Finding peace in Greece: Halkidiki is known for its lively bars and sprawling resorts. But head to a nearby peninsula for unspoiled villages, cobalt seas - and King Charles's spiritual retreat

It takes 3 loops down nan aforesaid winding lane, arsenic good arsenic immoderate prime words pinch nan satnav, earlier we yet spot nan discreet motion for our hotel.

Easing nan prosecute car down different twisting path, it abruptly – thrillingly – reveals itself successful a scattering of boxy timber buildings which look to cleave into nan grassy hillside and down to nan sea.

Save nan flimsy detour, it has taken only 90 minutes to scope this portion of Halkidiki aft flying into Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city. 

Yet successful that clip we person driven done a immense scenery of silvery oliva groves and immense unfastened spaces which, were it not for nan soaring temperature, could fool nan oculus into reasoning we’re really successful nan Lake District.

Strange, really, since Halkidiki, a ample peninsula successful bluish Greece, is simply a sanction often associated pinch lively nightlife, bustling taverns and engaged beaches. Yet it is really divided into 3 smaller peninsulas which jut retired for illustration a trio of gnarled fingers into nan Aegean. 

And it is only nan first digit – known arsenic Cassandra – which has go a hub for wide tourism and larger sprawling resorts.

Press connected to our destination connected nan 3rd digit – known arsenic nan Athos peninsula – and you’ll find an altogether different place. 

Miles of countryside speckled pinch sportfishing villages, chestnut forests and hemmed by impossibly translucent bluish waters which are said to beryllium nan clearest successful Greece.

All of which is crowned by Mount Athos and a organization of astir 24 monasteries.

It’s a spot King Charles has visited connected galore occasions and is said to person sought belief guidance from his longtime friend, nan Abbot of nan Greek Orthodox Vatopedi monastery, pursuing his crab diagnosis.

Our hotel, nan Avaton, perfectly suits nan temper of this tranquil peninsula. A discreetly luxurious postulation of suites, villas and rooms group successful lush gardens. There’s nary communal excavation – alternatively galore rooms person backstage pools pinch in-built sunbeds.

Communality takes spot connected nan Avaton’s sheltered beach, wherever glassy waters look to beryllium untroubled by waves. Breakfast is hosted nether gauzy gazebos, pinch nan action of meal served connected nan formation itself.

Given nan topography, if you want to research this portion of Halkidiki past readying is captious – it tin get very hot. The joyousness is that successful this clip area it stays ray until astir 8.45pm, truthful there’s nary request to bust a gut nether an unforgiving Hellenic sun. The edifice tin put bikes, including electrical ones, truthful 1 day, astir 6pm, erstwhile nan sun originates to suffer immoderate power, we crest nan hills earlier dropping into nan mini seaside colony of Nea Roda, wherever nan houses are draped pinch bougainvilleas and nan taverns service freshly caught fish.

On different time we prosecute a motorboat to sojourn a trio of mini islands. Ammouliani, nan largest, is nan only permanently occupied of nan 3 – and past pinch only 600 residents, though still pinch its stock of tavernas and gift shops. In contrast, neighbouring Goat Island is conscionable a rocky outcrop wherever my hubby Martin indulges his adventurer gene, dropping anchor and swimming ashore only to beryllium greeted by a cluster of – yes – goats connected nan unsmooth sand. Their inscrutable regard makes it unclear whether we are invited aliases not.

If you want to spot Mount Athos, a assortment of coastal cruises are disposable from nan mini municipality of Ouranoupolis only a ten-minute thrust distant from our hotel.

Feminists look distant now – women person been forbidden connected nan beatified upland for astir 1,000 years but you’ll get a bully position from nan boat.

If you’re a person of hiking, this portion of hidden Halkidiki offers galore trails and paths. Thanks again to nan agelong days of its precocious play we group retired to research connected ft astir 6pm, ensuring we person a clear guideline connected Google Maps, hats, h2o and UV parasol. On different time we return a 45-minute thrust to ancient Stagira, nan birthplace of Aristotle, wherever ruins of nan original metropolis are scattered complete a hilltop overlooking nan Gulf.

Another 30 minutes connected will return you to Aristotle Park, wherever a bid of outdoor interactive instruments, specified arsenic optical discs, a h2o turbine, a scope and sounding barroom showcase nan ancient philosopher’s program for his students (not slightest Alexander nan Great).

After days of exploration it’s a pleasance to retreat to our edifice and savour nan tranquillity.

With a warm, soft upwind ruffling our clothes, arsenic we eat homegrown salads that are crispy and colourful, nan psyche of hidden Halkidiki feels tangible.

As for partygoers and lovers of nightlife, nan digit points successful a different direction.