It may look like an oil painting, but Halkidiki is very real. Nature's shades are everywhere from the vivid blue waters and lush green flora to the bright azure skies. It marks out this part of northern Greece as something special. Halkidiki is pleasingly diverse, offering culture, cuisine, nightlife, romance and, of course, beaches. The Danai Beach Resort is among the best; the perfect place to capture the ceaseless sunshine (up to 13 hours per day) and high temperatures (averaging 77°F) of summer. Labelled as "heaven on earth" by one recent guest, Danai Beach is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World consortium. Sitting atop the wooded cliffs of Nikiti, the resort is under an hour from Thessaloniki International Airport. Guests have a choice of 62 suites and villas (some suites and all the villas have a private pool on the terrace), each one unique in style and decoration. All rooms offer marble floors, air-conditioning/heating, safe, mini-bar, satellite television, CD and DVD player, telephone, hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers, Bulgari amenities and internet connection. There are numerous restaurants: the Squirrel is perched on the cliff and is perfect for fine dining; the Sea Horse Grill is a beachfront restaurant and is ideal for lunch or dinner and the Andromeda serves Mediterranean cuisine. There's also The Philosophy Seaside Bar where guests can enjoy cocktails until late at night, while the Pool Bar is open throughout the day. Barbecues, wine tastings and private dining experiences are also available.
Leisure facilities include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a fitness room, a tennis court, water sports and a Spa that offers a variety of facial and body treatments, sauna and steam baths. The adventurous trails on Mount Itamos can be explored by mountain bike, and you will find an 18-hole golf course just 20 minutes from the hotel. Visitors may wish to venture out to the surrounding places of interest: Sithonia has great beaches, Thessaloniki is a vibrant city, Athos is a Monk Republic where you can visit monasteries and temples (only for men) and also, a special helicopter ride to the Meteora Rocks and Byzantine monasteries.