The peaceful atmosphere of Halkidiki works surprisingly well with the contrast of its dramatic mountainous scenery. Perhaps it’s because the area has a history of holiness, in particular Mount Athos which is still home to over 20 monasteries. Some of them seem to literally grow out of the mountain, such as the way the Gregoriou Monastery has been blended beautifully with the natural rock. The area is so pious, you may not actually be able to visit it, but you can get a great view anyway from the many boat trips that pass by to see the fascinating structures.
Amazingly, that’s not the only claim to fame of Halkidiki. It is also the region where the most ancient European remains were found – over 700,000 years old! They can now be viewed in the nearby Petralona Museum.
After all that history hunting you’re bound to be feeling a bit peckish. We’d wholeheartedly recommend Zorbas, it offers lots of tasty traditional fare like dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) and the classic cucumber dip tzatziki which is way better in its homeland of Greece than the poor imitation we have over here in the UK!
(Image courtesy of Boggy)
The largest island of Spain and one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean is Majorca, a part of the Balearic Islands archipelago. The name of the island is derived from Latin word insula maior meaning larger island which later transformed as Maiorica. Majorica has tourists flocking in throughout the year and has been the most favorite in package tourism since 1949.
The beautiful Meditteranean island has something for all age groups. If you are someone belonging to the younger generation, then you might wanna check out Magaluf that is known for its beaches and nightlife. Alcudia is another famous place for families and its known for its fun atmosphere. For someone who’s been looking for some calm and peaceful atmosphere, you should check out the picturesque Purto Cristo. Majorca is one island with a million things to do and is the perfect idea of a Meditteranean holiday
Algarve, which literally means “the west” in Arabic, is the southernmost region of Portugal. Algarve is considered to be one of best tourist destinations in Portugal. Algarve has some of the best beaches and also some of the best golf courses are dotted along the coastline. It has been a favorite tourist destination because of the beaches, the pleasant Mediterranean climate and the relatively low costs. Algarve is also known for the spa town of Caldas de Monchique which is known to have waterfalls with healing properties.
Alvor is another traditional Portuguese port and it’s known for its various fish dishes. Another city, Albufiera, is known for its narrow streets and preserves the heritage. It is also known for the famous dish of Cataplana, which is a special type of steamed shellfish. The region is also known for the famous Fisherman’s beach which is dotted with tourists all the year round. Temperature of the region is always between 15 C and 31 C. If you are a person looking to enjoy the warm Mediterranean climate, then perhaps July and August will be the best time to visit.
