july-2011

NORTHERN GREECE
FLY TO THESSALONIKI FROM EIGHT DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING BRUSSELS (CHARLEROI) | MILAN (BERGAMO) | OSLO (RYGGE) | VISIT WWW.RYANAIR.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
pool with a view
Cocktails at The Met
Hitting the town
The Met’s rooftop pool
a meat restaurant near the port. I tell my hosts
I’m not feeling that hungry, but they insist I
squeeze in some buffalo-meat soutsoukakia
(long, spicy meatballs), pork in buffalo-milk
pasta, sautéed beef with fried egg and chips and
a little ox-tongue. There’s also the superb red
wine produced by the Mayor himself.
After a strong Greek coffee we hit some
museums. Down on the seafront is the White
Tower, an atmospheric former prison whose
well-presented exhibits tell the story of the
city. Nearby, we travel further back in time at
the neighbouring Byzantine and Archeology
museums. Next door to each other these two
superb, modern spaces host artefacts like a gold
burial crown belonging to the father of Alexander
the Great – unearthed in nearby Vergina.
Back in the 21st century, you can easily live
like a king at The Met Hotel, a new five-star
near the port. A member of Design Hotels,
it wows you with everything from its slick,
spacious rooms and suites, to contemporary
artworks that seem to occupy every corner.
There’s more than a touch of glamour in
I tell my hosts I’m not feeling that
hungry, but they insist I squeeze in
some buff alo-meat soutsoukakia
the air if you head out onto the rooftop, for a cocktail and some sushi
beside the pool, against a cinematic backdrop of the city skyline. And
downstairs, diners are enjoying the Greek fusion cooking on offer at
stylish Avenue 48 restaurant.
It’s never to late to party in this town, so while I still have the energy
I venture out to Valaoritou Street, a nightlife hub in the city centre.
Breakdancers stage an improptu party on the dance floor of hipster bar
La Dose, students cram into trendy Elvis and groups of friends share
shisha pipes at pavement cafés blasting out rock music.
Towards the small hours I’m tempted into old-school music hall
Vendetta (3 Ethnikis Aminis), amid locals scattering flowers and singing.
The band is playing a classic by bouzouki maestro Vassilis Tsitsanis, who
wrote some of his best songs in Thessaloniki during the 1940s. Provided I
can keep going, it won’t be long before I join the other patrons standing on
the tables and throw some of those flowers myself.
Fast facts
GETTING THERE:
Thessaloniki airport is
located 15km east of the
city centre, and a bus
service operates from
outside the terminal.
Hertz (www.hertz.com)
is Ryanair’s exclusive
rental partner and
offers special rates for
passengers when you
book your fl ight.
RYANAIRMAGAZINE
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