Holy land is heaven on earth
school summer half-term holidays. We based ourselves in the serenity of the exquisite Eagles Villas, a recent addition to the Eagles Palace Hotel in this particularly unspoiled region of Halkidiki on mainland Greece.
With spectacular, panoramic views across the coastline and nearby islands, the stylish luxury villas sit on a hillside among aromatic Mediterranean gardens that are home to hundreds of butterflies.
Our apartment was beautifully designed and gleaming in white tiles and glass, with a private pool, a kitchenette and an outdoor living/eating area.
The vista in all directions was stunning, from dawn until glorious sunset. The resort offered a wide choice of activities. On lazy days we sauntered down the hill and crossed a jasmine-scented bridge to the resort’s beach.
For variety we also enjoyed the jaw-dropping infinity pool at the top of the hill where we swam with swallows swooping overhead.
The resort had a gym and a beauty centre and spa, which offered a list of massages.
On more active days we sampled the watersports on offer at the beach hire shop.
The choice ranged from kayaks, pedalos and windsurfing to water-skiing, wake-surfing and jet-skiing.
Motorboats and sailing boats were also available for those wanting to explore neighbouring beaches, as we did for our voyage to Drenia.
TRIPS WERE also available to the nearby bustling village of Ouranoupoli (the last frontier before the Mount Athos border). At the harbourside we enjoyed a glorious lunch of fresh fish, seafood and local delicacies at the Lemoniadas restaurant.
The village was also a handy place to buy wine and honey made by monks at Mount Athos.
Sampling local food and drinks became a common theme of the trip, aided by the incredible choice and quality of the Eagles resort’s restaurants. My children loved the Lofos at the top of the hill among the villas, with its varied buffet which meant they could choose their favourites and also try local delicacies.
The Armyra beachside tavern was a beautiful place to spend evenings, bathed in glorious golden sunsets, as we sampled freshly caught fish, squid and octopus and traditional Greek bites.
The Vinum Grill, set in palm tree gardens, was a high quality yet informal place for meat lovers.
We saved Kamares, a Michelinstar restaurant offering fine dining, until our last evening. Set on the terrace of the Eagles Palace overlooking the bay and lit with candles and lanterns hung from mature trees, it was a wonderfully romantic experience.
But we all agreed that our favourite was the less formal but magical Eleonas – a small Italian set among the resort’s hillside villas which served some of the best authentic pasta and pizzas we have ever tasted.
In an all-too-short stay, Eagles Villas, with its attentive and friendly staff, provided a relaxing and stimulating workout for the senses.
It offered relaxation, privacy and peace with injections of fascinating historic sites, treasure island explorations and diving off boats to keep our young family occupied... just perfect.