Chalkidiki buying snow

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Chalkidiki buying snow

In May this year, I spent almost a week exploring the beaches of Sithonia in Halkidiki peninsula, northern Greece, alone. Halkidiki is a peninsula that has three peninsulas or fingers, namely Kassandra, Sithonia and Mt. Halkidiki is easily accessible from Thessaloniki, an important, gorgeous waterfront city in northern Greece. It is a popular summer destination for both Greeks, mostly from Thessaloniki and other Europeans. My sole purpose was to go to the beaches, so I headed straight for a village called Metamorfosi after landing in Thessaloniki airport. It was a little confusing to get to the right bus station at first, but a friendly young woman went out of her way to lead me to the right bus stop in Thessalonki center upon reazling my confusion. On the bus going to Sithonia, or the second peninsula of Halkidiki, I made smalls talks with a fellow passenger who also helped me get out at the correct bus stop. When traveling solo, people are more likely to have contact with the locals, so my experience in Halkidiki only strengthened my positive impressions of Greek people. After arriving in Metamorfosi, I was greeted with a warm welcome by the host of my rented apartment that was set among a big garden of roses and olive trees. I started evaluating my options to get around, and I decided to use the public bus that ran thrice a day connecting different villages of the peninsula. The advantages of using the bus were that it was a far cheaper way and I could enjoy the scenery without having to worry about maps, directions and driving. One of the quieter villages in Sithonia, Meramorfosi was my base for the week-long stay. There were almost no people on the beach every time I went, as the water was cold. So, I spent time walking along the pebbly empty beach and playing with my camera. Metamorfosi is known for its pine and olive trees, and is a good destination for people who enjoy nature and serenity. I found the village center to be charming too. Sarti was the last stop of the local bus running on the peninsula, and the bus went around the peninsula stopping at different towns and villages along the way. The route consisted of both coastal and mountain views. I headed straight to the beach passing through sleepy Sarti town that had just a few businesses open that time of the year. I loved the first look of the beach as the beach overlooked beautiful Mt. I had been surprised to learn that the third finger of Halkidiki peninsula, Mt. Athos, also referred to as Holy Moutain in Greece, is a restricted and special territory. Only adult men are permitted to visit the territory after acquiring a special permit. Athos is inhabited by a small number of men, members of Eastern Orthodox Church, who are either monks or workers. Relaxing on Sarti beach, while enjoying the view of this special mountain was a treat. The beach was sandy and pretty long, and it had good waves, making it a good place for surfers. While returning, I stopped at a local restaurant to have my favorite Greek fast food, gyros on a pita bread. Nikiti is one of the more popular towns in Halkidiki, famous for its preserved old town that sits a top of hill and the long sandy beaches in the area, considered some of the best on the entire peninsula. I visited Nikiti a couple of times, as it was the nearest town from my village. I enjoyed strolling in the old town, which was quiet and beautiful, and free from any tourists! All I saw were locals. The main beach in Nikiti had many beachfront hotels and restaurants, but the beach itself was sandy and calm with clear blue waters. I wanted to dive in the area, so Nikiti is also where I found a nice dive center. I was taken to a beautiful beach not far from Nikiti, where I saw plenty of fish and plants underwater. I spent the rest of my time in Nikiti sunbathing and reading on an elevated concrete structure near the main beach from where local kids jumped into the blue inviting waters. I finally took a plunge myself and it was so relaxing! After a cloudy morning, the sun came out in the afternoon bringing out the brilliant blues of the sea, and it was simply irresistible to not jump into the water. Nikiti beach was more happening than the beach at the village where I was staying it, so I definitely enjoyed the buzz when I visited. Porto Koufo was perhaps the most interesting town I visited in Sithonia. Porto Koufo is the largest natural harbor in whole of Greece. The main beach in this fishing village is almost entirely enclosed in a bay that gives more of an impression of a mountain lake. The sand is soft, the water is blue and gets deep very quickly. It is a good place for throwing in your fishing line as fishing is very popular in the village. I found the village to be quiet with only a few hotels near the beach. The beach is quite narrow, but the views of the mountain across the water make it very scenic and distinct. I enjoyed lying down on the sparsely populated beach while enjoying my book and the beautiful views around me. The bus stop was very close Porto Koufo beach, but I wanted to see more beaches in the area. There was one about 3 kms away from the harbor, so I started hiking on the hot sun towards the relatively isolated beach named Marathias. The dirt road to the beach took me through vast olive plantations with nobody in sight except some occasional birds. I used offline Google map to track the way, and during the whole hike, I felt like I was the only person in the area. As I got closer to the beach, I could see a few houses, some horses and a car. The beach was absolutely empty, and it was gorgeous! Like a little slice of paradise that nobody knew of. I spent some time just reading and lying on the beach when I saw a couple come and snorkel. The couple left soon after to one of the few houses in the area I assume, and I was alone again with the whole beach to myself. I enjoyed the walk back to Porto Koufo beach, and made several photo stops along the way as I was surrounded by beautiful nature on a bright, sunny afternoon. After I arrived at Porto Koufo beach, I went to the other side of the bay and enjoyed a cold drink. Soon after it was time to head back and catch the bus going to Metamorfosi. On my way back, I had to make an unexpected long walk back the village. I had noticed that the buses always had a driver and a conductor who collected fares and announced the bus stops. As it was the last bus that went back, the conductor apparently got off in one of the towns before my stop, so the bus drove straight without making a stop which was a slight detour through the village in Metamorfosi. The worst part was walking on flip-flops on a highway that had no sidewalks! After about forty minutes of walking, I reached my apartment. Frustrating at the time, but just a funny memory now. My stay in Halkidiki was full of exploring, relaxing and enjoying the pretty beaches and blossoms of late spring. I look forward to going back there again, but definitely with a rental car and company! I love empty beaches… those beach towns are just sublime. Great post, what an off-the-beaten-path adventure…and to live like a local is the way to go — agree that at the time it was annoying, but the bus driver who bypassed your village is a fun memory to always have! The holiday felt more authentic and special because it was just the beginning of tourist season and there were very few tourists around. Thanks for stopping by, John! Sounds great! Except for the part about the bus not stopping. What a horrible feeling to realize that, lucky you were paying attention! And made it back safely anyway. When I was there ages ago I thought Greece was a nice place for solo traveling, too. But as a Finn, it sounds off-putting. You probably know what I mean since you lived here — women can go anywhere and there is no division. Religion has many rules, eh? Anyway, what a nice post, Pooja! I enjoyed taking this little tour with you! I indeed don't imagine things like that happening in Finland. It was a nice way for me to relive those memories too. I am desperately in need of a beach vacation but nothing in horizon so far. Yes, religions are usually not too kind to women, and yet religious people always consider themselves to be so merciful and righteous, funny thing, eh? It sounds like a nice trip, Pooja. And the ocean DOES look very inviting. I actually love cool water on occasion, find it very invigorating. I hope you make it back with a rental car AND company. Cool water is refreshing sometimes, especially after a hot session of sauna or just baking on the sun hehe. Those are some beautiful and rejuvenating walks, Pooja, although I do still prefer to see a person or two every now and then when I go hiking. Hi, Bama. I can only imagine how I would travel almost every weekend to the beaches if I was living in Indonesia hehe. But then I know that we tend to overlook things that are nearest to us. The beach looks gorgeous and you had it all for yourself, fantastic. I agreed, when travel alone, I also encounter the local more and usually people are very friendly. Shame about the bus driver who did not stop at your destination. At least you arrived safely at your apartment. When I travel alone and I do not know where to stop, usually I sit close by the driver and keep asking question where to stop: Just recently lest than a week ago I was in Hong Kong and I explore places by bus but not sure where to stop, so I asked the driver a couple of times and he was nicely drop me right at my destination eventhough he was not suppose to stop there. Skip to content Stories from Europe Travel, culture, everyday life stories. Metamorfosi One of the quieter villages in Sithonia, Meramorfosi was my base for the week-long stay. Empty beach near my rented apartment There were almost no people on the beach every time I went, as the water was cold. Beach among pine trees of the area I found the village center to be charming too. Sarti Sarti was the last stop of the local bus running on the peninsula, and the bus went around the peninsula stopping at different towns and villages along the way. The kind of scenery from bus. Sarti beach, Mt Athos in the distance I had been surprised to learn that the third finger of Halkidiki peninsula, Mt. A wide, empty beach Relaxing on Sarti beach, while enjoying the view of this special mountain was a treat. Exploring Sarti town Then I was on my way back, once again enjoying the beautiful peninsula views from the bus. Nikiti Nikiti is one of the more popular towns in Halkidiki, famous for its preserved old town that sits a top of hill and the long sandy beaches in the area, considered some of the best on the entire peninsula. Nikiti town on a cloudy morning The main beach in Nikiti had many beachfront hotels and restaurants, but the beach itself was sandy and calm with clear blue waters. The rock island around which I dived Scuba diving near Nikiti. Photo credits to my dive master at Nikiti Dive Center I spent the rest of my time in Nikiti sunbathing and reading on an elevated concrete structure near the main beach from where local kids jumped into the blue inviting waters. After a cloudy morning, this was the afternoon view Nikiti beach was more happening than the beach at the village where I was staying it, so I definitely enjoyed the buzz when I visited. So inviting! Porto Koufo beach It is a good place for throwing in your fishing line as fishing is very popular in the village. Sleepy fishing village As far as I could go in the icy cold water The bus stop was very close Porto Koufo beach, but I wanted to see more beaches in the area. While walking towards the beach I used offline Google map to track the way, and during the whole hike, I felt like I was the only person in the area. Almost there! Beach to myself I enjoyed the walk back to Porto Koufo beach, and made several photo stops along the way as I was surrounded by beautiful nature on a bright, sunny afternoon. The kind of views from the bus On my way back, I had to make an unexpected long walk back the village. Walking on the highway My stay in Halkidiki was full of exploring, relaxing and enjoying the pretty beaches and blossoms of late spring. Share this: Twitter Facebook. Like Loading Beach hopping in Mallorca: part II. Me too! It was really an almost-perfect holiday for me, except the sea temperatures hehe. Thank you! Leave a comment Cancel reply. Comment Reblog Subscribe Subscribed. Stories from Europe. Sign me up. Already have a WordPress. Log in now. Loading Comments Email Required Name Required Website. Design a site like this with WordPress.

Snow on mount Holomon, Chalkidiki, Macedonia, Greece

Chalkidiki buying snow

And while most travelers make a beeline straight to the shore, Halkidiki has much more to offer than just waves. Why admire the shimmering surface when you can dive straight into it? Located in Nikiti, one of the first stops as you drive into Sithonia, this expert-packed outfit can arrange diving expeditions geared towards first-timers and kids. On Kassandra, the westernmost tendril of Halkidiki, there are much more rewarding ways to break a sweat than sunbathing. Feel the heat on a mountain-biking tour with Break Free : excursions ply the pine-forested interior of the peninsula. Major roads in Halkidiki hug the coast, so mountain biking the interior offers views that are inaccessible to drivers. Head to the lush eastern interior of Halkidiki for some of the most interesting wild swimming the peninsula has to offer — and trade the salty Mediterranean for the cool, crisp natural ponds that form at the base of several hidden waterfalls. A 4km 2. But this area, with roads carved into the rocky substrate and cypress forests clinging to the hills, makes for a dramatic trip by car. Excavations of Petralona during the s uncovered Paleolithic tools and weapons, animal skeletons and the Petralona skull, the remains of a hominid as old as , years though scientific debate continues to rage. Embark on an odyssey out of your comfort zone by hiring an experienced sea hand. Group sailing and camping excursions will take you to the small islands that glitter between Kassandra and Sithonia. Keep in mind that this is no luxury island hideaway: think survival skills, spear fishing and awe-inducing silence. Most people will tell you to eat seafood in Halkidiki — and you can find amazing grilled anchovies, marinated mackerel, and sun-dried octopus across the peninsula. The secret? The meat is local and cut in extra small pieces, so each bite is the perfect mix of smoke, fat, and char. Come early as they tend to run out by afternoon. Go in with a group of friends the boats hold up to six for a particularly good deal. Ever wanted to sleep suspended in the sky? At the Agramada Treehouse you can do exactly that. Perched in oak trees, the treehouse makes a perfect respite from the overdeveloped coastline of Halkidiki. Wake up under a canopy of sweetly scented leaves to a hearty breakfast of organic eggs, local yogurt with pine tree honey, and freshly baked bread. Empires have risen and fallen, but despite centuries of cataclysmic change spiritual activity on Mt Athos has continued serenely for more than a millennium. This is a particularly good outing for curious children. This article was first published Jan 31, and updated Oct 17, There's more to Mykonos than meets the eye. Read more articles.

Chalkidiki buying snow