Health and Lifestyle
A Greek Love Affair
out of nowhere in accompaniment. The local wine, Retsina is matured in pine barrels, giving it a distinctive aroma and taste. The food is fresh and delicious, focusing on typically Greek staples such as fresh cheeses, sun-ripened vegetables, and an incredible array of breads and pastries. There’s often a Turkish influence, so expect great coffee and less tea. Local grocery stores are hectic, frenetic places where meats are still hung from the ceiling and the produce spills out into the street.
REBECCA HALL
MAKING A BIG TRIP AS A YOUNG ADULT is a rite of passage in many countries. Perhaps it’s an island thing – people from the UK, New Zealand and Australia are actively encouraged to take a year off after high school and travel the world with little more than a backpack and a bandana. There are entire companies devoted to supporting these trips, helping millions of young travellers explore the world each year. In Canada, this travel phenomenon is more rare, but still happens. In many cases I’ve found that young Canadians stick to North and Central America, but my friend Kevin went a little further afield, spending two years in Greece’s second city Thessaloniki, twenty years ago. One of the wonderful things that happens on these extended trips full of budget travel and new experiences is the feeling that develops of a connection to somewhere unfamiliar and unknown. These early destinations often become a second home full of warm welcomes. Having fallen in love with the ancient culture of Greece, Kevin went back to Thessaloniki last November to rediscover his old home and soak in a little more culture. Founded in 315 BC and named after Alexander the Great’s sister, Greece’s second largest city is an important hub of the ancient trade routes of Europe and is still a busy shipping port today. Sitting in the shadow of Mount Olympus on the Northern shores of the Aegean Sea, the streets of Salonica, as it was formerly known, are steep and cobbled and littered with history. At every turn a monument, castle, church or amphitheatre is an indication of its storied past. Held under Byzantine rule for many years then sacked
AROUND THE WORLD
Things to do: • Hike Mt Olympus • Wander the streets and explore the many free museums and archaeological ruins • Visit historically significant buildings including the White Tower on the waterfront and the Arch of Galenas • Soak in the Thessaloniki International Film Festival – one of the largest in Europe • Relax in the beach region of Halkidiki • If you’re a man, you can visit the ancient monasteries on the Mt Athos Peninsula by special permit – but women are not allowed!
Kevin’s travel tips: SUBMITTED PHOTOS
by the Turkish Ottomans in 1430, the architecture is a melting pot of cultures and styles with beautiful frescoes along many streets and stunning vistas in every direction. Thessaloniki is a very walkable city, and many of the attractions are ruins or historical buildings to explore on foot. It is known as an open-air museum due to the staggering number of historically significant buildings. Kevin describes the atmosphere as one of energy and music – often a quiet dinner at a local taverna will erupt spontaneously with song, musical instruments appearing
• Pack light and buy what you need locally – you’ll appreciate the mementos later • Travel with an eye mask and earplugs so you can catch sleep anywhere • Try Airb&b as an alternative to hotels. Stay in people’s homes, meet the locals and get inside tips. It’s generally around 50% cheaper than traditional accommodation. Flights to Thessalonika are currently available from $945 including taxes via Toronto and Frankfurt. Contact Amy Hare at amy.hare@fcatravel.ca.
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