The area is easily accessed by car and bus, served by a regular and reliable bus schedule. It is also very close to Thessaloniki and the airport of Macedonia (60 km and approx 100km to Sithonia). The road network is among the best in Northern Greece. The capital of Halkidiki is Poligiros.

The climate in Chalkidiki is generally mild with limited rainfall whilst sunshine and warm summers to be expected. It enjoys over 300 days or around 3,000 hours of sunshine on average annually. Summer temperatures range between 23°C and 34°C.

The whole region is heavily wooded with pines and olive trees, while inland there are vineyards and fertile farmlands. There are no rivers in Chalkidiki, which is said to be why the sea is so blue and clean (with 41 E.U. blue flag beaches). The chief industry of the locals is farming, fishing and tourism. The main farming products are wines, honey, olives and oil.

Brief History

Inhabited approximately 700,000 years ago, as discovered from the findings from the prehistoric area of Petralona. Neolithic villages and villages from the Copper Period were located in the west and central Halkidiki, many cities flourished, among which "Olynthos" was the most popular one (archaeological sites of Olynthos, Potidea, Stagira, Toroni).

In 384 BC Aristotle, the great philosopher and Alexander the Great's teacher, was born in Stagira. Halkidiki took its name from city of Chalkis, located in Euboa, that colonized it in the 8th and 7th century BC. Kassandra took its name from Kassandros (King of Macedonia) , Sithonia from Sithon, a son of God Poseidon and Athos was named after a giant called Athos. In the 9th century the first monastic communities were established in Athos. Today, the monastic state of Athos (also called "Holly Mountain"), is a shelter of Byzantine monasteries, caves, monks, prayers, a "mountain-church" for the thousand-years Christian Orthodox religion.

Much effort has been made to develop tourist facilities in keeping with the natural surroundings. Most of the hotels and private homes in the area are built in the traditional Macedonian style, designed to enhance rather then detract from the environment. When planning for tourism, the people of Halkidiki constantly endeavour to make their resorts as appealing and as ecologically friendly as possible. We at Ionian & Aegean Island Holidays are always on the look out for new innovative properties to enhance our portfolio. Hence the introduction of a new area and a new hotel to our collection the Ekies – All Senses Resort located on the Sithonia Peninsula in the village of Vourvourou.

Sithonia is the second peninsula of Halkidiki. The rugged, exciting landscape of this middle prong appeals to nature lovers and holiday makers seeking refuge from the trappings of civilization. The coastline is attractively varied - a succession of fishermen's hamlets, picturesque little harbours, deserted beaches of all sizes surrounded by trees and bushes.