Basic HTML Version
GW—
47
G
reece has been in the
headlines a lot this
year, and not for very
positive reasons. But despite its
economic woes, the country can
still offer some things sadly
lacking inmost of its wealthier
EU neighbours: endless
sunshine all the way into
October, azure seas and sandy
beaches. They’re the perfect
ingredients for a family holiday.
PARADISE FOUND
The Halkidiki peninsula near Thessaloniki boasts some of Greece’s
most beautiful beaches. It’s a great place to avoid the party crowds
on the Greek islands and take a family break
While Corfu, Mykonos, Kos
and Rhodes have become
notoriously touristy over the
years, the Halkidiki peninsula
remains an oasis of unspoilt
natural beauty. Located in
central Macedonia, not far from
Thessaloniki, Halkidiki is also
home to some of the most
beautiful beaches in Europe,
many of which have been
awarded blue flags. There’s a big
emphasis on environmental
awareness and living in
harmony with nature here.
Halkidiki is easy to identify
on a map, consisting of three
peninsulas which project finger-
like out into the sea and are often
likened to the prongs of Greek
sea god Poseidon’s trident.
The westernmost, Kassandra,
is mainly agrarian. Themiddle of
the three prongs is Sithonia, the
ideal place for family trips. And
the easternmost, Athos, takes its
name from themountain located
on its tip. The wooded summit is
Halkidiki’s highest point,
towering amighty 2,033mabove
sea level. Which isn’t really
exceptional for amountain. What
is unusual, however, are its
inhabitants. Athos is the world’s
only Orthodoxmonks’ republic.
Women have been banned from
G R E E K B E A C H E S
Die Farben von Chalkidiki: türkis,
grün und tiefes blau
The colours of the peninsula:
turquoise, green and deepest blue
Getty