|
 A
large peninsula culminating in three long
slender fingers, Halkidiki boasts 550 kilometres
of coastline and more Blue Flag honoured beaches
than any other Greek province. The sun,
vegetation and the sea reign jointly and in
harmony, sharing justly their influence over
this piece of land. The Aegean Sea, which laps
upon the shores of all three fingers, Kassandra,
Sithonia and Mount Athos, sends its spray and
breeze across the geranium-filled courtyards,
the stairways and wooden corridors, the streets
and churches. The peninsula was inhabited
approximately 700,000 years ago, as revealed by
prehistoric era finds in the Petralona Cave.
Neolithic settlements from the Copper Period
were located in the west and central peninsula.
 Halkidiki has a
well-developed hotel infrastructure, with
accommodation ranging from small, clean
traditional lodgings to large, luxury hotel
complexes. Its micro-climate with over 300 days
of sunshine throughout the year offers visitors
many opportunities to enjoy a favourite sport:
golf, sailing, scuba diving, yachting, fishing,
mountain climbing and trekking. Some of the
beaches are bordered by well-organised resorts
where all types of water-sports are available,
while others are completely unspoilt apart from
an odd, solitary taverna. The main body of
Halkidiki has a ruggedly mountainous hinterland,
bordering the beautiful lakes of Koronia and
Volvi to the north, while its southern shores
are fringed by fertile agricultural plains. Keen
walkers and nature-lovers will be in their
element here, for the area offers a wide range
of different terrains to suit all levels of
stamina and enthusiasm. Halkidiki makes an
excellent base from which to visit Thessaloniki.
 Located at a distance of
69 kilometres from Thessaloniki, Polygyros is
the capital of Halkidiki, built
amphitheatrically at the foot of Mt. Holomon. It
has an archaeological museum exhibiting
sculptures and pottery from excavations in the
surrounding area.
Another popular pilgrimage
on the east coast of Halkidiki is a trip to
ancient Stageira, the birthplace of Aristotle.
As for Olympiada, while formally an idyllic
fishing village, it now attracts the tourist
with its crystal clear and blue-flag awarded
waters, the fresh fish served in its traditional
taverns and its family style hotels.
 Nea Roda at the narrowest
point between Mount Athos and the main Halkidiki
peninsula is also of historic interest. Here the
Persian King Xerxes dug a channel to shorten the
route for his fleet during his second attempt to
invade Greece in 480 BC. For a change of pace,
the route inland from the splendid sandy beaches
of Ierissos to the traditional villages of
Gomati and Megali Panagia travels through lush
landscapes. The solitude found here could not be
in greater contrast to the lively coastal scene.
There is frequent bus
service connecting Halkidiki to Thessaloniki.
Boat owners will find a very well equipped
marina at Porto Carras in Sithonia, and also at
Sani in Kassandra. |
