Trikala

Trikala is a city in Thessaly (population 50,000) with a good cafe and nightlife scene. It is an agricultural town that is well placed for those going to Meteora 15 km north or the Pindos Mountains to the west. It lies on the Litheos River that runs through the center of town. Understand History Homer mentioned the city as Trikala and is supposed to be the birthplace of the god of healing, Asclepius. Get in By plane The closest airport is Volos airport [1] (VOL), situated in (Nea Anchialos), about 130 km W from the city. Volos may be the nearest airfield but only offers service during the warm-weather months. Air Berlin [2] operate every Monday and every Friday from May to October (Flights to/from Berlin, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Nuremberg, Vienna). Ryanair [3] operates flights from April to October to/from Hahn (Frankfurt), Bergamo (Milan), Rome and Charleroi (Brussels) airport. Belle Air [4] operate to/from Tirana. Lauda Air [5] operate to/from Vienna. Transavia [6] operate to/from Amsterdam. There is a bus connecting airport and Volos bus station. Buses are waiting to pick up travelers after a plane lands, the cost form the airport to Volos Bus station is 3 €. Then you have to get another bus or Train from Volos to Trikala. The bus station in Volos is about 1 km from the train station. The nearest airport offering year-round international service is in Thessaloniki (SLK) about 3 hours away. By regional coach Interurban coaches ("KTEL" buses) (+30 24310 73131) are by far the most convenient way to travel around Greece, as well as for intra-regional travelling. There is frequent bus service from Athens Liossion Station to Trikala, as well as from Thessaloniki bus terminal "Macedonia" to Trikala. The bus station is at the corner of Othonos and Garivaldi, just across the river from the center part of town. By train Trains (OSE) (+30 24310 27214) connect Trikala to other cities in Greece. Travelling with ordinary trains can be cheaper, although a little bit slower, whereas choosing a fancy faster Intercity train will cost the same amount of money, or even more than a KTEL bus. There are direct trains to Athens and Larissa to Thessaloniki. Get around See Koursoun Tzami, (Across the river and 300 m to the east of the city center). This Turkish Mosque dates from the 16th Century. It was built by Sinan Pasha who also designed the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.  edit Fortress of Trikala, (Just west of the city center on top of the hill that overlooks the city). This Byzantine fort has a clock tower that provides an excellent view of the city.  edit Chapel of Profitis Ilias, (200 m north of Turkish Quarter on the hill north of the Fortress).  edit Turkish Quarter (Varousi), (Just west of the city center at the foot of the Fortress). A peaceful area of winding streets and old houses.  edit Do Ski, Pertouli (50 km west of Trikala in the Koziakis Mountains).  edit Kayaking, Tria Potamia (80 km west of Trikala in the Koziakis Mountains).  edit Buy Eat The 'Manavika' situated between the central square and the old town of Varoussi has a variety of reasonably priced traditional taverns to choose from. Drink Sleep Budget (1 and 2 Stars) Palladion Hotel, Vyronos 4, ☎ +30 24310 28091. Just across river from city center  edit Mid-Range (3 and 4 Stars) Achillion Hotel, 2 Asklipiou & Kanouta Sts, ☎ +30 24310-21893. Just across river from city center  edit Aeton Melathron Hotel, 16 Nearchou & Klidonopoulou Sts, ☎ +30 24310 63130, [7]. 2 km northwest of city center  edit Hotel Lithaeon, 16 Othonos & Garivaldi Sts, ☎ +30 24310 20690. Just across river from city center  edit Panellinion Hotel, 2 Vass. Olgas St, ☎ +30 24310 73545, [8]. Historic hotel in city center at Rigas Ferroes Square  edit Koziakis Mountains St George Hotel, Chrisomilia (50 km northeast of Trikala), ☎ +30 24323 00400, [9]. B&B  edit Papanastassiou Hotel, Elati (35 km west of Trikala), ☎ +30 24340 71820. 2-Star hotel  edit Free World Guesthouse, Kori (25 km west of Trikala). Hostel  edit Contact Get out Meteora - The famous monasteries are 25 km northwest near the town of Kalampaka Koziakas Mountains - A wide variety of outdoor activities are in the Koziakas Mountains, 20 km west of Trikala. The village of Pyli ("The Gate") stands at the entrance of one of Greece's most beautiful gorges. Right at the entrance of the gorge, 1.5 km past Pyli, is the 13th Century Church of Porto Panayia. The church has impressive mosaics and marble icons. Another 5 km past Pyli is the Mono Agios Vissariou, a 16th Century monastary. The ski area Pertouli is 30 km past Pyli. Tria Potamia offers kayaking in the Aheloos River. Plastira Lake - 30 km southwest of Trikala. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!