5 reasons to visit Halkidiki this summer

For an alternate destination to the well-trodden southern coast of Greece and its islands, head north to Halkidiki for a vacation packed with activities and culture, or for one making the most of the sun, sea and sandy beaches.

These are just a few reasons why Halkidiki should be on your bucket list:

1. The culinary offerings

Aside from the Sani Gourmet food festival, which takes place June 23-27 and exhibits the gastronomy of young Michelin-starred chefs from around the world, the Sani Marina is home to some of the best Greek restaurants in the Mediterranean.

For a casual meal of hearty Greek sharing plates, head to Ergon, a deli/restaurant that emulates a traditional eastern Mediterranean diet using high-quality local ingredients. Don't miss out on the Gruyere from Naxos – moorishly rich, the cheese is rolled in carob flour, oat flakes and poppy seeds and served with rose petals in syrup.

Alternatively, head to the Vosporos Grill House for a super fresh plate of mixed seafood. Incredibly flavoursome, this simple dish needs only a side salad, some bread and tzatziki and a bottle of crisp white Armi Thrapsathiri, a Cretan creation by Ayrarakis Wines.

The various wine routes of Halkidiki are ideal for oenophiles, who should make stops at the vineyards in Agios Pavlos for a glass of PGI Halkidiki red, before heading to the Sithonia peninsula, where you can find the popular PDO Slopes of Meliton red.

A trip to the world-famous Mount Athos monastery winery is a rare opportunity that should be taken if possible, however, only men are allowed to enter the monastery and permits can be difficult to come by.

Keen grape-lovers should seek out the Sani Resort's exclusive Land of Grace bottles, created in collaboration with the local Gerovassiliou winery. Guests can visit and enjoy a short walk around the vineyard, a tour of the wine production areas, a visit to the on-site Wine Museum and various wine tastings with a view out across the vineyard.

Just metres away from the soft beaches and crystal-clear sea is kilometres of lush green woodland, home to a variety of wildlife. The region of Halkidiki is famous for its honey, so visitors should save some time to go to the local apiaries, where you can take part in a honey extraction workshop after a scenic hike through the countryside.

Take a trip north to see the Petralona Cave. Located at the western foot of limestone Mount Katsika, extraordinary stalactites cascade from the ceiling to meet rising stalagmites, and a number of fossils can be seen.

Additionally, the beautiful Sani Wetlands is a must-see spot for any keen wildlife fans, as they are home to tortoises, turtles, purple herons, greater spotted eagles and flamingos.

Like many places in the Mediterranean, much of Halkidiki is best seen from the water. If you've not got your own superyacht with you, there are plenty of options for exploring the surrounding islands.

A 12 metre catamaran courtesy of Chalkidiki Yachts is perfect for navigating around the coast of Halkidiki. Head to the Blue Lagoon of the Diaporos Islet for a swimming spot with pristine waters before cruising over to the Loligo beach bar in Vourvourou for a bite to eat – here you'll find a small pontoon for tenders to moor at. Alternatively, opt for one of the hotel's six luxury yachts available for charter through the Sani Resort.

In the evening, book a sunset cruise from Sani Marina, which is free to guests of the resort. Enjoy a glass of Champagne on the upper deck and watch as the sky burns orange over the Aegean Sea.

One of the best summer festivals to get to by superyacht, the Sani Festival is a must for music-lovers heading to Halkidiki this summer. This year it will run July 8 to August 19 at the foot of a mediaeval tower overlooking the sea. It's a celebration of jazz icons, homegrown talent and international sounds that's not to be missed, and last year Joss Stone was a headliner.

Additionally, the Kassandra Festival will be taking place again throughout July and August at the Siviri Amphitheatre (dates TBC), featuring a range of traditional and modern music from all over the world. Throughout August, take a day trip to Poligiros for its month-long festival showcasing live Greek music.