Halkidiki – the three-pronged region in Greece’s north – is especially rich in sparkling sands. But it would be a crying shame to head straight for the sunlounger in a region that ripples with vineyards, groans with ancient history and has terrain ripe for diving, kayaking and cycling.
While it would be amiss to skip the beach entirely, these alternatives will tempt you to explore Halkidiki beyond the sun and sand:
1. Take the plunge on a diving course 2. Cycle pine forests and rugged hills 3. Explore a yawning cavern 4. Soothe your muscles in a thermal spa 5. Test your survival skills on Halkidiki’s isles 6. Kayak into the sunset 7. Feast on fresh seafood 8. Glamp in a private cove 9. Drift through centuries of monastic history.