About Your Trip
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Greece’s Halkidiki peninsula continually captivates with striking natural landscapes, expansive beaches and interesting historic landmarks. Here, on the Mt. Athos “finger” of the peninsula, sandy seashores and towering cliffs of the Aegean coastline give way to oak- and pine-clad mountains in the interior. Looming in the background is the magnificent Holy Mountain, soaring more than 6,700 feet (2,000 meters), with architecturally stunning monasteries dotting its slopes.
It’s also the homeland of Greek superstar Aristotle — you’ll celebrate this enormously influential philosopher-scientist with a visit to Aristotle’s Park. On display there are some of the instruments he would have used in his physics calculations, such as a sundial, compass and pendulum. As you’re strolling along, be sure to take in the views below of Ierissos Bay. From there, you’ll continue to ancient Stagira, the birthplace of Aristotle. Though little remains of this once vibrant city, you can take a moment to gaze around, knowing that you’re looking at the same views Aristotle saw 2,400 years ago! Your final stop is at a special vineyard for wine tasting — the estate of Claudia Papayianni! Sip and savor premier wines from her award-winning cellar door before heading back to the hotel.
The rest of your itinerary is entirely what you make it at your family-friendly seaside hotel — you’ll find a vast array of activities there to suit all ages and energy levels. While kids play at their own mini club or outdoor playground, adults can pamper themselves using the included discount for spa services. Want to venture away from the hotel for a few hours? At nearby Nea Roda, you can walk the quaint streets to the church, ruins or cafe. Down the road in the opposite direction lies Ouranoupolis, the last community before the restricted monastic region. This picturesque town boasts a byzantine-style tower built in 1344, nearby fortress ruins of Frangocastro and a promenade along a Blue Flag-certified beach.
What we love:
• Aristotle remains one of the world’s greatest thinkers, even though he was born more than 2,000 years ago.
• Most of the Mt. Athos peninsula is an autonomous region, and UNESCO-protected Mt. Athos is home to 20 monasteries and 1,400 monks. For more than 1,000 years, the only visitors allowed to this sacred place have been adult males.
• A great way for everyone in the family to see Mt. Athos is from the water — just rent a boat or join a tour and go! From the bow, drink in stunning views of the Holy Mountain, ancient monasteries, dense forest and the skyline of Ouranoupolis, as well as yellow coral reefs and possible sea life like the critically endangered monk seal.