For adventurous solo travellers on the lookout for a new destination to explore, Greece offers up a wonderful array of choice. With so many small, out of the way villages that still follow a traditional way of life, taking yourself off for a few weeks to immerse in a summer of fun, sun and (naturally) food, sounds like a pretty good offer.
During the summer, Kallithea is a very popular village in the region of Halkidiki – and with its stunning beaches, picturesque landscape and rich history it’s no surprise. Some people come for the archaeological treasures, some for the stunning views out to the Sithonia Peninsula, and still others for the opportunities to get out into nature. But the good news is that, for passionate ‘foodie’ travellers with a desire to sample as much authentic local food as possible, this lovely village also comes up trumps. In fact, you’re in for a gastronomic extravaganza!
Eat Up Kallithea!
While the first thing that may come to mind when you think of Greek cuisine is souvlaki, moussaka and kebabs, if you’re visiting Halkidiki in the warmer months you’ll notice the food tends to be light and flavoursome, with a focus on fresh produce and, of course, succulent fresh seafood.
Salads
Made famous around the world, the classic Greek salad is a staple in the region. Made without any lettuce, the inclusion of black olives, feta cheese, tomato, onion and lashings of balsamic vinegar and olive oil make this a taste to remember – particularly when you eat it right there in the country it originated!
Dolmas
Another classic delicacy, dolmas may sound familiar, but you haven’t really experienced them until you have the real thing. Every region has its own variation on the theme, but they consist of cooked rice, herbs and pine nuts all stuffed into a wrapping of vine leaves and served hot.
Seafood
It’s hard to describe just how delicious the seafood you’ll find around the Greek Islands really is. Fresh caught and prepared very simply to let the flavour shine, you can’t visit Kallithea and not try the local version of Lavaki – aka sea bass. The traditional recipe calls for the fish to be marinated and then grilled, which ensures it is tender and melt-in-your-mouth.
Another seafood favourite is calamari – and it’s so fresh and juicy that it only needs a squeeze of lemon, salt, olive oil and a pinch of seasoning to make it a mouth-watering and memorable dish.
Sweet Treats
Every meal needs to be finished off with a little something sweet, and it’s no different here. Some of the most common (and delicious) choices are:
Halva – a kind of nougat dessert made with sesame or semolina flour.
Loukoumades – a deep-fried dumpling-style treat often stuffed with something sweet.
Melomakarona – soft handmade biscuits, mainly made at Christmas.
Baklava – a sticky sweet delight made from filo pastry.
There are so many new experiences to be had in Kallithea, and some of the most wonderful ones involve food. Open your mind, relax and allow your taste buds to go on a gastronomic adventure.
Where to Stay
Alkionis Studios: Just a very short walk from the beach and even closer to the hub of the village, these lovely self-catering studios deliver everything you need for a comfortable stay. There’s a kitchenette to save money on eating out, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and a balcony. When you do want to eat out there are restaurants two minutes away. Perfect!
Aphrodite Studios: You’ll be able to laze by the fabulous pool by day and then relax in the spacious studio apartment in the evening, while taking advantage of amenities like free Wi-Fi, a garden BBQ and complimentary toiletries. It’s well located, close to tavernas and a supermarket, and just 350m from the lovely beach.
Delfini: Set right on the beach in a gorgeous part of Kallithea, Delfini offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi, a private bathroom, a fridge and a balcony. Shops and great bars are a short walk away, and you’ll even get a discount in the onsite bar and seafood restaurant.
How to Get There
Pack your bags, you’re off on your gastronomic discovery of Kallithea! Getting there is easy, with a flight time to Thessaloniki (SKG) of just over three hours from UK airports. There are around eleven direct flights a week and you can get from the UK to Thessaloniki Airport for as little as £27 on budget airline Ryanair.
Once you land at the airport I’ve always found that the least stressful way of getting to your accommodation is on a pre-booked shuttle with Shuttle Direct. You can choose from shared or private shuttles (a shared one will save you loads of money) and a friendly driver will be there to pick you up. It takes just under an hour to get from Thessaloniki Airport to Kallithea so you’ll be relaxing on the beach in no time!
Overview
- UK to SKG Flight Time: 3 hours 05 minutes
- SKG to Kallithea Distance: 74 kilometres
- Shuttle Direct Transfer Time: 54 minutes
About Shuttle Direct
When you make an easy online booking with Shuttle Direct before you leave home, you’ll ensure that your holiday starts and ends smoothly. Our range of shared and private transfer services are the best in the business and wherever you are and whatever your budget, we’ve got a service to suit. We make organising your holiday easy, so when you land a professional driver will be there to meet you and take you wherever you need to go.
