Hey Earthbugs!
In March, me and Jack decided to book a holiday for early June but didn't really know where to book and didn't want to be paying too much money so were clicking around on various websites to look for the best prices and whatnot. Seeing the name Halkidiki I was fascinated, it's incredibly fun to say...honestly I recommend you stop reading this for a second and just say it outloud, and we found a reasonably priced hotel. I remember as a younger teenager I would scroll through Tumblr and see lots of pretty pictures of white walls and incredible views of Greece and just be mesmerised so put it on my bucket list and have longed to go ever since. Other than high hopes for Greece, I didn't really know what to expect we only booked for 5 days so if it was awful it was a break and we didn't have to go back.
The days flew by and soon we were on the way to Manchester airport and ready to go to Greece, everything was straight forward and a few hours later we were in Greece. We accidentally made our coach driver annoyed as we got off the coach 100m before our stop but off we went to check into Dionysos Hotel (Hanioti, Halkidiki) and flop for a bit of a rest before exploring a bit.
Our hotel was perfectly located, it was quiet enough near the pool for you to relax with a supermarket a 2 minute walk from the hotel which was ideal given the fact we were self catering and the beach was a 5 minute walk. The beach was quite narrow so gave the impression that everyone was kind of cramped but when we had a beach day we found that it didn't really get that busy so it wasn't an issue, and everything the beach lacked the sea made up for as it was beautiful. Not too cold, so for a wuss like me it was wonderful, and it was very clear which is always a bonus. It was also calm most days we were there so I even managed to swim in it, without a rubber ring which is a big deal for me. There was also a man selling heart shaped donuts, sugar coated and full of chocolate on the beach as well, which were bloody amazing, a good size and only 2 Euros so a bargain and they were amazing.
Just a short walk from the hotel is also a large area of shops with winding streets and a big central area home to a water fountain and a hub of activity. In the evening this is perfect for a wander, as you can shop, there's plenty of places to eat and several bars. We ate at a Greek restaurant just off the centre to the right and received incredible service and lovely food with menus that had a selection of Greek food and other dishes so there is sure to be something for everyone. I also recommend Central Cafe, which as you probably guessed is in the central area, if you are fancying a snack as they had refreshing fresh orange juice and amazing Greek yoghurt topped with walnuts, honey and cinnamon. However, if it's chicken Souvlaki you are fancying, and I 100% think this is a must, then you need to jump in a taxi and head to Polychrono, its about 8 Euros and is so worth it. The taxi will probably drop you off near a coffee shop called Cafe Cafe and from there you head down and it's the fast food place just before the beach and for 7 Euros you can get some amazing fresh food (definitely higher than the fast food options at home) and a generous portion of chicken Souvlaki. Whilst visiting here you may as well enjoy the beach or head up a mountain and go to Mavrobara, also known as Turtle Lake. We unfortunately didn't manage to reach the top as we were stupid and tried walking up it midday, and the rent a quad bike place was shut so we have added it to our bucket list to return again.
On our final day in Halkidiki we went on a boat excursion which included transfers and lunch, and visited Toroni which was a little bay with a beautiful beach and crystal clear waters (that is not an exaggeration) and we stopped here for an hour or so and we fell asleep and nearly missed the boat back but aside from that it was lovely. Then we had a Greek lunch on board and headed off to Neos Mamaras that had amazing views everywhere you turned and a little frozen yoghurt (and ice cream) shop called Happy Cow that did incredible ice cream. We didn't really wander around here that much because it was very hilly and very hot. From here we stopped at Kelifos, which is an uninhabited island bar lots of seagulls and other wildlife. But here we were able to jump off the boat and I really wanted to do it but was terrified as I'm a bit of a wuss and also not the strongest of swimmers so was convinced I was going to drown. From leaving Neos Mamaras I was dead set on just staying on the boat and watching everyone else, but when we got there I did it... I actually jumped off a boat and I am so incredibly proud of myself for doing so. It was an amazing day out!
Overall, I love Greece. I would definitely go back there, I'd also love to explore so many other places there. The food is wonderful, the people are so friendly, it wasn't too touristy where we stopped and we had a really lovely time. I'd say that our hotel was more based for couples than families although there were families there having a good time.
So yeah, Greece is the word.
Until next week,
Lia x
In March, me and Jack decided to book a holiday for early June but didn't really know where to book and didn't want to be paying too much money so were clicking around on various websites to look for the best prices and whatnot. Seeing the name Halkidiki I was fascinated, it's incredibly fun to say...honestly I recommend you stop reading this for a second and just say it outloud, and we found a reasonably priced hotel. I remember as a younger teenager I would scroll through Tumblr and see lots of pretty pictures of white walls and incredible views of Greece and just be mesmerised so put it on my bucket list and have longed to go ever since. Other than high hopes for Greece, I didn't really know what to expect we only booked for 5 days so if it was awful it was a break and we didn't have to go back.
The days flew by and soon we were on the way to Manchester airport and ready to go to Greece, everything was straight forward and a few hours later we were in Greece. We accidentally made our coach driver annoyed as we got off the coach 100m before our stop but off we went to check into Dionysos Hotel (Hanioti, Halkidiki) and flop for a bit of a rest before exploring a bit.
Our hotel was perfectly located, it was quiet enough near the pool for you to relax with a supermarket a 2 minute walk from the hotel which was ideal given the fact we were self catering and the beach was a 5 minute walk. The beach was quite narrow so gave the impression that everyone was kind of cramped but when we had a beach day we found that it didn't really get that busy so it wasn't an issue, and everything the beach lacked the sea made up for as it was beautiful. Not too cold, so for a wuss like me it was wonderful, and it was very clear which is always a bonus. It was also calm most days we were there so I even managed to swim in it, without a rubber ring which is a big deal for me. There was also a man selling heart shaped donuts, sugar coated and full of chocolate on the beach as well, which were bloody amazing, a good size and only 2 Euros so a bargain and they were amazing.
Just a short walk from the hotel is also a large area of shops with winding streets and a big central area home to a water fountain and a hub of activity. In the evening this is perfect for a wander, as you can shop, there's plenty of places to eat and several bars. We ate at a Greek restaurant just off the centre to the right and received incredible service and lovely food with menus that had a selection of Greek food and other dishes so there is sure to be something for everyone. I also recommend Central Cafe, which as you probably guessed is in the central area, if you are fancying a snack as they had refreshing fresh orange juice and amazing Greek yoghurt topped with walnuts, honey and cinnamon. However, if it's chicken Souvlaki you are fancying, and I 100% think this is a must, then you need to jump in a taxi and head to Polychrono, its about 8 Euros and is so worth it. The taxi will probably drop you off near a coffee shop called Cafe Cafe and from there you head down and it's the fast food place just before the beach and for 7 Euros you can get some amazing fresh food (definitely higher than the fast food options at home) and a generous portion of chicken Souvlaki. Whilst visiting here you may as well enjoy the beach or head up a mountain and go to Mavrobara, also known as Turtle Lake. We unfortunately didn't manage to reach the top as we were stupid and tried walking up it midday, and the rent a quad bike place was shut so we have added it to our bucket list to return again.
On our final day in Halkidiki we went on a boat excursion which included transfers and lunch, and visited Toroni which was a little bay with a beautiful beach and crystal clear waters (that is not an exaggeration) and we stopped here for an hour or so and we fell asleep and nearly missed the boat back but aside from that it was lovely. Then we had a Greek lunch on board and headed off to Neos Mamaras that had amazing views everywhere you turned and a little frozen yoghurt (and ice cream) shop called Happy Cow that did incredible ice cream. We didn't really wander around here that much because it was very hilly and very hot. From here we stopped at Kelifos, which is an uninhabited island bar lots of seagulls and other wildlife. But here we were able to jump off the boat and I really wanted to do it but was terrified as I'm a bit of a wuss and also not the strongest of swimmers so was convinced I was going to drown. From leaving Neos Mamaras I was dead set on just staying on the boat and watching everyone else, but when we got there I did it... I actually jumped off a boat and I am so incredibly proud of myself for doing so. It was an amazing day out!
Overall, I love Greece. I would definitely go back there, I'd also love to explore so many other places there. The food is wonderful, the people are so friendly, it wasn't too touristy where we stopped and we had a really lovely time. I'd say that our hotel was more based for couples than families although there were families there having a good time.
So yeah, Greece is the word.
Until next week,
Lia x
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