T H E
O V E R V I E W
S A N T O R I N I
Island of the gods
From sun-kissed beaches to whitewashed villages, it’s no wonder Santorini
is the most-photographed location in the Greek islands
TAKE A PEAK
One of the biggest
volcanic eruptions
in history shook
Santorini some 3,500
years ago and created
its showpiece caldera,
or crater. The best
way to appreciate
the views from its
vertiginous cliffs is by
walking along the rim
from Fira to Oia. Or
take a catamaran
trip with Captain Ted
to see the volcano
in all its steaming
glory, pause for a
therapeutic dip in the
sulphuric hot springs,
then head to a perfect
vantage point to
watch the sunset.
Prices start from €95
per person.
santorinisailing.com
ISLAND RETREAT
The island’s best-kept
hotel secret lies
inland, in the sleepy
village of Megalohori.
Vedema is a private
paradise that’s a
firm favourite with
jet-setters, such as
Angelina Jolie and
Heidi Klum. It’s a
sprawling estate of
stylish residences and
pretty courtyards
surrounded by a
working vineyard.
Barefoot chic is the
order here, as you pad
from your luxurious
suite to the stunning
pool, stopping only
to enjoy a treatment
in the spa. Bliss.
vedema.gr
SANDS OF TIME
People have lived on
the island for some
8,000
years, as
evidenced by ancient
towns such as
Akrotiri. Once a
Minoan settlement, it
was decimated by a
volcanic eruption in
1650
BC and
preserved under lava
until 1967. Many of its
treasures, including
vivid frescoes and
pottery pieces, are
displayed at the
Museum of
Prehistoric Thira in
the whitewashed
capital, Fira.
santonet.gr
INTO THE BLUE
The rocky coastline
around Oia may not
boast sandy beaches,
but you can trek (or
grab a donkey) down
from the village for a
dramatic ocean view,
topped and tailed by
the blue domes of the
buildings above and
the sea water below.
Pebbly Red Beach
and White Beach are
named for the colour
of their cliffs, or visit
black-sand beaches
like Kamari in the
south-west.
greeka.com
DAILY CATCH
Authentic tavernas
and ouzeries abound
in Fira, where
appetizers are washed
down with gullet-
warming ouzo. At
Katina’s, on Oia’s
Amoudia Bay, freshly
caught grilled fish
goes well with dry
white wine from the
volcanic vineyards of
Megalohori. For a
modern take on local
cuisine, try Kandouni
(
kandouni.com
)
in
Oia’s Old Town.
watched over by
its famous smouldering volcano and steeped in lost-city-of-Atlantis myth, nowhere better
epitomises the Greek island idyll than Santorini. And, with its turquoise waters lapping against the dramatic
rocky bays of the famed caldera, it’s no surprise that honeymooners flock here for the sunsets.
WORDS
TALIB CHOUDHRY
PHOTO
VICTORIA LING
0 3 2
