Upcoming Visit to Thedi Leathers

[LordOfLeather]

Hi Guys,

This is outerwear-related, but also perhaps a bit outside the intended scope of this forum. I hope I'm not breaking any rules, but here goes:

My wife and I are one month away from a trip to Greece that we've been planning for over a year. Our ten day trip has a rather full itinerary, including several days in Thessaloniki. I couldn't possibly travel all the way to Greece without visiting my favorite jacket maker, so I've already reached out to Theodoros to let him know we will be visiting his shop. I'm not yet sure whether I'll find something off the rack or leave with a custom jacket planned, but either way, I'm excited to explore a roomful of masterpieces that I typically only get to see online.

I'm wondering if any of you have spent time in Thessaloniki, or other parts of Greece. If so, I'd love to hear any and all suggestions you might have for things to do and places to visit while we are there. So far we have a boat trip to some islands, touring the Acropolis, various museums in Athens, hiking/touring the Meteora monasteries, beaches, restaurants and historical landmarks in Thessaloniki, and of course visiting Thedi.

If you know of any hidden gems or off-the-beaten path locales to explore, I'd love to hear about them. It's a large country and we will hardly have scratched the surface. I had rented a motorcycle for our last full day there and we had plans for a day trip from Athens to Delphi (and back). Unfortunately, my wife had unexpected knee surgery and the surgeon has strongly suggested she not be on a motorcycle. We have since rented a car instead, but are yet undecided about where to go. If you're familiar with the region, what are some good day trip locations from Athens? We prefer scenic drives and preferably natural or historical beauty, away from the chaos of the city.

 

[Tom71]

My wife and I are also four weeks away from our summer trip to Greece. We will be at the southern tip of the Peleppones peninsula.

Best advise ist to go with the flow. Thessaloniki is a great town, but easily conquered in two days or so.
I’ve found Thedi and his daughter to be most helpful when it comes to suggestions for day trips around the area.
Personally, I’ve found Katerini, a university town some 100km to the south of Thessaloniki to be very charming, but it’s all down to what you feel like.

Mid September is a great time to be in Greece. School holidays have come to an end, and all and everyone is switching to chill-mode. Do trust what the locals advice and you will have a great time!

 

[BarryMcCockiner_PhD]

My Greek friend grew up in poverty and always had this saying about people that don’t like cats; Greece is overrun by stray cats! He would say, “If you don’t like Cats then you never learned how to cook them properly”.

Have fun on your trip, meeting Theodoros sounds like a blast. I hear he likes to party and is lots of fun! Maybe that Marc guy has pointers, he’s been out there I think.

 

[LordOfLeather]

My wife and I are also four weeks away from our summer trip to Greece. We will be at the southern tip of the Peleppones peninsula.

Best advise ist to go with the flow. Thessaloniki is a great town, but easily conquered in two days or so.
I’ve found Thedi and his daughter to be most helpful when it comes to suggestions for day trips around the area.
Personally, I’ve found Katerini, a university town some 100km to the south of Thessaloniki to be very charming, but it’s all down to what you feel like.

Mid September is a great time to be in Greece. School holidays have come to an end, and all and everyone is switching to chill-mode. Do trust what the locals advice and you will have a great time!

I appreciate the suggestions!

I was hoping for some ideas from Theodoros, but we will be in Thessaloniki Sunday through Tuesday and his shop isn't open Sunday or Monday, which means our visit will be the last thing we do there before taking the train back to Athens. Not the best timing, but just the way things fell.

I'll do some research on Katerini and perhaps we can add that into our plan.

I hope you enjoy your vacation as well!

 

[LordOfLeather]

My Greek friend grew up in poverty and always had this saying about people that don’t like cats; Greece is overrun by stray cats! He would say, “If you don’t like Cats then you never learned how to cook them properly”.

Have fun on your trip, meeting Theodoros sounds like a blast. I hear he likes to party and is lots of fun! Maybe that Marc guy has pointers, he’s been out there I think.

Overrun by stray cats sounds like a bonus to me. Reminds me of Key West in the '90s, before most of the cats washed away in a hurricane.

Theodoros seems like a fun guy, from what I've read and seen online. He's always been very kind and warm in my email exchanges as well. Looking forward to meeting him.

Good idea reaching out to Marc.

 

[barnabus]

Ha, I've just got back from Greece.

Although I was in Rhodes which is about as far away from Thedi as you can get and still actually be in Greece.

Tons of stray cats there too though, I can confirm.

 

[Tom71]

I appreciate the suggestions!

I was hoping for some ideas from Theodoros, but we will be in Thessaloniki Sunday through Tuesday and his shop isn't open Sunday or Monday, which means our visit will be the last thing we do there before taking the train back to Athens. Not the best timing, but just the way things fell.

I'll do some research on Katerini and perhaps we can add that into our plan.

I hope you enjoy your vacation as well!

If you make it to Katerini (which is about an hour away from Saloniki on the train), you have to go to Amaltheia restaurant.

It´s run by two brothers who serve a strictly regional cuisine. When we were there, they treated us to a multi-course surprise menue (all we were allowed to say was meat or fish and of course dietary restrictions).

Honestly, one of my top five dining experiences ever, and the bill was super moderate.

 

[LordOfLeather]

If you make it to Katerini (which is about an hour away from Saloniki on the train), you have to go to Amaltheia restaurant.

It´s run by two brothers who serve a strictly regional cuisine. When we were there, they treated us to a multi-course surprise menue (all we were allowed to say was meat or fish and of course dietary restrictions).

Honestly, one of my top five dining experiences ever, and the bill was super moderate.

That sounds like a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience. This is my first trip to Greece, and thus far I've been surprised by the moderate prices of restaurants and lodging while planning.

 

[Tom71]

That sounds like a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience. This is my first trip to Greece, and thus far I've been surprised by the moderate prices of restaurants and lodging while planning.

Restaurants are a blast!

Over here, “Greek” restaurants offer massive amounts of pork meat, mercilessly grilled until all memory of flavour is burned away, paired with French fries and Tzaziki, reeking of old garlic.

Over there, you have hole-in-the-wall taverns, more often than not family run with fresh salads, a lot of vegetables, seafood of any kind. Meat is on offer, but not as a main role.
Prices are often super affordable, and the kitchen is usually open 7/11 with the full menue.
You may find the food basic at times but always fresh with very good quality and never bad.

Don‘t forget the beers which are excellent too, usually served in ice-cold bottles.

Saloniki is a bit more pricey as it’s moderately touristy, but the food is also a bit more refined in many places.

Man, can’t wait to get there!

 

[barnabus]

Don‘t forget the beers which are excellent too, usually served in ice-cold bottles.

Mythos and Zythos Vap are a couple of really lovely, crisp, refreshing Greek beers.

 

[LordOfLeather]

Restaurants are a blast!

Over here, “Greek” restaurants offer massive amounts of pork meat, mercilessly grilled until all memory of flavour is burned away, paired with French fries and Tzaziki, reeking of old garlic.

Over there, you have hole-in-the-wall taverns, more often than not family run with fresh salads, a lot of vegetables, seafood of any kind. Meat is on offer, but not as a main role.
Prices are often super affordable, and the kitchen is usually open 7/11 with the full menue.
You may find the food basic at times but always fresh with very good quality and never bad.

Don‘t forget the beers which are excellent too, usually served in ice-cold bottles.

Saloniki is a bit more pricey as it’s moderately touristy, but the food is also a bit more refined in many places.

Man, can’t wait to get there!

Exploring restaurants is always at the top of my excitement list when traveling. I love Greek food, or at least whatever versions of it I've had in the States, so I'm excited!

 

[LordOfLeather]

Mythos and Zythos Vap are a couple of really lovely, crisp, refreshing Greek beers.

I just celebrated my 19th sobriety anniversary in June, but I'll take note of these for my wife.

 

[Tom71]

Mythos and Zythos Vap are a couple of really lovely, crisp, refreshing Greek beers.

Seconded.

Also a huge fan of Mamos and ***** (the later rather elusive…). Kaiser is also pretty nice.
Temperature is key. My country has the tendency to serve drinks on the warmer side. Doesn’t happen in Greece.

 

[Tom71]

I just celebrated my 19th sobriety anniversary in June, but I'll take note of these for my wife.

That’s awesome. Big congrats! I restricted alcohol to two days a week with spells of going zero for 6-8 weeks in between. Can’t beat that energetic feeling in the morning.

 

[LordOfLeather]

That’s awesome. Big congrats! I restricted alcohol to two days a week with spells of going zero for 6-8 weeks in between. Can’t beat that energetic feeling in the morning.

Damn good. I tried that too. Couldn't do it. Unfortunately it's an all or nothing deal for me.

In what country do you live?

 

[Tom71]

Damn good. I tried that too. Couldn't do it. Unfortunately it's an all or nothing deal for me.

In what country do you live?

I’m in Germany. So only a three hour flight away from Athens.

 

[Harris HTM]

And don't forget the almost obiquitous sun and lovely blue of the sky.
In Athens at the moment. Born in GR and spent my first 26 years here.
Surprised to see that Germans appreciate the local breweries!

 

[LordOfLeather]

I’m in Germany. So only a three hour flight away from Athens.

Nice. I've traveled to Germany a couple times and enjoyed my time there.

 

[Tom71]

And don't forget the almost obiquitous sun and lovely blue of the sky.
In Athens at the moment. Born in GR and spent my first 26 years here.
Surprised to see that Germans appreciate the local breweries! View attachment 723243

TBH, German beer is great, but by and large, very similar in taste among the different brewing styles. There are precious little privately owned breweries (most of them in Bavaria/Frankonia), and with them you can still find some treasures.

Greek Pilsner or Lager just has that crispness that seems to be unique to some eastern Mediterranean regions while still being absolutely smooth.

And maybe it’s just that if you savour an icecold brew under that deep blue sky, while chatting to some infinitely welcoming locals - it just works!

 

[Harris HTM]

TBH, German beer is great, but by and large, very similar in taste among the different brewing styles. There are precious little privately owned breweries (most of them in Bavaria/Frankonia), and with them you can still find some treasures.

Greek Pilsner or Lager just has that crispness that seems to be unique to some eastern Mediterranean regions while still being absolutely smooth.

And maybe it’s just that if you savour an icecold brew under that deep blue sky, while chatting to some infinitely welcoming locals - it just works!

So, I'm out for dinner with extended family and decided to follow your advice!