My little jubilee, the 50th country visited was Liechtenstein. And boy what a ceremony happened. The Principality of Liechtenstein and the Swiss Confederation were celebrating the 100 years of their common Dounae contract. We were about to cross the bridge that was built over the river Rhine, but we were stopped as the celebration was just…
Krapina is my hometown. Zagorje runs through veins. Kajkavian dialect is spoken out loud by my core. So please, allow me to show you a portion of heaven given to us people from Zagorje to enjoy, nourish, and remain proud. Krapina Krapina was first mentioned in 1193. It has always been a favorite site for…
This is a post of a lovely, walkable city that will charm all wine, gastronomy and history lovers. From Markets to Mustard! This capital of Burgundie is calling you to get all its tastes. And you will not know all of these existed! The province was home to the Dukes of Burgundy from the early 11th until…
Avignon is a city on the Rhône river in the south of France. It is surrounded by walls of Avignon (French: Les Remparts d’Avignon) – a series of defensive stone walls that were originally built in the 14th century during the Avignon papacy and have been continually rebuilt and repaired throughout their subsequent history. We entered through Porte Saint-Michel. The…
This historical province of southeastern France, extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east; it is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It largely corresponds with the modern administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur . The largest city of the region and its modern-day capital is Marseille. Known for its diverse landscapes, miles of…
Michel de Notre-Dame, as we all know as Nostradamus, was an apothecary by profession, and published in the year 1555 a book called Les Prophéties (The Prophecies). In his collection of 942 poetic quatrains, he predicted various future events that experts, and many amateurs, find a way of interpreting into related events occurring in the present day. Some historical evidence suggests…
This is going to be a short post. Sanremo is a city on the west coast of Italy, in the province of Liguria. It is the capital of the Riviera dei Fiori or Riviera of Flowers. Its casino also makes it a sort of Italian version of Monte Carlo. This large building in Art Nouveau…
Vivid green pesto, great wine and fabulous walks … Genoa is a city of indulgence. Driving in the city, noticing it’s fabulous big secession buildings it reminded me of the importance of Italy: banks, trades, imports of goods and businesses… Genoa was a medieval rival to Venice. It’s not been primped for tourists like Venice, though.…
Rapallo was never on my list. I never thought there could actually be something about this city. It lies on the Ligurian Sea coast, just between Cinque Terre and Genoa. As a girl from Croatia, I know it from the history books as the Treaty of Rapallo was signed there, in Villa Pagana, formerly known as Villa Spinola. A treaty…
The five Cinque Terre villages are situated in northern Italy on the Mediterranean Sea, just 3 hours by train from Milan, Pisa and Florence. I have arrived by car and totally enjoyed the national park that spreads across the five villages. La Spezia My journey started in La Spezia. This was the very first stop as I…
Tintine was slowly climbing up the hills of San Marino. Not much pressure should have been put on this car as she had enough of the shocks in the last year or two. The hills around us were rising and soon we found ourselves surrounded by an amazing view. It was San Marino surrounded by…
My Life in Sicily finished after a year spent on this island. It was time to turn on my Tintine (a beautiful red car), hop on a ferry and say goodbye. I was nostalgic as a was driving through Reggio Calabria. But soon I was in Puglia – the region with the best Italian cheeses.…
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!
LikeLike
Nikki, check my post about FYROM 😀
LikeLike
The view is awesome… I’ll also check your post about FYROM
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Been to Athens and some of the islands like Santorini & Mykynos, next time will keep this place in mind too, looks nice.
LikeLike
Nice Share
LikeLike
Looks amazing. Have never been to Greece yet, definitely on my bucket list. Its a very long list 😀
LikeLike
I have missed some of these when I was in Greece.
LikeLike
I am an mom who is 44 years old thanx.
LikeLike