Sithonia is way better than Kassandra. Kassandra is always very crowdy cause its very close to Thessaloniki, so most ppl go there for a weekend break. Kassandra on the other hand is full of forests flowers and amazing beaches with crystal clear water. Its Ideal for family vacation as it is more peaceful. But instead of going to Vourvourou (that i dont really like) try to find an apt in Kalamitsi or Platanitsi (Kalamitsi is my favorite place in Sithonia).

Avoid searching for apts with pool. If its not for a 4 or 5 star hotel, that means that the pools are small and sometimes not very clean. Its better if you find an apt close a nice beach.

Also mind that Athos is a wonderful place too. Some of the best beaches are there and its also the most peaceful of all the three parts of Halkidiki.

If you wish to hire a motorboat check in the local village or beach. In every village and beach youll find people that hire staff like that. But first check if any kind of license is needed. Im not sure about the prices this year but dont expect it to be very cheap.

Hi Sorry to reply so late not sure if you're still looking or not but we stayed in Vourvourou last year. You've probably already found this site as you said you've looked at loads of accommodation but just in case you haven't its definitely worth a look.
http://www.halkidiki.com/vourvourou/accommodation.htm

We found our accommodation on this one but if we were to go back again we would definitely stay closer to Karidi beach. It is simply stunning and it's one we always visited on the days that we weren't travelling around. As far as we could tell there weren't any apartments on or close to the beach with a pool the few that had pools were hotels.

Good luck with your visit it's truly a beautiful place though have to say we found it a little strange perhaps if you go you'll see what we mean!

Have fun
Diane

Hi Diane

Thanks for your reply, we have been looking at the Alexandros Hotel/apt which are in Karidi, is this much of a 'resort', also are there any places to eat out at night etc.

Do you mean 'strange' as in odd or strange but nice, I'm curious now??

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Thanks
Debra

Hi Debra
I can't recall the hotel but it sounds as though it's in the right area. Karidi is towards the end of Vourvourou heading out to the area called the professors settlements - it's an area of beautiful houses and villas built in the 60s I think, for the staff of Thessaloniki university.
There are about 6 tavernas in Vourvourou that we found but there are a few more down at the Karidi end that were just a bit too far for us to walk to! So you should have lots of choice. Have you found any pictures of Karidi? If you go to the beaches and photos bit of the link I sent you you will find some gorgeous photos.

We really liked Vourvourou as it's very beautiful and even though there is an awful lot of accommodation it's mostly small apartment buildings and small hotels. We didn't meet any other Brits our whole time there which was quite nice although there were lots of tourists. There were a few Germans etc but most of the tourists were Eastern European not people we've really come across before and that's where the strange bit comes in!! I don't want to sound horrible but they really were some of the rudest people we've ever met - they made no attempts to smile or say hello as most people do and when we smiled a greeting at them they just looked straight through us as if we weren't there! Walking to tavernas in the evening became a challenge to get someone to acknowledge us but sadly we didn't succeed!
It was quite good fun to people watch though especially when a couple of families staying in the apartments next door (thankfully not ours as they were so noisy!) decided to go out for the day in a small Eastern European car - they left the men behind and 6 children 3 adults and a baby managed to squeeze into the car and drove off quite happily
It was definitely a holiday with a difference and at the beginning I was really worried about what we'd let ourselves in for especially as we were there for 2 1/2 weeks but after a few days I chilled enough to not let these people get to me and I began to enjoy it
The scenery of the area is simply stunning and we would love to go back again just for those views! We're flying into Halkidiki again this year but are going to Thassos so hopefully that will be just as beautiful and maybe not so strange

Let me know if I can help with anything else
Diane

Hi Diane,

Karidi does sound fab, I wish I could be more decisive and just go for it! So I guess you've booked flights into Thessaloniki and driving down to Kavala and getting the ferry to Thassos. That was one of our other options - where are you staying have you found somewhere good? The reason I swayed to Sithonia penninsula was having been to Sani on Kassandra before lots of people told us that Sithonia is fab so thought we would try this area and maybe Thassos next time, but I'm still open to persuasion if we could find the right place at the right price! We love greece an always like to try somewhere different.
Thanks again,

Debra

Hi Debra
We've booked flights with BA (cheaper then Easyjet at the time) and are driving down to Keramoti near Kavala and will get the ferry from there. We've booked our car with the same company as last year - KC cars in Kriopigi Halkidiki, they are a fantastic company and Sakis the owner is just lovely he was so kind and helpful last year and he's happy for us to take the car on the ferry.

We're just about to pay the deposit on some accommodation - http://www.melathron-thassos.gr (we're having the top floor apartment with the huge balcony) so fingers crossed it turns out ok. It's always a bit of a gamble booking on the net and I do worry until the moment I get there but so far we've been alright and have found really nice places to stay.

Sithonia is really beautiful and is definitely worth visiting. So if you're not sure I would say go for it you really won't regret it. We drove all around the peninsular it really is very scenic and a lot quieter then Kassandra. Even with the strange tourists I'm glad we stayed in Vourvourou the tavernas were good and most had beautiful sea views and Karidi although not very big has to be one of the prettiest beaches we've ever been to

Good luck with whatever you decide and I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have
Diane

http://www.go2halkidiki.net/vourvourou_en.html (This is another website you might find useful)

Hi All

We have been to the Sithonia peninsular for the last 2 summer holidays and I have to agree theat it is in a different class to Kassandra.
We stayed in Neo Marmaras 2 summers ago and Sarti last summer, both good bases with enough tavernas to choose from, we hired a car and got out and about everyday the beaches are fantastic and the water clarity is probably the best that I have seen anywhere in Greece especially at a beach called crab holes.
Vouvourou is stunning with great scenery there are very few Brits on the peninsular which is no bad thing and I would imagine that if you were on holiday in May/June/September you would have many of the beaches to yourself.

Thassos is still my favourite island and probably always will be maybe this is because of the many friends that I have there, I go at least twice a year and spend 10 days on Thassos and a week elsewhere (Sithonia/Skopelos/Lesbos over the last few years) I would go to Sithonia this year and try Thassos next if I was you, the new road from Thessaloniki is now complete i drove along it 2 weeks ago and you can get from Thessaloniki airport to Keramoti in under 2 hours.

What ever you decide you will have a great holiday!!

Thanks for the tips.

Where do you think is the best area if Thassos to stay - 2 adults and 2 children ages 14 and 8? Somewhere near the beach with a pool?

Any ideas appreciated.

I always stay in Limenas (Thassos Town) but I would think that Golden Beach or Skala Potamia would be good for you and your family,
Potos and Limenaria are also worth a look at.