For those who want a quick getaway break or a long relaxing holiday, but cannot choose between the sea and the mountains, then a combined holiday in Thessaloniki in Greece and the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria is the perfect solution.

Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, has everything to offer tourists – a rich history, beautiful endless beaches, an active nightlife and shopping centres.

Most of the old city centre, dating back centuries, was destroyed in a huge fire that broke out in 1917. Even though thousands of people were left homeless, the government banned a quick rebuilding programme to implement a new design across the city.

However, the city was not afraid of losing the old for the new. In fact, ancient walls that had encircled Thessaloniki were demolished in the 19th century to allow the city to expand.

Surrounded by piers that extend as far as the eye can see, one can still see remnants and parts of the city’s original walls – some even dating back to the Byzantine era – standing tall.

The city, which is home to around one million Greeks, has huge open squares surrounded by open-air cafés and restaurants. The Greek lifestyle is a typically Mediterranean one, starting with long, lazy coffees in the sun and long, late dinners that start at around 10 p.m.

Just one-and-a-half hours away from Thessaloniki is Mount Olympus – the home to the ancient Greek gods. With its tip covered in ice, the mountain sits above the sleepy, quiet village of Litochoro which is full of cobbled, steep streets and beautiful houses that overlook a huge canyon.

A visit to the canyon is a must. One follows a winding paved path deep into its heart until it opens up onto a high waterfall where the water cascades around five storeys into a gully and flows out into the valley.

Less than an hour away is the tiny village of Panteleimonas, with only 70 inhabitants. It sits at the very top of a long, winding road at 500 metres above sea level. No cars are allowed in this isolated village which was connected to the electricity grid only 10 years ago.

The majority of the inhabitants moved out after a huge earthquake had destroyed most of the houses, but its breathtaking view, which can be seen while eating at the tiny traditional restaurants, makes it worth the trip.

If one manages to get away from the beautiful seaside city of Thessaloniki, then there are the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria – just four hours’ drive away.

The drive there is breathtaking as the road passes through huge mountains covered in trees, rivers and fields.

Sitting between Bulgaria’s three mountains Pirin, Rila and Rhodopes is the luxurious Balkan Jewel Resort - a four-star complex which is a destination for adventure holidays, family vacations, group holidays or nature lovers seeking peace and tranquillity.

The complex, built by Maltese real estate company Dhalia, is made up of 160 one- or two-bedroomed and penthouse apartments furnished to high standards including parquet, underfloor heating, fireplaces and fully-equipped kitchen with appliances and furniture.

Each apartment has its own private balcony which opens up to the fantastic view of the mountains and the greenery just below. Guests can use the pool, spa, gym, games room, indoor and outdoor playing areas and shuttle service to the gondola lifts and the nearby golf course.

The apartments are very central and anyone can easily choose a range of different activities to do every day – fishing, golfing, skiing – while a bear park, the nearby Bansko town centre and shopping in the capital Sofia are all within reach.

It takes around one hour to get to the Pirin Mountains with the gondola lifts. Although the temperature might be warm at the base of the mountain, the temperature drops by almost 20 degrees at the tip which is around 2,500 metres above sea level.

Ski shops in Bansko centre offer all the equipment required for beginners, and the steep slope is used by experts and amateurs alike.

One more stop that is a must is a visit to the ancient Rila Monastery– the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria which is around two hours from the resort. The monastery was built in the 10th century by a hermit deep into the mountains and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ms Ameen travelled to Greece and Bulgaria courtesy of Orange Cruises of Ordnance Street, Valletta.