The June 11-12 weekend, plus the ensuing Monday, Pentecost Monday, or Monday of the Holy Spirit, represents this summer’s first long weekend. The country’s popular summer destinations, such as the Cyclades islands, will likely be packed.
Given this possibility, we recommend – for residents of Athens, southern Greece, even Thessaloniki – an alternative getaway choice for the Pentecost Monday long weekend, to northern city Thessaloniki as well as its Hyatt Regency Τhessaloniki. This leading five-star hotel option ticks all the boxes for a lovely summertime break, or staycation, covering sun, relaxation, entertainment, gastronomy and wellness.
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Reinvigorating swimming
The renowned Halkidiki beaches, in Greece’s north, are adored by the people of Thessaloniki. Much could be said about this region’s amazing beaches, but we will mention an indicative few. Pefkohori, one of these fabulous Halkidiki, is situated 105 km from Thessaloniki, a one-and-a-half hour’s drive. This beautiful beach, sandy and within the village boundaries, hosts a beach bar, cafes and restaurants. The village is surrounded by dense forestland of pines and olive groves. Equally charming swimming options are also available beyond the village. They include Glarokavos, commonly referred to as Halkidiki’s blue lake, as well as Hrouso, an attraction for younger people. If the drive to these beaches seems a touch too long, Nea Flogita is an exceptional alternative. This seaside village is approximately 40 minutes from Thessaloniki. The short drive will lead visitors to a beach with lifeguards and extremely clean, shallow and warm waters, ideal for families.
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Relaxation and wellness at the Harmonia Spa and swimming pool
Visits to the beach are the obvious choice for the approaching long weekend. But if you would really like to get away from everyday life’s worries for some lazy creativity, the Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki has you fully covered. You won’t need to go anywhere else. The days here begin following a quality night’s sleep on a bed offering heavenly comfort. The prospect of a good day ahead is made apparent from the morning hours. The Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki mornings begin with American breakfast, served at an immaculately prepared and presented buffet. In addition, breakfasts here also feature another highlight. Almost every week, different Greek gastronomic destinations are represented through a series of dishes honouring local tradition. It should also be pointed that the buffets also offer many vegetarian and vegan choices.
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After having enjoyed your breakfast, the hotel offers a wide range of choices, all within its grounds. Guests may relax with coffee or cocktails at the outdoor swimming pool, walk at the hotel’s lush, large gardens, play tennis or exercise at the gym. For a more exclusive experience, the hotel’s Harmonia Spa, a strong enough reason, itself, to visit Thessaloniki, offers a luxury wellness experience. Its therapies and top-quality Kos Paris natural beauty products are enhanced with yoga lessons, meditation, as well as Red light therapy & Spectrum sessions at the new space of the OsteoStrong wellness and bone health centre, operating within the hotel.
Lush Litohoro
If you want your holiday break to combine relaxation, swimming and contact with nature, then, once again, you are at the right place. Situated less than an hour-and-a-half away from Thessaloniki, Litohoro is at the foot of Mount Olympus, Greece’s tallest mountain. Litohoro offers exceptional food, charming traditional architecture and, above all, superb nature. If you are a trekking enthusiast, definitely walk the Enipeas gorge. Its amazing beauty, including wild animals and birds, will reward the effort. More daring visitors may want to dip into the freezing yet pure waters of the location’s waterfalls.
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Greek gastronomy at its best at the Ambrosia restaurant
Thessaloniki is widely renowned for its exceptional cuisine. The Ηyatt Regency Thessaloniki’s Ambrosia Restaurant and its executive chef Apostolos Altanis more than live up to this lofty reputation, as highlighted by the restaurant’s high level of repeat customers over many years. This customer loyalty is not just limited to Thessaloniki locals but also includes travellers seeking opportunities to visit the city for its gastronomy. Altanis, the executive chef, bases his gastronomic principles on devotion to seasonal ingredients and utilisation of Greek culinary tradition with a modern twist.
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Regency Casino Thessaloniki: Entertainment, style, surprises
After having spent the day relaxing at the beach or swimming pool, an adrenaline boost at the Regency Casino Thessaloniki is not only an exciting way to top off the day but also a prospect stretching well beyond casino expectations. Special events, cash-prize lotteries and a constant flow of surprises are part of the overall experience at the Regency Casino Thessaloniki. Even just a stroll around the casino, to marvel at its stylish spaces, could prove to be your lucky day. The Regency Casino Thessaloniki is also a great spot for fine drinking and dining. Ian’s Bar, part of the casino offering, is one of Thessaloniki’s finest bars. It features stylish décor, a feel-good atmosphere and quality cocktails, classic and modern.
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Incorporated into the complex, Alfredo’s Grand Dining restaurant, whose menu is also curated by Altanis, offers dishes based on top-quality ingredients, as well as exquisite service and gastronomic expertise. Diners interested in a rich buffet and limitless refills will be very happy at La Terasse, another restaurant option.
“We laugh here.gr” at the Vergina Theatro
The entertainment does not end at the casino. Directly next door, Vergina Theatro is probably Thessaloniki’s most entertaining place to be at every Friday and Saturday night. A top-class cast of Greek entertainers performs a musical satire titled “We laugh here.gr”. Giannis Zouganelis, Eleni Kastani, Spyros Bibilas, Tania Trypi, Panagioitis Petrakis, Vicky Kavoura, Thodoris Panas, as well as Makis Delaportas, dance, sing and perform hilarious sketches conveying stories of everyday madness, offering answers, through their unique way, to current affairs. The musical satire, orchestrated by Konstantinos Pagiatis, is vibrant and filled with surprises, even unscripted lines. Laughter is guaranteed here.
