• Steve Catterall
  • Steve Catterall

Thessaloniki

Well it's our annual trip away, after some discussion about what people wanted we opted for Trevor's wish to go somewhere with some life 🥺
As the Dalai Lama said ..."Once a year you should try to visit somewhere you have never been"..., and who am I
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  • Trip start
    June 23, 2025

    Off we go

    June 23, 2025 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    The Dalai Lama says that.. "Once a year try to visit somewhere you have never been", and who am I to disagree, so it's off I go to sunny Thessaloniki 😎

    Pilot said one hour delay in setting off yet we got here fifteen minutes early, dropped bag off and a short stroll to find a beer, some nice bars near apartment open till 1am 😘Read more

  • Day 2, off to explore

    June 24, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Well a slow stroll along the harbour then brunch at a really lovely cafe. A quick stroll round the fish market then on to destroyer hs velos 11, once named uss charette, it is one of only 3 destroyers of this type surviving from the war it operated in the Pacific ocean and is credited with the sinking of a Japanese submarine and a troop carrying vessel.Read more

  • Day 3

    June 25, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    A stroll round and probably head to old town if it cools down, had a look round white tower museum then a chill on a galleon for 30 mins.
    Made it up to the old town, found a fantastic 130 year old restaurant called igglis - and the food was to die for, went round the fort then headed off to a Greek craft ale house, the beer tap house in Skies - no cider though but it was ok, not something I'd go out of my way to visit again but it was ok 😋Read more

  • Day 4 Boat to Nei epivates

    June 26, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    After all yesterday's walking thought a trip to the seaside would be good so it's off to Neil epivates😎 well it took an hour on the water boat to cross the harbour now on lovely beach.
    When we got back found a great seafood restaurant called lupino.Read more

  • Day 8 - Pella

    June 29, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Well an early start today to Verigina and Pella- a day trip to the time of Alexander the great and the Macedonians 😎
    Historically Pella was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Macedon and the birthplace of Alexander the Great and it's a massive site most of which has still to be unearthed, it was only occupied until 4ADRead more

  • Day 8 - Vergina

    June 30, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    Vergina is where the royal tomb of Philip the second is, first a visit to the museum, then the tomb then lunch at local taverna. The museum was ok very bright and cool but worth a look. The tomb is a large mound with three tombs in it, all very dark and not too dissimilar to the Egyptian tombs the finds inside the tombs are certainly breathtaking and well displayed, the tavern is literally a short stroll away and considering the furnace has been ratcheted up I'm glad, yet another cool iced tea, sour cherry and bergamot 😋Read more

  • Day 9 another warm day

    July 1, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Well thought I'd stroll to nea aretsou area, there's meant to be some good seafood places and a bit of a beach, we will have to see if I manage it, only half way there and had to stop for a breather , found another street market on the way, the veg are huge.
    Well made it all the way to kalamaria and as a reward treated myself to strawberry lemonade and ice cream 🤪
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  • Day 10 ...and relax

    July 2, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Had a really nice breakfast then went to see catacombs of st John, but couldn't get in ...no shorts rule, so will have to try another day 🫣
    Well blow me down, I've discovered the metro, very clean and could have saved me a long walk yesterday lol.
    Came out of metro and into the market, then walked down the street only to find the road blocked off by the association of car mechanics and painters protesting against the govt taxes, well they certainly jammed the high street up!
    It's time for tea so found a nice taverna, believe it or not, opposite an Irish bar 🍺
    Pork sausages and zucchini balls to start followed by goat, the sausages are unlike any I've had with massive chunks of pork and spices, the zucchini balls and cheese defeated me only managed one, goat was nice in a spicy sauce but left the chips, way too much food for one, you could have fed an army on this lot 😵‍💫
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  • Day 10, its Greek Navy Day

    July 2, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Well I saw a frigate sail in while I was walking yesterday, it's moored at the far end of the dock so thought I would see if I could see it.
    Not only could I see it but could also go on board the "open deck areas" No photos allowed on board and a big marine in a flack jacket and big gun was with each group shown round, very interesting to see the massive Gatling guns, torpedo's and Heli deck, strange though I could take some pics from the dock.
    Went round the corner and there was a submarine, had a chat with one of the crew who explained the flags were for navy day, he said couldn't go on board it was against regulations and they didn't have open deck areas unlike the frigate 🤣
    But he said he liked my shirt 😘
    On the way back there was loads of activity on the waterfront, Hellenic navy band, a fire rescue boat, coastguard, red cross water rescue, even search and rescue dogs it was quite a good way to end the evening 😎
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  • Day 11 day trip to Meteora

    July 3, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    An early start today to reach Meteora, really looking forward to this.

    Guide just told me visiting monastery of st Stephen 😵‍💫
    First stop to see how icons are made, absolutely manic, loads of people about, our guide says she has just found out it's the funeral procession of a monk that had died 🫣
    Monastery used in for your eyes only film. Couldnt take pics inside but the place is wall to wall murals and icons, all in original condition very beautiful.
    Went on to a second monastery which was a bit smaller but just as beautiful, then a break in a local town called kalabaka before heading back , don't think we are stopping to see funeral procession of the monk.
    Bloody hot again , high 30's.
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  • Day 13 Final shopping day

    July 5, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Well I might as well have a wander round the main shopping street. Not really after anything on particular, as for souvenirs my guide to st Stephens monastery bought me an icon of st Stephen which was rather sweet of her so there's not much I really need but as I'm away again in a few weeks I don't think I will be buying muchRead more

  • Day 16, homeward bound

    July 7, 2025 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 38 °C

    The flight isn't until 11pm, and so it's just pack and chill in the apartment until lunchtime then find another really nice restaurant , lunch and sit in the sun until it's time to go to the airport.
    The food has been really fantastic, so tasty and quite unexpected really but my god they load the plates high 😄

    Well only 37 days to go to my next trip 😎
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    Trip end
    July 7, 2025