better than a Greek Island ???

Question

My  husband, I and 13 yr old Daugher are looking for a new venture to Greece for 2012. we love the Greek Ialnds having visited Thassos, Skiathos, Crete, Rhodes, Kefalonia on many occasions. having visited Parga 3 times we realise the mainland is beautiful too  so we are looking at Halkidiki for next year but where to go ? hubby wants nice sandy  beaches and loves snorkelling, daughter wants shops and a bit of something going on and I want to hire a car and get out and about. So there's the challenge Oh and could I book it all individually instead of a package as Thessalonika airport doesn't look too far away so car and flight would be a good idea,Yes ?

jmal127 · Accepted Answer

Halkidiki is a place that combines all you are looking for and describing above! Both Sithonia and Kassandra peninsula are beautiful, but Sithonia is usually less crowded, and if I were to choose, I would definitely choose Sithonia. Less crowded sandy beaches, beautiful places to visit, nice bars and restaurants, a beautiful mountain that goes all around Sithonia too.

You could actually book it all individually as you mention on your above message, and you could actually get some pretty good prices if you not there during the highest season.

Will be happy to help if you have any further questions and need some extra help.

Best Regards,

Yannis.

triper2007 · Answer

Giving my view of Halkidiki, is that it is a place that one should not be bound to a specific village. Having a car will present the opportunity to indulge into the very many aspects of the Greek sea-shore.

And remember, having such a long coastline to exlore in Halkidiki, one time visiting is seldom enough.

jmal127 · Answer

I couldn't agree more on "tripper's 2007" aspect above! Lots of places to visit, lots of beaches to swim to, and even more to explore yourself!

Kurt Z · Answer

I agree with Yannis, I have been going to Halkidiki for years and you just keep going back. In the beginning I went to Kassandra just because there was little info about Sithonia. So one trip we decided to just go to Sithonia and see what it was all about and WOOOOW!!!! The beaches are perfect white sand, turquoise water, and we were alone on some beaches. Then you have the mountains where you can go hiking, cycling. Scuba diving is all over the peninsula. And it is a good location for day trips to see some of the most important archeological sites in Greece.

Another plus is that because the tourists are fewer, the prices are lower than in most popular Greek destinations. Google Sithonia Greece and you can get some ideas.

Kurt

Kurt Z · Answer

I agree with Yannis, I have been going to Halkidiki for years and you just keep going back. In the beginning I went to Kassandra just because there was little info about Sithonia. So one trip we decided to just go to Sithonia and see what it was all about and WOOOOW!!!! The beaches are perfect white sand, turquoise water, and we were alone on some beaches. Then you have the mountains where you can go hiking, cycling. Scuba diving is all over the peninsula. And it is a good location for day trips to see some of the most important archeological sites in Greece.

Another plus is that because the tourists are fewer, the prices are lower than in most popular Greek destinations. Google Sithonia Greece and you can get some ideas.

Kurt

cherub77 · Answer

i love the greek islands, and have visited, rhodes, zante, kafelonia, skiathos, santorini and parga, ive been looking at halkadiki for years and have booked the achtis hotel in afistos for 1st september 2012 cant wait sure i will like it

Annaellieb · Answer

Haven't made our minds up yet guys. Keep worrying that the beaches will not be good enough for the hubby and i will get the blame !! Have looked at the Achtis hotel and it looks fab cherub77. Kust love the sound of Sithonia but not sure about my 13 yr old daughter. Jyst me and Hubby ? yes it sounds great but not sure for my daughter ::)

Carolinus · Answer

I don't think the beaches anywhere in Halkidiki will disappoint - a lot of them have blue flags and are some of the best I have been to (I have also been to the islands you named). You will find the 'village' beaches get crowded and tend to be narrow and busy in the middle, but if you walk away from the centre they get larger & quieter.

Both Kassandra & Sithonia peninsulas are beautiful, I am biased towards Kassandra having worked out there as a rep in the early 90s and recently bought a holiday home out there (in Pefkohori). I think there will be more for your daughter to do in that area and Pefkohori and Hanioti are good for shops & bars. The advantage with a car is that you can stay in one place and explore all the others. We always drive over to Sithonia for the day and visit the beautiful beaches, but it is definitely less 'buzzy'.

Annaellieb · Answer

Thank you Carolinus, so far this week I have 'been' to Cyprus, Thassos, Parga, Mexico, Florida and Bali; yes seriously I have 'been' around the world looking for a holiday. We keep thinking we will go further afield but we love Greece so it much it just has that 'pull'.

cherub77 · Answer

im off to Cyprus for the 11th time tomorrow cant wait

better than a Greek Island ??? - Halkidiki Region Forum

better than a Greek Island ???

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