The Chalkidiki peninsula is one of the favourite holiday regions of northern Greece. It lies to the south of Thessaloniki. First-time visitors will be surprised by the variety of landscapes to be found here. Green hills, dense pine forests and the blue sea intersperse the sandy beaches, bays and landspits. Mountains succeed one another, their curving silhouettes giving off varying shades of purple. The roads along the peninsula follow the coastline, offering beautiful views, and pass through romantic fishing villages with their tavernas. Thessaloniki with its wide range of historical and modern sites of interest is really worth a day trip.