1.Accessibility: Always talking about the center you need nothing but a pair of sneakers and in one day you’ve been all over town. If you are, of course, a fan of cycling, you can rent a bike and enjoy your walk on the beach. If you’re tired again, we have a solution. The bus line 50 takes you to a quick tour of the city’s attractions with brief stops and information.

2. Multiculturalism: Undoubtedly one of the European capitals of Erasmus with a strong youthful character, and attracts people of all ages from all over the world who choose to stay in one of the hospitable hostels of the city. The long history engraved in the corners of the city (eg port, Jewish community, etc) is waiting for you to discover it.

3.Sights: From the White Tower to the Yedi Koules (castles) in Ano Polis, you will surely want to make some stops in museums such as archaeological, Byzantine, Macedonian history, Hebrew, folklore, cinema, contemporary art, and Monuments such as Arch of Galerius (the famous Kamara), Rotunda, Roman market, covered market.

4.Alternative Entertainment: In Thessaloniki you can enjoy any form of entertainment. From the favorite Rempetadika, Ouzo and the famous Ladadika to the festival of film, music, photography and countless clubs to choose from. You can also board a pirate ship and go around the beach sipping your coffee or drink, while the street musicians give a melodic touch to the streets of the city.

The post 3+1 REASONS WE LOVE THESSALONIKI appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

• What sites do we use to book hotels, airlines etc?
• What kind of transportation we use?

If you have the same wonderings about how to travel the best way,  check out our travel resources and reccommendations below to help ypu plan your dream vacations:

How and where do we search – book cheap flights

1. Skyscanner
2. Momondo
3. Kiwi
4. Kayak
5. Always compare with each airline’s official website!

How and where do we search – book accommodation – hotels

1. Booking
2. Aibnb
3. Agoda
4. Trivago
5. Expedia
6. Travelocity
7. Couchsurfing

What about transportation?

1. Beat
2. Uber
3. Rentalcars
4. Local freelancers (best prices guaranteed!)

Travel insurance

1. World nomads
2. Mondial assistance

The post OUR TRAVEL RESOURCES TO PLAN YOUR TRIPS appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

A new gem in the city of Athens (on the edge of Faliro Bay) opened its doors in 2016 in order to promote education and culture. SNFCC includes new facilities for the National Library of Greece, the Greek National Opera and the 210,000 m² Stavros Niarchos Park.

What to do?

The SNFCC Visitors Center offers to the public the opportunity to see the worksite up close and learn about the technical details of the construction and the project, as well as the SNFCC’s mission. Visitors can enjoy a variety of events of all kinds on a daily basis:

• You can rent a bike and do cycling around the park, details can be found here.
• Free guided tours take place inside the state-of-the-art building complex set to house the new premises for the National Library of Greece, the Greek National Opera as well as the interior and exterior public space surrounding the buildings.
• You can participate in one of the plenty of events that take place there.

Definitely a place to be regardless if you visit it by yourself or with the whole family and friends! Not to miss, preferably during sunset or early in the morning

How to get to Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center?

• Free transport is available for the visitors by shuttle bus. A mini bus bearing the SNFCC logo, starts from Syntagma square (at the conjunction with Ermou str.), with a stop-over at the Syggrou Fix metro station (on Syggrou str.) and arrives at the South side of the SNFCC Canal. You can find the timetable for the shuttle bus here.
• By car using this link as location.

SNFCC is a place that you must visit when you are visiting Athens. We are sure that you are going to enjoy it!!!We are for waiting your feedback!!!

The post SNFCC – A PLACE IN ATHENS YOU HAVE TO VISIT appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

This year, in the “Full moon 2018” institution will participate 132 archaeological sites and museums, in which doors will be open for the public until late at night. In 95 of these places will be held cultural events such as music, dance, theatre, exhibitions, film screenings and many more.

In Athens some of the most famous sites will be open like:

• the Acropolis museum that will be open from 8 a.m. to midnight with free entry to the exhibition galleries from 8 p.m. onwards. The restaurant of the second floor and the ground floor café will be open during the same hours. In the Museum’s entrance courtyard will take place a comcert with free entry.
•  the Archaeological Site of Sounion will be open to the public until 24.00.
•  the Athens Numismatic Museum – Garden  Jazz music event “La Luna”,  will start at 21.00.
• the National Archaeological Museum open until 11:45pm with free entry from 8pm.
• and the Archaeological Site of Kerameikos, grounds open until 11:45PM.

In the rest of the country events will take place to the Palamidi Fortress in Nafplion, the Ancient Acropolis of Rhodes, the Archaeological Museum of Mykonos, and the Castle of Kalamata.

The institution has been conducted by the Ministry of Culture and Sports for the last 16 years and has been a great success, bringing together the public interest.

It is recalled that the entrance to all areas is free for the public.

In detail the program of events will be found here.

* photo by http://www.tovima.gr/en/article/?aid=526345.

The post GREEK AUGUST FULL MOON- FREE EVENTS appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Downtown tour

Among the old tradition, the modern city spots where the youth and not only gathers, the muslim area, next to the river Kosinthos and the Democritus University, there are plenty of rides for walks. Xanthi is a city, the buildings of which still testify its past.

You  can start your walk from the central square with the old clock: you will discover the Municipal Market, the neighborhood with the impressive complex of smokestacks that was made by craftsmen from Epirus and Macedonia, and the multicultural open market set up in a parking area in the city center.

Monastery of Panagia Archangeliotissa. Folklore Museum, Municipal art gallery, museum of natural history, Archaeological Museum of Avdira, Macedonian tomb Kalyves castle makes your visit more adventurous!

Xanthi travel Ξάνθη καρναβάλι γιορτές παλιάς πολης

Visit also

The surrounding area is ideal for natural breakthroughs: from the Nestos River to the Rodopi mountain range, which is separated in the middle from the valley of Ehinos, to the west lies the dense forest of Drymos (Haidou) and to the east the Pomakochoria (villages of muslims of Trace).

Lake Vistonida, Porto Lagos, Stavroupoli, Avdira (hometown on Democritus), Leivaditis, Exinos

Xanthi travel Ξάνθη καρναβάλι γιορτές παλιάς πολης

Events

The Xanthi Carnival, the Thracian Folk festival, in February, is one of the most famous, colorful and festive events in Greece.

If you want to combine your trip with excursions to Nestos river and Rodopi mountain, prefer the spring, the summer and the autumn.

The Old Town Festival of Xanthi is the second great institution in Xanthi after the Thracian Folk Festival. It was organized for the first time in 1991 and since then it taking place every year in the first week of September. During this week in the the so-called “Old Town”, the streets are full of the cultural and carnival clubs which offer food, drink and great music. Dont miss it!

Local cuisine

Local cuisine reflects the cultural mosaic of Xanthi (Greeks, Turks, Pomaks, Roma, Asia Minorities, Armenians, Pontians, Cappadocians). Kebabs of all kinds, pumpkins with spices, lamb with yufkades (long noodles) etc. Famous for its sweets too, from chocolate kariocas, nugas, authentic oriental pastries full of fresh butter and soujuk loukoum will please your senses!

The post XANTHI FOLKLORE – THE CULTURAL MOSAIC OF GREECE appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Only those who have already visited Halkidiki know! For those who still…have not visited this place, we are here to get to know it better! From the secrets of Kassandra to the nature of Sithonia….

Χαλκιδική Xalkidiki Chalkidiki pellabeach.com ο

For nature lovers-Sithonia

At the east side of Sithonia there are Vourvourou, Diaporos, Kavourotripes only some from the most beautiful places in Halkidiki. Beautiful beaches, blue waters, countless organized and quite luxurious cmpsites, shady plane trees, pines, caravans and beaches! This is the east side of the second leg of Halkidiki  and we’re going to see and western now… There we will find super fresh fish in Porto Koufo and we ll take the chance to climb the Parthenon a beautiful and picturesque mountainous village at the mountain Itamos!

Cassandra and “her” secrets

We now are going to pass to the first leg of our beloved Halkidiki, an area a little more touristic and full of summer bars and clubs with people and all the students of Thessaloniki and not only! Surely the image of overcrowding beaches and tavernas its not something we love to see when we wander around, but such beautiful places are impossible not to attract more and more tourists each year! We will choose to mention the Afitos, the lagoon of Glarokavos and the… Magical Akrotiri Possidi with the characteristic lighthouse (for those who know the magical sunrise at Akrotiri is not comparable to any exotic place!)!  Also look for the Nea Fokea Tower and the Sani Tower.

Xalkidiki chalkidiki poseidi Χαλκιδική ποσειδι poseidivillas.com και

Other places of interest in Halkidiki

• Petralona Cave
• Barbara Falls
• Ierissos
• Ammouliani
• Agia Paraskevi Thermal Bath

In our opinion the best way to enjoy all the places we suggested even if its for a little time, is with a great one week road trip at least! Halkidiki is like a cluster of many small islands each of which is special and we love it for a different reason!

Indulge in the hospitality of northern Greece and put Halkidiki in your next plans and bucketlists!

The post SUMMER HOLIDAYS IN HALKIDIKI appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Our proposal? One day cruise to Saronic Gulf (Hydra, Poros, Aegina islands)! We chose the travel agency Signature travel for the tickets and we can say with absolute certainty that it is the best value for money gateaway from Athens! We have written about our love for the islands of Argosaronikos Gulf  in a previous post and there’s no doubt that this one-day cruise to three of these picteresque islands is something we seek to do every year!

signature travel greece nonstoptravellers

The one-day program includes:

• Check in until 8.00 in the morning at Marina Flisvos (before departuring take a photo of the battleship Averof)!
• 3 Stops at three islands of the Saronic Gulf, Hydra (2 hours), Poros (1 hour) and Aegina (2 hours)!
• Food on board at an amazing buffet!
• Aboard entertainment with music and dancing depending on each day’s program!
• Return until 20.00 in the afternoon at Flisvos Marina!
• Tickets from Signature travel agency

hydra gamosmagazine.com greece island

First stop: Hydra island

Hydra is the island of captains, history and artists while it is considered to be more cosmopolitan than the other ones, personally speaking it is our favorite island! We love it for its picturesqueness and its trademark the beautiful cute little donkeys that welcome you at the port! How did we pass our time there? In the two hours we had at our disposal we started our tour at Hydroneta! Favorite spot for diving into the blue sea and take some unique photos! We had a cup coffee at the cafe Papagalosa and then we headed to the colourful port and got lost in the beautiful narrow valleys of the island. Somewhere between the straits we met some more donkeys, the historical pharmacy that has its origins in 1890 and the bakery of the port where you can find great pastries! In the port we do not missed to visit the shop of Elena Votsi, who designed the Olympic medal of 2004, from where we bought some souvenirs! Finally, we passed a quick visit to the Historic Museum of Hydra and we relaxed to enjoy the view from the monument of Andreas Miaoulis!

hydra nonstoptravellers

Second stop: Poros

Poros is a quiet island, peaceful, without strange exaggerations, ideal for the most romantic ones! We love it for its neoclassical clock that dominates the rock at Chora and stands out from the very first moment the boat enters the bay and of course for its green color as it is an island full of pines and trees. How did we pass our time there? In about one hour we had the opportunity to take a romantic walk through the beautiful narrow streets of Chora, to take some photos at the squares of Iroon (Heroes), Karamanou and Koryzi and to enjoy greek mezes with tsipouro (trust us and order these!) in front of the incredible sea view!

ΥΔΡΑ discovergreece.com

Third stop: Aegina

Aegina island, was the first capital of Greece (after the Revolution of 1821) and we love it for its history, the fresh fish and of course the “fruit” of the island which are the yummy pistachios. How did we pass our time there? In Aegina we were able to stay for two hours so as the boat arrived, we disembarked and ran for a swim in Avra beach (the closest one)! Then we started a walk in the beloved narrow valleys! Colorful streets, blooming flowers, hospitable locals are just a few of the elements of the beautiful Aegina that make us visit it every year! Arriving at the Metropolis church of the island we returned from the port side this time so that we could enjoy both the boats from the one side of the street and the horse wagons as well on the other! Before our final departure we did not missed to try ice cream with flavor of what else? Pistachios! Wonderful and refreshing!

hydra arttable.gr greece island

At around 20.00 in the afternoon…

The one-day getaway to the Saronic Gulf has comes to an end, the staff of the ship greeted us with smiles and kindness and we returned home from a day full of dreamy images with a feeling that we had just returned from a whole week excursion! We highly recommend the one-day cruise with Signature travel, and even though we travel as a couple, we have to admit that this excursion is very family friendly, i.e. ideal for families who travel with children!

For more information about the excursion program and the price you can visit the site of Signature Travel at the following links:

• Signature Travel
• Facebook
• Instagram

*this post is not sponsored

**Post photo autotriti.gr

The post ATHENS 1 DAY CRUISE TO HYDRA, POROS AEGINA BY SIGNATURE TRAVEL appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

It is not just simple country, but a continent with a unique variety of languages, customs, climate, terrain and of course people. India is a unique and special country that can give travellers unique experiences that they won’t meet anywhere else in the world! Travelers visiting India are either quite tough and know what to expect or just curious to get to know this country of colors of flavors and of many religions!

Whatever we could describe to you about India it still wont be enough and the only way to find out is to live it yourself!  This country has many faces and it is difficult not to succumb to discovering them yourself! A country with unbelievable inequalities, rich  and poverty! However, India is a country that will remain in our memory and certainly after our travel experience we have turned into people, different, better…

india taj mahal travel traveling

Health

A few issues with the stomach are expected to occur but do not intimidate this! Obtain the necessary medicines and vitamins according to the travel medicine instructions and you will be OK! Do not expect high levels in the issues of hygiene… So get your own wipes and disinfecting liquids. Read our other post about India and our advice for aspiring visitors! Be prepared!

Time of Visit?

India has a total of 3 seasons: The warm, the wet and the winter with spring to hot days in the south and cooler in the north. For us most areas, from November to February are the best months. We visited India the month of February and it was like spring or early autumn! T-shirts and a cardigan for the evening hours!

Cost

In a country such as India it’s hard to tell you a price for every traveler, as prices range from incredibly low levels to the highest you can imagine! We are, perhaps, somewhere between the low and the high budget level, so cost depends on your needs and preferences, and you need to classify yourselves! In general, living in India is too cheap for Western people! You can stay in incredible hotels at very low prices up to the cheapest hostel starting at 2 dollars! Just get your credit cards and a little cash and you’re OK!

The weather…?

Wet and hot, smelly with spicy smells and aromas!

Visa

Don’t forget to issue your travel visa on time!

india taj mahal travel traveling

Risk

Generally while we westerners… fear India… for some inexplicable reason… India is a very safe country and there is no reason to fear of the different! If you avoid going around on the road late hours as you would do at any other trip of yours, you have nothing to fear, meet locals and learn their customs, they may even call you for a lunch in their own home, do not be afraid, they mean it!

Indian people?

Indian people are always smiling! Pleasant, cheerful, eager to help you and get to know you! You will see enough of them asking for selfies etc… They don’t often see white peopleafter all, and think that you look just as curious to them as they do to you!

Holi Festival

The most famous festival in India is Holi a celebration that looks like our colour day! Splashed with paint and colours!

Tip, don’t take a camera, just enjoy it!

india taj mahal travel traveling color day holi festival

Itineraries-Schedule

The choices when talking about such a huge country are limitless! Visit our blog post to learn details and all the options that we recommend to you!! We travelled to Golden Triangle and Varanasi and we highly recommend this trip! Especially Varanasi is a must!!!  Just ask us and we will help you! 

Airport

The main landing airport is that of New Delhi, attention because we are talking about one of the largest airports in the world! It is busy and you have to make sure you have plenty of time to board on time! From the same airport think about combining a trip to Nepal for example.

Transportation

Metro, Cyclo or rigsaw (tricycle bike), Local buses (DARE IT!!!!), plane, train, car rental (not recommended) and of course private driver! We tried everything but driving ourselves and believe us all means of transport is a great experience itself! For trains don’t forget to book tickets up to 3 months in advance! Airline we chose was Jetairways because of the positive feedback we read Online and we can say that it was a flight like any other!

Closing words…

Describing only in a few blog lines this vast country is not easy at all, we would like to keep on readers’-potential travellers’s minds the image of an ancient civilization, a culture filled with contrasts, colors and aromas! India is closer than you imagine, what remains is only the decision to travel!

We are here to help you, open your wings and meet the land of 1.5 billion people! Just feel free to ask!

The post INDIA TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Angkor Wat is the one of the most beautiful Cambodia temples as we have already written in our relevant post, but it is not the only one!!!There a lot of hidden temples and places, beyond Angkor Wat and around the jungle that are waiting to explore them and learn their secrets. This article is written to meet the most famous of them and it is a good start point to begin your Cambodia adventure like Tomb Raider.

• Bayon temple

The Bayon temple is well known for it’s decoration, which includes multitude of serene and smiling faces on the many towers that are in the top of the temple. It is also knows as “face temple”. Bayon temple was built in the late of 12^th or early 13^th century as the official state temple of Khmer king Jayavarman VII.

Face temple – nonstoptravellers

• Ta Prohm temple

Ta Prohm temple or originally called Rajavihara (= monastery of the king), is one of the most outstanding and popular Cambodia temples. It is a combination of jungle trees and ruins and that is the reason why it is well known as Jungle temple. It was built in the late 12^th and early 13^th centuries, by the Khmer king Jayavarman VII, and was operated as monastery and university. The temple was abandoned in the 15^th century (after the fall of Khmer empire) and the restoration started in the early 21^st century. The temple of Ta Prohm was used as a location in the film Tomb Raider.

Jungle temple – nonstoptravellers

• Banteay Srei temple

Banteay Srei or Banteay Srey is a Cambondia temple unique for it’s elaborate decorative wall carvings a reason why it also known as “precious gem” or “jewel of Kjmer art”. The buildings are constructed of red sandstone and they are miniature in scale, comparing with the Angkorian construction. Banteay Srei was consecrated on the end of 10th century (967 AD) and was the only major Ankor temple that not built by monarch. The temple was rediscovered in 1914 and has been ravaged by stealing and vandalism.

• Phnom Bakheng temple

Phnom Bakheng is a Hindu and Buddhist Cambodia temple in the form of Temple Mountain, which is built in the top of a hill. It is popular for the sunset view of Angor Wat temple but it is also a unique temple, by architectural point of view. It is a symbolic representation of Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods and it is built in a pyramid form of seven levels, representing the seven heavens. Phnom Bakheng is 65 metres high and the temple has 109 towers. It was built at the end of 9^th century by king Yasovarman. This temple is also a Tomb Raider scene. There are two wayfairs to go to the Phnom Bakheng temple on foot or with an elephant ride.

• Preah Khan temple

Preah Khan is a Cambodia temple known for numerous trees and jungle surroundings that are growing among the ruins, like Ta Prohm. It was built in the 12^th century for king Jayavarman VII to honor his father. The hole complex combined the role of city with almost 100.000 officials and servants. The first initial cleaning of the monument was conducted during 1927.

• Pre Rup temple

Pre Rup is a Hindu temple dedicated in the end of 10^th century as the state temple of Rajendaravarman. It is a temple mountain made of laterite and sandstone.

• Banteay Kdei temple

Banteay Kdei is also known as “Citadel of Monks; cells” and its’ meaning is “a citadel of chambers”. It is another beautiful jungle temple like Preah Khan and Ta Prohm but smaller and less complex. It was built in the mid 12^th to early 13^th century during the kingdom of Jayavarman VII. Banteay Kdei temple was used as o Buddhist monastery and remained neglected after Khmer reign ended for several years. It was exposed in 1920 after cleaning the overgrowth vegetation.

• Ta Keo temple

Ta Keo is another temple mountain in Cambodia, which is possibly the first that was built entirely of sandstone. It was dedicated around 10^th century, by Jayavarman V, but it remained unfinished until the reign of Suryavarman I.

• Baksei Chamkrong Temple

Baksei Chamkrong is a small and not crowded Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was completed in late of 10^th century by Rajendravaman II. Because it is not popular to tourists it is very peaceful and in the top of the temple you could enjoy very nice view!

• Angkor Thom’s South Gate

It is one of the five man gates of the ancient city of Angor Thom. It is the best preserved and most commonly visited form tourists. It was built in the late of 12^th century by king Jayavarman VII. The gate was made to protect the city but it is also a holy Buddhist gate to the city. In the causeway you could find 54 figures of gods on the left side and 54 figures of demons on the right side. Although Angkor Thom is a Buddhist city, it is said that this scene depicts the Hindu mythology of the “Churning of the Ocean of Milk“.

Angkor Thom’s South Gate – nostoptravellers

• Terrace of the elephants

Terrace of the elephants or elephant garden is the place where the king Jayavarman VII used a platform to view his returning victorious army.

Here you could find the map of the tour!!!

Cambodia Hidden Temples Map – nonstoptravellers

Enjoy and do not forget

“travel is to live”

*photo credit pickyourday.com

The post CAMBODIA HIDDEN TEMPLES appeared first on Nonstoptravellers.

Bus express (X95)

• Price: A one way ticket (6 euro) is required for transportation by bus. There is also a reduced price of 3 euros for special categories and children up to 6 travel free. You can purchase tickets at a kiosk located outside the arrival Gate 4.
• Bus station/ departure: The bus departs near the arrival gate 4.
• Frequency of itineraries: Depends on the time of day, it ranges about 15 – 20 minutes.
• Average time to Syntagma Square: Depends on traffic, estimated at 45 minutes.

TIP: During the route you can see important buildings of Athens, such as the Ministry of National Defence, the American Embassy and the Αthens Concert Hall (Megaro Mousikis).

Click for official website information

Airport to Athens – Bus express (X95) – nonstoptravellers

Metro (Blue Line)

• Price: A one way ticket (10 euros) is required for transportation by Metro. There is also a discount fare, reduced price of 5 euros for special categories. You can get them from automatic machines or cashiers at the entrance of the metro station.
• Metro station: The metro station is opposite the arrival Gate 2.
• Frequency of Itineraries: The metro trains run from 6:30 until 23:30 and the itineraries startes from the metro station at 00 ΄ and 30 ΄.
• Average time to Syntagma Square: estimated at 38 minutes.

Click for official website information

Airport to Athens – Metro (Blue Line) – nonstoptravellers

Taxi

• Price: The value of the route is €38 during the day (05:00 – 24:00) and €50 at night (24:00 – 05:00). Price includes airport charge, taximeter, luggage, tolls, VAT.
• Taxi stands: You will find a queue between the arrival Gates 2 and 3.
• Frequency of itineraries: 24/7
• Average time to Syntagma Square: Depends on traffic, estimated in 20 minutes.

TIP: The fixed fare applies only to the routes from the airport to the center, so it is advisable to ask the driver to start the taximeter to know the charge in case you change destination.

For those of yoy who would like to book taxi services we recommend one of the best, most trustworthy and convenient 5-star airport taxi companies for your airport transfer based on user reviews across various platforms such as Google, Tripadvisor and Trustpilot. Welcome Pickups offers a great experience and safety to its travellers.

Click for official website information

Now you are ready to explore Athens, the capital of Greece and to meet 9+1 Athenian districts??

Have fun and do not forget

“to travel is to live”

*photo credit to yeucyrpus.org.com

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