Chalkidiki - Surely you have dreamed it

Escape to the perfect destination for holidays!

The Trident of Poseidon in the bowels of the Aegean... This is how the magnificent Chalkidiki seems from high above. A blessed place - as if God put his hand to make it more beautiful - which combines the cosmopolitan environment with lively night life, with the serenity of nature... Endless beautiful beaches, crystal waters - a ''secret paradise" waiting to be discovered!

The visitor of Chalkidiki has daily a choice among a variety of interesting things. Hundreds of entertainment programs, tours, programs of special stroller trips, visits to archaeological sites and traditional villages, and many cultural events organized throughout the summer. The festivals, each year, are top cultural events, bringing together major groups from Greece and around the world.

At the same time the cosmopolitan Chalkidiki and the enchanting nightlife with hundreds of clubs, bars and beach - bars, create, in opposition to the picturesque and serene natural environment, an ''other' 'Chalkidiki that is an attractive and fun place for all ages...

Endless clean beautiful beaches, which are awarded for their quality every year with the most ''Blue flags'', they give to the visitors of Chalkidiki the best holiday of their life, because it is not only the unique natural environment, but also the facilities of hotel companies.

You that you are going for the first time for vacation in the ''hidden paradise'' of Chalkidiki, you can choose to stay in rooms, apartments, camping in a great luxury hotel, that are offering unique amenities combined with entertainment and nightlife.

The Agio Oros is the only living Byzantine Museum in the world. Entry is permitted only in men, but everyone can visit it from the sea by fishing boats and luxury yacht in daily cruises that are organized.

HISTORY

Greek mythology often refers to Chalkidiki: in Kassandra lies buried the giant of earthquake, Enceladus. On the other hand, Athos was formed by the rock that the namesake Giant threw against gods and Sithonia is named by Sithonas, the son of Poseidon. Somebody can say that those are just myths, but all these are an effort made to interpret, from very ancient times, the vagaries of the area. Scientific research has shown, however, that the geomorphology of palaeontological Chalkidiki was very different from today. Certainly, the flora and fauna was different. The fossilized remains of animals of the category of elephants and other disappeared species found in Nikiti and identified in Vrasta, in Triglia etc. are witnesses of a bygone era, which probably never saw mankind. Also, the findings in the Cave of Petralona showed that the human presence here goes beyond 700,000 years, while the age of the skull of the first human estimated that is approximately 200,000 years. We find facilities of an organized community in Chalkidiki from 4000 BC and the older inhabitants were Thracians and Pelasgians.

In the 8th century BC many residents arrive in the region, coming mainly from Halkida (hence Chalkidiki) and Eretria. The 5th century BC the major cities are: Ainia, Gigonos, Lipaxos, Potidea, Sani, Mende, Skioni, Aigai, Neapolis, Afytis, Olynthos, Sermyli, Galipsos, Toroni, Sarti, Singos, Pyloros, Dion, Kleonai, Olofyxos, Akanthos, Stagira, Apollonia, Arnaia, Anthemous. Many of these are sequence of prehistoric villages, which existed in the same position. At the end of the 5th century BC the 32 major cities establish, under the leadership of Olynthus, the "people of Halkida", which will dissolve in 379 BC by the Spartans. In 348 BC Philip takes the region in the Macedonian Kingdom. In the Hellenistic years are established three major cities: Kassandreia (315), Ouranoupolis (315) and Antigoneia (in the middle of Kalamaria in 280 BC). In 168 BC passes into the Romans and decline as cities come under the control of Roman merchants in particular.

Chalkidiki must be embraced the Christianity in 50 AC (the time that Apostle Paul went from Philippous in Thessaloniki and was passed by Apollonia). In Christian centuries Chalkidiki will get many devastating raids like the one of Goths (269), the Huns (6th century) and the Catalans (1307). During 9th century is organized the monastic state of Mount Athos. In 855 Vasilios A' the Macedonian ordered to let the monks live here in peace for centuries. During the 10th century a number of small monasteries were concentrated around Karyes. In 963 was built the monastery of M. Lavra, and then the other 19 monasteries. Since then that state is a peculiar world. Place of mystery, hard exercise and spiritual guidance, was able to save its precious treasure, to foster Greek - Christian education and assist in the rescue of the national consciousness during difficult times for the nation. After the 10th century most of the cultivated land passed into the property of the monks ("Metohia"). From the settlements of the workers of the monasteries came many new villages that were developed next to the existing. After the 12th century, based on the administrative reform the area divided in: Kalamaria, Ermileia, Ierisso, Kassandreia and Longos. In the mid 14th century a large part of Chalkidiki was attached to Serbia, while before the enslavement to the Turks, Kassandra and other coastal areas were under the Venetians.

In 1430 enslaved to the Turks and became a part of Thessaloniki. Chalkidiki was divided into three tax-regions: Kassandra, limited by the natural limit of the peninsula, Chasikochorion, including "all the arable land and the mountains that span till Toroneos and Thermaic, and at the end Mantemochorion. Mount Athos was, of course, a separate area. Despite the specific advantages of each region, the period of slavery the residents of Chalkidiki were suffering, like the rest Greeks, by the arbitrariness of despotic power. They could not lose their faith and maintain their national awareness. In the late 18th century, all the regions show growth. Because of this prosperity, many coastal villages raids pirates. In Mantemochoria, it is fact, that in 1775 the Gate entrusts the operation of the mines in 12 major villages in the region and thus created an extensive partnership of mines with its own separate communal administration. In May 1821 rebels, under the leadership of Emmanuel Pappas, without success thus completely destroyed. It will strengthen again in 1854 and will be shocked by a new revolution under the leadership of Tsiamis Karatasos. Revolutionary air existed in Chalkidiki in 1878, as well, but the Turks took timely precautions and move off. At the beginning of our century, Chalkidiki takes part in the Macedonian Struggle. Many residents of Chalkidiki not only participate in the various groups of Macedonian, but also they made smaller groups fight against Turks. The freedom came in October 1912.

In 1922, finally, with the deployment of thousands of refugees from Asia Minor began a new phase in the history of Chalkidiki. Alongside to the local towns were created 27 new villages, whose contribution to economic and cultural development of Chalkidiki is serious.