An Ionian seaside town, Avola is a mix of old and new. The town focuses heavily on the sea, with its history as a tuna fishing port. Today, the remains of the Vecchia Tonnara at the wharf are a stone backdrop to the sandy beaches. Avola dates back to a pre-Greek people called the Sicani.…
Located about 11 kilometres north of Catania, it is the perfect little commune to visit during the ottobrata – the local festivity that occurs every October here in Sicily, celebrating the fruits of the land: frutti di terra. The first encounter went wrong already 🙂 Approaching the booth with fruit, I have noticed quince – one…
If something is worth visiting in life, it is the Aeolian islands. Becasue it makes you think about winter in the south. It makes you think about simplicity of life. And it makes you realise how not to treat the tourists: just some bags of potatoes that need to be shipped from one island to…
I haven’t had a chance to spent a bit more time discovering this city. But just a glimpse and it made me think to re-visit and make it’s due. When the time will come, I promise to update with more photos. But for now, enjoy the story 🙂 Several civilizations settled in Milazzo and left…
I didn’t expect much from this harbour city, to be honest. I knew they have a great beer – Messina cristali di sale: a great Sicilian beer brewed since 1923 and one of the most loved Italian beers. It is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, and the 13th largest city in Italy.…
Senlis is a city in the northern French department of Oise, Hautes de France. Cute, medieval and charming. It offered us great peek into history: The monarchs of the early French dynasties lived in Senlis, attracted by the proximity of the Chantilly forest. Senlis is situated on the river Nonette. Senlis was known in early Roman imperial times as Augustomagus. During the 3rd century, a seven-meter…
The Château de Chantilly is one of the finest jewels in the crown of France’s cultural heritage. It is the work of a man with an extraordinary destiny: Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of the last King of France, Louis-Philippe. This historic French château located in the town of Chantilly, Oise, about 50 kilometres north of Paris. The site…
The Scala dei Turchi is a rocky cliff on the coast of Realmonte, near Porto Empedocle. It has become a tourist attraction, partly due to its mention series of detective stories about Commissario Montalbano. The cliffs lie between two sandy beaches and are a limestone rock formation in the shape of a staircase, hence the name. The latter part…
Picture this episode: we parked on a roundabout. Some local approached us (my brother and me) – we thought because we should have not park in a roundabout, but then again they all did, so… in fact the guy just wanted to ask if we have cigarettes. Ok Sicily, episode n. At the roundabout is…
Enna or as the Sicilians would say Castrugiuvanni; is a city located roughly at the center of Sicily, towering above the surrounding countryside. It has earned the nicknames belvedere (panoramic viewpoint) and ombelico (“navel”) of Sicily. At 931m above sea level, Enna is the highest Italian provincial capital. To arrive there is not a piece of cake. Passing the two viaducts Morello and…
From its dramatic natural surroundings to its historic churches, Sicily has something to offer every traveler. The island of Sicily is a unique part of Italy. Its craggy mountains, wild vegetation, and omnipresent sea have fired the imagination of poets, wayfarers, and visitors alike. Though it is one of 20 Italian regions, its history under…
Aci Castello and the other Acis around are destinations not to be missed in Sicily, especially for lovers of Greek myths and literature. It is here that the poets Virgil and Ovid gave birth to the myth of Galatea and Aci and their love story. In the second half of 1100 the town was destroyed…
Thessaloniki is Greece’s Hippest City! It has some of the most beautiful beaches and has some of the finest hotels and best restaurants in northern Greece. The region is called Central […]
Thessaloniki is Greece’s Hippest City! It has some of the most beautiful beaches and has some of the finest hotels and best restaurants in northern Greece.
The region is called Central Macedonia, claiming the right to posess the FYR of Macedonia (calling it just the Northern Macedonian region) as it use to be entire ly greek region and not recognizing it today as a state.
Following this, upon my arrival, I noticed the title ‘macedonian’ on every institution, building, statue, bus, etc liaising it with the greek flag. For example, the central station!
Obligatory inscriptions and names of all stations, cafes and restaurants with the name Macedonia
One of the main disputes is the historical figure is Alexandar the Great also known as Alexander III of Macedon, but the name is less used for the political correctness of the both countries. Alexander was s born in Pella in 356 BC. As for years ruling on an unprecedented military campaign through Asia and northeast Africa, he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world by the age of thirty, stretching from Greece to northwestern India. He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered one of history’s most successful military commanders.
Statue of Alexander the Great, 4th century BCE
Pella today, is just the archeological site of the ancient greek city being a huge port and trade center before Thessaloniki erosed. It was occupied by the Romans and re-discovered in 19th century again by the group of scientists searching for the birth place of Alexander the Great based on the descriptions provided by Titus Livius (roman historian).
Pella – archeological site, the birthplace of Alexander the Great
Thesalonikki is one of my places I felt great energy but in the same time felt the city is a bit dirty. Could be because of so many graffiti’s left from the Greek crisis that time just a few months ago. Anyhow, the city is full of gypsy children begging for the money. As I was approached by a 3 years old cute ragamuffin, I realised he speaks serbian and that I can understand him as a croatian girl. I saw him and his brother were playing mini accoardian. So I told them to sing me a song, which they did and of course asked the money. I gave them a coin of 2 EUR thinking they ill split it, but actually do oldest brother took and ran away, left the younger one crying. Damn!
What now? I had only banknotes so I told him to follow me to the bakery that was just opposite of us in order to buy him a nice pastry. – No! He wants money.
Usually, I wouldn’t do it, but as I gave unpurposley the coin to his older tricky and astute brother, I didn’t want the younger one to feel like he did not deserve. Even more he was playing the accordian and every work should be payed in the market, right?
Right, he got 5 eur banknote from me.
Never, ever.
But I caught him later enjoying his childhood. I hope he is not forced to beg in the street. I really do.
My little gypsy ragamuffin ❤
The streets of Thesalonikki are full of different bars and everything is so vivid. The main street leads to the Aristotelous square which is actually at the sea side.
From there, the wide streets will take you to Rotunda – the seat of Roman Emperor Gayus Augustus built in 3rd century. The Rotunda is an impressively stout building which has been a Roman temple, a Christian house of worship and a mosque in its time, as well as surviving several earthquakes with its beautiful mosaics and 30m-high dome intact.
Rotunda – the seat of the roman emperors
The next attraction I visited was the Little Haga Sofia. The church from 8th based on the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul, Turkey). In 1205, when the Fourth Crusade captured the city, the Hagia Sophia was converted into the cathedral of Thessaloniki, which it remained after the city was returned to the Byzantine Empire in 1246. After the capture of Thessaloniki by the Ottoman Sultan Murad II in 1430, the church was converted into a mosque. It was reconverted to a church upon the liberation of Thessaloniki in 1912 in the Balkan Wars about which I will speak later here.
Haga Sophia, church from 8th centuryInner frescoes of the Haga Sophia
The city is surrounded by the walls dating from 4th century and upgraded during the Middle Ages and until the late 19th century, when large parts of the walls, including the entire seaward section, were demolished as part of the Ottoman authorities’ restructuring of Thessaloniki’s urban fabric. The main and most famous remained part is the White Tower.
The White Tower of Thesalonikki
Then of course, whart is the city without the market? I scrolled down the two most famous: Modiano and Kapani markets.
Modiano market
The most beautiful part with many bars and restauurants, walking andd cycling paths and entire line of massive hotels with beautiful balconies is when you slide down to the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean sea. When the sky is clear the enormous Mount Olympus, home of the ancient Greek gods, can be seen. Also, there are beautiful sandy beaches below.
Aegean sea and the Olympus Mountain
I have visited the Museum of Balkan wars in Chalkidona, as well. The villa was used as a headquarters during the wars. All the furniture in the museum is authentic and has been supplemented by furniture which the army had previously kept in storage.
Museum of the Balkan wars
The exhibits consist of photographs, military uniforms and decorations awarded by the Greek, Turkish, and Bulgarian armies (a display of medals) of the wars of 1912-13. Particularly important military decoration is an extremely rare Bulgarian medal depicting the heads of the four kings of the Balkan states, symbolising the short-lived alliance against the Ottoman Empire.
Well.. I’m Greek and Macedonia is Greek. Not FYROM, Macedonia, where Thessaloniki is! FYROM now claims Alexander the Great is theirs.. they named every other street after him and an airport! I have a lot of things to say but since this isn’t a blog about politics, let me just say i’m glad you enjoyed the beautiful Central Macedonia!
This is a thorough post! I love reading travel blogs but what I love more is reading travel blogs that actually teach you things you never knew. This was a little bit of travel, history and current news article.
Well.. I’m Greek and Macedonia is Greek. Not FYROM, Macedonia, where Thessaloniki is! FYROM now claims Alexander the Great is theirs.. they named every other street after him and an airport! I have a lot of things to say but since this isn’t a blog about politics, let me just say i’m glad you enjoyed the beautiful Central Macedonia!
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Nikki, check my post about FYROM 😀
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The view is awesome… I’ll also check your post about FYROM
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This is a thorough post! I love reading travel blogs but what I love more is reading travel blogs that actually teach you things you never knew. This was a little bit of travel, history and current news article.
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Been to Athens and some of the islands like Santorini & Mykynos, next time will keep this place in mind too, looks nice.
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Nice Share
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Looks amazing. Have never been to Greece yet, definitely on my bucket list. Its a very long list 😀
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I have missed some of these when I was in Greece.
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I am an mom who is 44 years old thanx.
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