HALKIDIKI

The best sandy beaches in Greece belong to the three long-fingered peninsulas that make up Halkidiki, in the northeast. Sithonia is best for empty beaches; Kassandra for hotels on beaches; and Athos for pilgrimages to the eponymous monastic retreat. Together they share more than 300 miles of coastline and 30 Blue Flags. Thessaloniki, an hour away, has flights from 11 UK airports.

Sample package: the new, five-star Sani Asterias Suites sits directly on the white sands of the west side of Kassandra.

It has a lagoon-size pool, lots of gardens, mountain-biking, watersports and tennis. One week costs £858/£1,287, B&B, including flights, through Amathus (020 7611 0901, www.amathusholidays.co.uk). Or try Cyplon (020 8340 7612, www.cyplon.com); ITC Classics (01244 355527, www.itcclassics.co.uk); Planet Holidays (0870 066 0909, www.planet-holidays.net); or Seasons in Style (0151 342 0505, www.seasonsinstyle.co.uk).

THE PELION

Known as “the Alps with beaches”, the Pelion has long been a summer playground for Greek families. There are two coasts — the Aegean, with a series of white-pebble coves where the mountains meet the sea, and the gentler contours that lead to the Pagasitic Gulf.

Sample package: Tapestry (020 8235 7788,
www.tapestryholidays.com) has self-catering apartments and small hotels, such as the waterfront Diplomats, in Horto: it costs £500/£520, room-only, including flights and three days’ hire of a self-drive motorboat. Or try Sunvil (020 8758 4758, www.sunvil.co.uk).

GREECE FOR CULTURE

THE PELOPONNESE

The epicentre of the ancient world is a treasure house of archeological remains, from classical through to Venetian and Byzantine. Several escorted tours are on offer, usually in late spring or early autumn.

Sample package: Page & Moy (0870 010 6460, www.pagemoy.com) offers a nine-night Treasures of Ancient Greece tour, brimming with archeological highlights, with the Peloponnese as its focal point. Accompanied by an academic, groups start in Athens and are guided around Mycenae, where Heinrich Schliemann discovered Agamemnon’s citadel; the amphitheatre at Epidaurus (performances in July and August); the original stadium at Olympia; the Oracle’s home in Delphi; and the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion. All trips cost £1,095, including flights, admission fees and some meals. Or try Bales (0870 241 3208, www.balesworldwide.com); Inscape (01993 891726, www.inscapetours.co.uk); or Martin Randall (020 8742 3355, www.martinrandall.com).

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