Its history is rich, with Greco-Roman Antiquity then the Byzantine Empire (there are about ten churches from this period) and of course the Ottoman domination. Nearly four centuries have left hammams (converted into cultural centers), mosques, markets... and the famous White Tower, symbol of the city. The icing on the cake, it is here that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder of Turkey and its first President of the Republic, was born. I visited his house transformed into a museum (75 Apostolou Pavlou). As for the rest of the city, beautiful surprises – samples of Art Deco and Modernism – emerge from the urban chaos. This is what makes Thessaloniki so charming.
Sure ! But I also drank… mastic:resin tears collected from the mastic tree, which is said to only grow in the southern part of the island of Chios and has healing properties. So, I stocked up on chewing gum at Mastiha Shop. Opposite, Ergon declines all the smells and flavors of Greece to bring back in the suitcase:olive oils, dried vegetables, syrups and seeds… And, of course, I forgot my diet at Mia Feta (14 Pavlou Mela) and I celebrated with feta! In the evening, head to the Fragile Bar rooftop (Valaoritou27), frequented by locals.
We fly with Transavia or with Bravofly.
We sleep at the City Hotel, in the city center, or at The Met, out of the way but very stylish and a member of Design Hotels.
More info:www.discovergreece.com, www.visitgreece.gr
