About how to combine business with pleasure, or how to buy a fur coat and bones in a week
It brought me to Greece not just for the sake of relaxation, but for the sake of a good cause: well, I really wanted to buy a fur coat. And as you know, the best fur factories in the world are located just there. A shopping tour with obligations from the Mouzenidis Travel company turned up just in time. The conditions of the tour are such that we spend 2 days in Kastoria, where we are obliged to buy a fur product in the amount of at least 1000 euros, and the remaining 5 days we rest in a pre-selected hotel in Halkidiki.
Before that, they were in Greece, but they never reached Kastoria, it seemed that there was nothing to see there except for fur factories, but how reckless it was.
So, we flew to Thessaloniki airport at about 10 am, there we were met by representatives of the Mouzenidis company, put on a bus and taken, in general, nothing new, but literally after 10 minutes of driving those who were driving for fluffy joy, and there were few of them, they transplanted in a comfortable Mercedes Vito. Already on it we were taken on a sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki: the fortress, the Basilica of St. Demetrius, the embankment, the churches. After the tour, we went to Kastoria itself. During the journey (and this is about 2-3 hours), we watched a film (the car was equipped with screens) about Greece, the Greeks, their culture, about fur coats, etc. Further, upon arrival, we were immediately settled in the Loggas4 * HB hotel. The hotel is located at 1100m above sea level in the mountains, the beauty is extraordinary. The views are simply indescribable: a huge lake, vineyards, plantations of olive trees and of course mountains! The hotel has its own swimming pool, poolside bar and tavern. The rooms are just huge, made in the same style, everything is finished with stone, the bed is finished with wrought iron, in short, beauty. Do not think that I have never seen anything sweeter than a carrot, which is why I admire it so much. No, I saw a lot of hotels in Greece, Turkey, and Egypt, just this one could not leave me indifferent. We settled in, dined in the spirit of the best Greek traditions, refreshed ourselves in the pool and, by common consent, went to see and ask the price of fur coats on the first day (although according to the program, only the second day was devoted to fur coats, but our accompanying guide was extremely nice and we went to first)
We drove around the factories for about 3 hours, in the evening we arrived at the hotel, where a Greek dinner was waiting for us, which was also included in the program provided by Mouzenidis. In the morning we went to Edika. This is the largest fur trade show in Europe. There are a large number of small shops with fur products from all types of fur, various models, colors and sizes. Even with the obligation, it is quite possible to find a fur coat at a reasonable price. Is it possible to bargain? Not just possible, but SHOULD bargain! But even if you don’t find a suitable fur coat, you can pay a fine (in my case it was 450 euros), and given that the tour itself went to me and my mother for two for 101 euros, then even plus those 450, I still don’t lose anything : ) Of course, we bought fur coats. they simply cannot leave you indifferent, but do not count on the fact that if the obligation is 1000 euros, then you will buy a fur coat for 1001. No, high-quality fur costs high quality, but you will be sure that you do not have Chinese consumer goods, which will disperse into insoles in a year, and real Greek quality, which is appreciated all over the world.
After buying fur coats, tired but satisfied, we went to Halkidiki to the Flegra Palace 4 * AI hotel on Kassandra's "finger" (the peninsula of Halkidiki is the so-called
trident: Cassandra, Sithonia and Athos).
Now about the hotel: the hotel is small, but it is both a plus and a minus. A minus for those who are accustomed to the vast territories of hotels, say Turkey or Egypt, and believe that this is one of the signs to classify the hotel as a "good hotel", and this is definitely a plus, because. everything is within walking distance, and tk. the hotel is not designed for a large number of people, then there is no anthill effect. The hotel has Russian-speaking staff, even the waiters speak Russian, not to mention the reception, which is undoubtedly pleasing.
Number. We had a standard room. The room is small, but, as they say, "did we come to sit in the room? ", but in order to spend the night there it is quite enough.
Nutrition. All Inclusive food for Greece is quite a rarity, but in this hotel it is, and to be honest, I was also impressed by the variety of dishes. Breakfasts were mostly the same, and there was always something to eat. they always gave fruit for breakfast (pineapples, peaches, bananas), yogurt (the Greeks love it very much), all sorts of cookies and so on. From hot there were omelettes, sausages, beans and more.
But lunch and dinner surprised me. every day something new, also always fruit, always sweet and always 4 types of ice cream : ) in general, no one will go hungry.
Bar. The bar also inspires a variety of drinks: wine, cognac, baileys, amaretto, whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, champagne, cola, fanta and more, but the AI system works until 10:00 to 21:30.
Beach and sea. The beach is across the road, sunbeds, umbrellas - for a fee. In Greece, all the beaches are municipal, so you are unlikely to find free ones anywhere. People do not get lost in the nearest settlement, and it is a 10-minute walk from the Flegra Palace hotel, they buy an umbrella for 5-7 euros and a bedding and create comfort for themselves. We, taught by experience, arrived with air mattresses and lay on them.
Beach - sand / small pebbles. The sea is clean. To a great depth of 20-25 meters, i. e. It is quite possible to go with the kids and be calm for them. There is also a bar on the beach where you can buy something to quench your thirst or eat to satisfy your hunger.
Swimming pool. For those who do not want to go to the beach, there is a fresh water swimming pool on site. The depth varies from 0.5 meters to 2 meters.
Locality. The closest, as I said, is 10 minutes walk from the hotel. There you can find everything from a supermarket to attractions. This is not just a village, it is a full-fledged town. You can walk along the embankment, you can sit in a tavern, you can go to a nightclub, but your hotel guide will be able to orient you about this.
In general, I received a charge of emotions and impressions from the rest, and most importantly, that I spent it with benefit and brought my beloved a fluffy gift from sunny Greece, which will warm me in winter. Special thanks, of course, to Mouzenidis Travel for such an excellent organization of the tour!
