Summer Travel: One of the Most Beautiful Places in the World to Visit

In this post: If you’re thinking about summer travel, here’s a look at one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit, perfect for a romantic getaway.⇒

Picture this.

You wake up one morning and your bags are packed. You’ve spent the past week putting all of your ‘stressors’ on temporary hold. The emergency projects at work have been explained and put in the hands of someone you trust (more or less… ;-)). Your kids are self-sufficient or they’ve been left in the care of a close family member. Your siblings have committed to keeping a close eye on your aging parents and your best friend is watching the dog. You’ve even tackled your inbox, despite the fact that it meant deleting half your emails without opening them.

You tuck that book you’ve been meaning to get to into your luggage. You can feel the tension in your neck and you are so ready to get away.

Then after an overnight plane ride, you wind up here…

Not so tense anymore. In fact, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world you can imagine to visit!

You’re in Santorini…

Last week, I returned from this magical trip and I can tell you for sure, there’s nothing quite like it. From the minute we arrived, I could feel the tension slip away.

The extraordinary landscape, the vibrant hues, the perfect climate and the wonderful people, all combined to deliver a relaxed escape in an unmatched location.

Santorini is an island in Greece that is known for its exceptional terrain. The lovely town of Oia is built into the side of this rocky cliffside, overlooking the caldera, and the hotels and restaurants take full advantage of the gorgeous vistas from this compelling perch.

There are stairways leading everywhere and some of them are not for the faint of heart.

Yet from the minute we were dropped off at our stunning hotel, we knew this place was about relaxing and recharging. We stayed at a hotel called Katikies (see source info below) and the design and service were both top notch.

We were fortuitously upgraded to a duplex suite, all presented in crisp clean whites, with a lovely jacuzzi on our private terrace. Waking up in this setting and opening the morning shutters to reveal the magnificent view is something I am certain I would never get tired of.

We were lucky to have wonderful weather, so we generally ate our breakfast outdoors, but this pretty little nook would serve just as well.

A walk into town revealed enchanting views, from signature blue and white architecture to the ubiquitous fuchsia florals that offered just the right contrast.

Painted doors and shutters peppered the landscape, with weathered patinas that only enhanced the sun-drenched colors.

Dinners were often spent chasing the sunset, always al fresco and utterly delightful. This romantic meal at Ambrosia restaurant was served on an elegant terrace draped in white linens.

The food was exceptional and artfully presented.

Our second meal involved a short ride down to Amoudi Bay, where we prepared for sunset while the water lapped at our table.

The yellow glow of the setting sun provided a striking contrast against the unmistakable blues of the popular bay.

Our restaurant was called Sunset, and it’s no surprise where the name came from. And much like elsewhere in Santorini, the rocky pier that offered a good sunset view became the most popular spot to be as the sun declined. 

Seafood pasta is the dish de rigueur and it didn’t disappoint. Hint: order one and split it!

We like to relax on this type of trip, but there’s plenty to see if you’re willing to explore.

On our last night there, we finally caught an unobstructed view of the sunset at a fabulous restaurant called Strogili. Reserve this place if you want to see the full ‘show’.

The setting sun casts the entire vista in a glorious palette, replete with blue domed churches and pastel facades, all perfectly fit into this vertical town like puzzle pieces, on the tip of this magical island.

Most Beautiful Places Source List:  This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience, but these are actual places I visited and loved! Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

• Katikies Hotel, Oia, Santorini
• Ambrosia Restaurant, Oia, Santorini
• Sunset Ammoudi Taverna, Santorini
• Strogili Restaurant, Oia, Santorini

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these (click on the links or photos):

Le Sirenuse, Positano | Prettiest Hilltop Village in France | Hotel du Cap Eden Roc

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