Excursions from Hanioti Chalkidiki. Excursions in Chalkidiki
A couple of years ago on our tourist market appeared Bus tours to Greece, with excursions around European cities. The cost of such a tour (only 385 €) was very attractive, as well as the opportunity to visit several countries at once, and even take a dip in the sea. I have long dreamed of visiting Greece and now the stars have aligned! The vacation was planned for mid-September. And we went there with my then future husband and his parents. The tour included stops in Austria, Hungary, and Serbia. I will share my impressions about these countries separately, so as not to clutter up the space.
I had never before traveled such long distances by bus. But everything turned out to be not so scary and even very exciting. I will not describe our long journey in detail. We traveled for about four days, and crossed the border between Bulgaria and Greece early in the morning.
Naturally, I couldn’t close my eyes anymore. Outside the window, endless fields and olive groves floated by. I've never seen olive trees before. And here in such quantities.
Our path lay on the Chalkidiki peninsula, in the village of Hanioti. This Northern part Greece. The Chalkidiki peninsula has three "fingers". It is also called the "Trident of Poseidon". The first finger is Cassandra, the second is Sithonia, the third is Athos. Our village was located on Kassandra.
VILLAGE OF HANIOTI, CHALKIDIKI-KASSANDRA PENINSULA
A few words about the village. The village is small in size.
But you will find everything you need for a comfortable stay here. There are expensive and budget hotels. Lots of taverns and bars. But there is not a single discotheque, the nearest one is in the village of Kallithea.
There is a large grocery store and several car rental agencies. Eat bus stop, which allows you to independently ride through other coastal villages. There is a representative office of Mouzenidis Travel, where you can take any excursion.
In the evening, the village comes to life; the following fountain lights up in the central square:
Having passed Thessaloniki, it was obvious that our destination was very close. Then the road went along the coast. And, oh praise to the Greek Gods, what most picturesque views opened up before us. The crystal clear Aegean Sea combined with coniferous forests, sandy beaches, secluded bays. Just imagine all this beauty!
Since our trip was supposed to be budget, the hotel was also budget. But! Quite a decent hotel (no cockroaches) with modest rooms and excellent food! And his name Hanioti Grand Victoria 3* ().
Our tour price included breakfasts and dinners . Therefore, the next point of my review will be about nutrition.
FOOD IN GREECE.
We had breakfast and dinner at our hotel restaurant. If you can call it a restaurant, it looked more like a canteen. We went to dine exclusively at Greek taverns located in our village. You can't put into words how delicious Greek cuisine is!
There are a lot of taverns, for every taste and color. Here are some examples prices:
We always went to different ones to try everything. The portions are very large! We often took one between us. On average, it cost us 12-15 € for lunch for two, including the first, second, and beer on top.
What I recommend you definitely try in a Greek tavern:
- This is the number one dish in Greece. Casserole made from eggplant, potatoes, minced meat and Bechamel sauce. I devoured it there every other day. I tried to cook it at home, but it didn’t work out that well. We need to go to Greece again)
- Tzatziki (or tzatziki). This is a sauce made from Greek yogurt, fresh cucumbers, garlic and dill. Consolidation! In the photo on the left.
- Suzukakya (you'll laugh out loud at the name). These are oblong minced meat cutlets in wine tomato sauce.
- Pastitsio. The dish was served in a clay pot. This is a casserole of pasta, meat and Bechamel sauce.
- Bugatsa. This is a traditional Greek pastry made from puff pastry. The filling can be with custard, cheese, or meat. We bought it not in a tavern, but in stalls with fresh pastries, and took it with us to the beach.
- Seafood. There are a huge number of them. We took squid and a whole tray with shrimp, octopus, and mussels.
- Corn. I have never eaten anything tastier than Greek corn in my life. Sweet, juicy, sold on the beach. Cost 1€.
- Frappe. And finally, I advise you to refresh yourself with a Greek coffee drink, which is served cold.
There was a supermarket in our village, where you could also get something for a snack. There were fruit stalls. I won’t say that fruit prices were low. Despite the fact that September is the end of the tourist season.
BEACHES AT KASSANDRA.
In the village the beaches are shallow small pebbles. The entrance to the sea is also pebbly. But it’s even useful; walking barefoot on pebbles is better than any massage.
From the hotel Grandotel Hanioti 4* beach strip It's a narrow one, and the further you go, the wider it gets.
The beaches are equipped in some places. But sunbeds and umbrellas are available for an additional fee. Even in Greece they practice this system: if there is a bar on the beach, buy something to drink there (Pepsi/Cola/coffee/beer) and get sunbed and umbrella free of charge .
The sea here is the cleanest! You can see every pebble, every fish, even at depth. And what a color! Rich turquoise! Just a living picture!
Pebbles are not everywhere on Kassandra! We also went to the village of Kallithea. The beach there is sandy. Wide enough.
WHAT TO SEE IN MAINLAND GREECE.
- In Greece, it is a very popular practice among tourists to take car rental and independently travel around the picturesque coves located along the coast. We didn’t take a car for the reason that we only had 7 days and we wanted to spend them lying on the shore Aegean Sea. But for the future, we asked about the cost of this service.
- Meteors. Halfway through the journey to Greece, I was 100% sure that I would visit. This is such a miracle, created by the joint efforts of nature and the hands of man, that it would be a sin not to visit. Who doesn’t know, Meteora are Orthodox monasteries located on high cliffs. The excursion cost 50€/person.
- Works well in Halkidiki transport connection. There was a stop near our hotel with a schedule in Greek and Russian. Therefore, one day we decided to take a ride to the neighboring Kallithea village. He is larger than Hanioti. More active here night life, there are clubs.
We spent the whole day there. The beach wasn't left out either. I mentioned it above.
In the evening we returned back in exactly the same way. By the way, the final stop of this bus is Thessaloniki. Those who wish can go there on their own.
The walk is quite long, about an hour. The higher you go, the more beautiful the views.
Along the way you will come across a small chapel.
Don't forget to bring some treats for the turtles! All along the way you will see signs with the same inscription. Follow them. The lake itself is small, but its inhabitants are impressive. There are so many of them!
In northern Greece there is amazing place, which no one can forget having been there at least once.
By car the travel time will take about an hour, by bus – approximately 1.5 hours, since it calls at all other settlements Kassandra (however, there is one main road on the peninsula that runs through all the main villages, so the time does not increase much).
Local taxi drivers (all of them drive comfortable air-conditioned cars - mainly VW Golf, Ford Focus, Opel Astra, Audi A3, BMW 3, etc.) – they ask for approximately 100 euros for the trip. A ticket for a regular bus will cost about 10 times cheaper, renting a car starts from 50 euros per day.
Most popular hotels
The best hotels in the village are located in areas adjacent to the sea and have their own beaches, which are closely monitored by staff.
They have everything necessary for a comfortable stay for tourists: swimming pools, gyms, tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, playgrounds, animation and evening entertainment programs.
Hanioti Grandotel 4*
Hotel address: 63085, Greece, Chalkidiki Region, Chanioti, Chanioti. Located 99 km from Thessaloniki airport. Consists of 2 three-story buildings and 4 two-story buildings.
The hotel offers accommodation in the following room categories (133 rooms in total):
- Standard Rooms: a room of about 20 sq. m can simultaneously accommodate up to 3 adults or 2 adults with two children;
- Suites: living room and bedroom with a total area of 40 sq. m (maximum occupancy – 4 people);
- Family Connect: 2 standard rooms with a common hallway (maximum 5 people);
- Family Bunk bed: 2 rooms separated by an internal door, one of them has a bunk bed and a kitchenette (maximum 4 people).
All rooms are air-conditioned (central system), have a balcony, a TV with satellite channels (including 5 Russian channels), a refrigerator, a safe (for an additional fee), Wi-Fi (connection is paid).
Guests can order 2 types of service: half board and all inclusive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the main hotel restaurant (buffet), in addition, there are 2 bars on the hotel premises, where you can get a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, light snacks, sweets, ice cream.
The maximum distance from the buildings to the beach is 200 m (first coastline). The beach (sandy) is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas; tourists staying on an all-inclusive basis use them for free, for everyone else - 3 euros per set.
Towels are provided free of charge (but with a deposit). There is everything you need for fun on the water: scooters, catamarans, water skis, canoes, parasailing, etc. (at extra charge).
There is also a fur store on site, where you can buy mink, arctic fox, fox, raccoon and other fur coats - for every taste and budget.
Hanioti Melathron 4*
Hotel address: 63085, Greece, Chalkidiki Region, Chanioti, Chanioti.
Located in the center of the village - in the busiest place, where most of the bars, restaurants and shops are concentrated.
The hotel is small - only 50 rooms in one 3-story building, equipped with everything necessary for a hotel of this level: satellite TV, refrigerator, balcony, hairdryer in the bathroom and regularly updated toiletries (soap, shampoo, hair conditioner).
One of the rooms is adapted for people with disabilities.
The maximum distance to the beach is 80 m (second coastline). The beach is sand and pebbles, sun loungers, umbrellas and towels are available for an additional fee (5 euros per set).
The hotel has a swimming pool with a children's section. Entertainment programs are provided in the evenings.
Lesse Hotel 4*
Address: 63085, Greece, Chalkidiki Region, Chanioti, Chanioti. Tel.: (+30)23740 622 24. Website: www.lesse.gr.
The hotel is located 700 meters from the center of the village, has a large green area, along which modern three-story buildings are scattered. The hotel has a total of 88 spacious rooms: 74 standard (30-35 sq m) and 14 Junior Suites and Suites Family categories.
All rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with satellite TV, refrigerator, minibar and safe. An iron and ironing board are also provided for guests' convenience.
The hotel has 3 original-shaped swimming pools with spacious terraces, a mini-golf course, health Center with a gym, sauna and Turkish bath, massage room, children's playground.
Maximum distance from buildings to sandy beach– 150 m. On the beach there are all conditions for entertainment on the water (catamarans, boats, water skis, etc.).
Lesse Hotel features à la carte and buffet restaurants, a pool bar and a mini market. A buffet breakfast is served every morning at the hotel. Themed evenings are held every week.
Guests eat in a buffet restaurant (breakfast and dinner are served). During the day you can grab a bite to eat at the pool bar and snack bar.
Beaches
In the village, in addition to 4 and 5 star hotels, tourists are offered accommodation in less expensive hotels and apartments that do not have their own infrastructure (restaurants, bars, beaches).
This is the best option for those who find it difficult to immediately pay a tidy sum for a vacation, because the most important thing - the cleanest sea and magnificent nature - are the same for them.
Moreover, in Hanioti the public beaches are distinguished by their well-groomed and unusually cleanliness: it is not without reason that they are regularly marked with the Blue Flag, awarded only to the most ecologically impeccable beaches in the world.
The city beaches of Hanioti are kilometers of pure golden sand surrounded by pine groves, cozy bays and all the opportunities for active rest. The water in the sea is the purest - as, indeed, everywhere in Halkidiki.
Another feature of Hanioti beaches: There are almost no strong waves here, the sea is very calm, slight waves are observed only in the mornings. Tourists can rent sun loungers with umbrellas, but in this place they are quite expensive: you will have to pay 4 euros for just one sun lounger.
In addition, to find a free one, you need to arrive at the beach early in the morning: by 10, all sunbeds are usually already occupied. Most bathers sit on towels or mats, offered for a small fee (3-7 euros) in every local shop.
You can also buy an umbrella (costs from 5 euros), although there is a small park near the central beach, where vacationers are not forbidden to sit in the shade of huge plane trees or palm trees - right on the grass.
The entrance to the sea is smooth: first, shallow water, where the water warms up very quickly, which is especially important for families with small children. In addition, there is a sandy bottom here, they are almost never found sea urchins and other living creatures.
There are fast food kiosks nearby, and local enterprising youth carry water (1.5-2 euros per 1.5 liter bottle) and other drinks, as well as fruits, ice cream, and snacks all over the beach.
For those who love privacy, it is better to go further - to the outskirts of the village. There, in the bays it will be more interesting for those who love diving.
There are offices for renting water equipment on the beaches: boats, catamarans, pedal boats and motorcycles. Here you can agree on sea walks, water skiing, parasailing and similar activities.
Approximate cost: banana - 15 euros, water skis - 30 euros, jet ski - 35-40 euros (for 10 minutes).
Attractions
There are many agencies in Hanioti where you can sign up for a wide variety of excursions - both to nearby places and throughout Greece.
Buyers have the opportunity to choose a model not only from those that are available, but also to order the product they like from the catalog, which presents more than 600 options for fur products.
The fur coat will be adjusted to size and a certificate will be issued confirming its quality.
Kitchen
– these are, first of all, seafood, vegetables and, of course, (salted, pickled, stuffed, etc.).
Local restaurants are, as a rule, small establishments whose owners cook and receive guests themselves.
That’s why every tavern has a cozy, homely atmosphere, customers are greeted as the most dear guests and they try to please them in every possible way.
The portions are huge: cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives and feta cheese are served in dishes that are more like basins in size.
The score will please you even more: You can have lunch for two (salad, meat or fish dish, wine) for 25 euros.
Even the smallest cafe offers a huge selection of dishes - both ordinary European and traditional Greek cuisine(all kinds of snacks, salads, fish delicacies, grilled vegetables, meat and fish in the most different options, fruits and sweets). There are no dissatisfied people after visiting such establishments: everything is very tasty and cheap.
Hanioti resort is one of the most popular places holidays in Halkidiki, where tourists from all over Europe come.
Year by year there are more of them: this is facilitated by the convenient location, nature, and wonderful climate ( holiday season starts in May and ends in October). The efforts of local authorities also help, as they do everything to please even the most capricious travelers.
We vacationed in Greece from July 31 to August 14 for the first time (4 adults and 1 child two years old). TO - "Vilar", airline - "Yamal", tour - Hanioti (15 days, 14 nights).
ABOUT YAMAL AIRLINES
The departure from Roshchino airport (Tyumen) took place without delays. The flight was a day flight, the duration was approximately 5 hours. The plane was in good condition, the stewards were attentive. We got tickets near emergency exit, where according to the rules of air travel, accommodation with children is prohibited. So we were transferred to another row without any problems. Blankets were provided in the salon, and lunch consisted of three courses to choose from (the food was fresh, the drinks were non-alcoholic).
The return flight from Macedonia airport (Thessaloniki) was delayed by about an hour. Stewards attributed the delay to bureaucratic red tape at Thessaloniki airport. The plane was in order, the stewards were adequate, blankets were provided, the food was fresh (3 dishes to choose from, drinks were offered including Greek wines - white and red, for some reason there was no tomato juice).
ABOUT TOUR OPERATOR VILAR
We purchased our vouchers 10 days before departure. A week later the visas were ready. Before departure at the airport, at the Vilar counter, we received a folder with documents. When leaving Thessaloniki airport, we were met by a representative of the company, escorted to the Vilara counter, where we were given booklets describing excursions (prices were not indicated), and were told which bus we should take. While we were driving to the hotel, the accompanying guide Natasha told us a little about Greece, about excursions, and also informed us about the working hours of the hotel guide (daily from 9 to 12 and from 18 to 21). The hotel guide Katerina met us near the hotel. She showed us where the reception was located and disappeared in an unknown direction, without even explaining to us where the dining room was, how to get to the beach, or when and where the meeting would take place. In the evening we finally found Katerina. She refused to provide a printout with prices for excursions and more detailed information, saying: “If you are interested in anything, ask.” Very often her words differed from the information indicated in the issued booklets or told by Natasha. At the same time, Katerina said that you shouldn’t listen to Natasha (she made it all up), and the booklets were outdated. She answered questions not related to the excursions sold to her reluctantly, with obvious irritation, often distorting information. In the evening, the day before departure, she gave out incorrect information about the time and place of departure. On the morning of departure she didn’t even show up. A representative of the company was traveling with us on the bus, who followed us to the airport and told us at which counters the check-in would take place.
ABOUT HOTEL HERMES (HANIOTI)
We got this hotel through the Fortune system. Upon arrival, we were met by a hotel representative, Elya. It turned out that she was the only employee of the hotel (and the administrator, and the maid, and the security guard, and everything else). The hotel consists of one 3-story building (25 standard rooms), there is no elevator. We checked in quickly. We got rooms No. 16 (2-bed) and No. 17 (3-bed for a couple with a child) on the 3rd floor. We had to carry our suitcases to the 3rd floor along a narrow spiral staircase ourselves. The hotel is located on the central square of Hanioti, close to shops, taverns, cafes with live music, which close after 2-3 am. The soundproofing in the rooms is poor, so it is very noisy at night. After two sleepless nights, a couple with a child asked to change their room to a room in another hotel with an additional payment. They said it was impossible. They had to pay in full for 12 nights of accommodation in another hotel (that’s 600 euros).
The double room has 2 narrow beds, a wardrobe with hangers, 1 bedside table, console, armchair, coffee table, mirror, kitchenette (2 burners, sink, extractor hood, mini-fridge, dishes, cutlery), combined with/ u (shower behind a curtain), TV with one Russian channel (First), air conditioning, large balcony (plastic table and 2 chairs). There is no hood or any ventilation in the bathroom. The toilet flush is very noisy, but ineffective. There was a hole in the floor, covered with a grate, through which standing water could be seen, which gave off an unpleasant odor. Pressure of hot and cold water the shower is not regulated (more precisely, it changes unexpectedly on its own), so the temperature is always unpredictable. There is no hairdryer or shower amenities in the rooms (not even soap). The air conditioner is positioned so that it blows on the bed. It is forbidden to turn on the air conditioning while you are not in the room. We tried to turn it on, but when we returned, we found that the air conditioning was turned off and the balcony door was wide open, so the room was as hot as outside. Change of bed linen and towels - once every 5 days, removal of garbage - every other day, cleaning of the room (Elya washed the sink and made the bed) - 2 times a week, never washed the floor. The hotel has a bar that is not open (Ely's lounge). There is also a paid safe (1 euro per day) - very small (a netbook will not fit). The hotel does not have parking, dry cleaning, breakfast room or TV, internet, telephone, own beach(as stated on the websites). Meals (if included in the price of the tour) are provided in the dining room of the Hanioti GrandOtel (about 200 meters down the street). In the same hotel the hotel guide Katerina sits, there is free wi-fi (it is difficult to catch, especially in the evening, not all pages open, the speed is low), there is also a beach, which is intended for vacationers of five hotels (Hermes, GrandHotel, GrandVictoria, Cleopatra, Macedonia Sky), which are part of the same network. There are a lot of vacationers, so there were often not enough sun loungers. At best, we managed to occupy 3 sunbeds for 4.5 people. The beach was open from 7 to 19. After 19, the mattresses were removed from the sunbeds, the umbrellas were folded, and the sunbeds were moved. Towels were issued on deposit (20 euros per 1 piece) once for the entire stay. They could be changed every other day on the beach (only up to 12). Sunbeds for hotel guests - 3 euros for 1 sunbed (if all inclusive, then free). Sellers of all sorts of things and massage therapists ply along the beach (on average 15 euros for 15 minutes of massage). The beach is coarse sand, the bottom of the sea is small pebbles at first, then large stones. The sea is clean, very salty. Among the living creatures - a variety of fish (some tourists even fished right next to the swimmers), small crabs, sea urchins (in the crevices of large stones), once we saw a small octopus under a stone. There were no jellyfish.
Entertainment was also provided at the Hanioti GrandOtel: Mondays - karaoke, Wednesdays - live music, Saturdays - Greek evening (20 euros per person). Another feature: even with the all-inclusive system, the hotel does not provide lunch boxes (breakfast cereals). If you have an early departure for an excursion, then you can order the so-called early breakfast: you need to inform the reception the departure time the day before, by which time they will prepare a plate for you with something at the chef’s discretion. It is prohibited to take anything out of the dining room. Therefore, if you leave at 4 am, then you either have breakfast in the dining room at 3:30 am or have breakfast during the stop at your own expense. In general, the food at Hanioti GrandOtel is normal. Meat (pork) every day, fresh vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers), fruits (pears, grapes, plums, nectarines, watermelons, melons) and ice cream for dinner.
ABOUT EXCURSIONS FROM HANIOTI
Hanioti is a very small village located on southeast coast Kassandra Peninsula (1.5-2 hours to Thessaloniki, 4.5-5 hours to Meteora, 8-9 hours to Athens). There I found only 3 travel agencies organizing excursions: “Bros Travel” (located in the building of the Hermes hotel, entrance from the street), “Vilar” (ask the hotel guide Katerina) and “Mouzenidis Travel” (the office is located near the hotel - up the street, first turn to the right, about 20 meters on the right you will see a large vertical sign). Moreover, TF “Bros Travel” organizes trips no further than the city of Thessaloniki (with the exception of Meteor). For example, several excursions with prices:
“Meteora” (with a visit to 1 monastery): “Bros Travel” - 45 euros, “Vilar” - 65 euros, “Mouzenidis Travel” - 70 euros;
“Thessaloniki” (review): “Bros Travel” - 28 euros, “Vilar” - 40 euros, “Mouzenidis Travel” - 45 euros;
“Athens” (night departure): “Bros Travel” - no, “Vilar” - 100 euros, “Mouzenidis Travel” - 100 euros;
“Meteora + Athens” (2 days): “Bros Travel” - no, “Vilar” - 170 euros, “Mouzenidis Travel” - 200 euros;
“Vergina+Olympus+Dion”: “Bros Travel” - no, “Vilar” - 50 euros, “Mouzenidis Travel” - 55 euros;
"Meteora+ Corfu island"(2 days): "Bros Travel" - no, "Vilar" - no, "Mouzenidis Travel" - 180 euros;
“Vergina+Olympus+Thermopylae+Delphi” (2 days): “Bros Travel” - no, “Vilar” - no, “Mouzenidis Travel” - 150 euros.
Differences in prices are due to differences in programs, conditions (for example, during 2-day excursions with Mouzenidis Travel, dinner is included in the price, but with Vilar it is not) and subjective reasons.
In addition to this, you will have to pay for lunch (from 8 euros + drinks) and entrance tickets (Dion - 4 euros, Vergina - 8 euros, Athens Acropolis- 12 euros, Acropolis Museum - 5 euros, Meteora - 2 euros, Achilleion on the island. Corfu - 7 euros, White Tower in Thessaloniki - 3 euros, Archaeological Museum in Thessaloniki - 6 euros, Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki - 6 euros, museum + archaeological zone in Delphi - 9 euros).
As a result, we decided to visit Thessaloniki and Meteora on our own. We rented a car from the Status company (next to the Mouzenidis Travel agency). Toyota Yaris cost us 145 euros for 3 days, we additionally spent 112 euros for gasoline, 10 euros for toll roads (from 1.5 to 3 euros for driving on one road, there may be several along the way) and 6 euros for 4 hours of parking in Thessaloniki (3 euros for the first hour, each subsequent hour - 1 euro). From Tyumen we took a navigator with us, so we got to Thessaloniki and Meteora without any problems (there were some problems with the signs there, so we would hardly have gotten there without a navigator).
In addition, I alone went on excursions “Athens” (night departure) and “Vergina + Olympus + Thermopylae + Delphi” (2 days) from the travel agency “Mouzenidis Travel” - only this company takes you to Delphi, and to Athens they also have “ Vilara" the price is the same, but I liked the program of "Mouzenidis Travel" more. Maybe someday I’ll write reviews on these excursions.
GENERAL IMPRESSIONS
August is the hottest month in Greece, and also the “high” season. Therefore, I would not recommend this month for a holiday in Greece, especially if it involves visiting excursions - huge crowds of people everywhere, prices are inflated for everything, and climbing mountains (77% of the territory of Greece is occupied by mountains, so no matter where you go, it’s always uphill) at a temperature +44 in the shade is still a pleasure. The village of Hanioti is only suitable for beach holiday. Traveling on excursions is very far, long and expensive. In addition, the village has bad water. The one they served in the canteen was impossible to drink. Then we took water from the tap and boiled it in a saucepan - the taste was the same, and there was sediment at the bottom as thick as a finger. I have been to other areas of Greece - the water there is normal. Therefore, be prepared to buy bottled water at your own expense. There will be no language problems in Greece - almost everyone there speaks Russian (in hotels, shops, cafes, parking lots). Minimal English will not hurt (it came in handy when visiting museums and in the Meteora monastery, which we visited on our own). When communicating with Greeks, be restrained - they are very touchy. At the same time, it is customary for them to address any interlocutor on a first-name basis, speak loudly, actively gesticulate, and do not mince words. For example, when I boarded a tour bus, it turned out that I took someone else’s seat, since all the seats on the bus were reserved. I asked the driver what seat was reserved for me. He (Euripides, a Greek by nationality) replied that No. 30. I said that at the end of the bus I was getting seasick. His answer discouraged me: “Your problems. If you don’t like it, get out.” A few hours later, at the bus stop, he apologized, but the mood was already ruined. And this was not the only case. When I told one Greek woman that I didn’t drink alcohol, she asked where I was from, and then remarked: “I knew that there were people who didn’t drink alcohol, but I didn’t know that there were such people among Russians.” In general, the impression was that the Greeks have a low opinion of Russians, and in general do not really like tourists. When I asked the hotel guide why everything in Greece is expensive, but the service is not best quality, she replied that Greece is in consistently high demand among tourists, so people will always go there, regardless of the level of prices and service. The beaches in Hanioti are quite clean, the sea is warm and clear, and there is a variety of wildlife for snorkeling enthusiasts. I would recommend the Hermes Hotel to young, unpretentious tourists without children who are ready to hang out every night for up to 2-3 hours. Although for this money (45-50 euros per day per room) you can find a better hotel. And take plenty of money with you, because even if you purchase an all-inclusive package, you will have to pay for a lot of things separately. And another warning for women: very dry air (at least in August) and a very salty sea, so the skin dries out ungodly. Bring moisturizing lotion with you or buy it locally (there are a wide variety of olive oil-based products).
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK.
Schedule from 01/05/2019
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Group Tours |
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Air excursions: |
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Athens (air travel)* (from June) |
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Two-day excursions: |
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Athens + Meteora (2 days)** |
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Meteora + Corfu Island (2 days)** |
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Main excursions: |
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Athens (evening departure) |
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Vergina + Olympus + Dion |
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Thessaloniki + Enigma |
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Aridea + Edessa |
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Cruises: |
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Cruise "St. Athos" + Enigma |
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Trident of Poseidon Cruise (from 15/05) |
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Pilgrimage: |
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To the holy places of Thessaloniki |
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To the holy places of Berea |
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(from June) |
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Shopping: |
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Enigma Shopping Center |
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VIP excursions (10-18 people): |
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Meteora (2 monasteries) |
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Thessaloniki (with museum) |
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Olympus |
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Pella |
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Athens (air travel) (from June) |
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Any day on request |
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Meteora (2 monasteries) |
Any day on request |
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Vergina + Olympus + Dion |
Any day on request |
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Shrines of Olympus and the Belt of the Virgin Mary |
Any day on request |
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|
Thessaloniki |
Any day on request |
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Price entrance tickets:
|
Acropolis |
Meteora (1 mon.) |
Petralona |
Delphi |
Aridea |
Pella |
Arch. |
|||
- Halkidiki - Kassandra
Schedule from 01/05/2019
| Group Tours | VZR | 6-12 | until 6 | Mon | W | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| Air excursions: | ||||||||||
| Athens (air travel)* (from June) | 250 | 210 | 210* | |||||||
| Two-day excursions: | ||||||||||
| Athens + Meteora (2 days)** | 200 | 120 | free | * | ||||||
| 180 | 110 | free | * | |||||||
| Main excursions: | ||||||||||
| Athens (evening departure) | 100 | 50 | free | * | ||||||
| Meteora | 70 | 35 | free | * | * | |||||
| Vergina + Olympus + Dion | 55 | 30 | free | * | * | |||||
| Thessaloniki + Enigma | 45 | 25 | free | * | * | |||||
| Aridea + Edessa | 50 | 25 | free | * | * | |||||
| Cruises: | ||||||||||
| Cruise "St. Athos" + Enigma | 50 | 25 | free | |||||||
| Trident of Poseidon Cruise (from 15/05) | 45 | 25 | free | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| Pilgrimage: | ||||||||||
| To the holy places of Thessaloniki | 50 | 25 | free | * | ||||||
| To the holy places of Berea | 50 | 25 | free | * | ||||||
| Pilgrimage to Mount Athos (groups) (from June) | 210 | |||||||||
| Shopping: | ||||||||||
| Enigma Shopping Center | free | free | free | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| VIP excursions (10-18 people): | ||||||||||
| Meteora (2 monasteries) | 100 | 50 | 50 | * | * | |||||
| Thessaloniki (with museum) | 70 | 35 | 35 | * | ||||||
| Olympus (Olympus + Vergina + Paraskeva Church) | 80 | 40 | 40 | * | ||||||
| Pella (Pella + Winery + Agios Nikolaos) | 80 | 40 | 40 | * | ||||||
| Comfort class excursions (4-6 people): | ||||||||||
| Athens (air travel) (from June) | 420 | |||||||||
| Corfu | 200 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| Meteora (2 monasteries) | 150 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| Vergina + Olympus + Dion | 150 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| 175 | Any day on request | |||||||||
| Thessaloniki | 90 | Any day on request | ||||||||
*Children under 2 years old travel for free on air excursions (without a seat on the plane)
**Prices are indicated for shared accommodation (m+m, f+f), additional payment for Single Room 20 €
Entrance fees:
|
Acropolis |
Meteora (1 mon.) |
Petralona |
Delphi |
Aridea |
Pella |
Arch. |
|||
- Chalkidiki - Sithonia
Schedule from 01/05/2019
| Group Tours | VZR | 6-12 | until 6 | Mon | W | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| Air excursions: | ||||||||||
| 250 | 210 | 210* | ||||||||
| Two-day excursions: | ||||||||||
| Athens + Meteora (2 days)** | 200 | 120 | free | * | ||||||
| Meteora + Corfu Island (2 days)** | 180 | 110 | free | * | ||||||
| Main excursions: | ||||||||||
| Athens (evening departure) | 100 | 50 | free | * | ||||||
| Meteora | 70 | 35 | free | * | * | |||||
| Vergina + Olympus + Dion | 55 | 30 | free | * | * | |||||
| Thessaloniki + Enigma | 45 | 25 | free | * | * | |||||
| Aridea + Edessa | 50 | 25 | free | * | * | |||||
| Cruises: | ||||||||||
| Cruise "St. Athos" + Enigma | 50 | 25 | free | |||||||
| Cruise "Trident of Poseidon" (from 15/05) | 45 | 25 | free | * | * | |||||
| Pilgrimage: | ||||||||||
| To the holy places of Thessaloniki | 50 | 25 | free | * | ||||||
| To the holy places of Berea | 50 | 25 | free | * | ||||||
| 210 | * | |||||||||
| Shopping: | ||||||||||
| Enigma Shopping Center | free | free | free | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| VIP excursions (10-18 people): | ||||||||||
| Meteora (2 monasteries) | 100 | 50 | 50 | * | * | |||||
| Thessaloniki (with museum) | 70 | 35 | 35 | * | ||||||
| 80 | 40 | 40 | * | |||||||
| 80 | 40 | 40 | * | |||||||
| Comfort class excursions (4-6 people): | ||||||||||
| Athens (air travel) (from June) | 420 | |||||||||
| Corfu | 200 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| Meteora (2 monasteries) | 150 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| Vergina + Olympus + Dion | 150 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| Shrines of Olympus and the Belt of the Virgin Mary | 175 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| Thessaloniki | 90 | Any day on request | ||||||||
*Children under 2 years old travel for free on air excursions (without a seat on the plane)
**Prices are for shared accommodation (m+m, f+f), supplement for single room 20 €
Entrance fees:
|
Acropolis |
Meteora (1 mon.) |
Petralona |
Delphi |
Aridea (pools) |
Pella |
Arch. |
|||
- Chalkidiki - Athos
Schedule from 01/05/2019
| Group Tours | VZR | 6-12 | until 6 | Mon | W | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| Air excursions: | ||||||||||
| Athens (air travel)* (from June) | 250 | 210 | 210* | |||||||
| Two-day excursions: | ||||||||||
| Athens + Meteora (2 days)** | 200 | 120 | free | * | ||||||
| Meteora + Corfu Island (2 days)** | 180 | 110 | free | * | ||||||
| Main excursions: | ||||||||||
| Athens (evening departure) | 100 | 50 | free | * | ||||||
| Meteora | 70 | 35 | free | * | ||||||
| Vergina + Olympus + Dion | 60 | 30 | free | * | ||||||
| Thessaloniki + Enigma | 50 | 25 | free | * | ||||||
| Aridea + Edessa | 55 | 30 | free | * | ||||||
| Cruises: | ||||||||||
| Cruise "St. Athos" | 25 | 15 | free | |||||||
| Cruise "Cote d'Azur" (from June) | 45 | 25 | free | * | * | |||||
| Pilgrimage: | ||||||||||
| To the holy places of Thessaloniki | 55 | 30 | free | * | ||||||
| To the holy places of Berea | 55 | 30 | free | * | ||||||
| Pilgrimage to Mount Athos (groups) (from June) | 210 | |||||||||
| Shopping: | ||||||||||
| Enigma Shopping Center | free | free | free | * | * | * | ||||
| VIP excursions (10-18 people): | ||||||||||
| Meteora (2 monasteries) | 100 | 50 | 50 | * | ||||||
| Thessaloniki (with museum) | 70 | 35 | 35 | * | ||||||
| Olympus (Olympus + Vergina + Church of Paraskeva) | 80 | 40 | 40 | * | ||||||
| Pella (Pella + Winery + Agios Nikolaos) | 80 | 40 | 40 | * | ||||||
| Comfort class excursions (4-6 people): | ||||||||||
| Athens (air travel) | 420 | |||||||||
| Corfu | 200 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| Meteora (2 monasteries) | 150 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| Vergina + Olympus + Dion | 150 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| Shrines of Olympus and the Belt of the Virgin Mary | 175 | Any day on request | ||||||||
| Thessaloniki | 90 | Any day on request | ||||||||
* Children under 2 years old are free (without a seat on the plane)
**Prices are for shared accommodation (m+m, f+f), supplement for single room 20 €
Entrance fees:
|
Acropolis |
Meteora |
Petralona |
Delphi |
Aridea |
Pella |
Arch. |
|||
- Rules for ordering and paying for excursions
Attention! Group excursions are carried out with a group of at least 20 people
VIP excursions are conducted with a group of at least 10 people
Excursions can be ordered from company representatives at the hotel;
The time and place of collection are indicated on the ticket issued to you when paying for the excursion;
When departing for an excursion, you must be at the indicated place 10 minutes before the appointed time; in case of delay, the company retains 100% of the cost;
In emergency cases, you can call our company's dispatch service at +30 697 911 0849 (open 24 hours a day);
All our buses are equipped with GPS sensors that allow you to track and record their routes and travel times;
Attending pilgrimage trips requires a certain form of clothing: for
men long trousers and covered shoulders; for women - a skirt below the knee,
closed neckline and shoulders (it is not necessary to cover your head);
The cost of excursions includes the services of a Russian-speaking guide or accompanying person;
The cost of excursions does NOT include the cost of entrance tickets to archaeological areas and museums;
The cost of excursions does NOT include meals;
The company has the right to postpone the date of the excursion or cancel it (with a refund of 100% of the cost);
Per row group excursions There is a system of discounts: children under 5.99 years old - free, children from 6 years old to 11.99 years old - 50% discount (more detailed information can be obtained from company representatives at the hotel);
If you cancel the excursion 24 hours or more in advance, 100% of the cost is refunded (Except for air excursions, pilgrimages to Mount Athos. More accurate information can be obtained from the company representative at the hotel);
If you cancel the excursion 12-24 hours in advance, 50% of the cost is returned (with the exception of air excursions and pilgrimages to Mount Athos);
If you cancel the excursion in less than 12 hours, the company retains 100% of the cost;
100% of the cost is returned to the client in case of illness, upon provision of a doctor’s certificate, or upon cancellation of the excursion (Avia, Pilgrimage to Mount Athos, two-day and individual excursions return on certificate 50%);
In the cabin excursion bus It is prohibited to drink alcoholic beverages, smoke and eat food;
The order of visiting excursion sites can be changed by the guide during the excursion;
When ordering excursions, specific seats in the excursion transport are NOT reserved;
The company is not responsible for plane delays due to the fault of the airline or weather conditions (even if this reduces the excursion part);
The company is not responsible for bad weather conditions on the day of the excursion;
The company is not responsible if the weather deteriorates while our guests are on excursions;
The company is not responsible if the ship is on cruises due to weather conditions, will not be able to make a stop at one of its destinations according to the program (Cruise Saint Athos - Ouranoupoli, Cruise Trident of Poseidon - Marmaras, etc.);
If on cruises, due to weather conditions, the ship cannot go to sea or the excursion is canceled due to weather conditions, before tourists leave the hotel, the Company undertakes to reschedule the excursion date to subsequent dates, or replace the excursion with one of equal cost or cheaper (if the excursion chosen by tourists is more expensive , then with additional payment);
The company is not responsible for our guests being late for transfer to the airport on the day of departure, in cases where they signed up for an excursion on this date, and due to unforeseen circumstances the excursion was delayed. End time of excursions and departure from intermediate points Visits are approximate and slight changes are possible during the tour.
When purchasing a package of three or more excursions with a 10% discount, subsequent replacement, return or transfer of one or more excursions is not possible. Exception: if an excursion is canceled due to the fault of the company or it is impossible to go on an excursion due to illness with a doctor’s certificate, you can reschedule to a subsequent date, or to an equivalent or more expensive excursion (with an additional payment of the difference in cost). The promotion is valid only for guests of Mouzenidis Travel.
For more complete information and possible changes to the payment rules, please contact company representatives.
The Kassandra Peninsula in Halkidiki has one of the most popular holiday destinations in Northern Greece. Here, in this village, it will be equally good for both young and old tourists. Parents with small children will also be satisfied with their holiday in this cozy and picturesque village.
This is such a wonderful transparent sea in Hanioti . The beaches are no less pleasant.
The main square of the village. In the evening this fountain glows with multi-colored lights.
Haniti has many taverns, apartments and hotels to suit every taste. Here you can meet tourists of all ages and nationalities. A meal in Hanioti for two will cost you about 25 euros. However, the portions are very large. If you order one serving for two, the waiter may bring two table sets. If you haven’t finished eating something, they will offer you to take it with you. This is par for the course. You can ask for “house wine”, it tastes better.
Various festivals are often held in Hanioti. This time the village hosted a world festival of children's dance.
Souvenir shops in Hanioti are open until late, attracting a few tourists. Olive oil, aromatic soaps and cosmetics based on natural oils are in great demand. The price of one bar of soap is about 2.5-3.0 euros. Soap is also sold by weight. very fragrant. A 1 liter bottle of Metaxa costs 20 euros in the store. In souvenir shops in Halkidiki, most sellers speak Russian. By the way, we did not encounter mosquitoes in Halkidiki, unlike Crete, for example.
In numerous taverns right on the street, in the fresh air, you can drink a cup of Greek coffee or meet national cuisine: moussaka, souvlaki, lamb ribs and delicious freshly fried fish. Almost all taverns have Russian-speaking waiters. They will tell you everything about what dish is what.
In spring, citrus fruits ripen everywhere in Greece, from which fresh orange juice will be prepared for you in any tavern. In Hanioti, oranges hang on your heads right on the street. Greeks drive around the streets in trucks and sell fresh fruit at a price much lower than in stores. A basket of 0.5 kg of cherries costs only 1.5-2.0 euros. The same goes for strawberries. But this is in the spring. They also have very tasty cherries.
In spring in Hanioti, at the end of May the streets are not numerous. Swimming season hasn't started yet. The sea and beaches in Hanioti are very clean and the water is very clear. On the beach you can rent a jet ski for 25 euros/hour. The contingent of vacationers in Hanioti is very diverse. Many people come with children. Many Germans and Poles. The village itself is small, just a few streets and you can get around it all in just half an hour.
A small church next to the hotel. The hotel staff comes into it to pray. In our hotel the staff was Russian-speaking. The cleaners are mostly from Moldova. Greek hotels are cleaned every day and linen is changed every three days. The staff is polite and does not require tips, as in Turkey, for example. But if you want to please someone, you can leave a couple of euros.
What’s great about Halkidiki in spring is the abundance of unusual colors, smells and greenery. From Hanioti you can go to regular bus or by taxi to neighboring villages. A taxi in Halkidiki costs 1 euro per kilometer on average. You can call a taxi directly from your hotel. If you want to rent a car, there are two rental offices in Hanioti. For example, a Toyota Yaris will cost you 35 euros per day. The more days, the greater the discount.
Hanioti at night. Deserted. It's not the season yet. There are also discos in Hanioti, but you can hardly hear them. In general, the village is very quiet, there are not many cars driving on the streets.
The main road along the coast of Kassandra. There is a bus running along it, which can take you to Thessaloniki or somewhere else.
It often rains in Halkidiki in spring. But it's still warm outside. When it rains, it’s nice to sit in a cafe with a glass of Metaxa or coffee. Greeks don't like being asked for Turkish coffee. I should say Greek coffee. Come into the tavern, say hello “yasas” and you will always smile and be helpful in any situation. Greeks are very friendly people, without ambitions.
There are many shops for Russian tourists in Hanioti. The main store is the fur shop.
