Halkidiki. My summer home 

#TheLocals

To be completely honest I can’t remember one single summer of my life that I did not spend in Halkidiki, whether that would be for two long, lazy, carefree months when I was fortunate enough to still be in school, or for some shorter periods of time when school life was over and career time kicked in.

Sunbathing on Possidi cape

Thinking about it, Halkidiki has been more than a destination; for me, Halkidiki has been a part of my life, it’s an idea, a refuge, a place that most seamlessly addressed my needs through time during the 42 summers of my life.

As a child, I spent hours swimming and snorkelling in its crystal waters, playing with friends, running off to get ice cream, being taught by my dad about fireflies hiding in the grass at night or about which urchins were edible and how we could take them off their rock without being poked! Hot, carefree summer days that started with bougatsa (a typical fyllo-based breakfast option in Northern Greece) for breakfast, beach time that was followed by fresh fish for lunch, an afternoon nap with crickets singing us to sleep and endless afternoon playtime, until my parents drove us to one of the most hospitable tavernas in a near-by village to taste grilled local meat dishes, golden hand-cut French fries and fresh salads, very often picked from the owner’s own back veggie garden.

A Greek delicacy: bougatsa for breakfast

Later on, while studying in the university and still enjoying long vacations, the trendy beach bars became a daily must-go habit. Friendly staff serving ice coffee welcomed you to their venues, and a minimum 6-hour stay at the beach bar was filled with water sports “contests”, flirty encounters with other regulars and cocktails at sunset time. And then, rushing back home for a quick bite, shower and dress up a time to kick the night off in one of the many truly cool bars, followed by another drink at a more lounge-logic small club, only to end the night dancing to the tunes of an in-house or guest DJ at one of the big clubs all around the area of Kassandra. Somewhere around 6.30 to 7 am, sunglasses were on and just before going home, you had to make a stop at one of the many bakeries just opening up and serving the freshest and most delicious cheese or spinach village pies, sausage or kasseri-filled pies and sugar-coated donuts, always accompanied by the classic choco-flavoured milk. Driving back home while enjoying the sunrise, sleep and then up again at around noon to start the day over. Oh, those times!

The sun rises at Polychrono

And somewhere at around your 30^th birthday, when the 2-month holidays were replaced by weekends starting in May and ending in September and a 15-day work break in August if you were lucky, things took a more… serene turn. Kassandra was “replaced” by Sithonia and its beautiful, traditional guesthouses or cosy summer apartments awaited. Either with your loved one, your family or with a small group of friends, a Greek coffee with fresh fruit, some feta and a sesame “koulouri” (haven’t tried it yet? Well, it’s your loss!) was the ideal way to start your day.

Relaxing on the beach

Some relax time reading your favourite book under the shade of a tree and off to one of the many secluded beaches or lounge beach bars, swimming, chilling, cocktailing and snacking until around 6 pm. The fancy dressing that was imperative during your 20s was now replaced by a dry bathing suit and a pareo or a pair of shorts, and you were ready for a traditional restaurant right by the sea or a fancier one that still admitted you in your casual apparel. For those, like me, who wanted to end their day chilling, we head back home and continued our night with some home-made cocktails under the stars. For those who still longed for more fun, easy-going outdoor bars were ready to welcome them. And yes, let me say that up to this very day, whenever I get to spend such a weekend in Halkidiki, I do prefer to wake up really early on those Monday mornings when I have to go to work, rather than “sacrifice” my Sunday evenings driving back to the city; after all, isn’t it better to spend just some more hours in the place that makes you feel like you want to stay there forever?

By Lina I. Vanidhis | Marketing Communications Strategist, MindTheLab.io

Why we visit Halkidiki every year | #TheFriends

My first visit to Halkidiki was in 1984, it was my first trip to Greece and I just fell in love with the place so much that I have visited every year since!

Janice and Barbara

There are lots of things that make Halkidiki special - the beautiful beaches, the warm blue waters, the amazing views, the delicious food, the many villages and resorts each offering different types of holiday, but most special are the local people - they make you welcome, treat you as a friend and make sure you enjoy your holidays!

We always stay at the same hotel and we are made very welcome - and we are treated like V.I.P.s, we always feel we have come home!

We have made so many happy memories in Halkidiki over the years but the most special one happens around sunset every day - it’s sitting with a glass of wine just watching the last few people on the beach, and as the sun disappears and you look out across at Sithonia everything turns pink - it’s the most beautiful sight!

We can’t wait until we can return to our second home once it’s safe to travel!

By our dearest friends: Janice and Barbara

Halkidiki is Europe’s answer to an exotic stay | #TheLocals

Having visited many exotic destinations around the world, I can’t help but compare each of these places with my personal favourite, Halkidiki.

Kavourotrypes beach in Sithonia

Searching the globe for that little piece of paradise can often take you to some far-flung destinations. Experiencing different cultures, great food and dreamy beaches can often come with a hefty price tag. So, if you're a seasoned traveller in search of refreshing new places for an idyllic yet adventurous vacation, Halkidiki may be just the place you are looking for. Once you discover it, your alternate vacation choices will be cast aside and you'll lose your heart to Halkidiki forever. Trust me, I know!

Beach lovers and travel bloggers would definitely consider this as Europe’s answer to an exotic stay. Where the azure waters shelve as they brush gently alongside tempting white golden sands. Halkidiki wows people from all over the world, all of whom have different expectations of what a great holiday entails.  But we manage to tick all of their required boxes. A blend of genuine traditional Greek hospitality, matched with the perfect mix of hotels from family-run to all-encompassing resort experiences, not to mention a large and exciting range of dining out. Let yourself be swept away when you see for the first time the magnificent of our coastline. From stunning verdant backdrops with rugged cliff edge coves to large sweeping beaches tempting you in to enjoy it firsthand.

Seafood in Halkidiki

The two key regions of Kassandra and Sithonia offer contrasting facilities yet complement each other perfectly, ensuring both meet the ever-increasing needs of the traveller.

Kassandra boasts cosmopolitan beaches with some of the regions finest resort hotels offering every facility you could wish for. The beaches offer numerous water sports and there are some super trendy beach bars to enjoy a cocktail whilst admiring our super sunsets with that special person perhaps. These appeals mainly to a younger target audience and affluent movers and shakers (our own little Saint Tropez). If you like! By contrast, traditional villages, and the stunning 'lazy day' beaches of Kriopigi and Paliouri are among some of the key highlights of nice n' easy Kassandra.

Kavourotrypes beach by sunset

Sithonia is the secret gem, relatively untouched by mass tourism and offers you a small piece of heaven on earth. Portokali beach in Kavourotrypes, considered by many to be one of Halkidiki's finest can easily be compared to any of the top beaches found in far-flung exotic destinations. The 'Hop On' is a great way to discover and experience this first hand. Families will adore Kalogria beach. Here, a well-established beach bar offers a great environment for a day's relaxation in the crystal waters of Toroneos gulf, where the peninsula forms. Your taste buds will be invigorated here in Halkidiki. A gastronomic experience awaits, as an abundance of eateries spoils you for choice.. Needless to say, we always love those small family run tavernas with home-cooked dishes 'just like grandma used to make'. Regional cuisine is a must and you won't be disappointed.

Restaurant at Kalogria beach

You'll find a superb range of fish and seafood restaurants always reasonably priced.  The restaurant in Karydi beach is a new addition to the gourmet set here in the area and offers fine dining for those in search of that special food experience or as bloggers would say: 'Food Porn' at its best!

If you have visited Halkidiki before- you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.

If we’ve not had yet the pleasure of hosting you…what are you waiting for?

"San tin Halkidiki den exi" (translation: There is no place like Halkidiki).

Welcome!!!

By Anatoli Kapnidou | Director of Sales & Revenue
at Capsis Hotels Thessaloniki & Heraklion

“Like Halkidiki, nowhere” | Tips by #TheLocals

When someone tells you “Write something about your favourite place in Halkidiki”, you realize, before he even finishes his sentence, that such a thing would
simply be impossible…

Airview of the Kassandra peninsula

From the evergreen, perennial oak trees, that cast a spell on you, when you find yourself in the Holomontas forest in Autumn, the crystal clear waters in the Kavourotrypes and Aegeopelagitika beaches, the delicious fresh fish in Porto Koufo, one a hot afternoon while the cicadas play the 3^rd symphony of Beethoven, to the full moon drinks
accompanied by friends’ laughter at the Athitos "balcony"… What can anyone say that will be enough to do justice, about this magical land?

Fishing boats at Porto Koufo

You know… when I was a little girl (and until adolescence, I must admit), I thought that Halkidiki and Thessaloniki, were the same place, as for all the people who lived in Thessaloniki, Halkidiki was just an expansion of our neighbourhood. Our second home. For every age group and a different favourite place. As children at the camp in Metamorphosis, during our first teenager freedoms for a swim with the local bus at Kallikratia, as students for nightlife in Kallithea and the camping’s of Sithonia and as adults at the festivals of Moudania, Kassandra and Sani…

Sani music festival on Sani hill

When someone is pulling our leg with the classic -after all these years- the expression “Like Halkidiki, nowhere”, I don’t think they realize how much truth that statement
conceals. I have many times tried to explain, but words are not enough to describe the uniqueness of this land. An endless coastline, that no matter how much you explore it, every single time, it has something new to reveal. Sometimes I feel that the land keeps secrets and reveals them when you are ready to embrace them, depending on your state of mind,  on the day, the company you are with, and how much beauty you can handle at a time. Gastronomy, culture, silver olive tree fields and endless pine tree forests,
mountains, and traditional villages. That is the magic of Halkidiki: It has no age, no standard form, no boundaries. You can do “whatever you want” with it…

As for the ones who have never visited it, it makes sense they say “Like Halkidiki nowhere”, with a sense of irony, just because they heard it somewhere. But you can hear the difference when it comes from the mouth of someone who has… It has a sweet memory feeling at the end. That feeling only MY Halkidiki, that mixture of calmness and passion, sun and wind, light and star glow, can cause to the hearts of its visitors. So, I can’t be more serious when I say “Like Halkidiki nowhere”…

By Lia Zampetoglou | Director of Learning & Development INSETE