September marks the anniversary of a significant historical event in northern Greece, drawing attention to the region of Macedonia and its complex identity. Thirty-five years ago, the neighboring state to Greece declared independence from Yugoslavia under the name Republic of Macedonia, initiating a prolonged diplomatic dispute between the two countries centered on the use of the name "Macedonia."

For Greece, the designation holds deep historical and cultural significance, referring to its own northern region closely linked to the legacy of Alexander the Great. In response to tensions that escalated in the early 1990s, Greece took symbolic measures such as renaming Thessaloniki’s Mikra Airport to “Makedonia” in 1992, emphasizing its connection to the region. The dispute was ultimately addressed in 2018 with the Prespa Agreement, which led to the neighboring country adopting the name North Macedonia, thereby distinguishing the two entities.

Greek Macedonia, a diverse area in northern Greece, centers around Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city. Situated along the Thermaic Gulf, Thessaloniki boasts a rich Byzantine heritage and a vibrant multicultural past, alongside a growing culinary scene. A prominent statue of Alexander the Great overlooking the city’s waterfront symbolizes the region’s historical roots and serves as a site for official commemorations.

Beyond the urban environment, the Halkidiki peninsula—particularly its middle prong, Sithonia—offers a contrasting landscape of pine forests, sandy beaches, and secluded coves within easy reach of Thessaloniki. The development of this area as a tourist destination traces back to the 1960s when shipping magnate Yiannis Carras established the Porto Carras Grand Resort. Carras envisioned a hotel complex reminiscent of a cruise ship, integrated into the natural coastline, a concept that endures through the resort’s design and atmosphere today.

Covering nearly 1,800 hectares, the Porto Carras resort features an extensive array of amenities, including multiple swimming pools, a winery, golf courses, horse-riding facilities, and a marina with sailing options. Despite hosting over a thousand guests, the resort maintains a sense of spaciousness and comfort, reflective of Carras’s original vision for a self-contained, vibrant destination.

Since 2020, Porto Carras has been under the ownership of Belterra Investments, linked to Greek-Russian businessman Ivan Savvidis, with ongoing redevelopment efforts aimed at modernizing the site while preserving its character.

In an interview, Konstantinos Arvanitis, general manager of the resort, highlighted the growing accessibility of northern Greece for Israeli tourists, citing the increase in direct flights to Thessaloniki. Arvanitis noted that the region’s appeal lies in its variety, allowing visitors to combine city exploration, beach relaxation, and natural excursions within a single trip—features that distinguish it from many Greek islands known for more limited beach offerings.

Exploring the region also shed light on local perspectives regarding the Macedonian identity. Katerina Athanasiadou, a senior hotel executive with deep ties to the area, emphasized the enduring importance of Macedonian heritage in northern Greece. She recounted an early experience when foreign visitors confused the Greek region of Macedonia with North Macedonia, underscoring the distinct identities despite the shared name. Athanasiadou stressed that while Greek Macedonians take pride in their heritage, this does not preclude friendly relations with people in North Macedonia, with cross-border travel and tourism now commonplace.

Back in Thessaloniki, further insights into local attitudes emerged from a walking tour led by Alana Ditsolas, an Israeli-born guide based in the city. Ditsolas described how her Greek Macedonian husband reacts with frustration to the name dispute, viewing the Prespa Agreement as a compromise of Greek historical claims. Nonetheless, she noted that daily life between Greece and North Macedonia reflects a more pragmatic coexistence, with frequent cross-border interactions and a normalization of relations despite lingering sensitivities.

The enduring complexity of the Macedonian question remains evident in both historical narratives and contemporary travel experiences. Yet northern Greece, with its blend of urban culture, natural beauty, and evolving tourism infrastructure, continues to develop as a distinctive destination at the crossroads of history and modernity.