Halkidiki

Halkidiki or Chalcidice peninsula is located 100 km from Tessaloniko. It's divided into 3 : Monte Athos, Sithonia e Kassandra.

We have recently made a stop at Monte Athos and found a quiet bay for few nights. It is often to see no camping signs but no one bothered us since it's still off season. I have a theory about the no camping signs. We have seen them in places where there are a lot of old caravans parked on the beach or close to the beach. Speaking to one of the friends that has a holiday home in Chalikidika, it was quite normal in the past to just park the caravan where you wanted, almost as a pioneer that arrives and decides it's his piece of land from now on. So first the caravan and than slowly you would build around and buy off the piece of land. Not everyone did this so now they are left with the old caravan carcasses on the beaches that no one wants to move. 

Anyway it is exciting for me to be here because recently I've read a crime novel based in Monte Athos and I discovered it really exists.It's somewhat Greek Rome but not accessible for everyone.

3/4 of the island belongs to Greek orthodox church. There are strict rules to visit. You have to book a permit and women are not allowed to get in.So I only got this close to one of the borders🙂.Love the mystery behind it!