Thessaloniki- some European flavor in your vacation!

By Liana Metal

WHERE

Thessaloniki is located on northern part of Greek mainland, in gulf of Thermaikos which is a major port in imports and exports. The city was set up in 316 BC and is capital of Macedonia and second big city in Greece after Athens.

WHY GO

European culture combined with a variety of other cultures from 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 unique picturesque setting of Thermaikos gulf in deep blue of Aegean and extensive historic places of interest in and out of city.

WHEN TO GO

The best seasons to visit are spring, when it is sunny and warm and you can explore area around city as well, summer , when you can swim at magic sandy beaches within easy reach of city, and fall, when international exhibitions take place. In winter months it is cold –sometimes below zero- but it is sunny most of time.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

By air

There are direct flights from UK and other European countries and regular connections from 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 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 easiest way to move around city. See info at: www.ktel.org/fokis/en/thessaloniki.htm

Train services are for distant locations only, not for urban use. However, metro runs in 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 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 inner part of city on foot.

Cycling is not recommended in down town area as there is a lot of traffic. Rent-a-car agencies are easy to find at airport and bus and railway stations, and it is a good idea to self-drive around city and suburbs. See www.kosmos-carrental.com/thessaloniki/html

BEST MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

The visitor shouldn’t miss to see round White Tower, a remnant of ancient walls of city dated back to 1866, which is now characteristic symbol of city. There are more towers around city but they are all square shaped apart from two of them.

The Triumphal Arc of Galerius is in middle of city, an imposing monument dating back to third century.

Ayios Dimitrios church, down town, attracts a lot of people, both tourists and locals. It was built in 5th century and has great architectural value. Worth visiting catacombs dug under church which were hiding place of first Christians at that time.

St Sophia church, is also a building you shouldn’t miss.

There is a number of museums all over city such as Rotonda ,which is a church for St George, and Museum of Salonica. Visit www.greekembassy.org/culture/northgreece/thessaloniki.html

BEST UNUSUAL ATTRACTIONS

The Technology park, visit 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 World Trade center , visit site at http://iserve.wtca.org/wtc/thessaloniki_contacts.html

Mt Athos, within easy reach of city , is a monastery for monks located on Halkidiki peninsula . It is a well known for 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

========================================================== "6 Cheeky Ways To Get An Upgrade On Your Air Ticket"

- by Neil Stelling B.Sc, MBA

© DigiLectual Inc. 2004 http://www.cheap--airline--tickets.com/ ==========================================================

Big company employees usually book through their company travel manager. Since they don't make their own booking, how can they get their preferred deal ? … first class, air miles, preferred flight time etc.

Some business travellers exercise more ingenuity and cunning finding a way around their company travel policy, than they use in their actual job.

Many business travellers shed tears at demise of Concorde. Blagging their way onto Concorde represented pinnacle of transatlantic travel achievement. Few company travel policies allow such luxury, but Concorde rarely flew without a majority of business travel passengers.

Concorde flights spawned many excuses. Shorter time without a cigarette, fear of flying, creativity etc. Since Concorde retired, first class became main goal - followed by business class, or maximum air miles.

Company travel managers can actually save their companies vastly more money than negotiating with travel suppliers. If someone flies economy instead of business, that's often worth about four tickets.

But big company employee still holds a bag of tricks :

* Medical * Schedule * Late Booking * Hotels * Inefficient Systems * Promotion

Medical grounds provide good excuses for upgrade. Did you hear expression 'economy class syndrome' ? It refers to deep-vein thrombosis. This, undoubtedly unpleasant and dangerous condition, produces biggest increase in business class upgrade requests. Many people actually hand over a medical certificate to support their claim… know any doctor friends ?