WHERE

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

WHY GO

European culture combined with a variety of other cultures from the north and east, international events such as trade exhibitions and art displays , local festivals all year round, business and fun –extensive nightlife-all these blended together in the unique picturesque setting of Thermaikos gulf in the deep blue of the Aegean and the extensive historic places of interest in and out of the city.

WHEN TO GO

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

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

By air

There are direct flights from the UK and other European countries and regular connections from the USA and eastern and northern countries as well.

Departures guide at: http://users.otenet.gr/~cpnchris/skgd.html

Airport info at: http://users.otenet.gr/-cpnchris/skg.html

Olympic airways at www.olympic-airways.gr/passengers_info/oapaxaptskguk.htm

By train

There is a train connection from Europe and the East on a regular basis.

Getting Around

Local buses run on a daily basis schedule to and from all suburbs and resorts, towns and cities. The bus service is a good one and the easiest way to move around the city.

See info at: www.ktel.org/fokis/en/thessaloniki.htm

Train services are for distant locations only, not for urban use.

However, the metro runs in the city connecting busy to remote areas.

Visit: www.metrolpa.net/eu/the/thessal/htm

Taxis are easy to find , and if you need a taxi at a certain time you can call the station and reserve it. They are punctual and trustworthy. Call at White Tower station, tel: 0310 214900. See also http://users.forthnet.gr/the/dsilvestriadis/thessaloniki

However, if you want to see everything , you should walk. It’s not difficult to follow a route a day and explore the inner part of the city on foot.

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

See www.kosmos-carrental.com/thessaloniki/html

BEST MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

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

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

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

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

There is a number of museums all over the city such as the Rotonda ,which is a church for St George, and the Museum of Salonica.

Visit www.greekembassy.org/culture/northgreece/thessaloniki.html

BEST UNUSUAL ATTRACTIONS

The Technology park, visit the site at: www.techpark.gr

The Technology Museum, see site at www.tmth.edu.gr/en

The International Trade Exhibition, a big international event, was set up in 1926 and has been running annually in September since then offering a great range of goods and services. It attracts a great number of people every year both business and fun lovers. See www.helexpo.gr

Also the World Trade center , visit site at http://iserve.wtca.org/wtc/thessaloniki_contacts.html

Mt Athos, within easy reach of the city , is a monastery for monks located on the Halkidiki peninsula . It is a well known for the famous ancient items that are displayed there, and it constitutes a small independed community on its own run by monks. They offer free lodgings and meals to all visitors . Female visitors are not allowed in. Prince Charles of UK has visited Athos many times, as well as other famous people.

See http://poseidon.csd.auth.gr/athos

www.medialab.ntua.gr/athos.html

www.bates.edu/-rallison/friends

www.culture.gr/2/21/218/e21800.html

Halkidiki peninsula beaches are sandy , extensive and ideal for summer vacations. The perfect place for camping lovers.

www.huntsidway.com/travel.html

BEST ACTIVITY AND TOUR

• A tour in the city to see the sights. Visit www.greekhotel.com/mainland/thessaloniki/home.htm

www.greekembassy.org/culture/northgreece/thessaloniki.html

For luxury tours-hotels,

www.luxury.gr/thessaloniki-hotels.html

• For sport lovers, Toumba stadium is renowned for the local team of PAOK . There are two more local teams, ARIS and IRAKLIS. For more activities, see

www.medcollection.com/region.asp?lc=53

BEST ALTERNATIVE

• Mt Athos www.it.uom.gr/project/chalkidiki/visit_Athos.htm

• The Aristotle University which is popular for Medicine, Literature, Law, Theology and other studies.

• The University of Macedonia which is the best for Ecomonics and Social studies,as well as for Computer programming.

www.uom.gr

• The concert Hall http://virtuals.compulink.gr/ommth

BEST LOCAL HAUNT

Kalamaria area , on the east of the city is the best place to enjoy seafood by the sea. Michaniona , one hour by bus from the city center , offers fresh fish by the sea as well traditional dishes restaurants along the bay.

BEST LODGINGS

Park hotel, in the center of the city , within easy reach of all the sights.

Contact: Tel 0310 52412

City, downtown area.

Tel: 0310 269421

Elektra, a higher class hotel in the city.

Tel: 0310 232221

Hyatt, a big hotel.

Website: www.thessaloniki.hyatt.com

See other hotels at: www.greecetravelonline.com/accommodation/hotelbyarea.asp?combArea=Thessaloniki

BEST EATS

Looking for fresh fish? Don’t miss the fish tavernas at Kalamaria, a popular suburb by the sea.

Down town there is a big number of restaurants offering all kinds of tasty dishes, from grilled meat to fish and sea food. Bakeries and pastry shops offer a wide range of traditional cakes that can be found only in Salonica, as well as homemade fruit jams.

Try To Horio (the village ) at tel: 0310 327080, and Ta kalivia, at Tel: 0310 845310, for a wide range of dishes, traditional and European ones.

So , what’s the best speciality to try?

A kind of pie called ‘trigona’ (triangles). It’s got a filo wrapping outside and rich creme inside. They are sweet and tasty and are kept in the fridge.

‘Touloumba’ is another sweet dessert . It’s a kind of pastry roll with no filling inside but dipped in heavy syrup. It’s like ‘Baklavas’ in taste, which is a typical Greek sweet in syrup.

Chocolate speaking the ‘anomala’ bits are delicious. They are small unshaped choco bites made of plain dark chocolate and have a filling of whole almonds.

The best meat dishes are Giros and Souvlaki pittas, and the appetizing Greek salad topped with feta cheese.

Take aways are very popular with the students and the locals. Freshly made dishes delivered to your place –hotels included!

You can call To Fournaki tis Giagias at tel: 0310 311 999 for grilled meat and traditional cuisine . Take away too.

Trocadero is a well known creperie. Tel: 0310 942001, and Pizza Hut is international at tel: 0310 049222.

BEST ENTERTAINMENT

The International Trade Exhibition is the most popular event in Thessaloniki. It attracts visitors from all over the world and has been running annually in September since 1926. Many art festivals take place at that time and it is difficult to find accommodation if you have not booked it a month or so in advance.

For more info visit website at: www.helexpo.gr

BEST SHOPPING

There is an extensive variety of shops downtown offering whatever one may think, from clothes and leather goods to trade products and machinery. See the link below for a guide to shopping in the city.: http://users.forthnet.gr/the/dsilvestriadis/thessaloniki

HEALTH AND SAFETY

There is no need to take any special precautions apart from the regular ones when you travel abroad. A Health Insurance will help if you need Private –Hospital medical care, but there are a lot of public hospitals that can help in emergencies.

During the summer months you should take care of the tap water. It is safer to buy bottled mineral water and avoid the sun at noon. A sun block cream and dark sunglasses is a must for everyboby staying in Greece.

MONEY AND COMMUNICATIONS

There is no problem with currency exchange as there are many banks around the city , at the airport and at the stations as well. Most shops accept credit cards and travelers’checks and most hotels change cash for you at low rates.

International phone calls are easy to make as there are phone booths in the streets and e-mails are easy to send as you can find Internet cafes all around the city. The post office service is reliable but there are many private couriers around the city that offer immediate delivery service locally or worldwide.

www.tnn.gr net news

www.wunderground.com/global/stations/16622.html

Weather report

BEST RESOURCES

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

It can be easy to forget there’s much more to the UK than just England. In fact, any true understanding of that island nation requires visits to the Celtic realms of Wales and Scotland.

Cardiff

Capital of the principality of Wales, Cardiff grew up as a port for the shipping of iron and coal from nearby Welsh valleys. Now it’s cast off its grim history as a rough seaport to become a green and stately city with pedestrian shopping quadrants, statued squares and a large and well-preserved castle.

Cardiff also features a strong sporting and cultural presence. Sporting events such as the national sport of Rugby Union are played at the new Millenium Stadium. The Welsh National Opera now performs at the Wales Millennium Centre, Wales’ palace to arts and culture.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Cardiff International Airport is about 12 miles from the city. It connects with various destinations in the UK and continental Europe.

Direct trains connect Cardiff with London, Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham and others as do national coach services.

The city has an effective bus system and the city’s flatness make it perfect for cycling. There are also two kinds of taxis – the black and white prowl the streets looking for fares and other colours which have to be booked.

Climate

Typical for the UK though Cardiff’s coastal location tends to temper extremes of temperature. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 30°C and winters rarely fall below freezing.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Cardiff hotels

http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Cardiff/

Events:what’s on and what’s hot

* St David’s Day on March 1st is the national day of Wales. If features a parade* The Big Weekend is probably the most active Cardiff festival. Held on the last weekend in July, masses of people swamp the city hall area to enjoy the carnival events and fun fair atmosphere.

* Mermaid Quay Cardiff Harbour Festival at the end of August features family fun with a nautical theme.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s rich and storied history has endowed Edinburgh with a beguiling medley of medieval, Gothic Georgian and contemporary styles overlaid with an uniquely Scottish ambiance.

Capital of Scotland since 1437, Edinburgh is crowned with its castle. But for all its history it’s a lively place with museums and galleries, night-life,great restaurants and shops, and an scintillating programme of events throughout the year.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Direct flights link Edinburgh with cities in England, Wales, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Scandinavia and various countries in Europe.

Trains connect Edinburgh with a range of destinations from the spanking-new Edinburgh Train Station

Transport around Edinburgh can be summed up in the two words buses and bicycles.

Climate:

Edinburgh has a temperate climate despite its northern location. The weather is generally mild though subject to winds gushing in from the south-west. Summers in Edinburgh are blessed with long days and it’s often sunny though rain can sweep in out of the blue. Winters are chilly with short dark days.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Edinburgh hotels

http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Edinburgh/

Events:what’s on and what’s hot

*Edinburgh International Festival in August is one of the world’s largest and most important arts festivals. The Fringe Festival runs in tandem. There are performances in venues all around the city.

*Also in August is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo held on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. Bagpipes wail and kilted regiments strut in this Scottish extravaganza.

*New Year’s Eve, known as Hogmanay in Scotland, is celebrated with gusto in Edinburgh with concerts, street parties an a large bonfire on the hill.

Glasgow

Over the last 20 years, Scotland’s largest city has cast off its roughhouse reputation to become a revitalised centre for commerce, tourism, and culture with excellent parks, museums and shopping. Now the city offers everything from curling to opera and ballet, and from football to art appreciation and symphonies.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Glasgow International Airport is 10 miles west of the city and Glasgow Prestwick Airport is 30 miles to the southwest.

Buchanan Bus Station is the center for all long-distance bus services.

Glasgow’s Central Train Station serves Southern Scotland, England and Wales and Queen St Station serves the north and east of Scotland.

Glasgow has a fine public transport system with a subway, trains and buses, and taxis are abundant.

Climate:

The weather in Glasgow is milder than the rest of Scotland owing to its position. It gets the Gulf Stream current up the Clyde Estuary. Plus, the humidity resulting from its location in the Clyde Valley helps to warm the area.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Glasgow hotels

http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Glasgow/

Events:what’s on and what’s hot

* January sees the two-week Celtic Connections music festival.

* February is the time of the City of Love festival which celebrates St Valentine.

* Glasgow’s biggest arts event is the two-week West End Festival of music in June. June is also the time of the RSNO Proms, a series of classical music concerts.

* Shortly after comes the Glasgow Jazz Festival in July.

* On a more Scottish theme, Glasgow hosts the World Pipe Band Championships in mid-August.

LUX® reinforces position as luxury global travel brand

LUX® Travel is the first luxury travel brand in Vietnam, has announced plans for its first global marketing and expansion campaign.

The activity is part of plans to modernize the tour operator’s branding and ensure a consistent appearance in its marketing both online and offline. The forthcoming campaign will highlight LUX®’s bespoke, luxury product offers and services.

Lux® Vietnam(www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) targets the Australia and New NZ markets for this summer and a long run and dominates this luxury segment in these keys markets.

“Vietnam remains a new destination for Aussies travelers, Lux aims to be the first tour operator promote luxury tourism to Australians holidaying in Vietnam and Indochina in the lap of luxury” said Pham Ha, Founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Company.

Luxury Travel Co., Ltd. (Vietnam) is a 100% fully registered and privately-owned Vietnamese company. It was founded by luxury travel specialists since the 1990s when Vietnam had just opened its doors to worldwide tourism.

The Luxury Travel Company is Vietnam’s first luxury tour company and full travel service agency. Luxury Travel is experienced in providing special services and unique tourism products to luxury global travelers.  The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfill client expectations.

Luxury Travel Company’s main business activities – luxury inbound/outbound operator, luxury adventures, custom tours, romance, wellness and spa, MICE, family travel and private travel arrangements for VIP stars, celebrities, Royal and Government clientele, private jet and yacht cruises…nothing is impossible in the whole luxury meaning.

Last year, the company served 10,000 satisfied customers. Among Luxury Travel’s clients are ambassadors, senators, Russian millionaires, CEOs and presidents of Oman Oil Company, royalty and Oman Royal Government ministers, French ministers, Deputy Prime Minister of Canada…and others. 

Lux® will open representative offices in Australia, the UK and USA this year added to its global campaign.

Devon is a County of immense beauty and a very popular summer destination for British tourists as well as foreign visitors. Its varied landscape and interesting Cities and Towns offer a lot to the traveller and its location on the South West tip of the Country gives it a milder climate compared to the rest of England. In fact, the South coast is known as the English Riviera!

Like all of the United Kingdom, the County of Devonshire is steeped in history and there is evidence scattered across the landscape and inside its main Towns and Villages. Most people who visit Devon, come for the seaside resorts like Torquay, Dawlish and Paignton, but there is so much more for the visitor to the region, though everyone enjoys the famous Devon Cream Teas!

The Gateway City of Exeter is a vibrant destination in itself with a buzzing University population and plenty to see and do. The City dates back to the Roman era and was once a stronghold garrison for the Romans known as Isca. There are some remnants of this bygone era and a lot of the local findings can be seen in the small but interesting Royal Albert Museum. The City Centre has many sights in a relatively compact area with the fabulous Norman Cathedral looking over it all. On the Cathedral yard you will find the Clarence Hotel which is widely known as the first ever Hotel in England.

Nearby to the Cathedral is the favourite lunch spot of Rougemont Castle and Northernhay Gardens, which is a lovely place to take a stroll and take in the medieval ruins and the place of the last ever Witch hanging in the Country. Just off the entrance to Rougemont Castle is the Medieval Underground Passages and tours are offered throughout the week which is surprisingly enjoyable.

Exeter Quayside has had a revamp in the last few years and is now a popular place to spend an afternoon, with quaint but popular pubs and eateries. It is also home to most of Exeters Nightlife and on Friday and Saturday nights it can get quite rowdy.

Outside of the County Capital there is plenty more to see and the vast ghostly Moorland that is Dartmoor is a popular destination for Hikers and is famous worldwide for the Sherlock Holmes story, the “Hounds of the Baskervilles”.

It is easy to get to from Exeter and many people flock to the more accessible spots of Two Bridges and Hay Tor. The Moors are covered in Bronze Age mounds and history buffs will enjoy discovering forgotten sites as they walk across the misty landscape. Beware though, Dartmoor is notorious for its changing weather and it is easy to get lost. Visitors should remember to take a map and compass and to let someone know where they are going.

South Devon is as previously stated a tourist hotspot and can get very busy during peak seasons like Summer and Easter. With beautiful long sandy beaches and the typical English seaside activities, it has plenty to offer families. What a lot of visitors forget though, is that there is also plenty of history in this part of the County as well. The Castle in Dartmouth – a major fortress in previous times and the popular Berry Pomeroy Castle near Totnes, this is believed locally to be the most haunted Castle in the United Kingdom.

Further down the coast to Plymouth is the place where the American forces practised for the Normandy invasion during World War Two. Here at Slapton Sands hundreds of American Servicemen lost there lives, when a German E-boat attacked as they carried out an exercise in preparation for the D Day landings.

It is also in this area that the abandoned village of Halls Sands is located. It was deserted in 1917 when the Sea took over the land which was once protected by a huge shingle beach. Rather stupidly the Government of the time, allowed a private company to dredge the land for the valuable shingle and its result was to leave a once prosperous sea faring community a ghost town. Walking down the steps to the ruined settlement is slightly risky but walking amongst the remains is a sombre and interesting experience.

Just inland of this part of the Devonshire coastline is Buckfastleigh, which sits on the road from Plymouth to Dartmoor. It is a pretty market Town and is visited mainly for Buckfast Abbey which sits on a ruined abbey that was originally built in the Ninth century.

North Devon is not as popular as the South, as its coastline is generally wilder than its opposite number but it does have its attractions. As well as sharing Exmoor with Somerset, it has Clovelly a lovely little harbour Town which is very popular indeed (though it is quiet at night), two of the best surfing spots in the Country at Braunton and Croyde and Ilfracombe which is North Devons largest seaside resort. The Island of Lundy sits in the Bristol Channel north of the Devon coast and is a haven for day trippers looking to see the nesting birds which have made the Island famous locally.

There is an abundance of traditional Devonian Villages scattered around the region and it is really pleasant to take a drive and discover them for yourself. An especially lovely area is around Ottery St Mary in East Devon where you will find many chocolate box cottages and narrow country lanes. Ottery St Mary itself is a popular place for Guy Fawkes Night the traditional English celebration in November, when the Tar Barrelling event occurs. Local men set alight to a barrel of tar and take it in turns to carry it on their backs around the Town until it burns to nothing. It may sound strange – but it is a great night out and a really atmospheric celebration.

There are plenty of Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts around the County and especially in the more popular southern seaside resorts, though they can get booked out in summer. Exeter, the County Capital has some special and quirky little hotels and if you are willing to extend your budget, then the Clarence hotel on Cathedral Close is a beautiful setting.

Devon is well linked with the rest of the Country, with a rail and motorway network up through the West Country and to the North and East. Exeter Airport is growing larger each year and is now linked by budget airlines to many destinations in Europe and the UK.

Some flights to the USA and Canada do exist but are few and far between. It would be better for visitors from the Southern Hemisphere and North America to fly into London and then travel on to the West Country by Land or the many local flights available.

Flights to London are regular from practically every Country you can think of… Flights from the USA start from US$300 from the east coast and around $400 from the west coast.

Flights from Australia and New Zealand will be around A$2000 and NZ$2500.

Trains from London to Exeter cost around £60 return, but if booked in advance then you could find a cheaper deal. National Express the national bus service has links to Exeter and if you can put up with the journey it will only cost around £30 return.

The currency of Great Britain is the Pound Stirling which divides up into 100 pence.