Serenity, a taste for the local landscape and culture, adventure and all-round scenic natural beauty await when you choose an excursion in and around the enchanting region of Halkidiki.
The route of the Akanthios Wine, refers to the water element of Aristotelian Philosophy. Through a walk in the city of Ierissos, we will see wine as a historical and cultural link through the centuries. Our excursion will start with a “light” walk on the path of Ancient Akanthos and will end in a stunning location overlooking the whole of Akanthios Gulf and Mount Athos, on the Throne of Xerxes, at Domaine Agrovision Winery, for wine tasting. We will try excellent quality local wine combined perfectly with local delicacies.
The route of the Varvara Waterfalls, refers to the element of water, of Aristotelian Philosophy. Through a wonderful walk in the green forest of Varvara, we will approach a unique location. Waterfall’s water a lush landscape in an idyllic landscape. Calmness and a feeling of losing the sense of time as one can easily imagine mythological deities laughing through the trees. Our journey will continue in the traditional settlement of Varvara, where we will visit the women’s cooperative association “Dryades”, which in a special designed space will serve us local, traditional soup and local delicacies.
The route of Aristotle, refers to the air element of Aristotelian Philosophy. Our journey will start from the site of Ancient Stagira, the birthplace of the Great Philosopher, where a tour will take place which will end in small paths in a grove. The signs that exist in the area, include the visitor not only in its historicity but also give information about the flora of the area. Then we will visit the Aristotle Grove, in the settlement of Stagira, where there is the statue of Aristotelis, in a thematic park with games inspired by the Physics of his theory. The view at both points is simply breathtaking.
The route of Arnea, refers to the earth element of Aristotelian Philosophy. There will be a tour in the alleys of the so called “Aristocrat Town” of Eastern Halkidiki. We will visit the Church of Saint Stefanos, a building from 1812, where the glass floor allows us to see the buildings of older temples dating from the 10th century. Then through a unique route of stone streets and buildings inspired by the architecture of Mount Athos, we will visit the Folklore Museum and the Museum of Textiles, where we will have the opportunity to get to know the local culture through the centuries. Next stop, tasting honey at the award-winning company “Honey Georgaka”, where we will taste excellent quality varieties of honey, the local drink Mountovina and visit a museum of beekeeping art, where we will see how honey was produced in the last century. We end up in the Grove of Agia Paraskevi, for free time. In a green landscape with small paths there is the possibility for optional amusement for children with horse riding.
The route of Mount Athos refers to the element of fire of Aristotelian Philosophy. Apart from being a sacred place, Mount Athos has another peculiarity for climbers. Without being one of the highest mountains of our country, with its 2,033 m, it is in a way the most difficult. In all mountains the ascent starts from the point where a highway ends, a point at which you have already won an altitude difference. In Olympus for example this point is located at 1100 m. Mount Athos is the only mountain that you have to cover its entire height, as the ascent starts from sea level. Those who want to spend the night on top of it, as there is no shelter to accommodate them, must carry sleeping bags, food and water to consume.
As the mountain is not plowed by forest roads, the desolation and loneliness of the landscape, gives it a great wildness. A place of isolation, Mount Athos has these elements in the superlative degree. The eye sees the same images as one would have seen 10,000 years ago. Absolute silence, lightning struck trees and steep cliffs compose a landscape that only calms to the small church of the Transfiguration with the iron cross at the top. By the moment you get there and gaze at the vast landscape – a unique opportunity offered by the strange conical shape of the mountain, you know that it was worth the effort, no matter how hard it was.
