Bars, bazaars and boutique beds in Greece and Turkey's less-visited cities

More manageable and welcoming than Athens, Greece's second city is something of an open-air museum, with Byzantine and Ottoman sites aplenty. The Ano Poli, or Upper Town, is a charmer with its colourful old houses, parks and squares. Traditional ouzeries rub shoulders with modern hotels; buzzy cafes and restaurants line the waterfront and the big student population ensures a lively nightlife. A good dose of culture (the annual film festival draws crowds, and many poets and musicians hail from here), helps make Thessaloniki the country's hippest city. Halkidiki's beaches, a wide choice of flights from the UK, value for money and a growing foodie scene up the appeal.