photo by Jennifer Tuffen
Travel
Santorini Called: It Said You Should Plan Your Group Getaway Right Now
Santorini is a love at first sight kind of place, even if first sight is living vicariously through friend’s photos on Instagram. Believed to be the last link to the Lost City of Atlantis, the island has always had a sense of...
photo by Jennifer Tuffen
Santorini is a love at first sight kind of place, even if first sight is living vicariously through friend’s photos on Instagram. Believed to be the last link to the Lost City of Atlantis, the island has always had a sense of magic and mystique running through its winding roads. But once you’re there, you realize the magic never really wears off. The mesmerizing blue waters of the Aegean, breathtaking sunsets and gourmet Mediterranean cuisine are all a part of daily life in Santorini. And if we still haven’t sold you on it, we’ve found the best places to stay, eat and explore so that your group can see exactly what we mean. Call up your friends, Santorini is waiting!
Reporter: Erica Nichols
Santorini’s spell-binding sights call for luxury stays to match. The island is home to premier hotels with luxurious accommodations and prime locations to the island’s most popular attractions. Vacationing on a budget? Santorini’s home shares and smaller villas will help you save money so you can spend the cash on more important things—like lobster pasta.
This 5-star resort pulls out all the stops for a dream Santorini getaway. The main attraction is each suite’s show-stopping sea views, but the retreat also wows with luxury amenities, fine dining, and charter yachts and helicopters available to create a life-changing vacation.
This boutique hotel has a front-row view to Santorini’s famed sunsets and sophisticated suites for you to relax and settle in to. Each suite is uniquely designed to match whatever occasion has brought you to Santorini and equipped with modern amenities and inviting furnishings.
Rest and relaxation are the only things on the agenda at this upscale wellness resort. However you like to unwind—be it in a private infinity pool, doing outdoor yoga or dining al fresco—Andronis delivers with a dreamy backdrop and chic minimalist interiors.
This all-suite hotel delivers with undisturbed sunset views, private balconies and contemporary decor. De-stress with your pals at their poolside bar and restaurant, book a relaxing massage and clink cocktails to vacationing the Santorini way.
EROSANTORINI takes up two cliff-top acres for complete exclusivity at their estate. Bringing the best of villa-living and lavish resorts, the luxury retreat creates a one-of-a-kind experience where five-star service meets the comfort of staying with a dear friend.
This luxury stay carved into the cliffside of Oia boasts crisp white accommodations to complement the beautiful blue of the Aegean. Their exclusive Petra restaurant only hosts three tables, making for an unforgettable experience with you and your closest friends.
Grace Hotel offers your group an enchanting stay along the cliff’s edge, with panoramic views and modern furnishings for you to feel right at home. You can personalize your vacation based on your group’s interests, with packages and special experiences for the adventurers, art-admirers, R&R vacationers and everyone in between.
Much like its 5-star neighbors, Mystique offers their guests a mesmerizing view of those clear blue waters. But Mystique’s true appeal lies in the hush-hush quality of their stay, where your time truly feels like a retreat into exclusive earthy accommodations, island design and dazzling backdrops.
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This modern resort combines stylish design with Santorini’s natural beauty to create a relaxed elegance felt throughout every inch of the property. Check into their spa for a day of self-care or relax with a cocktail in hand beside the infinity pool, either way, the sea will never be too far out of your sight.
Fresh, flavorful and steeped in tradition, Santorini offers some of the best Mediterranean cuisine in the region. Here you’ll find a bountiful mix of fine dining and casual chic establishments, all serving up incredible eats of seafood, land fare and delicious wines.
Tucked into the small bay of Ammoudi, this seaside staple serves up fresh plates of fish and seafood inspired by traditional Mediterranean cuisine. Every dish is incredible, but we hold a special place in our hearts for their lobster spaghetti.
In the heart of Santorini, this Fira restaurant blends the tried-and-true flavors of Santorini and the Mediterranean with unique recipes from all over the world. The menu is filled with colorful plates of fresh catches, vibrant veggies and land favorites like the lamb stew.
We have a feeling you’ll be stopping in multiple times throughout your visit once you get a taste of Lolita’s Gelato. With an emphasis on using fresh and simple ingredients, the gelateria offers scoops of insanely delicious traditional and creative flavors like classic pistachio and trendy rosewater.
Whether you’re dining al fresco for Oia sunset views or inside in their cozy dining room, Melitini delivers with a menu of Greek tapas from recipes passed down through each of the owners’ families. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for the group looking to enjoy a simple local treasure.
Pitogyros skips the frills and focuses on what’s most important: amazing food. Pita gyros, souvlaki, handmade sausages—each are made to perfection and bursting with flavor. Enjoy your meal in their cozy modern dining room—ask the cashier about the waitlist— or order for a takeaway to enjoy outdoors.
With multiple awards to its name, Selene offers a couple unique dining experiences depending on your group’s desires. First, is Selene Restaurant, where the past meets the present with traditional Greek cuisine with a modern twist. Then, Selene Meze & Wine is an all-day tavern focused on simple bites with enticing wine pairings. Should your group want something a little extra, Selene also offers cooking and tasting courses to experience!
Nestled in the edge of Oia’s fishermen’s port for the past 30 years, Sunset Tavern is the place for delicious seafood. Their close proximity makes for an unmatched catch of the day and their top secret recipe has made their lobster pasta beloved by people from all over the world.
Save this one for a special occasion! Catch is well worth the splurge for an evening of inventive culinary creations and an appetizing cocktail and wine menu. Reserve a table on their rooftop patio for an extra special touch.
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Because we know you won’t ever want to be out of sight of those incredible sea views, the Roof Garden at 1800-Floga is a must in our book. Enjoy famous Greek eats perfectly paired with flavorful wine tastings for an unforgettable evening under the stars.
Historical sites, expansive wineries, relaxing beach nooks—Santorini has a day planned for every kind of vacationer. Whether your group is a “divide and conquer” or “birds of a feather” kind of group, your days will be spent exploring the very best that this island has to offer.
Santorini Sailing
Santorini, Greece
Photo by Nate Johnson via Unsplash
The views are stunning, but they aren’t just for looking at! Plan a day out on the water for your group of adventurers with Santorini Sailing. Your group can sail in the Caldera, swim and snorkel in the waters and visit the hot springs for a memorable afternoon on Santorini’s shimmering sea.
It’s no secret that Santorini is home to some of the best wineries around the world; the island’s history of wine production traces back to ancient times. Today, check out amazing wineries like popular Boutari or Santo Wines, the island’s largest winery. If you’re on the search for a wine tasting tour, Argyros Estate has one of the best. And for a more intimate experience, Canava Roussos stands as the oldest winery in Santorini, dating back to 1836, and houses a peaceful terrace to enjoy specialty wine.
This all-day destination wraps up the very best of Santorini in one spot. With beach loungers, live music and great food, Theros Wave Bar is a fun, lively hangout with everything you need right in one place. Sip on cocktails and dance into the evening with killer views of the water just steps away.
See the Akrotiri Ruins
Santorini, Greece
Photo by Norbert Nagel
A prehistoric settlement washed by volcanic ash in 17th-century BC, Akrotiri is one of the most famous archeological sites in Greece. This is a great stop for history lovers in your group, where they can walk on suspended walkways around the archeological remains of the historic buildings.
Nothing in Santorini has given the island its identity more than the volcano, which literally morphed the island into the shape it is today. Beyond that, the volcano has become embedded in the island’s culture, food and daily life, making it a popular stop for visitors. Take a daily boat tour to check out the black lava islands beside the volcano and explore the hot springs on nearby Palaia Kammeni.
The Open-Air Cinema Kamari upgrades your typical night at the movies with modern movies in a lush, garden setting. Amid classic architecture and peaceful landscaping, you and your group can catch a flick and experience an evening of quintessential Greek living.
Plan a group day at the scenic Red Beach near Akrotiri. Famed for its impressive color, the beach is surrounded by towering red cliffs contrasting the mesmerizing blue waters. Complete with white sunbeds, loungers and umbrellas, this day trip is a must on your agenda!
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