Greece - Halkidiki

Known as Greece's secret paradise, because it is often thick with flowers, less than five per cent of Halkidiki's 300 mile coastline is developed. A three pronged peninsula, jutting out into the northern Aegean from the mainland, although the resorts are fairly sophisticated, this is still the real Greece of simple tavernas, mule tracks and goats with tinkly bells. Don't miss a boat trip to view the 20-odd monasteries on mystical Mount Athos, inhabited by monks since the tenth century.