September/October 2025


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for. With Santorini Airport just a couple of miles away, jets frequently passed low overhead,


a mesmerising


sight that never failed to impress. I was never off Flight Tracker updating Ray on their route, lucky him. Evening walks for beachside meals revealed some great restaurants, with Soul by Splash and Almira serving up particularly outstanding dining and decor.


The glass-clear sea and lava black sand give Santorini’s beaches a distinct look. We couldn’t wait to swim in its calm waters, but hadn’t foreseen the challenges that lay ahead. Yes it’s beautiful and, yes, it’s busy. But these clever bathers had swathed their feet in grippy swimming shoes.


I, meanwhile, was left gingerly navigating the slippery


and sore stones


wishing I was treading on soft silica sand. Getting out was equally demanding as I dragged my sorry body back towards the beach and called for Ray to heave me up and out. Not a pretty site. Needless to say, the teens


by genteel saunters for creamy gelatos in Fira town. And that’s all you need to get under Santorini’s stylish skin. Time, though, to take in another island, and one husband Ray and I chanced upon way back in 2004 when island-hopping pre-children and pre- marriage. And what a stunner it was. Folegandros is just 45 minutes away by the faster, and more expensive, SeaJet. Not realising the slower but much nicer ferry didn’t sail on Saturdays, I had to shell out around £65 per person for our one-way trip. The slower ferry is just €7 one-way – and a much better journey. That said, zipping the 28 miles to Folegandros brought this enchanting island into view in the blink of an eye. And it was as charming as we remembered. With no airport or cruise ships, far fewer people venture to its shores. Which means the capital, Chora, is a delight to explore, day or night. Al fresco restaurants, cool bars, bijou shops and classic Greek architecture populate its five stylish squares and traffic-free streets.


But it was to the town’s Kastro we headed for our second island escape. This


13th century former Venetian


stronghold now houses locals and lucky tourists like us in a jumble of oh-so-cute whitewashed dwellings. I’d booked the Alosanthos house, a traditional two-


level residence right on the edge of the island’s sheer cliff-face.


Its well thought out interior had plenty of room for a family of four, with bunk beds for them and a mezzanine double for us. The spacious kitchen had all we needed for family dining, while the balcony provided uninterrupted views across the Aegean. Though the strong wind put a stop to that masterplan. Boy was it blowy!


Also within view of our lovely home


was the whitewashed Church of Panagia, or Virgin Mary, sitting proudly atop a hill and reached by a steep 350-step zig-zag path. The incline was as breathtaking as the vista, with yet another iconic Greek sunset rewarding our palpitating climb. Our four days in Folegandros were


spent taking handy public buses to nearby beaches to laze on the sand and splash in the sea. Then returning to the Chora to explore its exquisitely paved streets whose individual stones are outlined in white. Sometimes a break from endless sightseeing and constant walking is good for the soul. This is the island for just such a laid-back experience.


The 3-hour ferry back to Santorini, stopping at the Cycladic islands of Sikinos and Ios, was a supremely enjoyable experience. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating,


bars serving local beers and snacks,


and several made for


memorable moments on deck – and an unforgettable sail into Santorini,


as


the ship threaded its way between the main island and its rugged volcano. Not bad for €7 each!


And that laid-back vibe continued as our taxi spirited us from the port for our final five nights at the Rivari Hotel. A short stroll from Kamari beach, on the opposite side of the caldera, this was the perfect spot to end our two-week hols. The spacious family room had two sleeping areas and a massive bathroom, but it was the large pool that sealed the deal.


A replete breakfast choice, chilled-out poolside bar and tunes, and no early scrambles to nab a lounger – this was the holiday we came


ducked out and headed back to the hotel. Safely ensconced at our stress-free


pool, I toasted another day in paradise with a Strawberry Daiquiri and finished my chick-lit tome (The Greek Holiday – I couldn’t resist). Just in time to pack our bags and head home on one of those planes we loved to watch, knowing someone will be lazing on our very loungers and watching us soar off into the blue. Our dual-island adventure had lived up to all my expectations. Hopefully it won’t be another 18 years until we’re back again.


SANTORINI SUNSETS | 67


Sani Resort Debuts Wellness Retreat for Guests in Greece


SANI Resort in Halkidiki Greece has been recognised as a sanctuary for luxurious wellbeing due to its 1,000 acres of coastline and countryside. Its five tranquil spa and wellness destinations across the resort include holistic treatments, and its natural wellbeing sessions including yoga, breathwork and pilates. Sani has enhanced its wellness offering


with the debut of its Sani Elixirium Wellness Programme. Designed by Delphi Awakening and founded by Dr. Tina Grigoriou, Sani Elixirium will offer a bespoke wellness experience which delves into Greek mythology and modern mindfulness. The programme includes activities


such as mythical mindfulness sessions, stargazing sound baths and couples’ love journeys, all set under the watchful gaze of Mount Olympus. There will be a number of curated workshops for couples and individuals. Each session blends ancient ritual with contemporary wellness and is curated to enhance guests’ overall wellbeing experience during their stay at Sani.


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