Being on vacation in the continental part of Greece will be a bad tone of all vacation to spend exclusively on the sea, even despite the fact that the Aegean Sea is the purest, excellent beaches, service in hotels by five with a plus. Greece is not the country where it is worth going only to swim and sunbathe. It is necessary to allocate several days to see everything that we all know from the "myths of ancient Greece." Here on the territory and chalkidikov and nearby areas a lot of monuments of ancient architecture dated from the period of antiquity. Very interesting and informative will be trips to Thessaloniki, Meteor, Athos and a number of other cities.
The list of excursion tours from Sitonia is about the same as from the first "finger" of the Khalkidiki Peninsula - Cassandra. Where to buy a tour - at the hotel at the Guide or in the village in a small travel company, you decide. The difference will be in price. Usually in hotels the cost of all excursions more expensive percentage of 10-15. Therefore, when you on the first day of arrival will begin to offer any, do not hurry. Time is always there and you can first find out the cost in the village in which we rest. Usually no one deceives. These travel agencies also have good guides, very informed, excellent buses. It may be that is, this is an international tourist group where they are "equipped" of Russians, Serbs, Germans. Before buying a tour, ask it. If you go to go exclusively with Russian tourists and a Russian-speaking guide, tell me immediately.
What can I see yourself, being on vacation in Sithonia? The nearest trip is on Athos. Those who will relax on the east coast of the Aegean Sea will see Athos Peninsula. His outlines are excellent. If you ride an organized group, then the cost of the tour is about 35 euros. Immediately you can get yourself. The road in the way will take less than an hour.
What is so attractive Athos? In fact, this tour can be called an excursion with a "religious notch". Athos is famous for the fact that it is located one of the largest monastery complexes in Eldead. Here the monks live by reasons and no one, especially women, do not allow their lands. Popas in monasteries can still be, but only men. It is necessary to take care of the visa in advance, otherwise there is no login. In fact, Athos is a state. Tourists are also offered to familiarize themselves with the monasteries from the deck of the tourist ship. You arrive at the port of the city, it was turned around that from the Greek language as "Heavenly City", transplanses the ship and for 2.5 ... 3 hours swim along the coast of Athon. During the following, the guide tells the story of the monastery republic here, shows monasteries that are very clearly visible. You can take pictures with the maximum approximation and consider the photo all the nuances.
Among all others, the Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon is highlighted. You will learn from green domes. It looks very beautiful from the sea. It is not even just a monastery as a separate structure, but a whole complex. On the way back it will entertain a dance team. You will see the national Greek dances, you can, if you wish and participate. Children especially like this trip completely different. The ship is approximately half of the path begins to accompany the albatrosse. They, apparently, are already put on top of tourists who have visited a lot. Albatrosse will be happy to eat bread. Therefore, you can take more in advance. Not only children, but also adult tourists were delighted with bird feeding. The trip ends again in Uranopulis, you will be free time for inspecting the city. Excellent journey that is attractive not only content, but also to drive to Athos not as long as other tours. The impressions of the trip are excellent.
There is another excursion that I also advise not to miss. This is a trip to meteor. Meteor - the second monastery complex of Greece, located in the mountains of the Fessel Valley, which is near the city of Kalambak. It is in the direction of Athens, from thessaloniki, if you look around the map, down. Immediately I want to say that the spectacle is impressive. You will go through thessaloniki, however, around the circumferential road, and then to Kalambak. You can see completely different Greece. You will drive past olive gardens, see magnificent landscapes. In addition, meteor itself is something grand. Monasteries are on the tops of the mountains. The bus rises through the serpentine, stops at the foot and further climbing steps and bridges about 15-20 minutes. In total, 6 monasteries remained on meteore. You will see only two. There are 4 male monastery and 2 female. Monasteries were formed due to persecution in the 11th century Christians of Muslims - Turks, Albanians who destroy monks constantly raids. Therefore, the relocation in the mountain was a forced measure, a measure of salvation in the name of faith. Now it is not difficult to get to the monasteries in the steps, and earlier they were not and climbed into the mountains needed in grids. Upstairs you will see the lift. They raised food as well as the monks themselves. It was very unsafe especially with strong wind. He read the information that one of the Russian priests attended meteor, and he had to withstand this test of lifting in the grid. He wrote that he had almost happened to a heart attack from fright, fear. The rope almost blocked and he miraculously remained alive. All the details of the tour makes no sense, it is better to see everything yourself. Go from Chalkidikov, Sithonia about 6 hours one way. The cost of the tour of 60-70 euros per adult. Long path, a little tedious, but it is worth seeing a meteor, which is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
In Greece, many sightseeing tours are somehow connected with religion. Greek people are very believer and this faith is not a tribute to fashion. The faith is involved in children from birth, therefore the Greeks are very reverent about religion. In cities many temples. Another tour to the gods of Greece is a tour in Dion and Mount Olympus. The road as well as on the meteor towards Athens, the duration of the trip is about 5 hours. As part of the tour, it will be possible to see the ancient city of Zeus - Dion and Mount Olim, where the house of the gods is located. You do not raise the top of the mountain on the top of the mountain, the bus does not go there. You will be brought to the foot of the mountain, which is about 1000 meters above sea level.
You can only go to the top and it will take about 3 hours.
In addition to these rounds, thessaloniki will be visited. This city is worthy of special attention. You can visit the cave of Petralon and see not only the cave itself, in which the remains of an ancient man, but also the Anthropological Museum were found. It will be interesting to get here for children. You can see the history of the ancient world. Another tour to Athens, but this is at least 10 hours on the road and cost about 110 euros per person.