Santorini

August 10, 2018

Written by ssgoldtravel

When you’re thinking of going to Greece, you probably are imagining the breathtaking photos of Santorini. White boutique hotels and houses set along the caldera-edge clifftops, blue rooftops and a backdrop of the dazzling Aegean Sea. It’s a place that simply takes your breath away. Unlike Mykonos which is where you go to party, Santorini is where you go to relax.

There’s a few main spots you have to go to when you’re visiting Santorini. Fira, the island’s busy capital, has several hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. The cobblestone streets line the cliffs of the sea with incredible views. Here you have to go to Tropical Bar, it is the perfect place to have a glass of wine, relax and watch as the sunsets along the coast. (see picture below)

Go to the exclusive village of Oia. This is the higher-end part of the island with several shops, restaurants, and luxury hotels. Many of the iconic Santorini photos are taken here.

STAY//

Gold Suites (where we stayed) is set at the highest point of Imerovogli, giving it some of the most incredible views of the caldera. They have 14 rooms with private balconies, some of which have a private hot tub or pool. Each room has a view of the sea and is decorated in beautiful soft white tones giving the sea view the main stage.

The hotel pool is set high on the cliffs and is decorated with beautiful straw umbrellas and lounge chairs. The pool bar has wonderful cocktails and great service. We enjoyed many days lounging by the pool and unwinding. Their spa is also one you don’t want to miss. It’s built inside a cave and when you book an appointment they give you the entire spa! It has two massage chairs, a sauna and an incredible hot tub set within the stone with twinkle lights that just make you feel SO relaxed!!

I loved the location because it’s in the middle of Fira and Oia so it was easy to get to both places. It’s more of a relaxing spot and I’d recommend it for couples or anyone wanting to just unwind.

Contact SS Gold to get exclusive amenities and VIP status!

Grace Santorini – Imerovogli

SS Gold Amenities:

Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary full breakfast for two daily for duration of the stay served in their restaurant
Complimentary one-way private airport transfers
A complimentary private yoga class for up to two people, per room, once during stay
Early Check-in/Late Check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Canavas Oia Suties & Hotel – Oia

SS Gold Amenities:

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
American champagne buffet breakfast or room service breakfast daily for up to two in room guests
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santorini – Oia

SS Gold Amenities:

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests in restaurant
One wine tasting for two at Secret Wine Cave per stay, 1 bottle of Santorini wine
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

EAT/DRINK //

Francos
Tango
Androjas
Alali: Great views and delicious food.
Ambrosia Restaurant: Fancier restaurant with great food views.
Meltini – great spot for lunch, tapas style.
Catch – trendy restaurant with delicious seafood. Get the Octopus and salmon special sushi roll!
Thalami – casual lunch spot.
Floga – small restaurant with delicious food.
Lolita’s Gelato– Great Gelato!

DO//

Take a boat ride. You can usually pick to go in the morning and cruise for the day or you can go later in the day and catch the sunset from the boat. I’m a sucker for sunsets so I would pick that but it’s dependent on what you’re looking for.
Walk along the coastline and take in the gorgeous architecture and views! We stayed in Imerovogli and walked to Fira (about 30 min). This is a must! We stopped so many times to ask ourselves if this was real life?!
Go to the beach. Although Mykonos is more known for it’s amazing beaches, Santorini does have a few beaches. There’s a Black Beach, Red Beach and a White Sand Beach.
Visit a winery. I’ve heard Santo Winery is supposed to be a great one!
Take a donkey ride in Oia or Fira! That is originally how people would get up and down the hill in the old days.
Go shopping at the local boutiques and gift shops. Oia has some incredible shopping including some high end stores which were very tempting to go in.

WEAR//

You can again forget the heels – this is a place where you have to wear flats! The cobblestone streets are uneven, there’s hills and it’s just not a place where you want have heels or even wedges on. We were there in July so it was very hot! Sundresses, swimsuits, and shorts were the go-to.