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Chalchidiki - Greece |
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Chalcidean
Peninsula is one of the most fertile and beautiful regions of
Greece. Kassandra, Sithonia and Athos are the three peninsulae
that make up the prefecture of Chalkidiki. Land and sea,
tranquillity and eternity. Beech, chestnut, willow, pine, and
plane tree forests. Beaches and unique coves. Golden sand.
Picturesque villages. Poteidea, Olynth and Stageira -
Aristotle's birthplace. Mount Athos, the Holy Mountain of
Orthodoxy.Polygyros,
Chalkidiki's charming capital (67 km from Salonika), is a
beautiful city built like an amphitheatre at the foothills of
Mount Cholomondas (Cholomon). In the archaeological museum are
exhibited sculptures and pottery from all around the region.
Worthwhile a visit are the picturesque towns of Arnea (39 km
from Polygyros) and Galatista (28km from Polygyros).
Kassandra
is located at the west point of the three peninsulae, with
endless stretches of beach and pine forests, dotted with
pretty little villages. At Petralona village, the cave with
the same name (800m outside the village) is well worth a
visit. It is situated at the foot of Mount Katsika. This is a
cave of important palaeontological interest. The overall
length of the routes is 1900m, of which a section of about
600m has been opened for visitors. It is decorated with all
forms of stalactites, stalagmites, columns, discs etc.
Research begun in 1959 and it was named Kokkines Petres (Red
Stones) when it was first discovered. At this area, 34 unique
species of fauna were discovered and classified, and in 1960
the earliest skull in Greece (about 200,000 years BC) was
found by chance. It is difficult to estimate its chronology as
it presents a mosaic of advanced and archaic anatomical
features, denoting genetic affinities with both Homo
Erectus and the Neanderthals. The above finds are now
housed in the Department of Palaeontology of the University of
Salonika. There is also a palaeontological museum next to the
cave.
From Petralona the road passes through lush green valleys
before arriving to Nea Modania. After a scenic drive along
beautiful sandy beaches, one comes to Nea Poteidea, built upon
the ruins of the ancient Corinthian colony of the same name.
Further there are more beautiful beaches and fishing villages
such as Nea Fokea with its Byzantine tower lapped by the
waves, the tiny traditional villages of Afyto, and Kallithea
where are the ruins of Zeus Ammon sanctuary, Kriopigi,
Polychrono, Chaniotis, and Pefkochori with thick vegetation
and beautiful sandy beaches.
The coast of Paliouri, offers a fascinating scenery where
travellers can rest at the organized camping site. The paved
road continues on the west coast, passing through the villages
of Agia Paraskevi, Agios Nikolaos and Kalandra. The fishing
villages, Nea Skioni, Possidi and Siviri, offer lacy beaches
and the freshest of seafood served with good wine and
hospitable atmosphere at the small seaside taverns. The road
continues through Kassandrea, where one can see the best
preserved windmill in the area, and it leads to the beach of
Sani, surrounded by a dense pine forest. The whole peninsula
has developed the tourism industry, as there are plenty of
high capacity hotels and well-organized camping sites set
amongst its woods or beside the sea.
Sithonia, the middle "finger" of the
Chalcidean Peninsula, is rimmed with charming little ports,
long, sandy beaches, thickly wooded areas and villages by the
sea. Starting out from Nea Moudania, the paved road leads to
Olynth, an ancient Athenian colony, of which some ruins
remain. Gerakini has a wonderful sandy beach, translucent
waters and all the amenities of a modern tourist resort.
A detour takes the visitor to scenic Ormilia, the villages of
Metamorfossi and Nikitas, and their superb beaches lined with
pines. From the beach at Nikitas, visitors can glimpse the
chimneys and red roofs of the old houses. Of particular
interest around this region are early Christian churches of
the 5th century. The visitor's wandering to the beauties of
Sithonia continues to Agios Nikolaos built amongst green
woods, to Pirgadikia, offering an island atmosphere and a view
to Mount Athos, Vourvourou and Ormos Panagias, with its
enchanting coves and fishing caiques (fishing boats) at
anchor. Next come the villages of Sarti, Sikia, Porto Koufo,
Neos Marmaras. Everywhere one will find natural small harbours,
lovely scenery, small boats, caiques and fishing nets
spread out to dry. On the south side of Porto Koufo - at the
site of ancient Toroni - one can still see the ruins of the
old fortifications dating back from ancient to Byzantine
times, as well as the ruins of early Christian basilicas.
Finally, at the west coast, the huge hotel group of Porto
Karras spreads out (about 4500 acres) with its private
vineyards, the largest in Europe. |
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Map |
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Sea
Wolf trips
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