As a Luxury Travel Consultant, I love taking my clients on amazing trips to beautiful places. On a recent trip to Greece with my fun-loving clients, we spent our first four days in Greece in Crete and had a blast. If you missed it, you can read about it here. here.
A high-speed ferry took us to our next stop, the beautiful island of Santorini, where we stayed for three nights, which was just enough time to enjoy everything this stunning island has to offer.
Beautiful scenery
From the moment we arrived, we knew Santorini was extraordinary. The clear blue waters and amazing views of the caldera made us eager to start our adventure. I have never seen a more photogenic destination in my life! Each place we encountered was more picturesque than the last. No wonder “Insta girls” and influencers flock to it to post social media content. Speaking of these “Insta” people, I recommend avoiding accommodations near the domes. I met a couple whose balcony overlooked the blue domes and they told me how difficult it was to get to and from their hotel, not to mention the lack of privacy. I recommend staying at the starting point in Oia. A short walk along the marble walkway will get you to the center of shopping, restaurants, and photo spots, but you can leave when you’ve had enough of the crowds.
Sunset sailing
The highlight of our trip was a fantastic day on the catamaran. Sailing under the bright Greek sun, we were treated to panoramic views of the island coastline. The blue domes of the white churches and the small bell towers on the cliffs were picture perfect. We stopped several times along the way, one of which was at Red Beach. The red cliffs and clear, warm waters made this a unique and exciting place to swim. Our captain, Spiro, even dove in to retrieve my client’s lost Apple watch! Spiro and his first mate, Haris, even prepared a delicious barbecue lunch, complete with local beer and wine, which was delicious.
Our day on the catamaran ended with a view that Santorini is famous for – a magical sunset. As the sun sank into the sea, the sky turned vibrant shades of orange, pink and purple. It was a magical sight and the perfect way to cap off our perfect day on the water.
During our other two days on the island, we indulged in some shopping and food tasting. We wandered the narrow cobblestone streets of Fira and Oia, visiting cute shops selling handmade jewelry, pottery, and linen clothing. There were also plenty of souvenir shops to choose from, so we could buy reasonably priced gifts for friends and family back home. Shopping in these charming villages was great fun, and we met friendly locals who were happy to share their culture with us!
Pro tip: It’s always a good idea to check the cruise ship schedule before deciding when to go shopping. Our first two days were relatively easy, with only one small and medium cruise ship in port. On our last day, there were four large cruise ships, and thousands of people disembarking at the same time, making it difficult to navigate the narrow alleys. This was a perfect day for a short trip outside of the city.
Food and wine
Our trip to Greece wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local cuisine, and Santorini definitely lived up to our expectations. We made sure to sample some delicious Greek food, dining in stunning restaurants and trying dishes such as fresh seafood, stuffed grape leaves, kebabs, and the softest Greek yogurt drizzled with honey. Every meal was delicious, and we loved taking in the beautiful views while we ate.
Finally, we took a food and wine tour to explore two of Santorini’s picturesque wineries, whose vineyards grow on the island’s volcanic soil, producing wines with unique, mineral-rich flavors. Venetsanos is known for its beautiful caldera landscape and unique wines, including the local grape variety Assyrtiko, while Karamalegos is set in a beautiful garden, where we enjoyed a delicious wine-paired dinner. Our guides told us fascinating stories about the winemaking tradition, making the experience even more special.
Our trip to Santorini is coming to an end and we feel so lucky to have had such an unforgettable experience. We were impressed by the beauty of the island, the friendly people and the delicious food. We are excited to move on to our next destination, Naxos, but we know we will never forget the sunsets, swimming and shopping in Santorini.
Ready for a magical escape to Santorini? touch Luxury travel second to none, let us tailor your Greek adventure just for you, because every moment deserves to be extraordinary!
