•For sport lovers, Toumba stadium is renowned for 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 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 east of city is best place to enjoy seafood by sea. Michaniona , one hour by bus from city center , offers fresh fish by sea as well traditional dishes restaurants along bay.

BEST LODGINGS

Park hotel, in center of city , within easy reach of all sights. Contact: Tel 0310 52412

City, downtown area. Tel: 0310 269421

Elektra, a higher class hotel in 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 fish tavernas at Kalamaria, a popular suburb by 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 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 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 ‘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 appetizing Greek salad topped with feta cheese.

Take aways are very popular with students and 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 most popular event in Thessaloniki. It attracts visitors from all over 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 link below for a guide to shopping in city.: http://users.forthnet.gr/the/dsilvestriadis/thessaloniki

HEALTH AND SAFETY

There is no need to take any special precautions apart from 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 summer months you should take care of tap water. It is safer to buy bottled mineral water and avoid 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 city , at airport and at 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 streets and e-mails are easy to send as you can find Internet cafes all around city. The post office service is reliable but there are many private couriers around 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

WWW.THESSALONIKI.GR

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

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