Three November Days in Thessaloniki, Greece

In late November, I spent three days in Thessaloniki, having booked in at the Superior One Boutique Hotel. The Hotel is very modern (compared to its surroundings), has very spacious rooms and bathrooms, and is in a great location. Being the Black Friday weekend, it was a busy time of year. If you are sensitive to noise, then ask for a room not facing the street. I myself had no problems, but traffic was definitely noisy.

I took this photo from one of the two balconies of my room.

Ionos Dragoumi Street

We had arrived in the late afternoon, and walked to the sea shore to see the sun setting.

It was a fairly short walk (1.6km) from the hotel to the White Tower. When you get there, be prepared to get hassled by mobile phone and perfume vendors scouring for easy-to-spot tourists.

In late November, they still offer some short boat trips from the White Tower towards the sea port and back again. The boat tickets are € 3, and a beverage service is also offered on board.

The photo actually shows a sail boat on tour, which we only watched from a seaside café.

Most places had out-door heaters running in the evening (daytime temp was around 15°C) for the many people who still want to eat outside.

Then there is also the heat from within, when you order a glass of ouzo. 🙂

Most traditional taverns, which serve the best local food, are located – as usual – in the little side streets. Around the Aristotelous Square, you find mostly cafés, fusion food restaurants, and many stores.

Regent’s Canal in London

If you need to get away from London’s bustling streets, then a leisurely walk along the Regent’s Canal is a good counter measure. This was in late March, and spring had just turned the corner.

Regent's Canal

Regent’s Canal

Yes, we wondered who inhabits the villas perched on the other side of the canal.

Villa along Regent's Canal

 

Regent's Canal 2

 

Boat on Regent's Canal

Here we left the Regent’s Canal on the northern end. With its benches along the way, empty boats passing by, a few ducks here and there, it is quite an oasis amidst this lively city.

Regents Canal

 

Springtime in Sicily, Favignana Island

We had taken a hydrofoil boat with Ustica Lines from Trapani to the island of Favignana. What we thought would be a pleasant ride turned into turning heads checking on each others facial welfare. There were some really sad looking faces on board, but fortunately, this ride (€ 17,50 for a return trip) only lasted about 30 minutes.

Favignana is the main island of the three Egadi Islands and islets. It is also part of the largest protected marine areas in Italy, so all three islands are a paradise for those who love scuba diving.

Lazy afternoons

This was a typical sight to see – another lazy afternoon, locals leaning up against the café’s wall. The temperature was very pleasant at about 20°C, but the constant wind is another story:  Favignana, the windy island has earned its name rightfully so.

Playing tag on car-free streets

It seems to be a car-free island with so much room for pedestrians and kids playing tag. But yet, there is a car-ferry from Trapani to Favignana.

Anchor graveyard

Favignana is surrounded by crystal clear turquoise sea. The beach held plenty of mermaids’ tears and this spot was also an anchors’ cemetery.

Antipasti

I did it again – I wanted to take a picture of the food I had ordered, but by the time I got it and remembered to take a photo, I had taken my first bite already…. I do not feel bad after having read the article First Camera, then Fork by N.Y.Times. I guess we all need this reminder. This antipasti was all I needed for lunch at the Bar-Ristorante Nautilus.

Sicily, as well as the island of Favignana, was surprisingly clean. Cleaner than Germany! Well, I guess the constant wind serves as an ever present sweeper.

Low vegetation on this windy island

The constant wind only lets heath-like flora flourish along the coast line.

Sicily is well organized in regards to infrastructure, transportation system, tourist information, and prices are reasonable.

Diese Webseite verwendet Cookies. Wenn Sie auf der Seite weitersurfen, stimmen Sie der Cookie-Nutzung zu. Mehr Informationen

Diese Webseite verwendet so genannte Cookies. Sie dienen dazu, unser Angebot nutzerfreundlicher, effektiver und sicherer zu machen. Cookies sind kleine Textdateien, die auf Ihrem Rechner abgelegt werden und die Ihr Browser speichert. Die meisten der von uns verwendeten Cookies sind so genannte "Session-Cookies". Sie werden nach Ende Ihres Besuchs automatisch gelöscht. Cookies richten auf Ihrem Rechner keinen Schaden an und enthalten keine Viren. Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf der Seite “Datenschutzerklärung”.

Close