Thessaloniki & Mount Olympus: Highlights & Info

Advantages: Shopping, castle-top cafe, amazing scenes at Mt Olympus
Disadvantages: Cross the roads with care! (Wow! I'm glad I don't have to drive there!)

...Thessaloniki is a city that grew on me more and more as the days went by – surprisingly more than I expected. And I love mountains, so Mount Olympus was a right old treat for me! Thessaloniki Introduction I’ll admit that I wasn’t immediately bowled over with Thessaloniki – as we drove past, I saw plenty of run-down and shabby areas. Areas of the city that seemed uncared for and neglected as sometimes happens with second cities. But Thessaloniki is a city that I fell in love with slowly as I discovered more and more of it’s hidden treasures and surprises. I found that Thessaloniki is not as touristy as Athens. I think the people aren't as used to tourists and don't talk to them as easily as they do in the capital. That was my experience, anyway. Thessaloniki is the second city in Greece. In...

Little_Mermaid 06.03.2005 · Read review
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Review of Thessaloniki, Greece

"The worst hotel in Thessaloniki"

Advantages: cheap, central
Disadvantages: dirty, unpleasant

...Kastoria in northern Greece is a fantastic place to visit for a weekend; the small town hangs of the mountains over a picturesque lake. Alas its name-sake in Thessaloniki has nothing in common. It is a grotty hotel smack-bang in the centre of Thessalonica. I arrived in Thessaloniki at shortly midnight after a rather long journey; with just ?100 in my pocket (most of that destined to be eaten by Taxis) I needed somewhere cheap and central. The taxi took me to road the Hotel Kastoria was on, and told me I had two choices from here. Kastoria and somewhere else. As I had visited the town of Kastoria a few times before, so I held up hope for the Hotel Kastoria, and staggered across the road. After my long trip it is not surprising I fell sleep almost straight away only to wake up itching an hour later. Ditching the bedding, and using...

mr_mlk 17.04.2007 · Read review
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Review of Hotel Kastoria, Greece

The Gods are kind to the Macedonians

Advantages: multicultural, chic, historic, wicked raves
Disadvantages: very hot in summer, man chasing you down the street,

...It has never been fashionable to be Greek with respect to fashion, music and film. Maybe it’s great to be Greek if you are a mathematical genius or a philosopher… but entertainment? Besides breaking plates at weddings, I must say, nobody was fully informed of the true Greek! The real McCoy. Now however it seems certain changes haven been taking place with more stars admitting to their Greek roots and heritage. With Jennifer Aniston and George Michael out of the closet, both children of Greek nationals, and the latest film in the cinemas ‘My big fat Greek wedding’, it has become fashionable to be Greek. Hurray! Here is a bit about the Northern part of Greece, also known as Macedonia, which has created some recent heated debates around the Balkans and the Mediterranean. In Thessaloniki the north eastern...

aggapimou 10.09.2002 · Read review
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Review of Greek Macedonia (Greece)

Maybe we were just lucky!

Advantages: Easily identifiable and friendly representatives
Disadvantages: Cost of excursions

...I notice a number of people posting messages about JMC with quite negative perceptions, but my partner and I went with JMC to Halkidiki earlier this year and found them to be first class. We were at first a little apprehensive as we had a particularly bad experience with what was then Sunworld several years back, but we now firmly believe JMC are "unwrapping the package holiday". On arriving at Gatwick Airport a JMC rep in their unmistakable green uniforms pointed us toward the check-in desk with the shortest queue and the check-in process itself was as painless as check-ins go. On arriving at Thessaloniki Airport the JMC staff were as present as before and quickly got everyone on their correct coaches. From there on, the JMC staff were at the resorts on the days and times stated on the well positioned tour operator boards and were...

stuee 17.09.2000 · Read review
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Review of JMC

Fourka in Halkidiki (Greece)

Advantages: Gorgeous weather, fantastic people, great scenery
Disadvantages: Could perhaps do with a bit of a tidy up in places ?!

...My boyfriend and I wanted a cheap holiday - a week in the sun where we could relax and do not a lot basically! We booked an internet deal through Thompson Holidays for £190 each (incl. flights, transfers and accomodation) for a week in Self Catering appartments. Our flights were from Birmingham to Thessaloniki (which is the nearest airport to Halkidiki). The flight took around 3 hours and we then had an hour and a half transfer from the airport to our resort - Fourka. Halkidiki is split into three penisulars, Kassandra, Sithonia and Mount Athos. These are near the north of main land Greece and are surrounded by the Aegean Sea. Kassandra and Sithonia are supposed to be the livliest of the three, although they are not busy or crowded. Mount Athos is a Monks Republic and is usually only seen by people from sea. Fourka is...

n_walker 13.06.2005 · Read review
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Review of Halkidiki (Greece)

Tatty Thomson

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Everything, other than a nice hotel

...the first thing we wanted was the air con on. However, thomsopn did not inform us that we had to pay an extra 10 euros per day to the hotel just for the air con. That is a total of 140 euros just on air con. Well I let they go under the carpet!!! Then we booked a trip to the city to go shopping and see some of the sites. It cost 50 euros each! After nearly 3 hours we arrived at Thessaloniki! Only to be told that because of the delay in getting there we only had 1 hour to shop before we had to return to the coach. What a waste of time. Next the Thomson Rep! What a waste of space. She did not know what she was talking about, did not provide any help whatsoever, and refused to provide us with a omplains form, continually stating that she did not have any. So we come home. We arrived at Thessaloniki Airport at 10.30 in the morning after...

Chrissy792 31.12.2004 · Read review
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Review of Thomson Holidays

Theoxenia-Ouranoupolis-Mont Athos-Halkidiki-Greece

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...repeated in week two but were delicious anyway.The hotel is not very high up on the hills like few others next to Theoxenia and we didnt have nice views.Pool was not small with shallow part for kids to splash in. We didnt use pool at all, beach is so nice that we didnt have to. Cleaner was in every day cleaning bathroom and make up beds etc, every 2 days towels were changed. We were walking to Ouranoupolis town (its more like a village )everyday to buy fruits and water 'cos its cheaper than in hotel shop.We were having lunch almost every day at PYRGOS tavern. Its first restaurant right at the harbor.They do the best Calamari ever! there are busses to town and back to Thessaloniki every 2hrs and have not seen scooters for hire either. In the evening its nice to go to the only bar in town AMMOS and have a drink sit and relax on nice sofas...

aero1977 15.03.2007 · Read review
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Review of Theoxenia Hotel, Halkidiki

Simply Sophisticated Sani

Advantages: A fabulous family friendly hotel
Disadvantages: The holiday comes to an end

...Sani beach hotel is part of the Sani beach resort and is situated in Halkidiki , mainland Greece. At the point that I booked this holiday, I had visited many Greek islands but not had the pleasure of visiting mainland Greece yet. After researching the resorts available and the accommodation in these areas, we settled on the Sani resort. We were to be visiting during June and as a family of two adults and two children. We booked directly with the hotel and arranged our own flights though I am aware that this resort is also available through many package companies. We took a taxi transfer from the airport which was arranged and paid for by the hotel and we were extremely happy with this service. The nearest main airport to this resort is Thessaloniki and the journey will take roughly an hour so not too far at all. *Arrival...

kirlykird 23.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of Sani Beach Hotel & Spa, Sani Beach

Pefkohori Paradise, Halkidiki Heaven

Advantages: Beautiful, Cheap and not too 'Touristy'!!
Disadvantages: Not much to do if you haven't got an imagination!!

...allegedly live, although on the trip, my boyfriend took a closer look with his binoculars, and to be honest, we weren't convinced that this wasn't anything more than a tourist money-spinner! The trip also takes you to the miniscule town of Ouranopolis, another tourist rip-off, merely consisting of gift shops and tavernas!! Nothing to see here I am afraid!! However, as mentioned, I thorougly recommend Pefkohori, Halkidiki to couples and families, for a beautiful, memorable and relaxing holiday!! The nearest airport is in Thessaloniki and the transfer time from the airport is approximately one hour and forty-five minutes....

Weez 18.09.2001 (19.09.2001) · Read review
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Review of Halkidiki (Greece)

On the trail of Great Alexander

Advantages: Land of the Gods.
Disadvantages: none

...of the Christian Orthodox Church and represents all orthodox confessions (Greek, Iberian, Bulgarian, Serbian and Russian) except the most seclusive, Syrian. It contains the most important and beautiful artefacts, reliques and icons of Orthodoxy, most of which have never been exhibited in the outside world. The monasteries are the most outstanding examples of Byzantine architecture on earth (from what I hear). Females aren't admitted at all, and the minimum age is 21. Visas can be sought by Professors, teachers and students of the following faculties: Theology, History of Arts, Architecture and Philosophy. You must apply for an endorsement from the Athos Republic's embassy in Athens or the consulate in Thessaloniki. This will get you a visa issued by the Greek Ministry of Northern Greek Affairs. Greek embassies abroad CANNOT issue endorsement...

From_The_Continent 25.02.2001 (26.02.2001) · Read review
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Review of General: Greece