Discover the wonders of Halkidiki from £1,286pp

Day 1 – 3 – Day of arrival – Kassandra
On arrival at Thessaloniki airport, collect your hire car and drive to the Blue Bay Hotel, Afitos.

Kassandra, the westernmost peninsula of Halkidiki, is the most popular. Your base is the bustling village of Afitos on the eastern side- the prettiest settlement here with a traditional flavour and a lively evening scene with a wide range of tavernas, cafes and small bars to choose from. The village is on an escarpment which enables great views over the gulf to the Sithonia peninsula and has a string of fine sandy beaches below. If you’re into water sports, you can enjoy paragliding, Jet Ski rentals, pedal-boating and stand-up paddle boarding at the Sani Resort, a 20 minute drive away on the west coast. Active travellers will love the fresh air and bird-watching at the Stavronikitas wetlands, which has several trails through the woods. If you visit in July, the grand Sani Festival attracts international stars from the opera, jazz, pop, world-music and rock worlds.

Overnight at the Blue Bay Hotel, Afitos. (Bed & Breakfast)

Day 4 – 6 – Sithonia
Picture an endless coastline dotted with one beautiful beach after another: you’ve arrived in Sithonia, Halkidiki’s wilder side, which will cater to the explorer in you. Sithonia, is wilder and more rugged than Kassandra. As a result, tiny fishing villages and sprawling pine forests are more common than holiday resorts. People tend to head here to enjoy the great outdoors. Secluded coves and virgin bays set the scene along the coast, and myriad walking trails weave their way inland. Sithonia is more low-key, offering a back-to-basics Greece experience. Besides swimming and water sports, the peninsula has great hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Most of the stunning beaches here are not as “organised” as in Kassandra – meaning fewer umbrellas, beach beds and bars. If you’re into the tranquility of nature, this is the place to be. At 65 miles long, Sithonia can be covered in a single drive and makes a great full day for exploring and sightseeing.

Overnight at Areti Bungalows, Halkidiki. (Self-Catering)

Day 7 – 9 – Athos
Known as the Holy Mountain, Mt Athos forms the easternmost leg of the Halkidiki peninsula, and it’s the perfect place to reconnect with nature and your inner self. Start your day with a drive up Mt Holomontas, through the untouched University Forest of Taxiarchis, which offers both active pursuits (hiking, horseback riding and mountain bike trails) and serenity (bird-watching, the sound of the wind and coursing streams). From there, head northeast to Arnaia, a mountain town built in the 15th century filled with historic stone-and-wood houses and cobblestone footpaths. With its earthy shades of blue, red, pink and orange, Arnaia offers a taste of traditional Macedonian architecture, a blend of Byzantine and Ottoman influences.

Overnight at the Liotopi Hotel, Olymbiada. (Half Board)

Day 10 – Thessaloniki
Exhilarating, vibrant, fascinating, dynamic! Just some of the adjectives used to describe this second city of Greece. And no wonder. Thessaloniki is where the 21st century combines brilliantly with thousands of years of amazing history and culture. This laid-back capital of cafe-culture sits in the north-east corner of the Aegean Sea. Its pretty, largely traffic-free waterfront has more than two miles of stylish walkways, coffee shops, monuments and 12 themed gardens. Its where the locals and visitors meet, strolling and chatting as they admire the splendid sunset. Admire the stunning statue of local boy Alexander the Great and the amazing White Tower, a 500-year-old fortress, now a museum. Should you wish to spend more time in Thessaloniki, we can arrange to extend your holiday for an extra night or more.

Overnight at the Park Hotel, Thessaloniki. (Bed & Breakfast)