You must go to Santorini!

[pinkloo]

Gosh, I’ve never ever been anywhere so amazing and relaxing!

Stayed in Oia for 5 days but feel much happier than when I’ve been to Spain, France, US etc for 2+ weeks.

Yes this place is ridiculously expensive, but 5 days here vs 2 weeks elsewhere. No competition.

Sat in a cave house, with a private jacuzzi. Sip through a bottle of wine throughout the day. Cook dinner and sit on the terrace and watch the sun fade.

Spend a night watching the sun set.

Wander into the quaint Cycladic streets to look at the things for sale.

Treat yourself to a nice dinner out, walk slowly back to the cool of the cave house and sleep.

Breakfast on the terrace. Repeat.

Take a sailing trip. Possibly hike down to Amoudi Bay, swim in the diamond clear, turquoise waters. Jump off the rocks for a bit of fun.

I can’t wait to go back, it’s heaven. A very international set here in Oia, but refined.

If you ever have chance for a few days away without children. Go to Oia!

What do you want? A bragger of the year medal?

are you always this charming heatwave?

Not usually but I hate MN braggers

Wow this is definitely on my bucket list!

Sounds lovely OP.

See, that's interesting because when I went island hopping in Greece it was my least favourite island. Much less charming than some and I didn't like all the over-priced jewellery shops and expensive restaurants. Maybe because I couldn't afford them!

Great views though.

Completely agree, Oia is incredible (totally not kid-friendly though - but that's part of the appeal!)

Other than hiking and swimming in the sea it sounds very boring.

I agree with biggerboat when you've done more than one Greek island Santorini is no longer your favourite. Oia is pretty nice, but other islands are lovelier, cheaper, and with fewer tourists. Don't get me wrong, Santorini is very pleasant, but not the nicest one of the Cyclades.

Go to the caves in Coppodacia (and I've spelt that wrong) in Turkey - it's like a set from Star Wars.

Does Santorini have black sand? I tried to go on a Fijian beach with black sand it was quite disconcerting.

I didn’t like Santorini either, it felt like a disneyfied version of Greece aimed at rich American honeymooners. I was so disappointed as watching the sunset at Oia had been in my bucket list for ages, but every evening the moment was ruined by the vast whooping crowds (well, the said American honeymooners) cheering the sun as it set, and by the cruise ships and helicopters cutting through the landscape. The food we ate in various tavernas was nowhere near as good as what we’d had in much cheaper places elsewhere in Greece.

I thought Santorini was lovely, but would be v interested to hear which islands people rated as better.

Yes to black sand - that's not very nice, but Oia is beautiful.

Oh OP this is on our honeymoon list - glad it's getting the thumbs up!

sounds lovely, enjoy.

ignore the jealous whining, playground mentality is common on mn.

I agree that it’s far from the best Greek island but it does have a unique charm. The view over the caldera, the cliff houses and black sand beaches are worth seeing. Spoilt a bit by the international jetset types though. I wouldn’t do a whole holiday there.

Remus - if I told you then everyone would go there and spoil it

A very international set here in Oia, but refined.

Sounds right up my alley then

Have kids.

Then get back to us.

Every holiday destination was relaxing before kids. If you can find one that’s relaxing with kids, then you’d have my attention

We went to Santorini for 5 days for our honeymoon - but stayed in Akrotiri which is so much more quiet and chilled. Had an incredible time.

Looking to go back to Greece for a week in September. Happy to avoid Mykonos as the world and his wife have been there so far this summer, but very open to ideas!

Ohhh also on my bucket list..but would also like to know what other islands people rate higher! I've only been to kos but that was with my 2 very young kids so we went for an all inclusive family resort (awful never again...)

My favourite island is Paros. It's very small though.

Hmm I fancy it from the pics but then I saw one picture of all th restaurants on the hillside at night and it was packed and felt a bit cattle-ish. Wonder if it’s over-hyped a bit. Would hate to get there and it be a bit tacky/passé and miss something more amazing and less hyped down the road. But it looks gorgeous!

Santorini is very romantic but so expensive. We got engaged there 10 years ago. DH wants to go back and we thought it would be nice to stay in the same hotel. Rooms are now £1200+ a night for BB!!! Pity really.

I think it is worth doing once but for that money I would rather stay in a real luxury hotel in Maldives or similar.