WHAT TO DO IN SANTORINI (AND WHAT TO PACK!)

I've been sharing all about my time in Greece this week, but particularly where to eat in Santorini and where to stay in Santorini. To wrap things up, today we're talking about all the things to do in Santorini (and what you need to pack before you go!)

I'll start by disclaiming that you could be perfectly content sitting poolside at a resort and soaking up the views for the entirety of your stay. With that said, you'd also be missing some amazing things that are absolutely worth doing. 

CHOOSE YAFY | SANTORINI YACHTING CLUB

Choose Yafy is a Singapore based company, with a branch in Santorini. I actually found them in the Arrivals Hall of the Santorini Airport and their staff helped me put together an amazing boat tour for me and my friends at the last minute. They take pride in providing an intimate look into the local culture and provide tailor-made trips to suit all kinds of specific interests. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

We did a sailing tour embarking from Ammoudi Bay in Oia. We boarded the Lagoon 400 (a beautiful catamaran) and set sail towards the Volcano and Hot Springs for a quick swim in the therapeutic waters (word to the wise- bring a bathing suit you don't care about if you decide to swim!) From there we continued on to the Volcanic Red Sand beach for some more swimming and a bit of snorkeling. But my favorite part was lounging in trampoline on the front of the boat all day (hammock style). 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Prices vary based on the size of the boat and how many people are on each tour (I recommend a smaller group. We basically had the boat to ourselves- other than an Austrailian couple we were chatting with!) Regardless of which tour you select, they come with unlimited wine (yes please) and a delicious feast. After touring around some of the best spots on the island, our skipper parked the boat, fired up the grill and pretty soon we were eating pork + chicken, complete with Greek salad, stuffed grape leaves and tons of tzatziki. When we finished our meal, we headed to the best spot to watch the sunset on the water. It was the perfect ending to an increible day. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

I cant recommend a sailing tour enough, and Choose Yafy made the entire experience so seamless and wonderful. Do yourself a favor and book a tour with them whilst visiting Santorini!

 

 

FISH PEDICURES AT KISSINGFISH SANTORINI

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

I had wanted to get a fish pedicure for such a long time, and I was so excited to finally try it in Santorini! Garra Rufa, also called nibble fish, originate from streams, ponds and lakes in the Middle East, so given the close proximity these fish spas are pretty popular all over the Greek isles. These little guys have no teeth but are able to nibble off your dead skin cells, thus exfoliating your feet. For only €15 you can sit with your feet in the tank for 20 minutes. 

Evidently, the practice is frowned upon and even banned in several of the states because it's not seen as sanitary (although I hardly doubt one go is going to kill you). While the concept is a bit strange (and I definitely had some ticklish moments) it was really fun to experience and I'd recommend giving it a go at least once!

DONKEY RIDES 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

I'll be completely honest. I don't know much about the donkey rides in Santorini other than this: If you ride the cable car down to the port of Fira (or if you're a brave soul who takes the stairs), one of your options to get back to the top is to ride donkeys for €5 (give or take). There were tons of people doing it so we said "why not?!" The views were awesome (The smell? Not so much) and there were definitely some scary moments when you thought the donkey you were riding was going to run right off a cliff. But overall, it was really fun and I'm glad we did it. I will say, there was a part of me that wondered if this was some form of animal cruelty, but this sign gave me a bit of peace. That being said, I probably could do more research (just haven't yet #realtalk). So, if you know something I don't about these guys that I don't, I'd love to hear in the comments below!

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

WHAT TO PACK

So hopefully by now I've convinced you that you have to take a trip of your own to Santorini (as if you really needed me to). Once you book your trip, it's time to start thinking about what you want to pack! Overall, I pretty much lived in flowy sundresses that double as beach cover ups, flat sandals and a bathing suit. I also loved playing up the blue and white vibe to match the island (#basic). 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

I love this color blue (especially for a bathing suit) and was so happy to have it with me in Greece. I also love this top and this one piece in the same color (also this option in a similar color but different style). If you like the idea of blue but don't want to be too matchy matchy, try something with navy like this striped bikini, this crochet number, or you can get a little wild with this tie-dye.

In keeping with the blue and white theme, I love the textile of this breezy cover-up  and this breezy-boho off the shoulder dress. And for sandals, I love casual + chic basics like this Beno slide or this Payce slide. 

DRESSES + COVER UPS

BATHING SUITS

SANDALS

And that's a wrap! I hope these posts help you with planning a trip to Santorini- and an amazing one at that! It truly is an incredible place and even more beautiful than the photos. Still have questions or want more information? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks so much to Kapari Natural Resort, Rocabella Santorini Resort & Spa, Perivolas Hotel and Choose Yafy/ Santorni Yachting Club for providing us with an unforgettable trip!

WHERE TO STAY IN SANTORINI

Happy Tuesday! We're talking all things Santorini, Greece this week. Yesterday I shared where to eat in Santorini, so today we're going to dive into another question you probably have: What are the best places to stay in Santorini? There are lots of options to choose from, but we opted to stay at hotels over an Airbnb because there are so many amazing resorts (no matter your price range). 

I mentioned Kapari Natural Resort (where we had dinner) as an option in yesterday's post and it was gorgeous. But in terms of my own personal accommodation experiences, we stayed at Rocabella and Perivolas-- and I can't say enough wonderful things about both of these places. 

ROCABELLA SANTORINI

Rocabella Santorini is a tranquil oasis in the picturesque village of Imerovigli. Their pristine white architecture of every building is quintessential Santorini and creates an incredibly luxurious aesthetic that you'll love. Not only does it overlook the caldera, the volcano and the surrounding islands, but it's also home to some of the most beautiful sunsets. But the best part is that the common pool, bar and restaurant areas all have these panoramic views of the island so you can enjoy it no matter where you are.  

The staff was so great and made us feel at home from the second we arrived (they even greeted us with cocktail). They helped us with our luggage, arranged cabs for us around the island and made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our time in Santorini. 

The accommodations were all pristine and luxurious (some rooms even have individual pools if you want your privacy but can't peel away from those views). And breakfast every morning since I left has been somewhat underwhelming (I'm still missing eating their INSANELY yummy Greek yogurt while looking out at the beautiful views.)

All in all, Rocabella was a fantastic place to call home and someplace I think is a great value for what you're getting in return. While prices vary depending on the season, I've seen great deals using the link below. No matter when you go or how you book, I know you'll love it and highly recommend them. 

If you're wanting to stay somewhere that's quintessential Santorini with the blue dome roofs, you're looking for Oia- the small town perched on the northern tip of the island. Again, there are plenty of places to stay, but one in particular that I can't recommend enough. 

 

 

PERIVOLAS LIFESTYLE HOUSES

Perivolas is the ultimate in laidback luxury. Poised on the cliff high above the Aegean, this intimate escape is designed as a place where you can let the rest of the world slip away. Built ampitheatrically, Perivolas' secluded location combines expansive views with the luxury of absolute tranquility. 

Now, time for the real talk: HO-LY COW. You guys... I can't maintain any chill talking about Perivolas. This place completely blew my mind and far surpassed any place that I've ever stayed in my entire life. Being that I'm a travel blogger and hotel press visits are part of my job, I always maintain my professionalism no matter the circumstances. That is, I always did until Perivolas showed me my room (scratch that... my EPIC CAVE WITH A PRIVATE SAUNA, JACUZZI AND SWIM OUT POOL). I lost ALL my cool points and squealed like a little kid (may have even jumped up and down). Luckily for me, they were gracious and "so happy that I was happy" instead of looking at me like the crazy person that I was being.

In all seriousness, this place was the stuff dreams are made of. I NEVER thought Santorini would be someplace where I wanted to stay in my hotel all day and night, but we really actually wanted to (we even cancelled a nice dinner reservation we had that night so we could order room service and utilize the in-room pool and jacuzzi). My fingers shriveled up like prunes while I sat in the pool to soak up our view overlooking Oia (because it was UN. REAL.)

I loved how quiet the property was, but that we were so close to Oia (we were able to walk everywhere in town without needing a cab). The only time we did need transportation was getting back to the airport, but the hotel had a vehicle to transport us (and we cried a little as we said good-bye). 

And have I mentioned the views yet? Yeah? Okay, good.

While the suite we stayed in doesn't come with an everyday price tag (cost varies according to season)  it's certainly worth booking if the occasion fits (anyone planning a honeymoon?) But even if you don't stay in the same suite, Perivolas has dozens of other room options to choose from that are also incredible (we got to peek in a few of them). 

Long story short, Perivolas is the ultimate experience in luxury and tranquility, and I will go back again and again and again (basically, until they stop allowing me). Do yourself a favor and book it!

Side note: I've been asked a few times where I got this dress. Unfortunately, it's sold out (for the record, I got it at Madewell last season) but I'll be including a packing guide with links to all the other product details in my next post, so stay tuned!

There's still so much more I want to say about Santorini, but no number of blogs will be able to bottle up these incredible experiences adequately. So stay tuned for tomorrow's blog on what to do in Santorini so that you can hurry up and book your own trip!

I know there are lots of options to choose from, but I firmly believe these two are some of the best hotels in Santorini! Have you stayed anywhere on the island that you loved that I didn't include? Let me know in the comments below!

xx

Whitney

WHERE TO EAT IN SANTORINI

Where do I even get started on Santorini!? This island in the Agean Sea is easily the most beautiful place I've ever been-- it felt like a dream! It's dazzling panoramas, volcanic sand beaches, delicious cuisine and cave-style architecture with cobalt blue roofs are just a few of the dreamy qualities that make it so idyllic. 

To properly do it all justice in a blog post is impossible, much less a single blog post. So this week I'm tackling each bit one post at a time. First up? Let's talk about the best restaurants in Santorini. 

KAPARI WINE RESTAURANT

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

We almost stayed at Kapari Natural Resort, but since we were only staying for a few short days (which I now regret) we decided to minimize moving around and pop in for dinner instead at Kapari Wine Restaurant. Located in the gorgeous village of Imerovigli (between Fira and Oia) Kapari is an exclusive oasis of tranquility. Not only does this luxury resort have sweeping views and cave style rooms, but they have an incredible restaurant.  

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Before our meal, we had a round of Mastiha Spirits: a traditional Greek cocktail with Mastiha liqueur, lemon sorbet and fresh mint. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

After enjoying our drinks by the pool, we moved to our table where the epic views continued. Kapari is one of the best places in Santorini to watch the sunset (as it's one of the highest points on the island). No picture will do it justice, but the image is forever burned in my brain. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

We ate course after course after course of delicious food and drank lots of great wine (everything was incredible). But the highlight of the night was this herb crusted lamb. You know that feeling when you're SO full and don't want to eat another bite, but you keep going because it tastes that good? All 3 of us ate every last bite (and proceeded to repeat how full we were for the rest of the evening). 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

No matter what you eat or drink, Kapari will leave you dazzled and filled with unforgettable memories of Santorini.   

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

RASTONI

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

We popped in here for lunch on our first full day on the island, and it was exactly what we were looking for: incredible views, delicious wine, and authentic Greek cuisine (the Greek salad and kebabs are out of this world). Located in the heart of Fira, Rastoni offers friendly service + quality food in the midst of a bustling tourist destination.  If you're looking for a casual, yet refined lunch experience, be sure to add it to your itinerary whilst visiting the island. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

V LOUNGE

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

V Lounge is located on the rooftop bar of the Panorama Boutique hotel and offers unobstructed views of the Aegean Sea. In addition to epic views, the cocktails are also insanely delicious. When you go, try the La Rosita (Reposado Tequila, Dry + Sweet Vermouth and Campari) or the V Lounge Volcano (Vodka, Southern Comfort, Amaretto, OJ, Pineapple Juice + Grenadine). 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

LOLITA'S GELATO

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Not exactly a meal, but you can't miss Lolita's Gelato in Oia! They only use the best ingredients, freshest milk, and use no preservatives or artificial colors. This delicious gelato is the perfect treat to beat the Santorini heat on a sunny day, and definitley worth a visit. 

Photos by Katie Theis Photo

Some other spots worth checking out?

AMBROSIA

ARGO RESTAURANT

FRANCOS BAR

GOLDEN SUNSET CAFE

VOLCANO BLUE

While I couldn't cover everything, I think these are some of the best places to eat in Santorini. Any places you loved on the island that I missed? Let me know in the comments below! Stay tuned for tomorrow's post on where to stay in Santorini!

xx

Whitney