HALKIDIKI (Greece)

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Southeast of the city of Thessaloniki (Greece's second largest city), lies the Halkidiki peninsula, birthplace of the famous Aristotle. Its particular shape reminds of three fingers pointing the Aegean Sea or Poseidon's trident. Those three peninsulas are called Cassandra, Sithonia and Mt. Athos. The peninsula of Halkidiki is a real paradise, endowed by nature with enchanting coves and bays, rocky headlands, beaches with golden sand and crystalline waters; olive and pine forest complete the amazing picture of Halkidiki holiday. Of the three "fingers" of the peninsula, only the middle and the western one (Sithonia and Cassandra) are welcoming tourism with incredible natural beauty and developed touristy facilities. The Cassandra is ideal for all-night party and bustling beaches; Sithonia is the perfect place for nature lovers, quietness and deserted beaches.

With over 300 superb beaches and coves lapped by the clear warm waters of the Aegean sea, breathtaking scenery and an abundance of interesting places to visit, Halkidiki is a holidaymakers paradise. Kassandra, the most westerly of Halkidiki's three peninsulas, is renowned for its beautiful beaches often surrounded by thick pinewoods. Near the village of Petralona, there is an extensive cave complex whose corridors extend for over 1,900 metres and contain particularly fine examples of stalactites and stalagmites.

The fishing villages of Nea Skioni, Possidi and Siviri are famous for their seafood specialties prepared in the numerous seaside tavernas which also serve the excellent locally produced wine. Athos the furthest eastern of the peninsulas forms one of the most beautiful parts of Greece. The landscape is varied with gentle valleys, deep gorges, thickly wooded mountains, interspersed with bare precipitous rocks. To the north of the peninsula lies Ouranopolis, gateway to the Holy Mountain of Athos. Here you can relax in the peaceful tranquillity of the Eagles Palace Hotel or soak up the sun on the long sandy beach. No holiday to Athos would be complete without a visit to Mount Athos. Located within an independent Monastic State, Mount Athos is a community of monks who for more than a thousand years have lived the daily life and followed the religious practices of the Byzantines. All this takes place in a setting dating back to the 10th century, unfortunately women are not permitted inside the monastery itself, but can still see the magnificent building from the tour boat.

The eastern most prong belongs to the monastic community of Athos, the Holy Mountain. Visitation to it is strictly regulated: men must ask for a permit six months in advance and women are not allowed.

Halkidiki has interesting villages, outstanding beauty and amongst the best and most beautiful beaches of the entire Greece. famous for their crystalline waters and their pure white sand.

Holidays in Halkidiki are ideal for everyone, with quietness and deserted beaches on Sithonia and full of night life on Cassandra.

The capital of Halkidiki is Poligiros, which is situated in the centre of the peninsula, 69 kilometres from Thessaloniki.