Santorini

Santorini had long been on Sam’s bucket list, so it felt only right to head there for her birthday. We treated ourselves to a swanky hotel perched above the caldera—though to be fair, almost every hotel in Santorini has a caldera view. The price? A surprisingly modest €50 a night, a far cry from the €250 peak-season rate. Not bad at all.

Most of our time on the island was spent meandering through quiet streets, sipping coffee, indulging in phenomenal food, and enjoying long, lazy afternoons with a bottle of wine on our deck, soaking in the view. It was peaceful, picturesque, and exactly what we’d hoped for.

A source of unexpected entertainment came from the Chinese wedding photo shoots. As is custom, couples take professional wedding photos well before the big day. We watched amused as brides—dressed to the nines—braved the brisk Santorini weather, traipsing off to scenic spots in full gowns, teeth chattering and skin slowly turning blue. Meanwhile, we stayed warm in our jumpers, wine in hand, placing bets on how long each bride could endure the cold before retreating.

We also took day trips to explore more of the island. Oia’s quaint streets and postcard-perfect views were just as beautiful as expected. But the real surprise came at Akrotiri, an ancient Minoan settlement. The level of preservation—and the advanced technology visible in the ruins—left us astonished. We spent over half a day wandering through the site, completely absorbed in the history.

Santorini exceeded our expectations. The absence of crowds made it feel even more magical. Having seen photos of the streets packed shoulder to shoulder in peak season, we felt incredibly lucky to experience the island in near solitude. While some restaurants and shops were closed for the season, we never once lacked for a great meal or a good coffee.

Next up: Cyprus!