Thessaloniki anyone?
 

How would anyone who has been there rate it as a fun place to visit in late March? Any tourist suggestions?

Haven't visited in March, but in Sep 2008 it was very wet!

Archeological museum worth visiting, nice centre, pleasant seafront walk, and old town in the ramparts worth the trek. Michelin Green Guide had a great walking tour. Worth visiting an Orthodox church on a Sunday to take part in a service. Nice restaurants.

Didn't sample nightlife, but DS went to a nightclub and enjoyed it.

NOT a beach resort - you'll need to go out of the city for this. Excellent place to start visits with a hired car ... I recommend, Vergina - tomb of Philip of Macedon -, Mount Olympus, (walking), Naoussa, and if you can manage a 2 or 3 day hop, drive to the Meteor mountains and monasteries ... one day to drive there, a day in them, and a day home. Definitely mindblowing.

I have been there on business numerous times. It's an OK city - nothing really special. There is a lovely waterfront pathway that is very popular in the evenings as the sun sets over the bay.
If you want beaches, rent a car and drive to the closest of the three peninsulas. Sani Beach has some big, commercial type resorts but don't expect things to operate as smoothly as in a US resort. Do eat at an outside taverna - an experience not to be missed! Try some local wines - the reds can be really quite good. Order many small "mezedes" (appetizers) such as grilled octopus instead of ordering a main course. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for the info. Definitely seems like a worthwhile place for a couple of days. I am also wondering what anyone thinks is the best 24+ hour rental car trip from Thessaloniki would be. I think we'd be looking to take in a bit of scenery and an interesting village or two before staying the night in an inn, not camp or go to the beach (which could be a bit dicey that time of year anyway).

I have to say that I did have a frustrating time with local tourist organisations, one of which was a taxi transfer from the airport that never materialised, and with a tour company - a different one from the taxi one! - who failed to turn up on the next day for a pre-booked (but thankfully not prepaid!) city tour.

Frankly I'd recommend one of the majors from Thessaloniki airport ... I think we eventually hired for our week's tour with Hertz ... and as the airport is quite a fair way out to the east of the city, it would save you transfer fees as well. Just make sure that your Thessaloniki lodging has a car park ........

Care to report which taxi and tour company let you down? I am getting ready to book and would like to avoid them. :)

Sorry I can't .... just too long ago and too insignificant. The airport website might have some suggestions though.

Thanks anyway. I think I am going to book 5 hours with a private driver on my last day. If the weather is good, I will have him drive me to the mountains or the sea in Halkidiki...if not, I will spend the time at Vergina.

Are there any public transportation options from the airport into town?

You might enjoy reading this ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...loniki-culture

and Vergina is certainly worth visiting. Note that the 'mound' is outside the actual town itself in the middle of agricultural land, but there are some pleasant restaurants on the main square in the town itself for lunch.

I did end up in Vergina and can agree it is well worth a visit. While Thessaloniki doesn't get a lot of love here or elsewhere, I can also recommend it. While the current economic situation has the main museums only partially open, the "Ano Poli" (upper city) is worth an entire day all by itself.