No wonder the Olympian gods chose Pelion for their holidays. This boot-shaped peninsula that sweeps its heel into the Aegean Sea midway between Athens and Thessalonika combines wooded mountains, turquoise seas and handsome villages. In its settlements, there are majestic stone mansions, many now converted into boutique guesthouses. With its covering of sweet chestnut woods, herbs and fruit orchards, Pelion is a paradise for food-lovers. And there’s plenty of things to do in the great outdoors, including hiking, cycling, horse-riding and canyoning.