Upgrade Your Greek Getaway Wish List

A wish list should include more than destinations – it should include those unique experiences that become memories you never forget. Add these suggestions to your getaway itinerary and make your Greek odyssey even more memorable.

Why go to Santorini for an afternoon when you could stay for sunset? That’s the Greek way of thinking. The best experiences are the ones that transport you to a different level of wonder and really connect you to a place. A place you can revisit through the memories you take away from every special moment.

With that in mind, we’ve put together our insider tips for taking your voyage in the land of the blue to the next level. Tick these highlights off your list and you will experience more than you could ever have wished for.

Flavours to Remember

Seek out the specialities and you will never forget your first bite. On Santorini, you cannot miss fava – a yellow split pea dip that sings with the zest of lemon juice and buttery olive oil. The island also produces some of the sweetest cherry tomatoes, so be sure to enjoy some with your lunch. If your getaway includes a visit to Crete, add Apaki to your wish list. This smoked cured meat is native to the island and has a unique flavour you cannot get anywhere else in the world.

While in Thessaloniki add a pause in your day for a Bougatsa – a Greek custard pie with filo pastry – or a slice of Tsoureki – a sweet Easter bread with an orange flavour. When your day is filled with sightseeing, a sensory moment in a café will reinvigorate you.
The dreamiest sunsets

There is something moving about sunset. A chance to capture the stillness at the end of the day, when all is calm and your evening awaits. Make your sunset more precious by pairing it with a view. In Athens, head to Cape Sounion and be mesmerised by the sun dipping behind the surrounding islands. Soak it up from the 5th century BCE Temple of Poseidon for fleeting a glimpse of golden light bouncing off the columns.
Santorini is famous for its sunsets, shining a glow across the nearby islands of Thirassia, Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni. Get the best view at the whitewashed village of Oia to see the inner walls of a long-gone volcano ablaze in light.

Best of the Beaches

Island life is synonymous with beach days. For spots that feel like they’re from another world, make time for Red Beach and Black Beach on Santorini. The names give them away – the volcanic earth has created sands in different colours that will leave a strong imprint on your memory.
If the bright blue waters are all you want to see, add a visit to the island of Milos to your wish list. Crystal seas meet white beaches and carved-out caves – the perfect setting for an afternoon of daydreaming.
Reconnect with yourself in nature

The Greek islands are stunning – towering cliffs, turquoise seas and pine forests are all around. To really immerse yourself in nature, add a trip to the Samaria Gorge in Crete to your wish list. It is one of the deepest and longest in Europe, and the trickling river running through the centre is the ideal soundtrack to your wandering thoughts. In Santorini, you can get a real feel for its volcanic past by dipping into the hot springs on the island of Nea Kameni.

To be in complete awe of your surroundings, reserve a spot on your wish list for Meteora – mammoth rock formations hosting clifftop monasteries. The sheer size of the geology and the greenery will capture your imagination. Another wish list entry for nature seekers has to be Mount Pelia, where the waterfalls, olive groves and rich forests give you an adventure through your senses.