Santorini

The caldera island made famous for its colorful sunsets and iconic white and blue cliff-side homes, Santorini is the Greece you dream about and see in photos. Although I found Santorini to be crowded with tourists and a bit boring, it would be the ideal destination for a romantic getaway.

Where To Stay
There is one major choice you need to make when staying on the island of Santorini: do you want to stay near the beach or the cliffs with the views? If you have chosen the beach option, Perissa and Perivolos are popular areas with plenty of shops and restaurants. If you have chosen the cliff-view option, Fira and Oia are the best locations. Fira is the social center of the island, with a youthful nightlife. Oia is at the northern part of the island (the famous sunset location) and has tons of shopping and art galleries.

What To Do

• Oia
  Oia is the location on the island that is most famous, and is the town seen photographed with the sunset in the background. If you are checking out the town to get “the shot,” make sure to arrive early and claim your place for the sunset. It gets very busy around sunset, and if you aren’t early you won’t get a good location.

• Akrotiri
  Located on the southern part of the island, Akrotiri is an excavation site that is covered by a protective roof. This site is well preserved by volcanic ash (similar to Pompei, Italy) that allows visitors a look at Greece’s Minoan Bronze Age past. The site is open from 08-20:00 during the summer months. Check the website, as there are some special free entry days!
• Vineyards Galore!
  Santorini has no shortage of beautiful vineyards dispersed around the island. There are many different wineries to choose from, with package inclusions varying depending on the vineyard’s offering.