Fabulous patisserie in northern Greece

It is a little known fact outside Greece that Thessaloniki has a great tradition of patisserie. Perhaps the locals want to keep all the lovely cakes to themselves!

This springs from the fact that it was such a cosmopolitan mixture of cultures. It has always been the melting pot of Greece, with strong influences from the baking traditions of Paris and Vienna of the 19^th century. Also important was the Turkish style of cake making. In the early part of the 20^th century some innovative pastry chefs in Thessaloniki developed their own school of patisserie. Now the city has a zaxaroplasteio (cake shop) on every corner and luscious chocolate and cream confections are displayed in mouthwatering arrays in their windows. Indeed the huge variety of cakes and the beautiful designs are one of the trademarks of Thessaloniki. Many award winning zaxaroplasteio have branches in Halkidiki as well as in the city. To name just a few, Agapitos, Plaisir, Nikos and Terkenlis. With such expertise in luxurious patisserie, any kind of celebration or wedding cake can be made to order.

Spas in Halkidiki

The writings of the ancient Greeks contain descriptions of bathing practices which modern spas follow today. Small bathtubs, wash basins, and foot baths were used for personal cleanliness. Greeks from as early as the 2nd century BC built public baths and showers within their gymnasiums, which were used for relaxation as well as washing. Some natural springs or tidal pools were believed to be blessed by the gods and so could cure disease. Around these sacred pools the ancient Greeks established baths for those in hopes of a cure. In Sparta a primitive steam bath was developed, known as a thermae. Early Greek bathhouses were known as balneum and were sometimes carved into the hillside from which hot springs came. In this way natural features were utilised but expanded on with mosaic floors, shelves and other decoration. The word balneum in Greek became the modern day banio, meaning bath or to bathe. 

Due to the increasing interest in relaxation and leisure in the fast paced modern world, spas are an essential part of our way of life. Water treatments are still considered the heart of the spa experience in Europe today. The spa experience is all about cleansing, heating and relaxing the body, exactly like in those ancient Greek balnea and thermae. Healing and wellbeing is still the order of the day.

Many modern spas use thalassotherapy, although developed in the 19^th century at seaside towns in Brittany, is derived from the Greek thalassa meaning “sea”. Seawater was and is thought to have beneficial effects on the skin and is used all over the world. Another Greek invention, the hot tub (today often known as the jacuzzi), is used in almost every contemporary spa for relaxation.

Halkidiki now boasts some of the most unique spas in Greece:

• Porto Carras has one of the biggest hotel spas in Europe. With two international centres of thalassotheraphy, ancient therapies are applied in a contemporary way, using seaweed, sea water and essential oils. St Barths products are used here, from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean.

Spa Pool at Meliton Hotel, Porto Carras

• One of the most individual and calming spas is at the island hotel of Agionissi. The spectacular view from the pool looks over the Aegean towards Ouranopoulos on the Greek mainland. It is a magical place full of quirky antiques and tasteful furnishings. The products used are exclusive to this hotel spa and the others in the P.A.P. Corp stable. Just Pure is a range of products based on phases of the moon.

Agionissi Spa
(Courtesy P.A.P. Corp)

• At the Danai Beach Resort there is an abundance of marbled luxury. Surrounded by lush Italianate gardens, guests relax only a stone's throw from the beach. Now open all year round, the spa is a haven of peace and quiet. The Danai spa also uses St Baths range.

Danai Beach Resort & Spa
(Courtesy of Leading Small Hotels of the World)

• The Sani resort has a variety of spas spread through the Beach Club, Asterias Suites and Porto Sani Village. Soothing treatments are designed by Anne Semonin and Apivita whose natural products are used in all therapies.

  

  Spa at Porto Sani Village
  (Courtesy of Sani Resort)

  

Wedding Traditions of Greece

The Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony starts with the bride being escorted into the church by her father. The expectant groom stands by the alter waiting with the Koumbaros (best man). After the priest's introduction, he blesses the rings and places them on the fingers of the bride and groom.

Two stefana (metal crowns or floral wreaths) are put on the heads of the couple by the Koumbaros while the couple holds hands. The stefana is a symbol of God bestowing his blessings in the form of crowns. The crowns are generally connected by a ribbon to symbolize the couple's eternal bond as husband and wife. The stefana are swapped from bride to groom's head 3 times.

During the marriage service the couple receives lighted candles to hold. This is followed by religious readings and the wedding party take communion wine. The couple is then walked around the altar three times to represent their everlasting journey. During the circling the guests throw rice onto the couple, symbolising fertility. The stefana are then removed and the couple declared married.

In earlier times it was traditional for the the women to get together and wash the bride's dowry. The men would parade the couple's furniture down the village streets to their new home. In some mountain villages the bride's embroidery and jewellery were displayed on horseback at the head of the wedding party to the church before the marriage service.

At the reception, a bonbonierra (bag) containing an odd number of koufetta (sugared almonds) are given to guests as wedding favours. The odd number symbolizes the couple’s unity since odd numbers cannot be divided.

The famous Kalamatiano or “Circle dance”, involves two circles that form around the bride while guests throw money at the musicians and in some regions break dishes for good luck.

It is a tradition in Greece to break a pomegranate on the ground at weddings. It is a symbol of abundance, fertility and good luck.