This majestic city in Northern Greece is rooted in 3,000 years of history and the fact that it is home to one of the largest collections of museums in the Balkans is testimony to this. Not only is Thessaloníki culturally very rich, but a hive of activity and entertainment, so much so that last year the New York Times dubbed it the "Seattle of the Balkans." Anyone who visits this beautiful city will see that it pulses life with skateboarding teenagers, enthusiastic shoppers, stray dogs, beggars and old men selling a syrupy concoction called salep. Thessaloniki lies in the Greek state of Central Macedonia (not to be confused with the independent country the Republic of Macedonia). The city is home to one million people and is Greece’s second largest city after Athens. Thessaloniki can be reached via the daily night train from Istanbul, which leaves at 20.00 and arrives at 8.00. There are sleeping cars so comfort is assured!