Photos of Places I Love

 The Halkidiki region has three peninsulas, the prong Cassandros took its name from Cassandros, king of Macedonia, Sithonia was named after Sithonia, the son of the God of the sea, Poseidon, and Athos is named after the giant Athos who threw an enormous rock at Zeus and missed him.

Cassandros, or Kassandra as also spelled, is the first peninsula and well developed tourist area with many hotels listed.

The next peninsula, Sithonia, is the one I would go to and stay by the sea at Marmaras.  I have added pictures of this area for you to see, even the one of my favorite restaurant where their pasta dish was so good, I had to order it 3 nights in a row!!  Each visit, each year, the waiters would remember me (crazy American woman???) and I would have to once again "try" my Greek words out just to see them laugh with me.

In the 9th century the first monastery was built on the peninsula of Athos.  In the 11th century the peninsula of Athos was given the title of "Holy Mountain" by decree of the Byzantine emperor.  Only men are allowed on this peninsula and that is for retreats and prayers.

So now on with the scenes from the Halkidiki region in Northern Greece.  Time spent with friends there eating, walking around,  and on the beach.  Just a nice relaxing time and good to see friends again.