two different flavors of tarama salata (3 if you include the rare tarama from Messolonghi), fava, the spicy cabbage and carrot politiki salad which we found at most restaurants, meatballs made from beef as well as octopus, zucchini, chickpeas, octopus grilled or in wine, kalamari stuffed and baked, or fried or grilled and various meat, pasta and vegetable dishes as well as all the typical dishes from Thessaloniki and northern Greece. They had twenty varieties of ouzo, and equal number of tsipuro and twenty or thirty different bottled wine and an excellent white xima (barrel supposedly bus actually it comes in a box) which was their house wine from the island of Limnos. It was the best culinary experience of the trip and could not be any more convenient to out hotel which was right across the street. I highly recommend this place. There may be better in the area but they will have to wait for my next visit.

The next morning we had breakfast at the hotel, included in our 155 euros. It was actually a pretty amazing breakfast. Espresso, cappuccino or whatever kind of coffee you like, a basket of different kinds of breads, cakes and croissants, fresh squeezed OJ, and a choice of any kind of eggs. I had the strapadsada which is scrambled eggs with feta cheese, tomatoes, peppers and onions.
Afterwards we went to check on the car and make sure our spot was legal. It seemed to be. It was in front of a bank but there was not a no-parking sign (a circle with an X) so it seemed silly to move it, so we went for a walk to Germanos Electronics to ask about the Cosmote Internet On the Go which would enable me to keep up with my e-mail no matter how far into the boonies we went, or so I thought. Twenty minutes later when we returned to the hotel to get Andrea's tax number which we needed to get a yearly contract, there was a ticket on my car. I left it and went to get our bags. I asked the woman at the desk what we should do about it. She said not to worry if it was a rental car because they don't really care. But when I told her I was parked in front of the bank she looked concerned. "In that case they may have taken your license plates". I went back to the car. They had taken them. Now what do we do? The woman found the address we needed to go to somewhere behind the train station and after much trial and error (yes we drove the plate-less car- you can do that... I think) we found the police station and gave the policewoman at the desk the ticket and the rental agreement from Swift.

The problem was that the rental was for June and it was now July so to prove we had not stolen the car we needed Swift to send us a new agreement by fax. I called Elias and he replied cheerily that it was on its way. The fax machine was upstairs two floors and the main desk was on the main floor so the woman told us to wait upstairs. The hall and offices were full of people who looked like they were in a lot worse trouble than we were and after twenty minutes we heard the sound of the fax. It came out of the machine totally black and unreadable except you could barely make out the Swift logo on the top.
I called Elias and asked him to send it again. He tried several times from several machines but nothing was coming through. (The date on the fax said March 25 1995) I could see fax machines in other offices but the woman in charge of our machine told us it was the only one. Finally the fax came through and clear enough for them to see that we had not stolen the car. But we needed to make a copy down the street because they needed one for their records and it was illegal for me to drive without one. There was a small copy center around the corner and the guy made the copy. "Eight cents" he told me. How do these guys make any money? When I got back to the police station Andrea was gone and so was the woman at the front desk. Where was she? Had they taken her away to interrogate her just for the hell of it? I started to panic. Plus there was a cop on the street giving tickets to the line of cars parked in front of the police station of which mine was one. What was the penalty for a second offense? What do they take if there are no plates? The tires? How come everything is so complicated in Greece. My phone rang. It was Andrea. When she went to pay our parking ticket the woman told her that we had to mail it in because they can't take money at the police station. She needed to go to the post office in the train station (which is being renovated by the way), then get a receipt that she had paid it and they would give us the plates. Finally she returned and we got our plates wrapped in a nice plastic bag.

Of course they don't give you a screwdriver so we had to make due with this nail file thing Andrea had and took a photo to commemorate the event. Then we got in the car and drove the hell out of Thessaloniki.
But I will be back.... check out the Capsis Bristol Hotel and if you are going to Thessaloniki stay there.

WHAT TO SEE IN THESSALONIKI

2009-10-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

Archaeological Sites, Monuments, Byzantine Churches and Museums
THESSALONIKI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
Thessaloniki: Roman market and theater The Palace of Galerius (300 A.D.) at Navarino Square.
Roman Market and Theatre.(photo) Ruins standing at the Law Court Square (Dikastiria).
Roman Baths. North of the church of Agios Dimitrios.
Nymphaion . An elegant monopteral, circular building.
Vergina, the ancient site of Aigai and the first capital of Macedonia has extensive ruins including the tomb of Phillip and the summer palace of King Antigonas Gonatas. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 to 3:30 but stays open until 7 in the summer.
THESSALONIKI MONUMENTS - CHURCHES

Thessaloniki: Rotunda Galerian Arch (Kamara) erected shortly before 305 A.D.
The Rotonda ,(photo) a domed building of early 4th century A.D., served as a Pantheum or as a Mausoleum for emperor Galerius.Now the church of Saint George. Was a mosque during the Turkish occupation and the minaret still stands.
Church of Ossios David (late 5th century A.D.), the chapel of the Latomos Convent , an early Christian church that still stand in Thessaloniki's Turkish quarter known as Epimenidou or Kastra.
The City Walls were erected during the time of Theodossios the Great to guard the city from Democracy Square of nowadays across Eptapyrgio up to the site later occupied by the White Tower, a work of the architect Sinan (first half of 16th century).
Agios Dimitrios , was completely rebuilt in 1948 according the original plans. The church has been destroyed twice before by fire.
The Crypt , the most easterly section of the Bath, is the place where St Demetrios was imprisoned, tortured and buried.
Agia Sofia (8th century) marks the transition from the domed basilica to the domed crusiform church is a copy of the original Agia Sophia in Constantinople..
Panagia Halkeon , a cruciform church, was built in 1028 A.D. according an inscription of that era.
Agia Ekaterini (13th century) is very well preserved externally, with traces of frescoes inside.
Agfi Apostoli (14th century) retains a rich decoration both externally and in the interior, dating at the time of the Byzantine Pateologos imperial dynasty.
Agios Nikolaos Orfanos (14th century), 20 Irodotou Str. tel. 213.627 richly decorated with frescoes in the 17th century it became the chapel of Vlatadon Monastery.
Profitis Ilias was built in 1360 upon the ruins of a Byzantine palace by the monk Makarios Houmnos.
The post-Byzantine era has also left in Thessaloniki an important number of churches.

THESSALONIKI MUSEUMS

Archaeology Museum : Near the White Tower and fairgrounds, tel. 830.538. Displaying sculpture of the archaic, classical and Roman periods.
Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki: The Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki was founded to honour the rich and creative Sephardic heritage as it evolved in the city after the 15th century consequent to the horrible expulsion from Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492. The Museum is housed in one of the rare Jewish structures that survived the fire of 1917. Located in the very heart of Thessaloniki, this imposing building has at times housed the Bank of Athens and the offices of the Jewish newspaper "L' Independent" and is a silent witness to the great Jewish presence that once filled the streets of Thessaloniki. Open Tuesday, Friday & Sunday: 11:00am - 2:00pm and Wednesday & Thursday: 11:00am - 2:00pm & 5:00pm - 8:00pm. 13, Agiou Mina Street. For more info contact jctmuseo@otenet.gr (for more on the Jewish Community in Greece see www.greecetravel.com/jewishhistory)
New Museum of Byzantine Culture: 2 Stratou St., tel.: 868.570.
Ethnological and Popular Art: 68, Vas. Olgas, tel. 830.591 displaying costumes and objects of the last 250 years of Greek national life and culture. One of the best in Greece.
Museum of the Macedonian Struggle : 23, Proxenou Koromila Str. tel. 229.778. Exhibits from the years of local national resistance 1878-1912.
White Tower Museum : tel. 267.832. An exhibition of the history and art of Byzantine Thessaloniki covering the period between 300 and 1430 AD. There is a small cafe with a great view at the top.
Gallery of Fine Arts; 1, Nic. Germanou Str. inside the building of the National Theatre, tel. 238.601. Important works of Greek and foreign painters.
Municipal Gallery: 162, Vas. Olgas, tel. 425.531. Museum of the Crypt: Inside the church of Agios Dimitrios, tel. 270.591
Museum of the Society for Macedonian Studies: 1, Nic. Germanou Str. tel. 238.601.
Northern Greece Cultural Centre: 108, Vas. 01- gas Str., tel. 834.4o4.
Macedonian Centre of Modern Art: International Trade Fair grounds, tel. 281.567
Technical Museum of Thessaloniki: Thessaloniki Industrial Area, 2nd Street, Building no 47, tel. 799.773.
Museum of Attaturk . The founder of modern Turkey was actually born in Thessaloniki and his house has been turned into a historical museum. Don't be put off if the guard asks for your passport. No, it's not a small island of Turkish territory in the midst of Greece's second largest city, but with ocassional tensions between the two countries they don't want to take any chances of someone defacing the displays. The last time somebody blew up this house in the fifities it set off anti-Greek riots in Istanbul and the expulsion of several thousand remaining Greeks.
And if all this seems like a little too much culture you can always just go to the beach

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SALONICCO GRECIA www.alexandertravel.gr

2009-07-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

SALONICCO GRECIA LA TERRA DEI MACEDONI

è la seconda città più importante della Grecia ed è una città bella e romantica. La città venne fondata attorno al 315 a.C. da Cassandro, Re dei Macedoni, che la chiamò con il nome di sua moglie Tessalonica, sorellastra tra l'altro di Alessandro Magno.

Fino dai tempi di Alessandro Magno, Salonicco era considerata come uno dei più importanti centri culturali e commerciali esistenti e, durante l'impero Bizantino, era conosciuta molto più della stessa Atene.

Al visitatore Salonicco si presenta con il fascino orientale, le mura medioevali, interessanti monumenti romani e bizantini, straordinari reperti archeologici, musei ed i sempre presenti paesaggi bellissimi, che contraddistinguono l'intera Grecia. Da visitare la cattedrale di San Dimitrio, la cattedrale di Santa Sofia, il Mausoleo di Galerio, la Moschea e la Cittadella Veneziana, su un'altura della città verso nord. Quanto ai musei, il Museo Etnologico e del Folklore della Macedonia e della Tracia, la Pinacoteca della Società degli studi Macedoni, il Museo della Tecnica, il Museo della lotta Macedone e il Museo Macedone di Arte Contemporanea sono dei gioielli assolutamente da visitare.

Famosa è l'Università che qui ha sede.

Le attuali caratteristiche della città sono da ricondursi ad un evento particolare: nel 1917 gran parte della città fu difatti distrutta da un incendio e pertanto dovette essere ricostruita. La ricostruzione fu proibita fino a quando non fosse stato pronto un progetto di tipo moderno, il che accadde dopo pochi anni quando il francese Hebrard trasformò Salonicco in una città moderna di stile europeo, togliendole purtroppo un pò del suo fascino orientale.
Salonicco sa essere anche città moderna ed è un attivo centro commerciale e portuale. Oggi tutta la città è piena di vita. Grandi strade, parchi, piazze, negozi, bar, ristoranti, taverne.

Da molti inoltre Salonicco è considerata la capitale greca della gastronomia. I Romani vi portarono le loro abitudini, lo stesso fecero gli ebrei, rifugiatisi qui dopo la fuga dalla Spagna, e infine i Turchi vi portarono, oltre alle loro tradizioni culinarie, anche ricette persiane, armene ed arabe. Troverete ristoranti di ogni tipo, taverne, trattorie, pasticcerie, caffetterie, negozi alimentari di ogni genere.

In settembre la Fiera internazionale.

Simbolo della città è la Torre Bianca, sopra il porto. Un tempo era in colore rosso ed è stata ridipinta in bianco dopo la liberazione della città da dominio dei turchi per ricordare l'innocenza delle vittime del dominio ottomano.

Il clima è mediterraneo e molto caldo. In città è diffusa la conoscenza dell'inglese ed anche dell'italiano, per la vicinanza all'Italia.

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THESSALONIKI CITY BREAK DESTINATION www.alexandertravel.gr

2009-07-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

THESSALONIKI the capital of MACEDONIA

A Very Short History of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki [1], in the Greek district of Central Macedonia, is, at about a million inhabitants, the second largest city in the country. More importantly, it is a city with a continuous 3000-year history, preserving relics of its Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman past and of its formerly dominant Jewish population. Its Byzantine churches, in particular, are included in UNESCO's World Heritage list.

Museums and Galleries

At the end of Tsimiski street there is a special area in the center of Thessaloniki where you can find many museums:

Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum [7]

The Museum of Byzantine Culture [8]

State Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki [9]

Thessaloniki Museum of Photography [10]

Museum of Cinematography in Thessaloniki [11]

Thessaloniki Technology Park [12]

Museum of Science [13]

Folklore and Ethnological Museum of Macedonia and Thrace [14]

Thessaloniki International Fair [15]

Jewish Museum [16]

Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art [17]

Municipal Gallery of Art

Teloglion Foundation of Art

Museum at the White Tower [18]

Museum at Aghios Demetrios

Goulandris Museum of Natural History [19]

Attaturk House

It is also useful to keep an eye on the website Museums of Macedonia [20] that covers the whole region.

The northernmost Byzantine walls of the city and parts of the western walls are still standing, as is the city's symbol - the White Tower, one of the 16th c. AD fortified towers - which is the only surviving tower on the seafront. The rest of the walls are in the picturesque old town (Upper Town) which offers a spectacular view over the bay, especially in the late afternoon. Take a walk along the enormous seafront promenade (about 12 km altogether) with views of the amphitheatrically-built city. See the Archaeological Museum, the new award-winning Museum of Byzantine Culture (2005 - the best Museum of Europe), the Roman Forum excavations.

Visit the upper town for its traditional old houses, small cobbled streets, Byzantine citadel, the Eptapyrgion fort.

The very lively and youth-oriented international film festival[21] is held in November, the International Trade Fair[22] in September. On no account should you miss the Byzantine churches built between the 5th and 14th century ACE, such as St Demetrios, (7th c. ACE) and Agia Sophia (Holy Wisdome, 9th c. ACE), and many lovely smaller ones in the upper town (St Nicolaos Orfanos is particularly worth a look for its frescoes), which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. One of them, the Rotonda, started life as a Roman temple of Zeus, built by ceasar Galerius, and is almost as old as the Pantheon in Rome. Next to the Rotonda, see the Arch of Triumph of Galerius and the ruins of his palace.

The city is also known as "the mother of Israel", due to the once flourishing jewish community here, which existed from the Roman period and grew after the Ottoman Empire took in the refugees from Spain ("Sephardis), until World War II when most of the city's Jews were transported to Auschwitz, never to return. However, there are still two Synagogues, and you can see the Jewish Museum.

Also interesting are the Turkish public baths, the Bezesteni (Ottoman closed market for jewellery and precious materials) the Alatza Imaret (Ottoman poorhouse) and Hamza Bey Camii (both restored and used for exhibitions).

The traditional central food market, with hundreds of stalls selling meat, fish, fruit, vegetables (sometimes cheek-by-jowl, an unnerving experience for North Americans), cheap clothes and shoes, flowers, herbs and spices, between Aristotelis Square and Venizelou street. Aristotelous Square-the biggest of the city-and the promenade with its cafes and restaurants.

THESSALONIKI IN VIDEO