Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For roadside assistance, call
ELPA
(Greek Automobile Club; 2310 426 319; Vasilissis Olgas
228)
.
Budget Rent a Car
( 2310 229 519; Angelaki 15)
and
Euro Rent
( 2310 826 333;
Georgiou Papandreou 5)
rent vehicles. If driving, avoid Ano Poli's steep and narrow streets.
If you can't find free parking, try either the ferry passenger terminal lot (per hour €2),
or Parking XANTH (the Greek abbreviation for the nearby YMCA), which is near the
White Tower, Tsimiski and Office of Tourism Directorate. Entrances are on both Tsim-
iski and Nikolaou Germanou, around the corner. Prices are €4.50 for the first hour, €3.50
for the second and €2.50 per hour after that.
TAXI
Thessaloniki's blue-and-white taxis carry multiple passengers, and only take you if
you're going their way. Stand in the direction in which you hope to go, flag one down,
yell out your destination and anticipate the driver's upwards eyebrow roll of denial -
good luck! The minimum fare is €3.40. A more expensive 'night rate' takes effect from
midnight until 5am.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Thessaloniki
Just 25km south of Thessaloniki,
Epanomi
village has the nearest swimmable beaches,
good fish tavernas and two 19th-century churches, both with lavish icons. The must-see
enjoys a spectacular setting, overlooking the sea from a high bluff (even Mt Olympos is
visible on clear days). While touring the facilities and sampling the wines, see the fascin-
ating
wine museum
, which includes Mycenaean and Byzantine amphorae, antique
coopers' tools, handmade 18th- to 20th-century wine presses, colourful 16th- to 20th-
century bottles, and an eclectic collection of historic corkscrews.
Sandy
Faros Beach
and adjoining
Potamos Beach
, 3km from Epanomi, have clear
waters and cafes, and in summer there is beach volleyball and live music. The well-main-
Epanomi; camp sites per person/tent €5/5, r from €35; May-Oct)
, has extensive camp-
grounds, modern rooms, and a restaurant and snack bar.
Nearby, birdwatchers will particularly enjoy the 5½ sq km
Fanari protected wet-
lands
, which host rare flora and fauna, including migratory birds. You can get more in-
formation from the winery or from camping staff.
TOP OF CHAPTER