Citron Villa

The Neighborhood

Halkidiki is in northern Greece, with three peninsulas jutting out into the Aegean: Danai Resort is at the top of Sithonia, in the centre. Thessaloniki Airport is just under an hour's drive away, and there are plenty of lovely tavernas and interesting landmarks to visit close by.   The private beach is a pretty great place to spend the day swimming and sunbathing. It's also great for little ones, as the waves are very gentle and there are lifeguards on duty at all times. Boat hire and yacht charter are available at the resort, so guests can explore the nearby beaches and coves and swim among the exotic marine wildlife. For golf enthusiasts, there is an 18-hole Porto Carras golf course a 20-minute drive from the resort, if you can tear yourself away from your lounger for long enough!   Mountain bikes and trail maps are available for more adventurous types: the dirt roads of Mount Itamos are a must for extreme-sports fans. A short drive away is Karidi beach, with its giant rocky outcrops and pine forest backdrop. From Vourvourou, you're also well placed to catch a charter boat from Ormos Panagias to Unesco World Heritage Site, Mount Athos, home to more than a thousand monks.   Down by Nikiti beach, a five-minute drive away, Arsanas restaurant serves modern Mediterranean/Greek fusion dishes on its sunny terrace – think crab salad with cucumber and sesame, or stuffed aubergine. Other restaurants that come highly recommended by the concierge include Kazanis, a seafood spot on the beach in Nikiti, and Boukadoura in Porto Koufo, with its vast menu of creative takes on local favourites, all using natural ingredients. In Neos Marmaras, there is a wonderful fish restaurant called Ta Kymata – it is traditional Greek taverna that was opened by a local fisherman and his wife in 1950 and is still run by their family today.   The nearby village of Afytos on the Kassandra peninsula has plenty of vibrant local cafés, perfect for people-watching and enjoying the sea views. Many of the restaurants, shops and café-bars were built by local craftsmen using native limestone, so are well worth a visit for history and architecture enthusiasts.