9th International Marathon Run “Alexander the Great”

marathonThe International Marthon Run “Alexander the Great” will be held for the 9th year in Thessaloniki. Every year more and more people join this event, and looks like this year they are breaking all records ! The city celebrates one more time and everybody, young or older, of any fitness level will join for the good cause.

The International Marathon “ALEXANDER THE GREAT”, refers to the route Pella-Thessaloniki. Pella is the ancient capital of Macedonia and the birthplace of the great Commander, whereas Thessaloniki is the modern Hellenic metropolis of Macedonia. This International Marathon which symbolises one of the most recognizable personalities of humanity, Alexander the Great, is not just a major and International sporting event. It is a path in history, a path in ancient Greek culture, a Path full of Greece.

Besides the 43 km marathon which is for athletes and people who actually have a good fitness level, most people join the 5km and 10km which are very easy to follow at any pace.  Join the event this Sunday 6th of April !

More info 

Vogatsikou 3

Vogatsikou 3 is the new hot place in town ! It opened only a few weeks ago in the place of the town’s most famous bar of the 90’s, Bel Air and has quality written all over it !

The spirits collection is impressive, the cocktail list magnificent, the style and atmosphere amazing !

I really don’t know if it is the energy of the place itself that makes it unique or the new concept of the bar, I think both.

Vogatsikou 3

This is a place that even if you are not a heavy drinker you will want to try everything.  The spirits offered are premium quality and you will have the chance to experience unique tastes and brands.

If you are a fan of cocktails, then this is your place. There are more than 70 cocktails on the catalog. If you find it difficult to choose, then just ask the bartenders to help, they are very professional and helpful with suggestions.

The crowd is a mix of the trendy crowd of the 90’s who are still enjoying a good night out and the younger generation. The music is also a mix that applies to all age groups, upbeat with a soulful twist, and gives the final touch.

Overall, I was really impressed by the combination of top quality drinks, music, service and atmosphere. I give a 10/10 and will certainly be back very soon !

Finally a bar like it is supposed to be !

Vogatsikou 3
Cocktail Bar
Vogatsikou 3

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16th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival

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The younger sibling of our city’s Film Festival, the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival is back as usually this March, currently on its 16th edition.

For me it is a festival I have discovered quite recently, the last 5 years or so, but since i discoverd it I never miss the chance to see as many documentaries as possible. My favourite subjects are environment and arts, but I often find myself getting lost in travel or social documentaries.  I love documentaries because they open your mind and offer valuable knowledge on many subjects that you might never bother to research.

This year, returning to Thessaloniki with new projects are filmmakers Helena Třeštíková (Vojta Lavička: Ups and Downs), Claire Simon (Human Geography) και Santiago Mitre (Los posibles).

More detailed info about the festival, the screening schedule and the ticket availability can be found on the official website. 

Besides the main program don’t forget to check out the special events section with exhibitions, masterclasses and other events.

Tickets for all screenings cost 4 euros but there is also a 10 ticket special pack for 25 which you can share with friends !

See you at the screenings !

Excelsior Sunday Brunch

Sunday Brunch is a relatively new trend in our city. It started a couple of years ago and now slowly spreads around as we see more bar restaurants giving this option.

Tomorrow is a holiday as we have Clean Monday or better known to non greeks as Lent Monday.  Ideally we would spend the day with a day or hopefully three-day excursion in the countryside, but the weather had other plans. Heavy rain and winter weather forced us to stay in house, but not for long.

Some friends had the idea to celebrate the beginning of March in style so we decided to have a relaxing Sunday Brunch which proved to be an excellent idea.

excelsiorAs you can see in the photo the setting was very spring like, nothing like the weather outside. As we sat on the table and the water with fresh fruits fell into our glass we decided we had made the best choice.

The food was not the typical breakfast you find in hotels, but modern style with new tastes. There are 2 buffet areas, one with salty and one with sweet options, and if that is not enough for you there are some extra options a la carte. Fresh juice and coffee is included in the very tempting price of 9 euros.  I have to tell you that everything I tasted was really delicious and since we stayed there for a long time, I was not hungry again until late in the afternoon.

What really impressed me the most was the dj playing really fantastic music, the excellent service, and the inspired theme decor. Today we celebrated the beginning of march and the table decor was set accordingly.

I will definitely be back to check out more themed Sundays !

The Excelsior Bistro
Restaurant
Komninon 10 & Mitropoleos

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Place De La Liberté

As we are getting ready for spring, we always search for new places to enjoy the city’s seaside view.

A new place the opened recently close to my office is Place De La Liberté, a french style bistro cafe.

LiberteIt is perfect for a short midday coffee break or after work drink. The area does not actually have many options for this type of coffee bars so this one is highly recommended.

The french style is enhanced by the croissant that comes with your coffee, unless you choose greek coffee, then in this case the classic “biscotoloukoumo” is served !

Place De La Liberté is a great suggestion to enjoy coffee or sunset drink with seaside view in an elegant environment !

It is conveniently located by the port, bank areas, and film festival venues.

Place De La Liberté

Café and Bar

Nikis av. 1 & Venizelou, Thessaloníki

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Theatre Play “Nocturnal Creatures” by Juan Mayorga at Aneton

I am very happy to announce that the excellent Theatre Play “Nocturnal Creatures” by Juan Mayorga will have two extra shows as part of the city’s new theatre festival.

After enjoying great success during December and January, the City’s Cultural Department decided to include this play on it’s new theatre festival.

The two new dates are Friday the 14th and Suturday the 15th of February.

The place is Aneton theatre at Paraskevopoulou 42 & Konstantinoupoleos str.

Tel.  +302310869869

More information about the play and the contributors. 

Coq au Zen

I was really troubled if I should write about this place in the blog, because it is my # 1 favourite winter place for the last 3 years and is already quite crowded.

I finally decided that a) it is not fair to keep secrets, b) who reads this blog anyway, c) the universe will give back to me someday, so here it is, the one and only, Coq au Zen !

Coq au ZenWhat I most love about this place is the unique atmosphere. It is located in a small old shopping arcade, so in the daytime you will also see small shops open next to it. As night time approaches, the arcade is transformed to an atmospheric bar and you forget you are in Thessaloniki.

Coq au Zen has good quality drinks and menu, an interesting selection of wines, and is also a good option for a lunch break or early dinner. After 22.00 it gets really crowded, except from the summer days where people prefer more outdoor settings.

The music is also very eclectic and quite different night after night, depending on the dj.

Don’t be surprised if you hear a live piano set, there is one at the back and not only for decoration !

Coq Au Zen
Bar
Valaoritou 37

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Sugar Angel workshop & coffee

This is by far the sweetest coffee shop in town! Let me start by saying that if you manage to come to this place only for coffee and not eat anything, congratulations ! You have strong willpower !

Sugar AngelI have actually been here only for coffee or tea twice, so I am really proud of myself. All the other times since it opened, a few months ago, I have tried everything with chocolate, and also the apple pie and the famous red velvet cake !

What I love most about the desserts here is that they are not heavy at all, they have high quality ingredients and delicate taste.

Something funny you will notice when you sit on one of the few tables is that all the people usually eat the same cake. It is no surprise since one sees something delicious on the table next to them and cannot resist but to try.

Sugar Angel cakeApart from coffee and desserts, you will find cakes to order in any style you can imagine, so this place is a must for children birthday cakes as well !

Sugar Angel is open during shopping hours and closed on Sundays. Keep also in mind that there are not many tables so it is not certain you will find a place to sit. Luckily you can take all the sweets to go as well ! In fact, if you take any of the sweets to go and you get a wooden spoon or fork you should know that they are natural biodegradable tableware from naturesse !

Sugar Angel workshop & coffee
Dessert Shop and Cupcake Shop
Lassani 1 (Proxenou Koromila)

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Happy New Year !

Love Thessaloniki would like to wish you

happy 14

 

Theatre Play “Nocturnal Creatures” by Juan Mayorga

I have a great suggestion for a new play today ! I am suggesting this not only because I am the official photographer, but also because it is a great modern play made with great enthusiasm by a group of young people involved in the arts community of Thessaloniki.

The play “Nocturnal Creatures” or “Niktovia Zoa” in greek, by Spanish play writer Juan Mayorga premieres today at the theatre of Manteos Tiresia. You need to be able to understand greek to watch it so this is a suggestion for the long term visitors of the city and of course the locals as well !

Ever wished you could be another person?

In a big city, some can take that wish too far.

Two neighbors. Perfect strangers with nothing in common except that one of them has been watching the other for a long time. When a new immigration law allows legal citizens to report suspects, the two strangers finally meet.

Brimming with dark humor, Nocturnal Creatures depicts four urban characters starved of communication. Much like the nocturnal creatures of a zoo live under artificial night light, these two couples live under pretended normalcy and muted violence. And when they finally speak up, they barely recognize themselves, or the others.

Produced and presented for the first time in Greece by the new production company Push Your Art.

ImageTranslated by Maria Chatziemanouil

Directed by Kiki Strataki

Music & Sound Design by Stelios Daras

Set & Costume Design by Irini Atmatzidou

Movement by Euanthia Sofronidou

Lighting Design by Michael Ziftis

Promo video by Gavril Psaltakis

Radio spot by Avgerinos Soulopoulos

Photography by Yolanda Sotiropoulou

Public Relations by Maria Totska

Produced by Push Your Art Company και Eclipses Group Theater

With

Matina Koulakioti

Sofia Sakelariou

Iraklis Tzafetas

Petros Fragopoulos

Doctor’s voice – Babis Matetzidis

When – Friday 20/12 /2013 to Sunday 12/1/2013 at 21:15

Where – Theatre Manteos Tiresia – G.Konstantinidi 15 & M.Tiresia str. ( Delfon-Paraksevopoulou area )

Price – 10 euros regular, 7 euros students/discounts

Information and Bookings : Daily between 18:00 – 20:30, 2310865904 & 6974702694